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Title: First In: An Insider's Account of How the CIA Spearheaded the War on Terror in Afghanistan
ISBN: 0891418725
Author:
Gary Schroen
Publicate Date: 2005-05-10
Publish: 2005-05-10
List Price: $25.95
Average Customer Rating: 4.0
Format: Hardcover
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $19.94
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $2.31
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| Customer Review: |
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1: A very informative view of CIA in Afganistan
After watching an interview with Gary Shroen on FOX TV, I knew this was going to be an interesting read. It is a very good description of the CIA spearhead into the war against Osama Bin Laden. "First In" leaves the reader with an understanding of how the CIA works and doesn't work. The government beauracracy into the operation is unbelievable at times. The reader must read "Jawbreaker" also to get a better understanding of the mission. Both books give a picture of the tribal factions in that part of the world an why this war is different.
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2: WORD OF MOUTH IS BEST
I purchased this book because I heard reviews from soldiers who served in Iraq & Afghanistan. All said this book represents the truth & not limited/censored press reports. I bought it because I wanted know the truth about various living conditions & the US progress in addressing the Taliban & Al Queda issue. My rating is based on hear say because I have not read the book yet, but I trust in the words of those who recommended it.
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3: A Personal Account from the Bleeding Edge
First In, is a first person account of the events between the 19th of September until the 10th of November, told mainly from the perspective of Gary Schroen, leader of the JAWBREAKER CIA squad sent to establish relations with the Northern Alliance in the Panjshir Valley, near the stalemated frontlines of the Taliban. Despite being the lead of US forces in Afghanistan (a 7 man crew), his account is very low to the ground, recounting the incessant problems of Diarrhea and relations and the daily interactions with Northern Alliance leaders. The details make the story, such as taking naps on boxes holding $10 million in cash or the simple pleasure of Starbucks coffee brewed in the field.
Schroen still manages to give a picture of how the Afghanistan war unfolded, with ground forces of the Northern Alliance and the Taliban hemmed in to their respective defensive positions. He details how the US military consistently acted ponderously or incompetently. One poignant example is when Schroen was called by the Air Force to confirm coordinates for a Predator UAV strike; he realized that the `thin man wearing western clothing' was not Bin Laden, but his teammate Ed. Schroen combines the personal narrative with sections from other teams across Afghanistan, when they took Mazar-e-Sharif or the perils of Karzai in the south. The timeline ends with the fall of Kabul, with only a small afterward from 2004.
For what it aims to do, the book succeeds with flying colors. Schroen makes his opinions known, but they do not interfere with the story. Mild prose is overwhelmed by the amount of detail and clear description of the conflicts in strategy among the myriad of parties involved, making for a compelling and informative story.
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4: very well written
A lot of research went into this publication and the places cited really come to life....I know because I am currently in Afghanistan.
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5: Introduction to the War in Afganistan
An interesting introduction to the people involved on the ground, just days after 9/11, in the early stages of the war in Afganistan.
The focus is on the interaction between the CIA teams and their Northern Alliance allies. Most of the book covers the inner circle of Ahmad Shah Massoud, who was assasinated immediately prior to 9/11. Near the end, you get a brief introduction to Hamid Karzai, the current President of Afganistan. The brief mention of Professor Abdul Sayyaff was a suprise to me. I did not realize the namesake of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group in the Philippines was fighting with the Northern Alliance.
Schroen thinks very highly of himself and, although he seems to respect their capabilities, is compelled to point out mistakes made by the Special Forces operators and the military in general. If you have ever read books by the FBI profiler John Douglas, you will recognize the general tone.
Overall a good book about very brave men who were willing to take significant risks for their country.
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