The Operators

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

By: Michael Hastings

Narrated by: Lloyd James

Length: 12 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

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

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)

Great for the facts, but take with a grain of salt

The author gives most of the book in a clear and honest manner, but in some (very few) cases he either speculates or let's his opinion color the truth. All in all, an excellent book.

Part history, part biography, totally enjoyable

This book was very entertaining and enlightening. Like many Americans, I have followed the wars through the new for the last 10+ years. I was aware of many of the actual historical events that are backdrops to this story. What I really liked was getting a glimpse behind the headlines, and seeing how the 'operators' that caused the events, and why.

The book is not, and does not try to be, comprehensive. Nevertheless, there is enough there to provide a pretty good review. It certainly made me want to read other books that provide a critical synthesis of the wars and politics.

I enjoyed the whole book, but it did sag a little toward the end. Even that was interesting, but not as good as the first 4/5ths or so. Still, I highly recommend this book.

Wonderful

Very Well Written and Equally well Read. Congratulations, Michael for creating such in depth and unbiased portrait of Generals who fought the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

A rare glimpse into the inner circle .

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely !

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hastings and McChrystal both. Their fateful time together reveals a lot about both men and gives us a look into the inner circle of military power.

Which character – as performed by Lloyd James – was your favorite?

Both men are intriguing for totally different reasons, but its performed very well.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

It’s a very polarizing book and it has and will continue to anger folks and have others scratching their heads in disbelief . It's a crazy rock n' roll ride that shows some of the madness of our modern warfare . A great piece of literature .

A fitting book for the times.

Perfectly illustrates the continued failures that the current and every administration and country throughout centuries has failed to achieve while occupying Afghanistan.

This hits deeper than it should

This book hits so much truth and really shattered my expectations. Charles Flynn was my BDE commander many moons ago. It was interesting to hear the inner working and daily operations of generals and their staffs. If you have any question as to whether you should get this book or not, and you served, you are going to love it.

RIP to a great reporter and person

This is a must read for anyone trying to understand the American war in Afghanistan. You get the added bonus of hearing Hastings’ reporting process, which is indispensable knowledge as he’s one of the best to ever do it.

Not good

The narrator was good but the story was awful. Sorry Michael Hastings but this is an insanely boring book. I could write something much more interesting from my own time in the Army. I was also irritated by how condescending the author was about virtually every character he wrote about. As if he was a genius ‘fly on the wall’ surrounded by a group of bumbling idiots. Come on! But seriously, this book is a waste of time. I got 5 hours into it and had to give up. Only the second time for me out of 75 titles.

Hated it!

Made hate journalists, Rolling Stone, and the media. I love the check a free press is keeping our society open. Then I read (listen) to stuff like this. I hate that I paid for it.

Warhawk and neocons

I was left feeling that our government, and our military are like a planet out of orbit. It reaffirmed all my suspicions about manipulation of the media by social engineers. The military culture is a self devouring machine. Betrayal dis honor, I'm disgusted by the whole thing. Bunch of self-serving, self-seeking, megalomaniacs. A bunch of pressed and starched surplus humans.