How deceptive can Washington be? And how damaging is this deceit for our foreign policy? Former Congressman Joseph Hoeffel reveals how the Bush White House twisted arms and distorted intelligence to get support for the war. In The Iraq Lie: How the White House Sold the War, Hoeffel recalls how Congress struggled and failed to resist the war drums - and calls for intelligence reforms to prevent it from happening again. This first-person account of one Congressman's vote to defend his country, and his regret at believing the lies, comes as Iraq descends into civil war. Hoeffel brings us the real story of how the war and occupation ruined Iraq, and what the US should do now, as the debate flares up anew.
* First account by any Congressman to divulge the truth about what really happened in briefings with key Bush Administration figures.
* Praise from Minority Leader and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and many other distinguished members of Congress.
* The full story of how war hawks deceived the public, media and Congress; same people still pushing for US troops in Iraq again.
* Tells how war and occupation destroyed Iraqi institutions, replacing them with an inept, corrupt, sectarian, pro-Iran regime.
* Most Americans want to leave Iraq alone. US intervention helped enemies and extremists, weakened allies and moderates.
* Proposes reforms to require full public disclosure of intelligence, and a clear mandate from Congress before any major military action.
* Will appeal to fans of authors like Rachel Maddow (Drift), Isikoff and Corn (Hubris), Scahill (Blackwater), and Woodward (Bush at War).