From one of America's most renowned war correspondents comes the definitive account of the Afghanistan war, a damning policy assessment, and a compelling and controversial way forward.

Includes maps of: Afghanistan; [Konar Province]; [Asadabad and Vicinity]; [Camp Joyce and Vicinity]; [Durand Line]; [Kandahar and Vicinity]; [Lashkar Gah and Vicinity]. Includes index.

Sisyphus: pacifying the capillary valleys -- They always held the high ground -- Battalion 1-32 returns: the counterinsurgency effect -- Flesh and blood -- Finest stand -- The bravest warrior -- 1,500-mile sanctuary -- A profession, not a creed -- How to clear a district -- Limits of success -- Circular strategy -- Professionals' war -- Setback -- Petraeus takes command -- What is good enough? -- The way out.