On August 9th I saw Thomas Ricks of the Washington Post deliver a speech and question and answer session at Powell's books in Portland on his book that is the title of this diary. On the whole is was very good. He has been to Iraq multiple times, understands the situation very well, and is a veteran journalist.
The book specifically addresses the war in Iraq from the perspective of senior military officers who give their searing critiques of the war. Not bad.
Ricks linked the situation to the end of Vietnam and readily acknowledged that there will be troops in Iraq for many years to come. There will be a gradual withdrawal only as the military literally runs out of troops, which is fast approaching.
Ricks gave a very objective account of the situation and could answer any question the audience had. Kudos to him, I recommend the book, and spread the good word.