The Operators Audiobook By Michael Hastings cover art

The Operators

The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America's War in Afghanistan

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The Operators

By: Michael Hastings
Narrated by: Lloyd James
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In June 2010, Michael Hastings published an article in Rolling Stone that made headlines around the world: In “The Runaway General”, he reported on a week he spent in Europe with General Stanley McChrystal, the revered soldier in charge of the war in Afghanistan.

McChrystal and his staff's unguarded remarks about the White House, our allies, and the conduct of the war led President Obama to order McChrystal to the Oval Office, where he was fired unceremoniously. While Hastings' reporting won him a prestigious Polk award and led to two Pentagon investigations, there is much more to his story than the indiscretions of Stanley McChrystal.

In The Operators, Hastings, formerly the Baghdad bureau chief for Newsweek, takes the listener behind the diplomatic façades to paint a picture of nation-building gone awry. Hastings also takes us on patrol missions in Afghanistan, where he is embedded with American troops, and witnesses firsthand the madness, horror, and existential contradictions of Afghanistan.

The Operators combines the acute reportage of a Sebastian Junger with the mad energy of a Michael Herr - it is the painful, powerful tale of a war that can never and will never be won.

©2012 Michael Hastings (P)2012 Tantor Wars & Conflicts Politics & Government Afghan War War & Crisis Military Terrorism War Middle East Freedom & Security Public Policy Emotionally Gripping Solider

Critic reviews

"An impressive feat of journalism by a Washington outsider who seemed to know more about what was going on in Washington than most insiders did." (Frank Rich, The New York Times)
Informative Content • Compelling Journalism • Exciting Narration • Relevant Insights • Critical Synthesis

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This is one of the Most HONEST, REAL INSIGHT. ....Ever Presented on :
- HOW the HIGHER Up's i.e.
-Whitehouse, Pentagon, the Top General's and Diplomats played their role , their decision making process and WHAT motivated them to Act like they did -and- WHY...

Although -I completely DIS-AGREE...With the WaY this Journalist/Author handled....
-the -Gen. Stanley McChrystal Affair !

2 Other Books -come to -My mind of
-Equal Brilliance :
-WAY OF THE KNIFE -and-
THE WRONG ENEMY....

One of the BEST Books Ever written on AFGHAN War .

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Would you listen to The Operators again? Why?

No...too depressing.

Any additional comments?

We never should have invaded Iraq. This story...proves we never EVER should have invaded Afghanistan either. What a mess...what...a...mess. Those poor families who lost loved ones to this stupid conflict that had nothing to do with what happened on 9/11. Sad...really sad.

You can't get in trouble if you don't say it

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Unlike the 1940's, today's military elite are not our best and most honorable. The War on Terror is an ill-conceived failure. This should have been an intelligence lead, law enforcement effort. We did not learn the lessons of Vietnam and we continue to invest our lives and treasure pursuing futile nation building f**k ups. Such crap. Thank you Michael Hastings, the truth is in short supply in today's media and the American public owe you a debt of gratitude for your truth telling.

WHERE ARE OUR GREAT GENERALS

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It was well written. It had great facts and is probably one of the reasons he is not with us today.

Good stuff, very enjoyable.

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Somehow all the news and articles passed without touching me, so when I began this book all the facts were totally new to me.

I have to say that I'm at a loss for words, I'm not sure what I think about all of this, but I have no doubt that everybody should read it.

VERY INTERESTING STORY

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