The Twilight War - The Secret History of America's Thirty Year Conflict with Iran by David Crist.

I'd give it 4 of 5 stars but it is worth it It is good to get all this info in one place. Iran is a place it is worth knowing about. He's a Marine who ended up in government but works with both parties. The military side is real strong from all sides, Iran, US, Iraq, Lebanon and such. He has an interesting understated style when he thinks someone screwed the pooch. Little opinion, just the damning facts organized to show how it was a screwup.

The political starts out great. I tend to agree that the US went hardass when it didn't help and pussied out when it was time to get tough. He is obviously well connected. As a result of that the Bush the 2nd and Obama parts are weak. He doesn't want to burn these connections. Still it assembles it all in one place.