A review by shanehawk
Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan by Scott Horton

5.0

Truly unbelievable. Horton packs so many (well cited) facts into his anti-war nonfiction it makes one’s head spin. It is not a nonfiction book written like a flowery novel, but his arrangement, perspicuous prose, content, and insight all make for a page turner. While I continued to read and was flabbergasted I’d text my friend who served four tours in the Middle East to corroborate the details. He confirmed everything and it sent my thoughts spiraling. I believe Horton knew he painted a complicated picture for the average reader so he included five separate appendices. These aid the reader in understanding and referencing military terminology/initialisms and the cast of people mentioned throughout along with supplying additional selected readings on American torture, Afghanistan itself and a few highly detailed maps of the region.

I recommend this to anyone wanting to better understand our 16+ year quagmire in the Middle East. Anti-war advocates should read it as much as pro-war hawks. Everyone between and across the world would appreciate this as well, if a translation is possible. 5/5 stars