Ramadi Declassified: A Roadmap to Peace in the Most Dangerous City in Iraq Hardcover – May 31, 2016

Probably the finest account of Counter Insurgency operations in Iraq at the Battalion level, and will most likely become a must-read for military professionals. If you want to understand the challenges, difficulties, and the gritty, frustrating nature of modern COIN operations, this is the book for you. Most accounts of Iraq and Afghanistan cover operations either at the squad level, or what the generals and politicians are up to. This one covers COIN at the key level - Battalion and Brigade, where the fight for cities and provinces is actually decided.I found the book fascinating for multiple reasons. It covered the decisive operations around Ramadi, where the Anbar Awakening started. Victory couldn't come solely from American arms, but it was impossible without them. it was the combination of US security efforts, the willingness of the Anbar sheiks to throw in with the coalition, and eventually the growing ability of Iraq's internal security forces to cumulatively defeat the murderous Al Qaeda forces that were controlling the region. This account details the challenges, choices, and factors that had to be dealt with in conducting this months-long campaign. It showcases the skill, spirit, and bulldog tenacity of the modern US fighting man, while also showing the courage and effectiveness of the Iraqi security forces as they gradually gained the capacity to conduct tactical operations on their own.Full of lessons learned, TTP's, and fascinating anecdotal examples of modern COIN fighting. I would recommend this book for all combat leaders who want to understand how COIN theory actually gets implemented in an actual combat scenario.

Outstanding book! Retired colonel Anthony Deane has written an extremely honest and harrowing account of modern (and perhaps anything but modern) combat that reads like a new “Defence of Duffer’s Drift”. By that I mean he provides a simple, building narrative of lessons learned by his task force and himself as they sought to understand the culture of Al Anbar province and the violence that was ripping it apart. The story builds in excitement as Deane and Task Force Conqueror take to the means streets of Ramadi and the living rooms of local sheiks to seek a tribal solution in defeating Al Qaeda in Iraq. 15 years after 9/11 and 13 years after the invasion of Iraq, it is well worth reading this book and revisiting the how America’s sons and daughters came to fight and die in Iraq. It is more complicated than Weapons of Mass Destruction and more rational than oil conspiracies and Deane provides a detailed explanation. It is even more valuable to use this book as a reminder of how we beat ISIS in 2006/2007 (same enemy, different name back then) and what it will take to make Al Anbar province safe again.

I'll be honest I bought and read the book because Tony and Deborah are friends. However, I am reviewing and giving the book 5 stars because it is so honest, heartfelt and well written. It gives the ordinary citizen a glimpse into the life of a soldier, the sacrifice and the brutality of war. It allows the reader to be impacted by the events of war while seeking to clarify a hazy path, where one is led astray by politics, policy, beliefs and culture. It offers hope but doesn't "Disneyify" the truths of what we are facing in dealing with the aftermath of this war. I am surprised by just how much I not only, enjoyed the book but how much I learned from the book. I was touched by the depths that each soldier's ultimate sacrifice touched Tony's heart. You do not have to be a military member to enjoy this book. Everyday simple individuals will learn a great deal from reading this incredible book. Well done Tony...but then again' you did have the support of a a wonderful wife and great kids and that makes every great leader a better man!

You can read a book by some political advisor that wasn't there, or you can read a book by an officer that was on the ground at the scene in the thick of things. If you want to know what the war on terrorism is all about and what it is like in the enemies face, why conventional war methods have failed, and how the new tactics to defeat terrorist groups embedded in the civilian population have come about, then this is the book for you. It is not some droll text book; it reads more like a action fiction novel.Dave

Lots of military jargon that you need to get used to as a non-military reader... I realized that I needed to skim over some of that language as I would never understand it within one reading. However, the book still painted a great picture of what it was like in the middle-East during the war. The overall theme, consisting of creating relationships with the native population, was penetrating.

Outstanding! Can’t tell you the last time I have read a book cover to cover in a day. Now I understand when Chris said to me “these men are my life right now, I would do anything for them even if it means giving my life to save theirs.” A great read about the heart of true warriors and what they went through to take back the most dangerous city in Iraq. As commander of this task force you give insight as to why it was so important to take the fight to the terrorist. Thanks Tony for writing a book so future generations can understand the "TRUE" Grit, Spirit, Courage and Comradely of a fighting force like no other.Proud Gold Star Father of an America Soldier and Hero.Gary W. Swanson

Great book by a true combat leader that I personally worked for in a different capacity. Should be mandatory reading by policy makers before they get the military engaged in a fight they know nothing about and are unwilling to support