The Mission, the Men, and Me

Lessons from a Former Delta Force Commander

By: Pete Blaber

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

As a commander of Delta Force - the most elite counter terrorist organization in the world - Pete Blaber took part in some of the most dangerous, controversial, and significant military and political events of our time. Now he takes his intimate knowledge of warfare - and the heart, mind, and spirit it takes to win - and moves his focus from the combat zone to civilian life.

As the smoke clears from exciting stories about never-before-revealed top-secret missions that were executed all over the globe, listeners will emerge wiser, more capable, and more ready for life's personal victories than they ever thought possible.

©2013 Pete Blaber (P)2013 Blackstone Audiobooks

Perhaps use someone who knows the words?

I’ve read Pete’s book numerous times and I always learn something new. In my line if work his insights are always valuable.

However, the narrator of this book severely lets down the reader, between the mispronunciation of basic words, to the wholesale abandonment of accurate reading of locations in Afghanistan, to then the unfortunate ignorant portrayal of an Arabic/afghan accent whilst reading certain parts. The narrator of the book wholesale lets down the seriousness and lack there of, of the story.

Pete Blaber is a phenomenal. And the book itself is a must read, must listen for anyone.

Even with the complete and utter failure of the narrator. Ignoring that, you’ll be good to go!

Decent story with a few funny moments

I found nothing new to military novels in this book,however there are some funny moments. The 2 or 3 funny moments in the book really help to break up the monotony of The Mission, The Men, and Me and ultimately are the deciding factor between 3 and 4 stars. I'd recommend this book to military fans but only on sale, everyone else can skip it.

The performance is good enough

I almost didn’t listen because of the criticism of the performance. I understand where it comes from. The performance is perhaps not in the tone or cadence of what the author might be better visualized. Still it is good enough. The story is also good.

Excellent lessons for life and leadership

Really liked the book. The summary of the lessons can be found on the author's homepage but I liked the examples he gives here. This book should be standard reading for all freshemen in the academies and new officers b/c it is such a common sense approach to problem solving. I had many smh moments at the REMFs who too often ignore the man on ground with tacit knowledge. He makes serving with other elite, professsional soldiers seem very attractive. I listened at 1.2 and I thought that helped but I really did not mind the reader. He's no Ray Porter but who is.
For a totally different but equally good mil book, try House to House by Bellavia.

Great leadership principles

Great read for anyone in a leadership position in any organization not just the military.

A must read for Leaders

I come to this book based on the recommendations of those I work with in the American fire service. It’s important to note that most of those who recommended it to me have no military experience. That being said, i have 17 years of conventional military experience and currently serve as a first sergeant of a company sized element. This book should be required reading for all leaders. In organizations inside and outside of the military Pete’s “guiding principles” could be critical to finding success. Highest recommendation.

Simplifying and understanding why things fail.

In depth detail on military related hierarchical flaws and how it risks uniformed service members lives on the battlefield.

If you’ve been there…you get it.

Joe Barrett could recite the Cleveland telephone book and make it a best seller next week!

just plain awesome.

I learned a great deal about problem solving and leadership in a chaotic environment. I think the lessons in this book are immediately applicable to anyone who's in the world of work and dealing with uncertainty and the need to take action with confidence.

Great Book

Good book and good narration. There were lots and lots of great takeaways. High recommend.