General David Petraeus is the most transformative leader the American military has seen since the generation of Marshall. In the New York Times bestseller All In, military expert Paula Broadwell examines Petraeus's career, his intellectual development as a military officer, and his impact on the U.S. military.
Afforded extensive access by General Petraeus, his mentors, his subordinates, and his longtime friends, Broadwell reported on the front lines of fighting and at the strategic command in Afghanistan to chronicle the experiences of this American general as they were brought to bear in the terrible crucible of war. All In draws on hundreds of hours of exclusive interviews with Petraeus and his top officers and soldiers to tell the inside story of this commander's development and leadership in war. When Petraeus assumed command in Afghanistan in July 2010, the conflict looked as bleak as at any moment in America's nine years on the ground there. Petraeus's defining idea—counterinsurgency—was immediate put to its most difficult test: the hard lessons learned during the surge in Iraq were to be applied in a radically different theater. All In examines the impact in Afghanistan of new counterinsurgency as well as counterterrorism strategies through the commands of several Petraeus protégés. Broadwell examines his evolution as a solider from his education at West Point in the wake of Vietnam to his earlier service in Central America, Haiti, Kuwait, Bosnia, and Iraq. All In also documents the general's role in the war in Washington, going behind the scenes of negotiations during policy reviews of the war in Afghanistan in Congress, the Pentagon, and the White House. Broadwell ultimately appraises Petraeus's impact on the entire U.S. military: Thanks to this man's influence, the military is better prepared to fight using a comprehensive blend of civil-military activities. As America surveys a decade of untraditional warfare, this much is clear: The career of General David Petraeus profoundly shaped our military and left an indelible mark on its rising leaders.
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"Say what you want about David Petraeus and the controversy surrounding this book, but along with Rajiv Chandrasekaran's Little America, it is one of the best histories of America's efforts in Afghanistan between 2009-2011."
— Nick (5 out of 5 stars)
" Essentially this book is about West Point, and all that Matters is West Point. Ultimate suck biography. "
— 11/15/2020" Interesting but a little too much hero worship. "
— Jim, 10/11/2013" Excellent synopsis of his transformation from simple Army man to the Director of the CIA. My hubby says he's the most brilliant General in ages... This coming from a former Marine. "
— Michelle, 6/18/2013" This book helped me to understand the system a little better along with the history of the Afghanistan war. An incredible man but felt only got a small portion of the story. Maybe one day he will write a memoir. "
— Mindy, 5/15/2013" It was a good book that described the background of general Petraeus and discussed in detail his management of the war in Afghanistan. "
— Joe, 3/21/2013" I thought that it was kind of dry. It had some good insights, but it was not compelling enough to really hold my attention. "
— KVB1, 8/11/2012" Poorly written, this book rarely flows in chronological order making it difficult to place seemingly meaningful moments in the General's career into the broad context of world history as might be recalled by an average person. I would not recommend this book. "
— Christi, 7/22/2012" It is very interesting reading. I'm not a history or military person but I find this book insipiring and intriguing. Little over half way and at times is very hard for me to put this book down. "
— Marcy, 4/18/2012" A very dry read but if you care to understand the environment around Petraeus them this is a good book "
— Shelby, 1/29/2012James Lurie, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, has worked for the biggest companies in the news, entertainment, and advertising businesses. He has an eclectic background; he has been a musician, a writer, and a doctoral candidate in Chinese history. He has been an audiobook narrator and even been the voice of a talking gasoline pump. As an actor he has had recurring roles on Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Law & Order, Picket Fences, and As the World Turns, to name but a few, and he won a Dramalogue Award in Los Angeles for his stage work.