Jawbreaker: The Attack on Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda: A Personal Account by the CIA's Key Field Commander

Simply awesome

This man and his work w/ SF and CIA SAD Troopers should be commended. If Washington let's these guys do their job, which is to kill the enemy and wage total war, instead of being concerned about their own careers, we would have bin Laden by now. This book is awesome and only emphasizes our need to stop worrying about enraging the world, building coalitions, and seeking permission to protect ourselves. The CIA and DOD mean well but the world is different and the gloves need to come off. Gary did just that the best he could. He knew it was better to ask for forgiveness than ask for permission. Thanks Gary for your service and your comrads service. America is in your debt.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Great Book - How Absurd that the eBook costs more than the hardcopy?

BN you have to do something about this? I am nearly thinking of gong kindle because of your ebook pricing.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Recommended

Fast moving, exciting, comprehensive details of the operation. I like Jawbreaker.

Meh...

Its a great perspective, and including the redacted parts in context was interesting, but this guy is obviously his own biggest fan. The horn-honking gets old pretty quick. My only other complaint is that the Nook version isnt completely optimized, so some of the footnote links are a little janky. I'd still reccomend it though.

Untouchable Insight

I could not put this book down. I felt the need to tell everyone that I know loves to read, loves America, and loves a no-nonsense look at facts to check this book out. Gary's best work by a mile.

If you want to know the truth from a credible source, on the ground, chasing after UBL, this is the book. End of Story.

Audiobook copy skips

Great book, but I am very disappointed that B&N would distribute a copy of an audiobook that skips and has evidence of disc scratches in it.

almost got the pig

outstanding on Gary's part and his crew State dept is the loser

Riveting and important!

A thrill ride through an important episode in modern history. The Afghan War has been obscured behind the quagmire in Iraq. People forget how quickly and efficiently that war was won. This book spells it out in colorful detail. Gary Berntsen is the CIA officer on the ground who managed the important battlefields in the eastern part of the country, which led to the fall of Kabul. His team ultimately trapped Bin Laden and 1,000 al-Qaeda fighters in the mountains of Tora Bora. Mr. Berntsen tells his fascinating story with the help of author Ralph Pezzullo. This is an important book that needs to be read.

Realistic

Jawbreaker relates, from a you-are-there perspective, how some 500 Americans (special warfare types) along with their Afghan allies defeated some 60,000 Talaban and Al-Queda well-armed fighters in less than 60 days, just after 911. If you never heard of this war, as I never had, this book will dazzle your imagination as to the awesome power and coordiantion ability of our elite forces. After reading this book, you will change your opinion about the CIA and the Bush Administration.

Great book, but...

To get the full effect and range of names (that are changed) one must first read: 'First In: An Insider's Account of How the CIA Spearheaded the War on Terror in Afghanistan' by Gary C. Schroen (Team lead in Afghanistan) where the majority of names are listed among other items that aren't listed in Jawbreaker. By doing this you're laying the ground work for yourself when you read Jawbreaker. 'First In' is an OUTSTANDING book! By you reading 'First In' first you'll be able to decifer who and what Gary is speaking about more clearly. To the Layman reading Jawbreaker one could get lost when he speaks of operations. Trust me, if you've already ordered this book, fine. However, order 'First In' as well. Set Jawbreaker aside, read 'First In', then pick up Jawbreaker.

How Bin Laden Got Away

If there's a book about the war on terror on your New Year's reading list, 'Jawbreaker' should be it. It is an insider¿s account about the post 9-11 hunt for Bin Laden in Afghanistán, written by the CIA man who commanded it on the ground, Gary Berntsen. Despite his and his men's heroic efforts, Bin Laden, whom they had cornered at Tora Bora, escaped in a fog of U.S. domestic political considerations. Berntsen explains how, nailing Gen. Tommy Franks and the White House--fearing an unacceptable number of U.S. casualities-- for nixing his appeals to throw special forces troops at Bin Laden. The cover story? They weren't sure Bin Laden was there, which the author (who was there) convincingly and forcefully refutes. The highly decorated Berntsen has stepped out of the shadows with a great read -- as well as a chilling, cautionary and necessary tale.

An outstanding book!

Gary Berntsen was the most decorated GS-15 in the CIA's Directorate of Operations when he left the Agency last fall after 23 years of service. He was awarded two of the CIA's highest medals: the CIA Intelligence Star, and the Distinguished Intelligence Medal. This is the story of him leading the CIA team 'Jawbreaker', a handful of men that fought in northern Afghanistan after September 11th, 2001, and against overwhelming odds, eventually captured Kabul, the capital city. The book also discusses many of his other exploits around the world as a CIA officer. Gary comes across as a larger-than-life figure, and a very likeable person. I think other readers will enjoy this book as much as I did. An outstanding book.

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