The Unit: My Life Fighting Terrorists as One of America's Most Secret Military Operatives

by Adam Gamal, Kelly Kennedy

Overview

The first and only book to ever be written by a member of America's most secret military unit―an explosive and unlikely story of service and sacrifice.

Inside our military is a team of operators whose work is so secretive that the name of the unit itself is classified. Highly-trained in warfare, self-defense, infiltration, and deep surveillance, "the Unit," as the Department of Defense has asked us to refer to it, has been responsible for preventing dozens of terrorist attacks in the Western world. Never before has a member of this unit shared their story — until now.

From Adam Gamal, one of the only Muslim Arab Americans to serve inside “the Unit," comes an incisive firsthand account of our nation’s most secretive military group. When Adam arrived in the United States at the age of twenty, he spoke no English, and at 5’1” and 112 pounds, he was far from what you might expect of a soldier. But compelled into service by a debt he felt he owed to his new country, he rose through the ranks of the military to become one of its most elite and skilled operators.

With humor and humility, Adam shares stories of life-threatening injuries, of the camaraderie and capabilities of his team, and of the incredible missions―but also of the growth he experienced as he learned to understand his own moderate faith.

Enthralling and eye-opening, The Unit is at once a gripping account of the fight against terror, an urgent examination of the need for diversity, and an inside look at how America fights its battles abroad in the modern age of terrorism.

This edition includes a 16 page color photo insert.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250278173
Publisher:	St. Martin's Publishing Group
Publication date:	02/20/2024
Pages:	304
Sales rank:	25,375
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

ADAM GAMAL is a pseudonym created to keep the author and his family safe from harm. Gamal served in the most elite units in the US Army, deployed more than a dozen times, and finally retired in 2016. His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Legion of Merit. He is currently an international consultant for a security organization.

KELLY KENNEDY served as a soldier in Desert Storm and Mogadishu, Somalia. She is the author of They Fought for Each Other and the coauthor, with Kate Germano, of Fight Like a Girl. She lives in Virginia.

Editorial Reviews

[Gamal] volunteered for a force so secret that he can only refer to it as “the unit.” The author describes it as similar to special forces, employing the same murderous training, teamwork, daring, and firepower, but with additional emphasis on surveillance and intelligence gathering. Most of the book recounts missions in the Middle East and Africa, and the text, some of it redacted, features plenty of fireworks, including an encounter when Gamal was shot and almost died…. The compelling story of an unlikely hero in the war on terror.” —Kirkus Reviews

“In The Unit, Adam Gamal takes readers on an extraordinary journey from immigrant to elite operator. A gripping tale of bravery, sacrifice, and unwavering determination and patriotism written with vivid detail and relentless suspense. The Unit recounts the adrenaline-fueled encounters and the heart-stopping moments when lives hang in the balance while exploring Gamal’s inner struggles and sense of purpose. The book is a stark reminder of the sacrifices of America’s special operations forces and how America’s melting pot is its best defense.” –Kevin Maurer, #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of No Easy Day

"Adam Gamal served in the most secret military organization in our country and he did so with distinction and courage. Read The Unit and get a glimpse inside the highest levels of special operations." –Will Chesney, US Navy SEAL (ret.) and bestselling author of No Ordinary Dog

From the Publisher

01/26/2024

Gamal is a pseudonym designed to keep the author—a member of a U.S. military unit so secretive that it's simply called "the unit"—safe and his family out of harm's way. Coauthor Kennedy (They Fought for Each Other) served in the U.S. Army, and she did stints in Mogadishu and Desert Storm. Together, they're offering insight into a special operations group. Some may find that it reads more like an autobiography of a Muslim Arab American, who served in the U.S. military, found his calling as an effective operator but easily noticed what the leadership was doing wrong. The authors point out what seem like obvious flaws—that could have prevented major catastrophes—in United States' approach to "the war on terrorism." The book stresses that education is crucial in rebuilding nations and that if Western powers do not fill that void, someone else will. The importance of embracing immigrants in the U.S. is an overarching theme with relevance to the current political climate. VERDICT A quick, thought-provoking read that lays out both strengths and flaws of the U.S. military in equal measure. Fans of modern military history will find this title enjoyable.—Matthew Wayman

Library Journal

2023-12-15
A memoir from a member of “the military’s most secret intelligence/special operations unit.”

Gamal (a pseudonym) was born in Egypt to a family whose father, although struggling to make ends meet, put four children through college. As a child, the author grew up detesting the Muslim Brotherhood, Egyptian extremists who exerted great influence. As he was studying law, a professor explained that he would never practice what he was learning because there was no rule of law in Egypt. Brilliant but frustrated, Gamal moved to the U.S. in 1991 at age 20, with no job and speaking no English. Helped (and sometimes exploited) by fellow Egyptians, he passed three years working menial jobs but eventually finding success, marriage, and a family. In 1994, feeling he owed a debt to his chosen country, he joined the Army. Hardworking and tough, Gamal breezed through training, during which he encountered both encouragement and racism. He volunteered for a force so secret that he can only refer to it as “the unit.” The author describes it as similar to special forces, employing the same murderous training, teamwork, daring, and firepower, but with additional emphasis on surveillance and intelligence gathering. Most of the book recounts missions in the Middle East and Africa, and the text, some of it redacted, features plenty of fireworks, including an encounter when Gamal was shot and almost died. Fiercely patriotic despite regularly encountering prejudice, the author does not hesitate to point out the catastrophic consequences of Americans’ ignorance of other cultures. For example, despite the military’s being desperately short of personnel who can speak languages other than English, it dismissed hundreds with those skills under the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy (in effect from 1994 to 2011). Some may scoff at the term diversity, but Gamal clearly shows how its absence regularly hobbles military missions.

The compelling story of an unlikely hero in the war on terror.

Kirkus Reviews