1. Sean M. Maloney, “Fighting for Afghanistan: A Rogue Historian at War”
- Maloney’s firsthand account offers an in-depth look at Canadian military operations in Afghanistan. He spent time embedded with Canadian forces, and his work provides valuable insights into the challenges, strategies, and experiences of Canadian soldiers on the ground.
2. Douglas Bland (ed.), “Canada’s National Security in the Post-9/11 World: Strategy, Interests, and Threats”
- This edited volume explores Canada’s broader national security strategy in the post-9/11 era, including its military involvement in Afghanistan. The book covers military operations, government policy, and the impact of the Afghanistan War on Canada’s defense strategies.
3. Jean-Christophe Boucher and Kim Richard Nossal, “The Politics of War: Canada’s Afghanistan Mission and Public Opinion”
- Boucher and Nossal analyze the domestic political and public opinion aspects of Canada’s military mission in Afghanistan. The book examines how political leadership, public support, and opposition influenced Canada’s role in the war.
4. David Pugliese, “Canada’s Secret Commandos: The Unauthorized Story of Joint Task Force Two”
- Pugliese provides a detailed look at Canada’s elite special forces unit, Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2), and its covert operations in Afghanistan. The book sheds light on the secretive nature of special operations and Canada’s military contribution to counterterrorism efforts in the war.
5. Colin H. Kahl and Thomas Wright, “Aftershocks: Pandemic Politics and the End of the Old International Order”
- Though focused on broader global events, this work places the Afghanistan War in the context of Canadian foreign policy and military engagements in the early 21st century. It touches on the strategic impact of the war and how Canada’s role in Afghanistan fits within global geopolitics.
6. Michael L. Roi, “Canada and NATO: Old Wine in a New Bottle?”
- Roi’s analysis of Canada’s military relationship with NATO includes a significant section on Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan. The book explores how the Afghanistan War impacted Canada’s commitment to NATO and its broader defense policies.
7. Stephen Saideman, “Adapting in the Dust: Lessons Learned from Canada’s War in Afghanistan”
- Saideman’s book provides a comprehensive analysis of Canada’s role in Afghanistan, focusing on the lessons learned from the conflict. The book covers military operations, the evolving strategies of the Canadian Armed Forces, and the challenges faced during the mission.
8. Mark Gasparotto, “Clearing the Way: Combat Engineers in Kandahar”
- Gasparotto’s work highlights the crucial role played by Canadian combat engineers in Afghanistan. The book focuses on their efforts to clear roads, build infrastructure, and support Canadian and allied forces during the most dangerous phases of the mission in Kandahar.
9. Chris Wattie, “Contact Charlie: The Canadian Army, the Taliban, and the Battle that Saved Afghanistan”
- Wattie’s book focuses on one of the most significant battles fought by Canadian forces during the Afghanistan War, the Battle of Panjwaii. The work provides a gripping account of the military engagement and the tactics employed by Canadian soldiers.
10. Graeme Smith, “The Dogs Are Eating Them Now: Our War in Afghanistan”
- Smith’s book is a critical and reflective account of Canada’s role in Afghanistan. As a foreign correspondent, Smith spent years covering the conflict and provides valuable insights into the military strategies, failures, and human consequences of the war.
11. Terry Copp and Mike Bechthold (eds.), “Afghanistan: A Canadian Story”
- This collection of essays by military historians and veterans offers a broad overview of Canada’s military involvement in Afghanistan. The book covers key operations, the military’s role in reconstruction efforts, and the impact of the war on the Canadian Armed Forces.
12. Nick Carpenter, “Tarnished Brass: Crime and Corruption in the Canadian Military”
- Carpenter’s book provides an investigative look at some of the controversies surrounding Canada’s military involvement in Afghanistan, including issues of corruption and the challenges of operating in a war-torn region.
13. Andrew Godefroy, “In Peace Prepared: Innovation and Adaptation in Canada’s Cold War Army”
- Godefroy’s book traces the evolution of the Canadian Army from the Cold War through to its involvement in Afghanistan. The work examines how the lessons learned during earlier conflicts influenced Canada’s military strategies and operations in the Afghanistan War.
14. Christian Leuprecht and Joel J. Sokolsky (eds.), “Canada’s International Security Policy: Soft and Hard Strategies of a Middle Power”
- This edited volume explores Canada’s international security policies, with a section dedicated to the Afghanistan War. The book covers Canada’s military operations, the impact of the war on Canadian foreign policy, and the broader strategic consequences of the mission.
15. Patrick M. Dennis, “Reluctant Warriors: Canadian Conscripts and the Great War”
- While focused on an earlier period in Canadian military history, Dennis’s analysis of military conscription offers important insights into the challenges of maintaining military commitments during extended conflicts like the Afghanistan War.
16. David J. Bercuson, “Canada’s Army: Waging War and Keeping the Peace”
- Bercuson’s comprehensive history of the Canadian Army includes a chapter on the Afghanistan War, providing context for the military strategies, operations, and evolving role of the Canadian Armed Forces in this conflict.
17. Paul Wells, “The Longer I’m Prime Minister: Stephen Harper and Canada, 2006-2015”
- Wells’ book offers insights into the political leadership behind Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan. It covers how Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government shaped the country’s military strategy and commitment to the war.
18. Roland Paris and Taylor Owen (eds.), “The World Won’t Wait: Why Canada Needs to Rethink Its International Policies”
- This edited volume critiques Canada’s foreign and military policies, with a significant section dedicated to the Afghanistan War. The book addresses the military aspects of the conflict and argues for a reassessment of Canada’s international role.
19. Brian Stewart, “Warrior Nation: Rebranding Canada in an Age of Anxiety”
- Stewart’s work examines how Canada’s military involvement in Afghanistan contributed to a shift in national identity and military culture. The book explores the political and military consequences of the war for Canada’s image as a peacekeeping nation.
20. Bernd Horn and Emily Spencer (eds.), “No Easy Task: Fighting in Afghanistan”
- This collection of essays by military personnel and scholars provides a thorough examination of Canadian operations in Afghanistan. The book covers various aspects of the military mission, including leadership, strategy, combat operations, and the role of special forces.
These references offer a broad and detailed exploration of Canada’s military involvement in the Afghanistan War, from the strategic decisions made by military and political leaders to the experiences of Canadian soldiers on the ground.