88 Days to Kandahar

A CIA Diary

By: Robert L. Grenier

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

The "first" Afghan War, the CIA's war in response to 9/11, was approved by President Bush and directed by the author, Robert Grenier, the CIA station chief in Islamabad. Forging separate alliances with warlords, Taliban dissidents, and Pakistani intelligence, Grenier defeated the Taliban and put Hamid Karzai in power in 88 days. Later, as head of CIA counterterrorism, he watches as bureaucratic dysfunction in the CIA, Pentagon, and the White House lead to failure in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In his gripping narrative, we meet General Tommy Franks, who bridles at CIA control of "his" war; General "Jafar Amin", a gruff Pakistani intelligence officer who saves Grenier from committing career suicide; Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan's brilliant ambassador to the US, who tries to warn her government of the al-Qaeda threat; "Mark", the CIA operator who guides GulAgha Shirzai to bloody victory over the Taliban; General Kayani, a cautious man who will become the most powerful man in Pakistan, struggling with Grenier's demands while trying to protect his country; and Hamid Karzai, the puzzling anti-Taliban insurgent, a man of courage, petulance, and vacillating moods.

Grenier's enemies out in front prove only slightly more lethal than the ones behind his own lines. This first war is won despite Washington bureaucrats who divert resources, deny military support, and try to undermine the only Afghan allies capable of winning.

Later, as Grenier directed the CIA's role in the Iraq War, he watched the initial victory squandered. His last command was of CIA's Counterterrorism Center, as Bush-era terrorism policies were being repudiated, as the Taliban reemerged in Afghanistan, and as Pakistan descended into fratricidal violence.

©2015 Robert L. Grenier. All statements of fact, opinion, or analysis expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official positions or views of the CIA or any other US Government agency. Nothing in the contents should be construed as asserting or implying US Government authentication of information or Agency endorsement of the author’s views. This material has been reviewed by the CIA to prevent the disclosure of classified information. The Central Intelligence Agency has not approved, endorsed, or authorized this book or the use of the CIA seal, name, or initials. (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Interesting, not entertaining

Very, very insightful and interesting book with lots of information I wouldn't get elsewhere but it dragged on and on and didn't keep me engaged. I had to force myself to finish it.

It was easy to loose interest

I found that I couldn't listen to this book and do something else at the same time which I typically do. You have to put your mind to this book because it's very easy to get distracted. I don't know whether it was the reader or, whether it was the story. It did give a good insight to how the CIA works.

A full account at last

Glad to have someone with all the facts explain the recent history of Afghanistan. Suspect author harbors some of the attitudes he decries: I and my colleagues know what's best. Narrative drones on but that is the nature of the book. Still a side plot or more explicit depiction of a battle would have made it more entertaining.

very informative

insightful opinion of what we've done right and wrong in Afghanistan in the last decade-and-a-half. also an insightful history of the area

good book

this was a great book and explained the events taking place in Afghanistan during the early years after 9:11 and was only dry on occasion

Excellent book; great background and insight into the US involvement and actions in Afghanistan; must read

Great book to understand our actions and background in Afghanistan. Enjoyed this book and the succinct writing. With all the problems the US have had in Afghanistan, this is a must read for any US person interested in foreign policy and current affairs. This book should serve as a lessons learned for future planning to avoid long winded conflicts without a clear sustainable plan and goal.

Trump would be wise to enlist Grenier

President Trump would wise to ask Robert Grenier to come out of retirement to help with Afghanistan. Very informative on the inter working of CIA and interaction with governments.

eye opening!

the book was very well documented. story was easy to follow. very entertaining could not put it down! Bob's insights, as a person who's been there, are educational, insightful, and unfortunately foreboding. love the book!

Lots of detail (too much at times), subpar storytelling

I had hoped and expected this book to be more of a story-based recounting of the actual 88 days after 9-11 but instead was more of a wordy memoir with more detail than substance. The author seems to state that everything that went wrong, particularly during the Iraq war and subsequently with the Obama Administration deciding to pull out of Afghanistan completely, was against his recommendations and while it may be true, it reeks of bitter “I told you so” sentiment from someone who was forced to leave the CIA on terms other than his own. Not a bad book, but it was a disappointment to me. The reader does an above average performance and I enjoyed his various voices and voice inflections.

Honest conclusion based on practical realities.

I have been through this period of history of Southeast Asia especially pakistan/Afghanistan.I congratulate the author on the honesty and courage to say what he believes.If you want to understand the situation
,listen this book a few times