In The Good War, the author provides the first full narrative history of the war in Afghanistan, from its inception after 9/11 to the drawdown in 2014. Drawing on hundreds of interviews, previously unpublished archives, and months of reporting in Afghanistan, Fairweather explores the righteous intentions and astounding hubris that caused the American strategy in Afghanistan to flounder, refuting the long-held notion that the war could have been won with more troops and cash.

Part I. The missing peace 2001-2003 -- The wrong kind of war -- Bloody hell -- Good Taliban -- The man who would be king -- At the gates -- Warlords -- National solidarity -- A convenient drug -- Homecoming -- Part II. A dangerous alliance 2004-2007 -- Imperial vision -- PRTs -- A special relationship -- Eradication -- Friendly advice -- Fly fishing in the Hindu Kush -- A new war -- Medusa -- Bad guests -- All the way -- Salam -- Part III. The blood price 2009-2014 -- An education -- The switch -- Ghosts -- A cruel summer -- Elections -- Political expediency -- A reckoning -- The futility of force -- Endgame.