Justin Marozzi

Hubris, blunders and lies characterised the war in Afghanistan from the start

Two books, by Toby Harnden and Craig Whitlock, provide a devastating insight into US policy over 20 years

A military transport plane leaves Kabul on August 23rd while Afghans, unable to be evacuated, watch and wait. [Getty Images]
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  • First Casualty: The Untold Story of the Battle that Began the War in Afghanistan

    Toby Harnden

    Welbeck, pp. 342, £18

  • The Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War

    Craig Whitlock

    Simon & Schuster, pp. 287, £20

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