Cobra II

The Inside Story of the Invasion and Occupation of Iraq

By: Michael R. Gordon, Bernard E. Trainor

Narrated by: Craig Wasson

Informed by unparalleled access to still–secret documents, interviews with top field commanders, and a review of the military’s own internal after–action reports, Cobra II is the definitive chronicle of America’s invasion and occupation of Iraq—a conflict that could not be lost but one that the United States failed to win decisively. From the Pentagon to the White House to the American command centers in the field, the book reveals the inside story of how the war was actually planned and fought. Drawing on classified United States government intelligence, it also provides a unique account of how Saddam Hussein and his high command developed and prosecuted their war strategy.

Unimpeachably sourced, Cobra II describes how the American rush to Baghdad provided the opportunity for the virulent insurgency that followed. The brutal aftermath in Iraq was not inevitable and was a surprise to the generals on both sides; Cobra II provides the first authoritative account as to why. It is a book of enduring importance and incisive analysis—a comprehensive account of the most reported yet least understood war in American history.©2006 Michael R. Gordon and Bernard E. Trainor; (P)2006 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

Praise for the Authors’ Previous Book
The Generals’ War: The Inside Story of the Conflict in the Gulf

“Focuses on high-level decision making and offers the most comprehensive and probing examination thus far of the Gulf War’s strategy and operations. It is likely to remain for some time the best single volume on the Gulf War.”
—Eliot A. Cohen, Foreign Affairs

“A truly remarkable piece of research and reconstruction . . . extraordinary: a richly detailed human drama, impeccably documented, sure in judgment, and not likely to be matched, still less surpassed, for a long time.”
—John Barry, national security correspondent, Newsweek

“Provides a behind-the-scenes look at the highest levels of military decision making that determined the outcome of the first Gulf War.”
—U. S. Army Chief of Staff’s Professional Reading List

“A superb account and analysis of what went right and what went wrong in the Gulf War. All of the inside stories of the people and the policies, the triumphs and the blunders, are here.”
—Jim Lehrer, The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer

“This model of investigative military history punctures the self-aggrandizing manipulations of commanders and the self-serving hype of politicians . . . [It leaves] the battlefield strewn with burned-out myths.”
—Daniel Schorr, senior news analyst, National Public Radio

“A fascinating account of the war. I recommend it to my friends as something that gives them a different element of some of the key decisions that were made.”
—Dick Cheney, former Secretary of Defense

An Excellent History of the Second Iraq War

Would you listen to Cobra II again? Why?

Yes. It is a detailed and unbiased account of the planning and execution of Operation Iraqi Freedom

What was one of the most memorable moments of Cobra II?

It is shocking how far off the mark our military and civilian leadership was on almost every assumption made during pre-invasion planning. For instance, the CIA and DOD believed that Iraqi Army units would capitulate and switch sides. This never happened. Instead, our forces were met with stiff resistance along the entire route to Baghdad.

Have you listened to any of Craig Wasson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but I think he did a great job presenting the audio version of the book.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

How Donald Rumsfeld directly injected himself into the operational conduct of the war. This is truly unprecedented for a SECDEF.