Informed by unparalleled access to still–secret documents, interviews with top field commanders, and a review of the military’s own internal after–action reports, Cobra II is the definitive chronicle of America’s invasion and occupation of Iraq—a conflict that could not be lost but one that the United States failed to win decisively. From the Pentagon to the White House to the American command centers in the field, the book reveals the inside story of how the war was actually planned and fought. Drawing on classified United States government intelligence, it also provides a unique account of how Saddam Hussein and his high command developed and prosecuted their war strategy. Unimpeachably sourced, Cobra II describes how the American rush to Baghdad provided the opportunity for the virulent insurgency that followed. The brutal aftermath in Iraq was not inevitable and was a surprise to the generals on both sides; Cobra II provides the first authoritative account as to why. It is a book of enduring importance and incisive analysis—a comprehensive account of the most reported yet least understood war in American history.
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"Cobra II illustrates the many failings of the military campaign in Iraq, and reveals that they could possibly have been avoided with just a little more planning. Who'd have thought? It's an excellent read though if you want all the specifics on just how things went wrong, and how badly. "
— Kenny (4 out of 5 stars)
" A necessary book for understanding what happened during the initial years of the war with Saddam Hussein. The blunders committed by the Bush administration were in my view the greatest ever by any wartime president. "
— Jimmy, 2/15/2014" A well researched telling of a story we mostly already know. In summation: bad logistical planning, faulty intel, Franks is bad, Rumsfeld is worse. "
— Timothyarnold1973, 1/24/2014" From what I've seen, seems to be an accurate account. And if so, it will be an excellent source or 'lessons learned' "
— Tom, 12/27/2013" Merp! I voted for George Bush in both 2000 and 2004. This book is essentially about how ideology trumped reality in the USA's foreign policy decision making process from late 2001 to ... "
— Erik, 12/8/2013" The 1st & the last 3rd of the book is very good at giving a broad overview of the vast number of mistakes of the war. The middle 3rd gets too bogged down into the first days of the way...just skip the entire middle of the book. "
— Ty, 12/5/2013" Written in the shortly after the capture of Hussein, there is alot that we know that did not make the book. From a military history standpoint a very concise in depth look at the years and years of planning that went into the invasion, and in hindsight hints toward the issues in the country that we have faced in the last five years since this publication. More for the history buff and not for the politico. "
— Kristopher, 10/18/2013" A bit dry at points "
— Tim, 10/7/2013" With General Trainor's authoritative inside view, this book gives insights into the administrative machinations behind the war and into the way the upper echelons of the military gave into political pressures. A little dry in the blow-by-blow portions about the war itself. "
— Gina, 10/4/2013" Read this in July - very interesting. "
— Jonathan, 9/8/2013" The military did pretty well; the politicians made a royal mess of it... "
— Brent, 8/5/2013" Very slow to get going but gets moving once the offensive, tagged Cobra 2, gets underway. The revelations regarding the planning, execution and failure to accurately assess the post-invasion (ahem, "liberation") of Iraq is enthralling - and astounding. "
— Suzan, 6/28/2013" Took a Gulf Wars class in college. This was (and should be) required reading. Highly recommended. "
— Tyler, 6/8/2013" It was incredibly informative, a comprehensive look at the invasion and occupation, from Rumsfeld to the privates on the field. It is told from the point of view of a military historian, it is not politically charged and the facts do all the talking. "
— Terry, 5/23/2013" this is an incredible piece of journalism. It makes me very afraid to think our country makes such important decisions in this manner. It also makes me understand things in a very different manner. "
— Rhonda, 5/21/2013" Comprehensive history of the March/April 2003 invasion of Iraq. Outlines the political development leading to war, the formulation and execution of the invasion plan, and the situation on the ground after major combat operations ceased. "
— Mrn, 4/3/2013" Best book about the Iraq war I've read. Read one of them at least. Shit. "
— Timothy, 3/29/2013" A worthy and sobering read for all who have served in Iraq. "
— Gordon, 12/28/2012" If you want to know how Iraq went wrong, read this. "
— Michael, 12/19/2012" This book was ok, gives you an insiders look at the planning and execution of the initial invasion but becuase the occupation became the bigger more important story the relevance of this book suffered. "
— Brad, 5/27/2012" Really good but I got lost in the battle descriptions. If you have a military background or strong interest you would probably appreciate the detail. I definitely learned more than I ever knew about how military planning, decision-making works. I'm glad I read it. "
— Beth639, 11/1/2011" Published early on in the exercise, this was one of the first books about how the invasion of Iraq became a debacle. Unfortunately, it wouldn't be the last. "
— Leonard, 10/19/2011" Very long and very dry at parts. Good account of a mismanaged war. "
— Luke, 3/19/2011" Required reading for all Americans. "
— Jesse, 10/30/2010" A compelling review of the tragedy of the Bush administration, the Neocons, and a looking glass at the failure of a policy and a war the American people never asked for. A very good read,a tribute to our armed forces. Definitely worthwhile to read this one. "
— Mark, 9/7/2010" great accounting of what kind of charlie/foxtrot results when the REMF's get to plan military operations. "
— Chris, 7/5/2010" A necessary book for understanding what happened during the initial years of the war with Saddam Hussein. The blunders committed by the Bush administration were in my view the greatest ever by any wartime president. "
— Jimmy, 5/18/2010" Account of early portion of :2nd U.S.-Iraq war. U.S. not expecting unconventional resitatance; U. S. forces enough to occupy Iraq but not to control it. Administration didn't think these problems would arise, but was advised of the probability of these problems. <br/> "
— Converse, 4/1/2010" I liked the beginning and end, but the middle was filled with the minutiae of the tactical battles. "
— Todd, 2/17/2010" A worthy and sobering read for all who have served in Iraq. "
— Gordon, 2/4/2010" Very long and very dry at parts. Good account of a mismanaged war. "
— Luke, 1/31/2010" From what I've seen, seems to be an accurate account. And if so, it will be an excellent source or 'lessons learned' "
— Tom, 10/23/2009" Felt a social obligation to understand more about the Iraq war. This certainly did the trick. Not sure how skewed it was; if the author had an agenda or not. It was an informative read, certainly not a light weekend read. "
— Katie, 9/17/2009" Really good but I got lost in the battle descriptions. If you have a military background or strong interest you would probably appreciate the detail. I definitely learned more than I ever knew about how military planning, decision-making works. I'm glad I read it. "
— Beth639, 6/30/2009" The big to read on the path to the war in Iraq in 2003. The authors did their homework. A lot of missed opportunities IMHO. "
— David, 6/15/2009" <br/>great accounting of what kind of charlie/foxtrot results when the REMF's get to plan military operations. "
— Chris, 5/27/2009" The military did pretty well; the politicians made a royal mess of it... "
— Brent, 12/20/2008Michael R. Gordon is the national security correspondent and former chief military correspondent for the New York Times. He is the author, with Ret. General Bernard Trainor, of the bestsellers Cobra II and The Generals’ War, and of The Endgame.
Rob Shapiro is a musician, writer, voice actor, and Earphones Award–winning narrator. He performed several seasons of radio comedy on Minneapolis Public Radio and voiced the titular lion in Leo the Lion. He is a musician and composer with his critically acclaimed band Populuxe. He is also a business consultant and software system designer.
Craig Wasson is an actor and audiobook narrator. His most notable film appearance was in the 1984 film, Body Double. Also a prolific reader of audio books, he narrated Stephen King’s novel, 11/22/63, as well as numerous books by James Ellroy and John Grisham.