"Insightful reportage that integrates the small with the large scale." -- Gilbert Taylor "Examines America's increasing reliance on its military to manage-and cure-complex crises in foreign policy and international diplomacy." "The fine texture of [Priest's] reporting of the views of the personalities involved is impressive...well written." -- Maj. Gen. Edward B. Atkeson, USA Ret., Ph.D. "A clear-eyed portrait of American military culture...Rich in instruction for policymakers, soldiers, and politics junkies alike." "Contains colorful anecdotal evidence...[that] the military cannot take the lead role [in nation building]." -- Christian D. Brose "Dana Priest's revealing, close-up look at this dramatic new development is especially timely as we view the challenges of the post-9/11 world." -- Richard Holbrooke "A book that is just in time for the great new debate between the hawks and the doves." -- Benjamin C. Bradlee "Priest documents [how] the...armed forces pursue tasks for which they are ill suited, untrained and sometimes only loosely mandated." -- John T. Finn "[N]ot a dry tome aimed at policy wonks. Written in a journalistic style... [it] conveys its message through colorful stories." -- William Wineke "Priest has done prodigious research, including travel...The result...is an often fascinating kaleidoscope of the US military circa 2003." -- Max Boot "[A] fascinating set of answers to...important questions about America's role in today's world." -- Joseph Nye, Harvard University "Anyone trying to understand the interplay between US military and foreign policy must read The Mission." -- Jody Williams, Nobel Laureate for Peace, 1997 "[S]uperbly written...should be required reading for anyone hoping to understand the goals and objectives of contemporary US foreign policy." -- Lawrence J. Korb, Director of Studies, Council on Foreign Relations "An important, frequently troubling, portrayal...raises questions that urgently need answers." -- Jessica T. Matthews, president, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace