The Strongest Tribe

Title: The Strongest Tribe: War, Politics and the End Game in Iraq
Published by: Random House
Release Date: September 15, 2009
Authors: Bing West
ISBN13: 978-0812978667
Buy the Book: Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound

 
Overview

In Iraq, the United States made mistake after mistake. Many Americans gave up on the war. Then two generals—David Petraeus and Raymond Odierno—displayed the leadership America expected. Bringing the reader from the White House to the fighting in the streets, combat journalist and bestselling author Bing West explains this astounding turnaround by U.S. forces. In the course of fifteen extended trips over five years, West embedded with more than sixty front-line units, discussing strategy with generals and tactics with corporals. Disposing of myths, he provides an expert's account of the counterinsurgency. This is the definitive study of how American soldiers actually fought.

Praise

“A balanced, panoramic assessment of the Iraq War by former Marine and Reagan administration veteran … What makes West’s book fresh and exciting is his ability to weave together two narrative strands. Compelling, firsthand accounts of the war, recorded while embedded with the troops, highlight bravery and leadership on the battlefield. By contrast, incisive strategic analyses of the war unearth a fundamental contradiction between pre-surge military strategy… and Bush’s policy of winning the war…. A timely, eye-opening historical analysis that provides clarity around the difficult choices the next president faces.”
— Kirkus Review (Starred)

‘West calls it like he sees it, and there is probably no American not wearing a uniform who has seen more of this war.”
— Washington Post