Reviews
"A fascinating book, especially for those not versed in the history of the region. Recommended." - Library Journal "Coughlin examines the elements of Churchill's life that later took the form of a legendary prime minister, but he also provides a history of Afghanistan that reveals the origins of its modern struggles." - Publishers Weekly "Reading this book is both an indulgent pleasure and a genuine education." - Times Literary Supplement "A timely, detailed portrait of the Iraqi dictator." - Publishers Weekly on Saddam "An absorbing look at a man who started life as an orphan in a remote and impoverished region of southern Iran and went on to become one of the most influential men in the modern world." - Booklist on Khomeini's Ghost "[A] robust portrait." - Publishers Weekly on American Ally "Supported by many interviews and expansive research, this book is detailed, fluid, and fascinating." - Booklist on American Ally, Churchill's First War is a fascinating book with much to recommend it...While other writers have made note of Britain's earlier experience in Afghanistan, Coughlin has done a great job of accomplishing the same thing through the eyes of just one person, the larger-than-life character that is Churchill., Coughlin examines the elements of Churchill's life that later took the form of a legendary prime minister, but he also provides a history of Afghanistan that reveals the origins of its modern struggles., "Coughlin's portrait of the Pashtun warriors the British fought with dubious success and the parallels he draws with the United States and nato's struggle against their descendants are downright unnerving." -- Foreign Affairs "[Coughlin] has given us a fascinating portrait of a young man who knew what he wanted in life, and set out to achieve it with the relentlessness and determination that would later make him a legend. The book will be of particular interest to those who have fought in the most recent Afghan War. The Talib (students) that Churchill fought are the forerunners of today's Taliban." -- Washington Times " Churchill's First War is a fascinating book with much to recommend it...While other writers have made note of Britain's earlier experience in Afghanistan, Coughlin has done a great job of accomplishing the same thing through the eyes of just one person, the larger-than-life character that is Churchill." -- Middle East Policy (Vol. XXII, Spring 2015, No. 1) "An absorbing youthful biography" -- Kirkus "A fascinating book, especially for those not versed in the history of the region. Recommended." -- Library Journal "Coughlin examines the elements of Churchill's life that later took the form of a legendary prime minister, but he also provides a history of Afghanistan that reveals the origins of its modern struggles." -- Publishers Weekly "Reading this book is both an indulgent pleasure and a genuine education." -- Times Literary Supplement, "A fascinating book, especially for those not versed in the history of the region. Recommended." -- Library Journal "Coughlin examines the elements of Churchill's life that later took the form of a legendary prime minister, but he also provides a history of Afghanistan that reveals the origins of its modern struggles." - Publishers Weekly "Reading this book is both an indulgent pleasure and a genuine education." - Times Literary Supplement "A timely, detailed portrait of the Iraqi dictator." - Publishers Weekly on Saddam "An absorbing look at a man who started life as an orphan in a remote and impoverished region of southern Iran and went on to become one of the most influential men in the modern world." - Booklist on Khomeini's Ghost "[A] robust portrait." - Publishers Weekly on American Ally "Supported by many interviews and expansive research, this book is detailed, fluid, and fascinating." - Booklist on American Ally, [Coughlin] has given us a fascinating portrait of a young man who knew what he wanted in life, and set out to achieve it with the relentlessness and determination that would later make him a legend. The book will be of particular interest to those who have fought in the most recent Afghan War. The Talib (students) that Churchill fought are the forerunners of today's Taliban., Churchill's First War is shortlisted for the Paddy Power Political History Book of the Year Award 2014 "Coughlin's portrait of the Pashtun warriors the British fought with dubious success and the parallels he draws with the United States and nato's struggle against their descendants are downright unnerving." - Foreign Affairs "[Coughlin] has given us a fascinating portrait of a young man who knew what he wanted in life, and set out to achieve it with the relentlessness and determination that would later make him a legend. The book will be of particular interest to those who have fought in the most recent Afghan War. The Talib (students) that Churchill fought are the forerunners of today's Taliban." - Washington Times "An absorbing youthful biography" - Kirkus "A fascinating book, especially for those not versed in the history of the region. Recommended." - Library Journal "Coughlin examines the elements of Churchill's life that later took the form of a legendary prime minister, but he also provides a history of Afghanistan that reveals the origins of its modern struggles." - Publishers Weekly "Reading this book is both an indulgent pleasure and a genuine education." - Times Literary Supplement, Coughlin's portrait of the Pashtun warriors the British fought with dubious success and the parallels he draws with the United States and nato's struggle against their descendants are downright unnerving., "Reading this book is both an indulgent pleasure and a genuine education." - Times Literary Supplement on Churchill's First War "A timely, detailed portrait of the Iraqi dictator." - Publishers Weekly on Saddam "An absorbing look at a man who started life as an orphan in a remote and impoverished region of southern Iran and went on to become one of the most influential men in the modern world." - Booklist on Khomeini's Ghost "[A] robust portrait." - Publishers Weekly on American Ally "Supported by many interviews and expansive research, this book is detailed, fluid, and fascinating." - Booklist on American Ally, "An absorbing youthful biography" - Kirkus "A fascinating book, especially for those not versed in the history of the region. Recommended." - Library Journal "Coughlin examines the elements of Churchill's life that later took the form of a legendary prime minister, but he also provides a history of Afghanistan that reveals the origins of its modern struggles." - Publishers Weekly "Reading this book is both an indulgent pleasure and a genuine education." - Times Literary Supplement, "[Coughlin] has given us a fascinating portrait of a young man who knew what he wanted in life, and set out to achieve it with the relentlessness and determination that would later make him a legend. The book will be of particular interest to those who have fought in the most recent Afghan War. The Talib (students) that Churchill fought are the forerunners of today's Taliban." - Washington Times "An absorbing youthful biography" - Kirkus "A fascinating book, especially for those not versed in the history of the region. Recommended." - Library Journal "Coughlin examines the elements of Churchill's life that later took the form of a legendary prime minister, but he also provides a history of Afghanistan that reveals the origins of its modern struggles." - Publishers Weekly "Reading this book is both an indulgent pleasure and a genuine education." - Times Literary Supplement, Churchill's First War is shortlisted for the Paddy Power Political History Book of the Year Award 2014, Churchill's First War is shortlisted for the Paddy Power Political History Book of the Year Award 2014 "[Coughlin] has given us a fascinating portrait of a young man who knew what he wanted in life, and set out to achieve it with the relentlessness and determination that would later make him a legend. The book will be of particular interest to those who have fought in the most recent Afghan War. The Talib (students) that Churchill fought are the forerunners of today's Taliban." - Washington Times "An absorbing youthful biography" - Kirkus "A fascinating book, especially for those not versed in the history of the region. Recommended." - Library Journal "Coughlin examines the elements of Churchill's life that later took the form of a legendary prime minister, but he also provides a history of Afghanistan that reveals the origins of its modern struggles." - Publishers Weekly "Reading this book is both an indulgent pleasure and a genuine education." - Times Literary Supplement
