A General Speaks Out: The Truth About the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq [Paperback]

Michael DeLong (Author), Noah Lukeman (Author), Gen. Anthony Zinni USMC (Ret.) (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 2007

The frankest, most authoritative look yet inside the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq—how we prepared, how we fought—and what's happening now on these two fronts.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

The deputy commander of the U.S. Central Command during the Afghanistan and Iraq wars offers the frankest and most authoritative look yet inside these conflicts—how we prepared for battle, how we fought, how we toppled two regimes—and what’s happening now on these two crucial fronts. His eye-opening account provides a much-needed insider’s view of what’s gone right, what’s gone wrong, and what we need to do to succeed in this ever more perilous enterprise.

About the Author

Michael DeLong is former deputy commander in chief of United States Central Command. Now retired from the Marine Corps as a lieutenant general, he is an executive VP of the Shaw Group Inc and a board member of Sykes Enterprises. General DeLong lives in the Tampa Bay area.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Zenith Press; 1st edition (March 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760330484
• ISBN-13: 978-0760330487
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,090,123 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Filled me with new respect, June 29, 2007

By 

Kimberley Wilson (VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A General Speaks Out: The Truth About the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq (Paperback)

Every now and then I'll read a book and wish that I could meet the author for dinner. A General Speaks Out was one of those books. General DeLong is a fascinating person. He comes across as a no nonsense type of guy but clearly has a sense of humor as well and this book is about his time in one of the hardest jobs on earth. Between dealing with Secretary Rumsfeld, General Franks-- a guy you would NOT want to get on the bad side of, and running a war it's a wonder he made it retirement without collapsing.

The most interesting part of the book was the wild contrast between the stuff the media was printing and they way things actually were. If the media scandals of recent years didn't make you question everything you read in the newspaper then this book should.

Finally, I was really moved by the dedication and calmness of our military. Thank you General DeLong for your service.

7 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The truth as he saw it., April 3, 2007

By 

E. Bale (Vadito, NM, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A General Speaks Out: The Truth About the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq (Paperback)

The writer of this book is a retired Naval Aviator, US Marine Corps Leutenant General who writes as he sees it. It is of his experiece as the number 2 officer in the US Central Command who kept the home fires burning during te 2003 invasion of Iraq. This revised and renamed editon serves a real purpose in that his view on events of major signifiance vary from other writers and remain unchallenged. It is an important writing because it shows that in any modern day military venture, there is much political, logistical and other work in the background during both the planning and the operational phases. Written in a simple style which adds to it value Well worth reading. The cost is right.

10 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the men there know the truth, March 21, 2007

By 

Danette L. Wyatt "citizen for truth" (St. Croix, USVI----Racine, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A General Speaks Out: The Truth About the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq (Paperback)

Excellent book by a man who was there, and helped set up everything. Easy to complain and knock things down when you HAVEN'T been there and know all that is going on. The General is honest and forthcoming with success's and failures.