Skip to Main Content (Press Enter)
Descent into Chaos by Ahmed Rashid
Add Descent into Chaos to bookshelf
Add to Bookshelf

Look Inside

Descent into Chaos

By Ahmed Rashid

By Ahmed Rashid

By Ahmed Rashid

By Ahmed Rashid

Best Seller
Paperback $19.00

Apr 07, 2009 | ISBN 9780143115571

Ebook $6.99

Jun 03, 2008 | ISBN 9781440631047

All Formats
+
    Descent into Chaos by Ahmed Rashid
    Paperback $19.00
    Apr 07, 2009 | ISBN 9780143115571

    Buy from Other Retailers:

    See All Formats (1) +

    Paperback
    –

    • Paperback $19.00

      Apr 07, 2009 | ISBN 9780143115571

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    Ebook
    +

    • Ebook

      Jun 03, 2008 | ISBN 9781440631047

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    Buy the Ebook:

    About Descent into Chaos

    The classic account of America’s experience in Afghanistan, explaining the rise of the Taliban in the aftermath of America’s failed war on terrorism–essential reading to understand the collapse in Afghanistan today.

    “[A] brilliant and passionate book.”—The New York Review of Books

    A blistering critique of American policy—a dire and prescient warning predicting how our disastrous strategies in Central Asia’s failing states threaten global stability and will bring devastation to our world.

    After September 11th, Ahmed Rashid’s crucial book Taliban introduced American readers to that now notorious regime. In this work, he returns to Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia to review the catastrophic aftermath of America’s failed war on terror. Called “Pakistan’s best and bravest reporter” by Christopher Hitchens, Rashid has shown himself to be a voice of reason amid the chaos of present-day Central Asia. The essential briefing book to understand today’s catastrophic headlines.

    About Descent into Chaos

    The classic account of America’s experience in Afghanistan, explaining the rise of the Taliban in the aftermath of America’s failed war on terrorism–essential reading to understand the collapse in Afghanistan today. From the author of the #1 NYT bestseller Taliban.

    “[A] brilliant and passionate book.”—The New York Review of Books

    A blistering critique of American policy—a dire and prescient warning predicting how our disastrous strategies in Central Asia’s failing states threaten global stability and will bring devastation to our world.

    After September 11th, Ahmed Rashid’s crucial book Taliban introduced American readers to that now notorious regime. In this work, he returns to Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia to review the catastrophic aftermath of America’s failed war on terror. Called “Pakistan’s best and bravest reporter” by Christopher Hitchens, Rashid has shown himself to be a voice of reason amid the chaos of present-day Central Asia. The essential briefing book to understand today’s catastrophic headlines.

    Also by Ahmed Rashid

    Pakistan on the Brink
    A Fragile Future
    Jihad
    See all books by Ahmed Rashid

    Also by Ahmed Rashid

    Pakistan on the Brink
    A Fragile Future
    Jihad
    See all books by Ahmed Rashid

    About Ahmed Rashid

    Ahmed Rashid is a journalist who has been covering Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asia for more than 20 years. He is a correspondent for the Wall Street Journal, Far Eastern Economic Review, Daily Telegraph, and the Nation, a leading newspaper in Pakistan. His #1 New York… More about Ahmed Rashid

    About Ahmed Rashid

    Ahmed Rashid is a journalist who has been covering Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asia for more than 20 years. He is a correspondent for the Wall Street Journal, Far Eastern Economic Review, Daily Telegraph, and the Nation, a leading newspaper in Pakistan. His #1 New York… More about Ahmed Rashid

    Product Details

    Category: World Politics | 1950 – Present Military History

    Paperback | $19.00
    Published by Penguin Books
    Apr 07, 2009 | 560 Pages | 5-1/2 x 8-7/16 | ISBN 9780143115571

    Category: World Politics | 1950 – Present Military History

    Ebook | $6.99
    Published by Penguin Books
    Jun 03, 2008 | 560 Pages | ISBN 9781440631047
    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

