13 Hours

The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi

By: Mitchell Zuckoff, Annex Security Team

Narrated by: Mitchell Zuckoff

Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's Summary

The harrowing, true account from the brave men on the ground who fought back during the Battle of Benghazi.

13 Hours presents, for the first time ever, the true account of the events of September 11, 2012, when terrorists attacked the US State Department Special Mission Compound and a nearby CIA station called the Annex in Benghazi, Libya. A team of six American security operators fought to repel the attackers and protect the Americans stationed there. Those men went beyond the call of duty, performing extraordinary acts of courage and heroism, to avert tragedy on a much larger scale. This is their personal account, never before told, of what happened during the 13 hours of that now-infamous attack.

13 Hours sets the record straight on what happened during a night that has been shrouded in mystery and controversy. Written by New York Times best-selling author Mitchell Zuckoff, this riveting audiobook takes listeners into the action-packed story of heroes who laid their lives on the line for one another, for their countrymen, and for their country.

13 Hours is a stunning, eye-opening, and intense audiobook - but most importantly, it is the truth. The story of what happened to these men - and what they accomplished - is unforgettable.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2014 Mitchell Zuckoff (P)2014 Hachette Audio

A story of heroism

Compelling but not long winded the author did well gathering details and presenting the accounts in real time. The courage bravery and loyalty of our men is evident as is the cowardice of some that hid instead of fighting. The heroes are ex-military so were not bestowed the highest honors while those that did little received them. The real honor is in knowing them through this event. You'll be stirred to become a better man.

Listened to it THREE TIMES

Any additional comments?

What can I say past the title of this review? I read it, saw the movie and read it TWO MORE TIMES.

the real true story of The Expendables.

well told, fast moving, inside account of the Benghazi fiasco which took the life of a US ambassador as well as two former Navy SEALs. the emphasis of the story is on the actual moment by moment events as they happened and not so much laying the blame of negligence by those at the CIA or the politicos in Washington.

A MUST READ - WAKE UP AMERICA

It's was incredibly hard to hear the battle- American heroes fighting against an evil without any help from their own government. The touching stores of bravery beyond human comprehension. You feel like you know each other them personally by the end of the book.

Interesting but probably better to read

I knew very little beyond the headlines about Benghazi. After listening to this book, I know a lot more. I also have a greater appreciation for the operatives who risk their lives for the safety of fellow countrymen. There were some very moving parts to this. It also did a good job of steering clear of politics, except to say that someone should have made sure that there were more people to protect the compound. More than half of this book consisted of the siege on the American compound in Benghazi. The author described the placement of the buildings and where the various people were during the fighting. I could not listen and visualize it all. The book successfully got me in the mind of many of the people, but my inability to visualize the whole setting made the battle less interesting to me. I would hope that the written book would contain maps, and that would have made it a lot better for me. In spite of the shortcomings, I am glad I listened to this. To me, it was still a solid 3.5 star listening experience.

Great Story of Valor

This book is fast paced and will keep your attention.
It gives a great background to the events that eventually became known as the Ben Ghazi issue.
The authors then gives us a compelling story of the way events unfolded with a description of the participants growth into warrior hood. He details the moment to moment combat scenes. While it's not political anyone who listens to this book are who reads it will see that there was an failure of our government to protect those involved.

Spellbinding, Inspiring, Humbling

It was mesmerizing from the first chapter. I listened to it straight though; I just could not help myself. And even as I listened I wondered within myself " How does America still produce such men'. I am in awe of each of them and thankful to and for each of them. I do not think anyone can read this story without being flooded with all types of emotions. For those who came home let there be Peace; for those who did not let there be Rest, for those who did nothing to help let there be Shame.

Amazing Book!

Would you listen to 13 Hours again? Why?

Yes, This book kept me interested from the very beginning when it reaches back into history to relate previous incidents in Benghazi as well as historical battles and background on how Benghazi came to be. As opposed to Benghazi under fire, this book is told from the standpoint of the CIA Annex security team that was told to "Stand Down" that fateful day on September 11, 2012.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The details of the accounts really bring more of the events into perspective and a lot more than what you could ever hope to hear about on the evening news. It also gives a contrasting view of the "Stand Down" order and why/how it was given. To me, the responsibility for the delay in responding should have fallen on the CIA station chief that was dead set on enlisting the help of the 17 February Militia to assist in the attack on the embassy in a feeble attempt to keep the "Secret" CIA Annex a secret by not sending this quick reaction force to assist.

Which scene was your favorite?

The details of the battles and how each one stood out on it's down as the story progressed..

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

We need to go NOW!

Any additional comments?

