Special Offers see all
More at Powell'sRecently Viewed clear list
Interviews | May 16, 2013
0 comments
|
 
$15.95
Used Hardcover
Ships in 1 to 3 days
This title in other editionsOperation Dark Heart: Spycraft and Special Ops on the Frontlines of Afghanistan -- And the Path to Victoryby Anthony Shaffer
Synopses & ReviewsPublisher Comments:On Friday, August 13, 2010, just as St. Martins Press was readying its initial shipment of this book, the Department of Defense contacted us to express its concern that our publication of Operation Dark Heart could cause damage to U.S. national security. After consulting with our author, we agreed to incorporate some of the governments changes into a revised edition of his book while redacting other text he was told was classified. The newly revised book keeps our national interests secure, but this highly qualified warrior's story is still intact. Shaffer's assessment of successes and failures in Afghanistan remains dramatic, shocking, and crucial reading for anyone concerned about the outcome of the war. “While I do not agree with the edits in many ways, the DoD redactions enhance the readers understanding by drawing attention to the flawed results created by a disorganized and heavy handed military intelligence bureaucracy." —Lt. Col. Anthony Shaffer Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Shaffer had run intelligence operations for years before he arrived in Afghanistan. He was part of the “dark side of the force”---the shadowy elements of the U.S. government that function outside the bounds of the normal system. His group called themselves the Jedi Knights and pledged to use the dark arts of espionage to protect the country from its enemies. Shaffers mission to Afghanistan, however, was unlike any he had ever experienced before. There, he led a black-ops team on the forefront of the military efforts to block the Talibans resurgence. They not only planned complex intelligence operations to beat back the insurgents, but also played a key role in executing those operations---outside the wire. They succeeded in striking at the core of the Taliban and their safe havens across the border in Pakistan. For a moment Shaffer saw us winning the war. Then the military brass got involved. The policies that top officials relied on were hopelessly flawed. Shaffer and his team were forced to sit and watch as the insurgency grew---just across the border in Pakistan. This wasnt the first time he had seen bureaucracy stand in the way of national security. He had participated in Able Danger, the aborted intelligence operation that identified many of the future 9/11 terrorists but failed to pursue them. His attempt to reveal the truth to the 9/11 Commission would not go over well with his higher-ups. Operation Dark Heart tells the story of what really went on--and what went wrong--in Afghanistan. Shaffer witnessed firsthand the tipping point, when what seemed like certain victory turned into failure. Now, in this book, he maps out a way that could put us on the path to winning the war. Synopsis:Operation Dark Heart tells the story of what really went on—and what went wrong—in Afghanistan. Lt. Col. Anthony Shaffer led a black-ops team on the forefront of the military efforts to block the Talibans resuregence. For a moment he saw us winning the war. Then the military brass got involved. He witnessed firsthand the tipping point, when what seemed like certain victory turned into failure. This wasnt the first time he had seen bureacracy stand in the way of national security. He had participated in Able Danger, the aborted intelligence operation that identitifed many of the future 9/11 terrorists but failed to pursue them. His attempt to reveal the truth to the 9/11 Commission would not go over well with the higher-ups. Operation Dark Heart made headlines when the Department of Defense bought the entire unredacted first printing. The books revised second printing includes redactions, which, according to The New York Times, “offer a rare glimpse behind the bureaucratic veil that clocks information the government considers too important for public airing.” But most importantly, Operation Dark Heart remains a stirring indictment against military bureaucracy and a culture of cover-ups. Synopsis:Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Shaffer had been part of espionage operations for years before he went into the field to help fight the war in Afghanistan. He led the charge in blocking the Taliban's resurgence. But the policies that top officials relied on were hopelessly flawed. Shaffer and his team were forced to sit and watch as the insurgency grew just across the border in Pakistan.
This wasn't the first time he saw bureaucracy stand in the way of national security, however. He had participated in Able Danger, the aborted intelligence operation that identified many of the future 9/11 terrorists but failed to pursue them. His attempt to reveal it to the 9/11 Commission would not go over well with the top brass and would even cost him a job. Operation Dark Heart tells the story of what really went on, and what went wrong, in the Afghanistan war. Filled with stories of espionage and intrigue in the combat zone, Shaffer shows the spy's side of the story. About the AuthorLT. COL. ANTHONY SHAFFER is a Bronze Star Medal recipient and a lieutenant colonel in the U. S. Army Reserve. A CIA-trained senior intelligence operations officer, he has more than twenty-five years of experience in the intelligence community. He is a Senior Fellow and Special Lecturer at the Center for Advanced Defense Studies in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit his Web site at www.operationdarkheart.com. What Our Readers Are SayingBe the first to add a comment for a chance to win!Product Details
Other books you might likeRelated Subjects
Biography » Military
|
|||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
|
Follow us on...
|
||||||||||
