Benghazi

By: Brandon Webb, Jack Murphy

Narrated by: Melinda Fleming, Salomon Maya

Length: 2 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's Summary

Written by the team of former Special Operations warriors who run SOFREP.com, here is the definitive account of what happened before, during, and after the deadly Benghazi attack.

On September 12th, 2012, Brandon Webb learned Glen Doherty, one of his closest friends and his former Navy SEAL teammate, was killed alongside Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and two other Americans when the U.S. State Department and CIA headquarters in Benghazi, Libya, were sieged in a shocking terrorist attack.

For the next four months, Webb and his team at SOFREP.com, the world's premier Special Ops website, embarked on a relentless investigation to understand exactly what happened to their countrymen, as well as the roles played by the Obama administration, State Department, and CIA. Drawing on unmatched sources, they spoke to individuals who would talk to no one else, including fellow Special Operations team members familiar with the African theatre, and well-placed contacts in the Washington intelligence community. This is their report - an unforgettably gripping minute-by-minute narrative of the events and their aftermath as they really unfolded on that terrible day in Libya.

©2013 Brandon Webb & Jack Murphy (P)2013 Brandon Webb & Jack Murphy

Beware of definitive reports

If you are looking for a near complete absolution of President Obama's handling or mishandling of the Benghazi, Libya debacle, this is your book. The authors rely on the word of Obama appointees; his Joint Chiefs Chairman, Gen. Martin Dempsey, for example, who acts like a surrogate rather than a wise counselor to his Commander in Chief.

The authors rejected reports that General Carter Ham (Commander, U.S. Africa Command) in violation of orders, attempted to aid desperate American officials under siege in Benghazi for which he was relieved of command. "Great story, but completely false," the authors say, citing Obama appointee General Martin Dempsey who wrote:

"The speculation that General Carter Ham is departing Africa Command (AFRICOM) due to events in Benghazi, Libya on 11 September 2012 is absolutely false. General Ham's departure is part of routine succession planning that has been on going since July."

The authors wrote: "Contrary to the many media myths about Benghazi, requests for help were not denied by the Obama administration."

So there you have it. "Definitive!"

13 of 16 people found this review helpful

Great background and historical info

Great background and historical info for "13 Hours." Gives more perspective on who was involved and the facts about blaming a cartoon video for what happened. This area has been a hot bed of issues for the west since the 1700's

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Worth the money

Part sounded interesting but I have wide knowledge of international relations and military battlefield issues so it was not surprising what I heard. Part of it sounded like conspiracy theory though. But worth the money

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Well researched, but incomplete.

Would you try another book from Brandon Webb and Jack Murphy and/or Melinda Fleming and Salomon Maya ?

Maybe.

What could Brandon Webb and Jack Murphy have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Investigate why requests for additional security for the embassy in Benghazi were refused and report on who the government officials were who refused to send the additional security.

How could the performance have been better?

A different narrator.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No.

Any additional comments?

Provides additional insight and adds to the understanding of the events surrounding the attacks on the U.S. facilities in Benghazi. But does not answer the basic question of who was responsible and what is being done to prevent similar mistakes.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Narrator is absolutley horrible.

Would you ever listen to anything by Brandon Webb and Jack Murphy again?

Yes

How could the performance have been better?

An American you can understand as narrator would help to start. Really cannot gauge the book since did not comprehend most of what was said. Extremely thick British accent not my idea of a book about spec ops.

Any additional comments?

I loved "The Red Circle", but honestly I did not really get much out of what I listened too. Seemed like it was rambling on one op to the next. I am very disappointed.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Concise and Unslanted

This is the best description of the Benghazi attack and the events that led up to it. Very concise and informative without a political slant either way.

Meh

Seems to be well researched but really no way for the average person of knowing for a fact if this is a definitive report, could easily be someone else's propaganda. Really hard to get into it and struggled getting through this book till the end. Also not very fond of the narrator for this type if audiobook.

not good

didn't finish it. narrator was dull and painful to listen to. do not recommend. waste.

Great book

This book gives you details that put the pieces together to help understand why Benghazi happened.

Absolutely Excellent

What did you love best about Benghazi?

Extremely informative. I felt it was well told and has helped me to understand what really happened according to sources that otherwise I would not have access to.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The minute by minute account of the situation

Which scene was your favorite?

All

If you could give Benghazi a new subtitle, what would it be?

None

2 of 5 people found this review helpful