Charlie Wilson's War
A Book Discussion run by Frankster
(by 9 people)
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My Review of Charlie Wilson's War
Charlie Wilson, a scandal-prone congressman from Texas, is brought to life in this book. An alcoholic and womanizer, Wilson is also a patriot. He is determined to bring the Soviet Union to it's knees.
The book tells how, with the help of Gust Avrakotos, of the CIA, he used his political status and chutzpa to arm the Afghan mujahideen. He and Avrakotos were directly responsible for much of what caused the Soviet Union to fall and the loss of the war in Afghanistan.
The things this man did knocked my socks off.
"No thriller writer would dare invent Wilson..."
"...will keep even the most vigorous critics of this Contra-like affair reading to the end."
The Movie: Charlie Wilson's War
Who was your favorite character?
Rate it, if you dare...
Agree Or Disagree With What Wilson Did?
Do You Agree With What Wilson Did?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byAgree - Right on Wilson!
jerryswrite says:
On one hand, the Soviet Union fell which is good. On the other, the Afghanistan war was settled to our liking then, however, it created more problems in the long run. Should he have done it? Given the information at the time, it was probably the right thing to do.
Posted January 16, 2008
Totally Disagree - Bad Boy Wilson!
Could It Be Done Today?
Charlie Wilson's War
Charlie Wilson's War: The Extraordinary Story of How the Wildest Man in Congress and a Rogue CIA Agent Changed the History of Our Times
Amazon Price: $10.88 (as of 05/16/2008)
The best line ever:
You're no Thomas Jefferson either. So, let's just call it even.
What's the buzz about Charlie Wilson's War?
- Charlie Wilson's War
- Charlie Wilson's War is the true story of how a playboy congressman, a renegade CIA agent and a beautiful Houston socialite joined forces to lead the largest and most successful covert operation in history. Their efforts contributed to ...
- 83% Charlie Wilson’s War
- Charlie Wilson's War manages to entertain and inform audiences, thanks to its witty script and talented cast of power players.
- Charlie Wilson’s War
- Charlie Wilson's war?the one in which Afghan guerillas fought against the Soviet Union in the 1980s?was filled with bizarre alliances, unusual people, and extraordinary circumstances. Perhaps the biggest of those in terms of height, ...
- Charlie Wilson's War
- Not a definite recommend but if you are stuck watching it just pay attention to PSH's performance. Technorati Tags: Charlie Wilson's War,Tom Hanks,Amy Adams,Philip Seymour Hoffman,Julia Robets.
Short Videos Of The Movie
Charlie Wilson, The Man
A Brief Bio
Good Time Charlie -- As a congressman from Texas, Wilson earned that nickname by his actions -- drinking, women and wild antics.Wilson was born in 1933 in of Trinity, Texas.
Education: He graduated from Trinity High School in 1951 and attended Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas
He received his B.S. in 1956 from the United States Naval Academy. He graduated 8th from the bottom of his class.
Politics: When Wilson was a teen, his neighbor, city incumbent Charles Hazard, killed his dog by putting ground glass into dog food. The 13 year-old, ran for office against Hazard. He recruited and drove 96 people (mainly poor African-Americans) to the polls. (He had a driver's permit.)
He told the people at the voting station to vote for who they wanted and that Hazard had killed his dog. He won the election by 13 votes and promptly went to Hazard and told him he better not kill any more dogs.
He later joined John F. Kennedy's presidential campaign in 1960 and at the age of 27 became a representative for the State of Texas.
While serving, he fought for Medicaid, tax exemptions for the elderly, the Equal Rights Amendment and a minimum wage bill. He was also Pro-choice.
Wilson was elected 12 times to the U.S. House of Representatives from the Second District of Texas. He resigned October 8, 1996.
The Buzz About CHARLIE WILSON -- The Real Man
- abc13.com: Charlie Wilson's War in Houston 12/20/07
- And he well earned his nickname, Good Time Charlie. Herring was a widow and long-time friend of Wilson's who "breathed fire into a rather aimless politician ...
- Charles Wilson (politician) - Information at Halfvalue.com
- Charles Wilson (politician) - Defination, Information, Reference, and Answers. ... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 ...
About The Author, GEORGE CRILE
A Brief Bio
He is famous for his documentary, The CIA's Secret Army, which chronicled the previously untold story of the CIA's secret wars on Castro after the Bay of Pigs.
For his reports, The Battle For South Africa, Craig won a Peabody Award. He also produced The uncounted Enemy, a Vietnam Deception, which ended up in a court. General William Westmoreland brought a libel action against CBS News and Crile for the reports.
In 2003, Crile began researching the Afghan War, which later led to his book, Charlie Wilson's War.
After 9/11, Crile's contacts in Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Near East provided behind the scenes look into Osama bin Laden and militant Islam.
Crile died from pancreatic cancer at the age of 61.
What The Web Is Saying About George Crile, The Author
- George Crile III - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- George Crile III (March 5, 1945 - May 15, 2006) was an American journalist most closely associated with his three decades of work at CBS News. ...
- George Crile III; Journalist Alleged Vietnam War Lies ...
- George Crile III, 61, a longtime producer for CBS's "60 Minutes and "60 Minutes II" and the author of a best-selling book about a rogue Central Intelligence ...
- George Crile
- Discuss this name with other users on IMDb message board for George Crile. Find where George Crile is credited alongside another name. George Crile & ...
- George Crile Biography
- George Crile. George Crile has been with CBS News since 1976 when he. joined the network to produce "The CIA's Secret Army," his ...
More books by George Crile
Vote for your favorites, or add any I missed.
#2
#3
George Crile - An Autobiography, In Two Volumes by George edited by Crile, Grace Crile
Internationally acclaimed as a surgeon and brilliant researcher, particularly in the therapy of shock, Dr. George Crile was one of the dynamic personalities of our time. His widow edited his autobiographical notes to form this book.0 points
What's Your Favorite Quote From The Book?
Vote here for your favorite quote from the book (or movie). If you don't see it, add it. Don't forget to vote for it!
#1
A lot of people make that mistake.
Wilson said when he was told they don't serve whiskey.1 point
#2
You're no Thomas Jefferson either. So, let's call it even.
Said to Charlie Wilson.1 point
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The_Book_Garden
Nice work! Though I think the film over glamorised what actually happened in the afghan war. America was completely prepared to sacrifice this country to weaken the russian bear and CW was just in the right place at the right time. The US govt may have waited longer, but did have tied hands. Posted March 15, 2008 |
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jerryswrite
Nice job. Very good book. Posted January 16, 2008 |
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mmason
Very nice lens. I just got the book so I'll come back and let you know what I think and join the debate. LOL 5 stars and favorited. Posted January 13, 2008 |
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jeffwend
Excellent job on this one. I have not read the book or seen the movie yet but you have me intrigued. Posted January 12, 2008 |
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