First in: How Seven CIA Officers Opened the War on Terror in Afghanistan - Tapa dura

Advance praise for First In " A real-life ground-truth account of CIA human intelligence operations that were incredibly successful. The country owes Gary and his comrades, who almost single-handedly won the first phase of the war in Afghanistan. Told with the nitty-gritty detail by the leader who was there- real and compelling." - Bob Woodward, author of Bush at War and Plan of Attack " First In adds yet another enthralling chapter to the endless martial history of Afghanistan. My old colleague Gary Schroen tells his forceful story with the sharpened senses that come only from years of living in the long shadows of the Khyber Pass. You can almost smell the cordite and the chapattis! A terrific yarn about a sad and storied land." - Milt Bearden, author of The Black Tulip and co-author of The Main Enemy " I have read books by army officers who fought in wars past, but never one so true and thorough from a frontline intelligence officer, especially one involved in such an important episode in American history. This is really a grand achievement." - Steve Coll, author of Ghost Wars

Just weeks after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Schroen led six other CIA agents into Afghanistan to secure cooperation with the Northern Alliance and pave the way for the successful military operation against the Taliban. His book tells of the complicated negotiations with Afghani warlords, and how it was necessary to have their full cooperation once American military forces arrived. Without the success of these negotiations, the Alliance, which proved to be a critical factor in the defeat of the Taliban, would not have held. Schroen's revelations include the many disastrous close calls caused by political pressure to do`something' against the Taliban, ready or not, and explains the real reason why US special forces operatives dressed like Afghanis. Gary Schroen has served in the CIA for over 35 years with much of his career focused on the middle east including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Afghanistan. He is one of the most decorated officers in the agency whose honors include the Intelligence Cross, the highest award given by the CIA. Schroen is the technical consultant of a soon to be released film from the makers of The Recruit. He and his wife, Betsy, live in Reno, Nevada.