Review Of The Achilles Trap
Steve Coll’s The Achilles Trap is a gripping and meticulously researched exploration of the U.S. government’s complex and often contradictory relationship with Saddam Hussein, leading up to the wars that reshaped modern geopolitics. Using newly declassified intelligence, first-hand interviews, and deep investigative research, Coll uncovers the missteps, miscalculations, and secret negotiations that defined U.S.-Iraq relations from the 1980s to the early 2000s. The book provides a behind-the-scenes look at how Washington’s political ambitions, shifting alliances, and failures in diplomacy created a cycle of conflict that ultimately led to war.
With a journalist’s sharp eye for detail and a historian’s dedication to accuracy, The Achilles Trap offers an in-depth analysis of how political leaders on both sides viewed each other—and how their misunderstandings fueled disastrous decisions. This book is essential for anyone interested in the true story behind one of the most consequential rivalries in modern history.
Summary Of The Achilles Trap
For decades, Saddam Hussein’s Iraq was a focal point of U.S. foreign policy, shaping and shifting according to America’s political interests. The Achilles Trap traces this volatile relationship from the 1980s, when the U.S. saw Saddam as a counterbalance to Iran, to the Gulf War of 1991, and ultimately to the 2003 invasion that toppled his regime.
Coll examines the secret diplomatic meetings, back-channel negotiations, and intelligence failures that led to a series of conflicts with devastating global consequences. He reveals how U.S. policymakers misjudged Saddam’s ambitions and decision-making process, assuming they could control or contain him. Meanwhile, Saddam, driven by his own ideological vision and mistrust of the West, miscalculated America’s willingness to go to war.
Through newly uncovered documents and interviews with key players, The Achilles Trap provides a fresh perspective on the motivations, fears, and miscommunications that led to one of the most significant military engagements of the 21st century.
Book Details
Author: Steve Coll
Publication Year: 2024
Publisher: Penguin Press
ISBN: 9780593655481
Genre: Political History, Nonfiction, Middle East Studies
Ratings
Goodreads: 4.41/5 (1,736 ratings) |
Amazon: 4.5/5 (mixed reviews)
About the Author
Steve Coll is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of several acclaimed books, including Ghost Wars and Directorate S. He is known for his investigative reporting on intelligence, foreign policy, and global conflicts.
Why You’ll Love It
- Deeply researched and based on newly declassified materials.
- Explores U.S. foreign policy through an investigative lens.
- Essential reading for those interested in global politics and history.
Who Should Read This?
- History and political science enthusiasts.
- Readers interested in U.S. foreign policy and Middle Eastern history.
- Fans of investigative journalism and military strategy.
Book vs. Adaptation Comparisons
No adaptation exists yet, but the book’s gripping narrative and real-life intrigue make it a strong candidate for a documentary or film.
Author Interviews and Spotlights
Steve Coll has discussed The Achilles Trap in interviews, emphasizing the untold stories and lessons from U.S.-Iraq relations.
Reader Feedback
- “A must-read for understanding U.S. foreign policy miscalculations.”
- “Steve Coll delivers another masterpiece of investigative journalism.”
Reading Lists and Recommendations
Similar Books:Ghost Wars by Steve Coll, The Forever War by Dexter Filkins, The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright.
Similar Movies:Charlie Wilson’s War, Vice, The Report.