Dana Priest

The Mission

Walk with America's generals, grunts, and Green Berets through the maze of unconventional wars and unsettled peace.

Four-star generals who lead the military during wartime reign like proconsuls abroad in peacetime. Secretive Green Berets trained to hunt down terrorists are assigned to seduce ruthless authoritarian regimes. Pimply young soldiers taught to seize airstrips instead play mayor, detective, and social worker in a gung-ho but ill-fated attempt to rebuild a nation after the fighting stops.

The Mission is a boots-on-the-ground account of America's growing dependence on our military to manage world affairs, describing a clash of culture and purpose through the eyes of soldiers and officers themselves. With unparalleled access to all levels of the military, Dana Priest traveled to eighteen countries—including Uzbekistan, Colombia, Kosovo, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Afghanistan—talking to generals, admirals, Special Forces A-teams, and infantry troops. Blending Ernie Pyle's worm's-eye view with David Halberstam's altitude, this book documents an historic and thought-provoking trend, one even more significant in the aftermath of September 11 as the country turns to its warriors to solve the complex international challenges ahead. 34 maps and illustrations.

"Examines America's increasing reliance on its military to manage—and cure—complex crises in foreign policy and international diplomacy."—Newsweek

"Contains colorful anecdotal evidence...[that] the military cannot take the lead role [in nation building]."—Weekly Standard, Christian D. Brose

"[N]ot a dry tome aimed at policy wonks. Written in a journalistic style... [it] conveys its message through colorful stories."—Wisconsin State Journal, William Wineke

"Priest has done prodigious research, including travel....The result...is an often fascinating kaleidoscope of the US military circa 2003."—Washington Post Book World, Max Boot

"Priest documents [how] the...armed forces pursue tasks for which they are ill suited, untrained and sometimes only loosely mandated."—San Francisco Chronicle, John T. Finn

"The fine texture of [Priest's] reporting of the views of the personalities involved is impressive....well written."—Army Magazine, Maj. Gen. Edward B. Atkeson, USA Ret., Ph.D.

"Insightful reportage that integrates the small with the large scale."—Booklist, Gilbert Taylor

"A book that is just in time for the great new debate between the hawks and the doves."—Benjamin C. Bradlee

"Anyone trying to understand the interplay between US military and foreign policy must read The Mission."—Jody Williams, Nobel Laureate for Peace ,1997

"An important, frequently troubling, portrayal...raises questions that urgently need answers."—Jessica T. Matthews, president, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

"[S]uperbly written....should be required reading for anyone hoping to understand the goals and objectives of contemporary US foreign policy."—Lawrence J. Korb, Director of Studies, Council on Foreign Relations

"[A] fascinating set of answers to...important questions about America's role in today's world ."—Joseph Nye, Dean, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs

"Dana Priest's revealing, close-up look at this dramatic new development is especially timely as we view the challenges of the post-9/11 world."—Richard Holbrooke

"A clear-eyed portrait of American military culture....Rich in instruction for policymakers, soldiers, and politics junkies alike."—Kirkus Reviews