    Praise

    “Not only provides thoughtful, detailed dissection of seminal events in Central Asian recent history, but an insightful snapshot into future scenarios of where the roadmaps to terror and peace may be headed.”
    -Greg Mortenson, author of The New York Times bestseller Three Cups of Tea

    “Powerful.”
    -Wolf Blitzer

    “Rashid, a Pakistani journalist, is that most valuable of political analysts: both insider and outsider to the problem he studies. His book should be read by anyone pondering how America might stop widening Osama bin Ladin’s pool of bomb-clad volunteers.”
    – Chicago Tribune

    “[A] brilliant and passionate book.”
    –The New York Review of Books

    Awards

    Arthur Ross Book Award WINNER

    Asia Society Award Nominee WINNER

    Lionel Gelber Prize WINNER

    Table Of Contents

    Descent into ChaosMaps
    Countries and Cities of Central Asia
    Ethnic Distribution Within Pakistan and Afghanistan
    Afghan Provinces and Federally Administered Tribal Areas
    NATO Deployment and Provincial Reconstruction Team Locations in Afghanistan, 2007
    Opium Poppy Cultivation in Afghanistan, 2007
    Military Offensives Launched by the Taliban in Pakistan and Afghanistan, 2007-2008

    Glossary
    Acronyms


    Introduction
    Imperial Overreach and Nation Building

    Part One: 9/11 And War

    1. A Man With A Mission
    The Unending Conflict in Afghanistan

    2. “The U.S. Will Act Like a Wounded Bear”
    Pakistan’s Long Search for Its Soul

    3. The Chief Executive’s Schizophrenia
    Pakistan, the United Nations, and the United States Before 9/11

    4. Attack!
    Retaliation and Invasion

    5. The Search for a Settlement
    Afghanistan and Pakistan at Odds

    Part Two: The Politics of the Post-9/11 World

    6. A Nuclear State of Mind
    India, Pakistan, and the War of Permanent Instability

    7. The One-Billion-Dollar Warlords
    The War Within Afghanistan

    8. Musharraf’s Lost Moment
    Political Expediency and Authoritarian Rule

    Part Three: The Failure of Nation Building

    9. Afghanistan I
    Economic Reconstruction

    10. Afghanistan II
    Rebuilding Security

    11. Double-Dealing with Islamic Extremism
    Al Qaeda and the Taliban in Pakistan

    12. Taliban Resurgent
    The Taliban Return Home

    Part Four: Descent Into Chaos

    13. Al Qaeda’s Bolt-Hole
    Pakistan’s Tribal Areas

    14. America Shows The Way
    The Disappeared and the Rendered

    15. Drugs and Thugs
    Opium Fuels the Insurgency

    16. Who Lost Uzbekistan?
    Tyranny in Central Asia

    17. The Taliban Offensive
    Battling for Control of Afghanistan, 2006-2007

    18. The Death of an Icon
    Pakistan Struggles to Survive

    19. Conclusion
    A Fragile Future

    Acknowledgments
    Notes
    Suggested Reading
    Index

    Looking for More Great Reads?
    21 Books You’ve Been Meaning to Read
    Get the latest updates about Ahmed Rashid
    And go from well-read to best read with book recs, deals and more in your inbox every week.
    And go from well-read to best read with book recs, deals and more in your inbox every week.
    By clicking “SIGN UP”, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Penguin Random House’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and understand that Penguin Random House collects certain categories of personal information for the purposes listed in that policy, discloses, sells, or shares certain personal information and retains personal information in accordance with the policy. You can opt-out of the sale or sharing of personal information anytime.
    Dismiss
    Thanks!
    Something awesome is on its way.
    Back to Top

    Visit other sites in the Penguin Random House Network

    Raise kids who love to read

    Raise kids who love to read

    Today's Top Books

    Want to know what people are actually reading right now?

     An online magazine for today’s home cook

    An online magazine for today’s home cook