Mark Bowden's collection features his long-form pieces on war, as well as notable profiles, sports reporting, and essays on culture. The titular article, "The Three Battles of Wanat," tells the story of one of the bloodiest days in the War in Afghanistan and the years-long fallout it generated within the United States military. In "The Killing Machines," Bowden examines the strategic, legal, and moral issues surrounding armed drones. And in a piece on Kim Jong-un, "The Bright Sun of Juche," he recalibrates our understanding of the world's youngest dictator. Also included are profiles of newspaper scion Arthur Sulzberger; defense attorney and anti-death-penalty activist Judy Clarke; and David Simon, the creator of "The Wire."