It also sheds light on the last hours of Navy SEAL Tyrone "Ty" Snowden Woods and Navy SEAL Glen "Bub" Anthony Dohrety and how they came together on that fateful evening/morning. In fact, Glen apparently never fired a shot and was killed with Tyrone when a mortar struck the rooftop position they were on. Glen had climbed up to visit with Tyrone after arriving from Tripoli with a rescue team that included two Delta Force Operators (who did not participate in the battle, but received awards for heroism). It details how Kris "Tonto" Paronto, Mark "Oz" Geist and John "Tig" Tiegan (all part of the original response team), fought off wave after wave of attackers and the troubles each of them faced as they took the fight to the attackers.

Explanations of how they heard rumors that it was an attack that was ignited by a Youtube video, and how the operators knew that wasn't the case. How they searched for Stevens to the point of nearly dying themselves from Smoke inhalation, toxic gasses, etc.

It tells how following the initial assault on the Embassy grounds, most of the fighting then took place at the CIA Compound about a mile away. That is was an organized military style attack, not a bunch of demonstrators, that quickly dialed in and landed three perfectly placed mortars on one rooftop during the battle... again, not an easy task for goat herders.

This book puts you right next to these heroes and the battles they fought with the attackers, their station chief, the flames in the Embassy building and better judgement. I would STRONGLY recommend this book for anyone wanting to know what REALLY happened in Benghazi, Libya on September 11, 2012.

Well written factual accounting of a horrific day and night

This is it. With this book you can discover what happened to Ambassador Stevens and the other 3 Americans in Benghazi. This is a non-partisan accounting of those horrible events written by some of the key American heroes who were there fighting to protect Americans.

If you are content with the denials by President Obama and Secretary Clinton you probably will not appreciate this book. Conversely, if you just want a book that mercilessly attacks President Obama and Secretary Clinton for even the gum they chew you probably will not appreciate this book. This book gives facts fro the ground

Truth. An honest and raw story.

This was a very easy book to listen to. no bullshit. no theatrics. just raw honesty.

Great book.

What made the experience of listening to 13 Hours the most enjoyable?

Great book about a not so great topic. The story grips you from the start and is well-written and well narrated.

What other book might you compare 13 Hours to, and why?

The way of the seal by Mark Devine describes in detail about the mindset of Navy Seals and how to apply it in our day to day life. At the end of this book '13 hours' is named and a referral is made to the Ex-Seals who fought in this battle and were determined to carry out their jobs at all costs.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The book was interesting from beginning to the end. It was interesting to read about the day to day struggles in Benghazi. Also interesting was to learn about the work of Ambassador Stevens. Most compelling was the story about the attack and the response of the contractors.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The moment of the last attack by the terrorists.

"thank goodness for the operators"

"Wow, thank goodness for these six operators, an the Libyan soldiers that helped them"...! It's a book that really needs to be read, or listened to. People put down military contractors labelling them as mercenaries, well, yes that's what they are. You would be amazed to know how many countries employ these contractors in ways you wouldn't believe, even in a war with army's the height ranking officers have these as body guards, as well do the politicians. We should have respect for these guy's, not condemnation. Look what they done hear...! (Great audio book, an really good narration enjoyable to listen too) Anyone interested in this subject will appreciate this book.......

RIP, the four that didn't come home..

Good read

very interesting account by those who where there what a pity they could not be awarded the highest honours.

Excellent Audiobook

Really enjoyed this book, amazing story, very detailed account. Really unfortunate they didn't have more help or backup over there.

no comment

I have No comments or words that I can express, except respect and empathy for the relative's

Brilliant

A must listen, enjoyed this book from start to finish, it’s really well read and detailed throughout

Excellent insight from the guys on the ground!

If you enjoyed watching the film 13 Hours this is a must read book. It provides excellent insight into what really happened in Benghazi with direct input from the operators themselves. Such heroism and selflessness from the GRS team. Tinged with great sadness at the loss of friends. This is definitely one to buy. Expertly read by co author Mitchell Zuckoff.

Fantastic listen

Absolutely loved the book, was much better than the film and gives a real insight to that side of things.

factual listen

Great listen and well narrated, sadly a true account of events and good men died. their story is of guts and heroism.

Curious about the movie origins.

3.5*
Bought on a whim as a filler between releases as it is an interesting story and seems the screen is surprisingly close to the source, bar a few scenes added for drama, or to keep focus on an individual.

Plenty of drama and while the source book has a limited point of view it does bring in other material and the ambassador's diary is an interesting counterpoint and could have been significantly worse for folks involved.

To me, the performance lacks punch to drive the story along, and more varied narrators are around. The 'samey' nature pulls away from the characters. It works, but could be better