Charlie Wilson's War
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My Review of Charlie Wilson's War
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...”
The Movie: Charlie Wilson's War
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Charlie Wilson, The Man
A Brief Bio
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.
What's the buzz about Charlie Wilson's War?
- Drones are at vanguard of US mission goal to dismantle Al-Qaida in Afghanistan ...
- There is a scene in Charlie Wilson's War in which Pakistan President Ziaul Haq (portrayed by Om Puri) tells visiting US Congressman Wilson ( Tom Hanks): "...That's been part of the problem. The arms and the funding should flow through us.
- To Hell and Back: Scanning war movies (for better or worse) on Memorial Day ...
- One of the better war-related films of recent vintage was Mike Nichols' "Charlie Wilson's War." It starred Tom Hanks as the rogue Texas congressman who helped funnel massive amounts of money and weapons to the mujahedeen in the 1980s to fight the ...
- Joanne Herring's War: Prominent Houstonian hopes to 'wage peace' in Afghanistan
- (Samantha Wagner / Houston Chronicle) The Houston woman behind ?Charlie Wilson's War? is back with yet another personal mission involving Afghanistan. Joanne Herring, political activist and Houston socialite, came to Washington on Thursday to discuss ...
- Media Advisory from NPC International Correspondents Committee: An Afghanistan ...
- Charlie Wilson, D-Texas, to urge the US government to militarily support the Mujahideen to fight the Soviets in Afghanistan 30 years ago, plans to return to the war-torn country in August to start a new campaign -- to wage a peace offensive by fighting ...
“...will keep even the most vigorous critics of this Contra-like affair reading to the end.”
Who was your favorite character?
The best line ever:
You're no Thomas Jefferson either. So, let's just call it even.
Rate it, if you dare...
Agree Or Disagree With What Wilson Did?
Do You Agree With What Wilson Did?

Agree - 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.
Totally Disagree - Bad Boy Wilson!
Short Videos Of The Movie
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!
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A lot of people make that mistake.
Wilson said when he was told they don't serve whiskey.1 point
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You're no Thomas Jefferson either. So, let's call it even.
Said to Charlie Wilson.1 point
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.
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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
DVDs about Charlie Wilson
Get the DVD here
You might also like these related books...
If you loved 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, you might also enjoy:
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Charlie Wilson's War: The Extraordinary Story of the Largest Covert Operation in History by George Crile
A Blackstone Audie%uFFFD Award Winner
Charlie Wilson's more...0 points
Charlie Wilson's War is the untold story of the last battle of the Cold War and how it fueled the rise of militant Islam. Charlie Wilson, a maverick congressman from east Texas, conspired with a rogue CIA operative to launch the biggest, meanest, and most successful covert operation in the Agency's history.
In the early 1980s, after a Houston socialite turned Wilson's attention to the ragged Afghan freedom fighters who continued to fight the Soviet invaders despite...
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Guest book for your feedback
Please use this guest book to share your thoughts about Charlie Wilson and this lens. Thank you.
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JaguarJulie Jan 31, 2012 @ 6:57 pm | delete
- Gosh, did you see a striking resemblance between Tom Hanks and Charlie Wilson?
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Frankster Feb 1, 2012 @ 12:11 pm | delete
- Yes. The similarity in looks was amazing.
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The_Book_Garden
Mar 15, 2008 @ 5:32 pm | delete
- 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.
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jerryswrite
Jan 16, 2008 @ 6:57 pm | delete
- Nice job. Very good book.
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mmason
Jan 13, 2008 @ 9:42 pm | delete
- 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.
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Copyright
This work is covered by copyright and can not be reprinted
in any matter (physical or digital) without prior written consent.
Copyright 2008-2012 Frankie Kangas All rights reserved.
by Frankster
Hi. I'm Frankie Kangas, aka Frankster. I love a good book. I read a wide variety of subjects from books on art to murder mysteries and animals to sculpting.
I...
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