When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979, pressure mounted for the Americans to support the Afghan resistance. This title tells the story of what became the largest covert operation in history - funding eventually grew to over $1 billion a year. The book features a vivid cast of characters: Charlie Wilson the maverick congressman; Gust Avrakotos, head of the CIA operation in Afghanistan; and President Zia of Pakistan. Moving from meeting rooms in Washington to secret chambers at Langley, to arms-dealer conventions, to the Khyber Pass. The book is a remarkable account of the last battle of the Cold War, a battle that helped weaken the Soviet Union and led to its collapse - and of course paved the way to the rise of the Taliban.