All In: The Education of General David Petraeus

“This work contributes to the current military-political literature with its clarity of vision, its minimization of the slant of right leaning biases, and is exemplary presentation of how scholarly and enlightened military leadership can work effectively in synch with the political hierarchy of the United States. It is a must read for the military historian, global foreign policy analyst, and readers interested in understanding how we can, as a nation, reach out to other cultures.”

Paula Broadwell and Vernon Loeb’s work All In presents a crystal clear picture of Dr. David Petraeus both as a man and as a leader. In fact, his approach to leadership and the embodiment of his expertise as a military-scholar are the keys to the book.

To place General Petraeus in a historical context: He is a Renaissance man whose talents resonate with those of many other scholar generals, reminiscent of those in the Court of Genghis Khan or even those of King David.

How does this book further our understanding of the war in Afghanistan, counterinsurgency doctrine, and the arc of General Petraeus’ career?

First, Ms. Broadwell writes with clarify and precision. She uses her military experience to enlighten the reader with evocative accounts of what it is like, based upon General Petraeus’ counterinsurgency doctrine, to implement an approach of asymmetric warfare on the ground in Afghanistan. The reader is encouraged to follow the give and take of command and control in isolated villages throughout Afghanistan. Further, the author presents a clear picture, warts and all, of how effective our forces have been both over the last ten years and in contrast to other armies that have attempted to “pacify” Afghanistan.

Second, the authors tell a good story. Though there is a logical flow to their arguments, the writing is not dry; it does not necessarily follow a linear chronology. Points are made by moving around in time and space; and ideas are explored by illustrative examples irrespective of geographic and temporal boundaries.

The emphasis here is to illustrate General David Petraeus as a person and as a military man, both. We are exposed to how he effected his approach to counterinsurgency starting in Bosnia, then moving on to Iraq, and finally—after careful revision—how he implemented it in Afghanistan. In the process, we are provided with insights about the approach David Petraeus will take in his new role as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

Third, authors Broadwell’s and Loeb’s insights are invaluable in assisting us in understanding counterintelligence in the 21st century, in which we move  beyond the outdated constraints of fixed-piece military strategies reflective of the Super Power rivalry, into the dimension of how we as a country respond to conflicts such as those in Syria, and potentially in Iran. An understanding of asymmetrical force preponderance is the key here; but must importantly, it necessitates an understanding of the cultural and historical dimensions underlying our foreign policy moving forward.

Fourth, All In encourages the devotee of current affairs to ponder the following questions: What is it that motivates Jihadis? Is there a way that we can reasonably negotiate with these international actors to create islands of harmony or at least a minimization of conflict throughout the world?

This work contributes to the current military-political literature with its clarity of vision, its minimization of the slant of right leaning biases, and is exemplary presentation of how scholarly and enlightened military leadership can work effectively in synch with the political hierarchy of the United States.

It is a must read for the military historian, global foreign policy analyst, and readers interested in understanding how we can, as a nation, reach out to other cultures.