13 Hours

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 book 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 book - 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

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.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

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.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

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.

62 of 69 people found this review helpful

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.

31 of 35 people found this review helpful

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

29 of 33 people found this review helpful

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.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

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.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

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.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Compelling Story of Horrible Events

If you aren't quite sure what happened on Sept 11, 2012 in Benghazi, Libya then this is a good place to start. Given that it is a first person account of the events on the ground, it is probably the most accurate story of what actually happened that day. Well written and narration is pretty good.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Can't stop thinking about this book!

Although I had read and heard enough to know what to expect in this book, I was still absolutely captivated by the personalities and the unfolding story. As soon as I finished it, I started at the beginning, again. So many people with individual stories all a part of 13 HOURS IN BENGAZI....it took multiple readings before I was able to retain all that was contained. Well done.

26 of 32 people found this review helpful

"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..

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Eye Opening

Amazing to see the perspective of the men involved in that fatal night. Very well written and read.

Truth

What an eye opening account of what really happened. But i feel it is wrong to review this book. This story belongs to those brave operators who gave their lives to save others. Very well written and narrated 5 *

watched the film first 4 times , loved the book

What brave buggers they were
Totally in awe of them, didn't the politics fall down big style

Amazing heroes let down by politics.

Personally I feel the men on the ground should have far more scope to make decisions rather than some politician fearing election losses.

Amazing

This is the second book I have heard that relays the amazing events of this hard fought battle and still it astounds me how tough and resilient a small force of specialist soldier's hold against the odds

Great Listen

I absolutely loved listening to this Audiobook. 99% of it is in the movie of thrones same name. The narrator done a good job of this title which I'm glad. The amount of stuff the men and women of the incident is so frightening that it does make you think if any more could've been done to assist or help the operators defending the 2 places. R.I.P to the brave people who had to endure the 13 hours of hell.

True story of brave men yet fails to engage

Scrupulous to stick to primary information and verified conversations this true story of these honourable men should have been one of preferred type of books. It completely fails to engage.
I think if you are studying or doing a thesis or an especial interest in the middle Eastern politics then this has to be a definite read. However for dilettantes as myself the writing failed to bring into their lives and was more like listening to a special FX movie.