The story of America's longest war, seen through the eyes of those who led it, The Long War uncovers the failures at the start that made long-term engagement inevitable. The Long War tells the story of the eight generals (seven American, one British) who led the war against the Taliban in Afghanistan. This was a high-profile, increasingly complex role. Generals including David Petraeus, Stanley McChrystal, David McKiernan, and Dan McNeill are interviewed about their command of the war. They had military experience going back to Vietnam but were now to be tested in battle as never before. McChrystal had the reputation of a "warrior monk" and was considered one of the most gifted military leaders of his generation.

Afghanistan was the only war in NATO's 70-year history called under its founding principle: that an attack on one is considered an attack on all. Holding together this complex coalition after 9/11 was a unique leadership challenge, calling on highly developed political and military skills. The generals had to fight the Taliban and absorb the complex politics of Washington, Brussels, and Kabul; lead troops in the field, while grappling with the multidimensional puzzles of the most significant geopolitical event of our time.

The Long War tells the story of the daily crises that they faced - assassinations, coup attempts, prison breaks, political betrayals, civilian casualties, political events beyond their control - while being responsible for thousands of young American and European lives.

Contributor bio: David Loyn was an award-winning foreign correspondent for 30 years for the BBC. He has reported from such places as Moscow, Kosovo, Delhi, Kashmir, Sri Lanka, Iraq, and Kabul. He is an authority on Afghanistan, a country he has visited every year since 1994. His book Frontline: The True Story of the British Mavericks Who Changed the Face of War Reporting was shortlisted for the 2006 Orwell Prize. He lives in London.