Descent into Chaos: The United States and the Failure of Nation Building in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Cenral Asia - Hardcover

Rashid, Ahmed

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0670019704 ISBN 13: 9780670019700

Publisher: Viking Pr, 2008

Synopsis

A Pakistani journalist and best-selling author of Taliban and Jihad offers a troubling look at the increasing turbulence threatening Central Asia, looking at the assassination of Benazir Bhutto and its potential repercussions, the resurgence of the Taliban and Al Qaeda, and the growing instability in a nuclear-armed Pakistan. 75,000 first printing.

About this title

Review

'Ahmed Rashid, a journalist of the highest narrative and analytical gifts...tells a story from the viewpoint of a highly informed Pakistani who knows intimately almost all the leading players'
-- The Sunday Times

'Ahmed Rashid...has over the decades turned out to be something of a prophet in the region'
-- International Herald Tribune

'Compulsively readable.' -- The Evening Standard

'Descent into Chaos [is] a well-researched and urgently written account of the chronic problems of Afghanistan, Pakistan and their Central Asian neighbours... [A] remarkable book.'
-- Literary Review

'I've never had so many people queuing wanting to review a book in all the ten years I've been here. They were fighting over it.' -- The Economist, Literary editor

'The War and Peace of the early 21st century has yet to be written but, while we wait...Ahmed Rashid will nicely fill the gap' -- The Observer

Fascinating...should be required reading for the next president in Washington and all Nato leaders who have put the future of their military alliance on the line -- Financial Times

`...superbly researched account of post-9/11 Asia... Oustanding' -- Telegraph Review

`His knowledge of events and people [in Central Asia] is second to none' -- The Independent

`Rashid is a distinguished...international journalist who emerges from this book as both author and participant... [he] tells a story from which everyone can learn'
-- New Statesman

From the Back Cover

'Compulsively readable' Justin Marozzi, Evening Standard'

Profound and lively ... it reads like a thriller ... graphic, detailed and worrying' Michael Fathers, New Statesman

The war on terror is being lost - but not just in Iraq. As this devastating book shows, the real crisis zone now lies in central Asia. Veteran reporter Ahmed Rashid has unparalleled access to the region and knows its leading players, from presidents to warlords. Here he documents how closely Pakistan's US-backed regime is linked with extremists; how broken promises in Afghanistan have led to a resurgent Taliban fed by drugs money; and how the largest landmass in the world is now a breeding ground for terrorism.

In this story of squandered opportunities, misguided alliances and double-dealing, Rashid pinpoints with chilling accuracy where the true threat to our global security comes from.

'Gripping ... a major contribution to understanding the region and the events of recent years ... thought-provoking and important' Jason Burke, Observer

'Pakistan's best and bravest reporter' Christopher Hitchens

'His knowledge of events and people there is second to none and the information he has gathered, often at great personal risk, makes alarming reading' Kim Sengupta, Independent

'A superbly researched account of post-9/11 Asia ... outstanding' Sameer Rahim, Daily Telegraph

Pensucla: Politics/Current Events

Edition details

• Publisher: Viking Pr
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0670019704
• ISBN 13: 9780670019700
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 484