David Petraeus Affair Sparks Early Release of Book on General's Career

Perhaps the least surprising element to the entire scandal concerning General David Petraeus's affair with his biographer Paula Broadwell: Simon & Schuster has moved up the publication date for its new book about Petraeus. "The Insurgents: David Petraeus and the Plot to Change the American Way of War," will be released two weeks earlier than originally stated, arriving in stores Jan. 2 2013.

"The Insurgents" was moved up to capitalize on the public's current attention on the General following his recent resignation as head of the CIA due to his extra-marital affair. The book will also now include a swiftly written afterword about Petraeus' resignation as CIA chief, according to Publisher's Weekly.

Written by Fred Kaplan, "The Insurgents" tells "the inside story of the small group of soldier-scholars who changed the way the Pentagon does business and the American military fights wars, against fierce resistance from within their own ranks," according to Simon & Schuster.

The publisher's description continues, "Based on previously unavailable documents and interviews with more than 100 key characters, including General David Petraeus, 'The Insurgents' unfolds against the backdrop of two wars waged against insurgencies in Iraq and Afghanistan. But the main insurgency is the one led at home, by a new generation of officers - including Petraeus, John Nagl, David Kilcullen, and H.R. McMaster - who were seized with an idea on how to fight these kinds of 'small wars,' and who adapted their enemies' techniques to overhaul their own Army. Fred Kaplan explains where their idea came from, and how the men and women who latched onto this idea created a community (some would refer to themselves as a 'cabal') and maneuvered the idea through the highest echelons of power."

Publishers Weekly writes that the new postscript will "spice up" the military history.

Petraeus is a decorated four-star general who received widespread praise for the surge strategy in the Iraq War. The general resigned as CIA director Nov. 9, citing his extramarital affair with Broadwell.

NBC News reportedly spoke to numerous federal government officials who indicated that the married general had a relationship with the 40-year-old Broadwell, who authored "All In," a book about Petraeus' leadership philosophy.

FBI investigators who looked into a series of anonymous threatening emails sent to Tampa, Fla., socialite Jill Kelley later determined they were authored by Broadwell, multiple government and law enforcement officials told NBC News.

President Barack Obama said Nov. 14 that he has seen no evidence that a scandal that led to the resignation of CIA Director David Petraeus harmed national security.

The president was not informed of the FBI investigation that revealed Petraeus' affair until Nov. 8, one day before he accepted his resignation.

"I have no evidence at this point from what I've seen that classified information was disclosed that in  any way would have had a negative impact on our national security," Obama said at a White House briefing.

A computer used by Broadwell, contained "substantial classified information that should have been stored under more secure conditions," law enforcement and national security officials said Nov. 14, according to Reuters.

The contents of the classified material and how Broadwell acquired it remain under investigation, said the officials. The quantity of classified material found on the computer was significant enough to warrant a continuing investigation, the officials told Reuters.

They spoke on condition of anonymity to Reuters because they are not authorized to comment publicly.

As a reserve officer in military intelligence, Broadwell had security clearances that gave her access to classified material, several officials said according to Reuters. However, government rules require classified material to be stored in secure locations or computers.

If Broadwell is found to have mishandled classified information, she could face action under administrative security regulations.

"The Insurgents" comes out Jan. 2, 2013.

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