The Achilles Trap: Saddam Hussein, the C.I.A., and the Origins of America’s Invasion of Iraq by Steve Coll has been widely praised for its meticulous research, engaging narrative, and incisive analysis. Critics highlight it as an authoritative account of the fraught and complex relationship between the U.S. and Saddam Hussein, offering new insights into the political miscalculations and intelligence failures that culminated in the 2003 Iraq War.

Drawing from previously unpublished sources and Saddam’s own recordings, Coll reveals the dictator’s paranoia and strategic missteps, as well as the U.S.’s flawed assumptions and overconfidence. The book critiques the hubris and misjudgments on both sides that fueled a devastating conflict, reshaping the global political order. Hailed by The New York Times as “excellent” for its nuanced portrayal of Saddam’s psyche and geopolitical dynamics, and described by The Washington Post as a “triumph,” this work is celebrated as a definitive, compelling exploration of one of modern history’s most consequential and tragic events.