The only book that tells how the Afghans defeated the Soviets. This compelling book is about the gritty business of guerrilla tactics against a mechanized force that relied on high-technology solutions. It includes lengthy interviews with 85 Mujahideen commanders following the war. The commanders mostly commanded less than fifty men, although several commanded forces of five hundred or more. It is a book about ambush, raids, shelling attacks, urban combat, mine warfare and defensive actions against a determined high-tech force. The guerrillas fought, inflicted losses and lived to fight another day. In the end, the Soviet Army departed and the Mujahideen held the ground. The United States Marine Corps had the foresight to sponsor this book and sent a team of two highly qualified professionals to do the interviews. Ali Jalali, a former officer in the Afghan Army, a former Mujahideen combatant and planner and a recognized journalist with Voice of America, led the effort. Les Grau, a retired infantry officer, veteran of Vietnam combat and Soviet Foreign Area officer, completed the team.
The Marines used the tactical examples collected by Jalali and Grau to support their training effort. Now, the USMC has graciously authorized the commercial reprinting of this pertinent book. No other contemporary book looks at the tactics of guerrilla warfare with as much detail or analysis