Gretchen Peters

This is unquestionably an important topic, but the book doesn't do it justice. The narrative meanders around in circles, repeating points both major and minor; the reader is left to drown in detail. As someone who has been following the news, little of this felt new or surprising to me; I'm sure that some of the details were specific to this book, but they weren't set apart or highlighted in such a way that I could appreciate them. Ultimately, it read like a long -- a very long -- newswire show more story, without enough life or color to bring the story and color alive. A good narrative nonfiction book finds a way to organize its material and make it compelling; this one doesn't. show less

Highly recommend, very interesting story. I found it was a little hard to follow some of the twists and turns and jumps from place to place so I read it twice and found it much more coherent the 2nd go-around.

This is the author's opinion and theory, and so it could be true/not true or partly true but, regardless, the story of the "regular folk" in that neck of the world really individualizes the Afghanies to me. We - USA born folk, often generalize about Middle Easterners being all one way show more or the other... I tend to do that too, because that's all I hear and see on the news, but this book turned what, for me, was a monolithic group into millions of individuals with individual concerns and lives. I'm not sure I feel comfortable yet with them and I'm really impressed that the author felt (relatively) comfortable moving about in that world, but I hope I look at the problems in the Middle East through a more individualistic lens rather than lumping them all together. If I'm able to do that, it'll be partly (mostly?) due to this book. Highly recommend. show less

An excellent perspective on the main problem facing the people of Afghanistan and those countries and organizations seeking to help them develop their long neglected country. If you want to know why we aren't making any progress and need to continue to place more assets and lives in harms way then you should read this book.

Thisbook is an excellent source of information on the relationship of the Taliban and the drug funding obtained from growing poppy in Afganistan. Gretchen must be complimented on her reporting capability and bravery.