BOISE -- The controversial now best-selling book "No Easy Day" continues to anger Pentagon officials, and not just because it details the mission that killed Osama bin Laden. They say "No Easy Day" releases sensitive or classified information on another mission that hits close to home, a mission to rescue captured Idaho soldier Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl.
The book devotes eight pages to a mission back in 2009 to save Bergdahl. It was one of many Bergdahl rescue attempts, according to the author. He details one mission around Kabul, days after Bowe's capture, that ended with no sign of the POW.
"In my gut, I think he was there at some point," writes Matt Bissonnette under the pseudonym Mark Owen. "We probably missed him by a few hours, or maybe in the fight they were able to escape."
"I never heard that," said Jim Miklaszewski, NBC's Chief Pentagon correspondent, responding to that passage. "And the supposition that you were close to somebody who's not there, is probably just that."
Miklaszewski says military officials have been wary of the book for a while, claiming it releases classified information about that bin Laden mission. But now, they say releasing details of the Bergdahl mission could be even more dangerous.
"Military officials tell us, to talk openly about any operation to rescue Bowe Bergdahl, and provide details of that mission, to go after someone who remains in enemy hands, borders on irresponsibility, recklessness, and frankly, pure idiocy," said Miklaszewski.
Those officials tell the NBC correspondent that it's a problem of revealing U.S. military tactics, which could better prepare those holding Bergdahl for a rescue attempt.
"The copies of this book are not confined to the United States. The bad guys will read this cover to cover," said Miklaszewski. "That essentially alerts those who are holding Bergdahl, 'Hey, they actually tried to come after him. Now we know the tactics they use.' That may not help them in the end, if there ever is a mission to do that, but why raise that possibility?"
Miklaszewski also stressed that he's heard there are no plans for any rescue missions or prisoner swaps involving Bowe right now, and none are expected before the elections.
Bergdahl is now believed to be in Pakistan, a POW for over three years.
Right now, the book "No Easy Day" is the number one seller on Amazon.com.
