Borderline

Defending the Home Front

By: Vincent Vargas

Narrated by: Jocko Willink, Vincent Vargas

Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

An inside look at the U.S./Mexican border through the eyes of former U.S. Border Patrol agent, Vincent Vargas, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan with the U.S. Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment.

This program is read by the author and features a foreword written and read by #1 New York Times bestselling author Jocko Willink.

The U.S./Mexican border stretches nearly 2,000 miles and is protected by a thin line of overworked and underfunded U.S. Border Patrol Agents, who risk their lives every day. Stigmatized in the media and fought over in the halls of Washington D.C., this is the true story of what is really happening on the U.S./Mexican border.

Borderline provides an inside look through the eyes of former U.S. Border Patrol agent, Vincent Vargas, who is no stranger to violence, having served in Iraq and Afghanistan with the U.S. Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment.

The story begins on the battlefields of the Middle East and culminates on the southwest border of the United States, where Vargas was tasked with protecting his country, his fellow agents, and the immigrants caught in the middle. He learned firsthand about the unforgiving brutality of the cartels, human traffickers and the desert.

After bearing witness to the carnage, Vargas made the decision to join the Border Patrol’s elite search & rescue unit called BORSTAR.

With almost unfettered access, Vargas provides an in-depth, never-before-seen look into the U.S. Border Patrol, from the agency’s origins to its present-day missions.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

©2023 Vincent Vargas (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“We take our borders for granted—but we shouldn’t. People serve and sacrifice every day, in the harshest of environments, facing dynamic situations, with little or no back up. These people are our Border Patrol—and Borderline is their story.”—Jocko Willink, #1 Bestselling Author

"Powerful, insightful, and thought-provoking, Borderline by Vincent Vargas is a must read for every American. Before you make a snap judgement about the Border Patrol based on a sound bite, take the time to understand the agency and get to know those who are charged with protecting the nation through the pages of Borderline."—Jack Carr, former Navy SEAL Sniper, host of the Danger Close Podcast, and #1 New York Times bestselling author of the James Reece Terminal List series

It was more informative than I could have ever imagined. The book was not what I expected, and that's a good thing.e

It was more informative than I could have ever imagined. The book was not what I expected, and that's a good thing.e

Awesome Book

Great description of what the CBP goes through and does for this counrty. A must read.

Eye opening

I'm the person that really didn't know the responsibilities of our border patrol and I often mixed up ICE and the Border Patrol. It's amazing the work they are doing to protect life at our borders and learning about their training was great.

Amazing book. Extremely well written and Narrated

Great listen, amazing story super detailed. Well narrated 10/10 would recommend. Vincent Vargas is a great dude and personal friend.

Eye opening and very discriptive

This book provides a great understanding between the differences of border patrol, and United States immigration services.

Upon reading this book, I have a better understanding of the job Our border patrol agents provide to secure our country. And it also opens your eyes to the dangers that the border patrol see every single day in protecting us.

Vargas does a great job of relaying the information in a way that the average person can understand. if you really want to get a complete grasp and understanding of why our border situation is why it is today, I highly suggest reading this book. You will quickly understand that it’s not the people that are doing their job to help our country, but it’s the people that are leading our country That are creating the issues that we see every day.

No matter what side of the fence you were on, whether it be right or left, reading this book, should give you a good comprehensive view in the eyes of somebody that puts their country first over their family and their own personal safety.

Good job, Mr. Vargas! You are truly an American hero that our country is grateful to have!

understand our southern border

great book. gives good insight about our Southern border and our border patrol has to deal with

A great listen!

A great listen to hear the career and experiences of a border patrol agent with tons of information you don’t hear from your every day main stream media. Highly recommend listening to this one.

Absolutely crushed it!!!

If you’re a fan of his work, then you will be an even bigger fan of the type of man Vince is. He’s always upfront and honest in every thing that he does and he always lays it all out there. This is book is another shining example of why he has such a powerful impact on the Veteran and First Responders Communities.

Required Reading

An honest Review of “Borderline” by me, a third generation BPA with 14+ years BP experience.

I have been listening to the audible version of “Borderline” while in the workshop making USBP badge wallets when I get home from my BP shift at 0300. My grandpa was a Border Patrol Agent and my dad retired from USBP after 25 years of service. I’ve been in for 14+ years now.

With that said, there isn’t much I read that is BP related that really teaches me something new or has an accurate representation of the job, culture or stirs my already lofty pride of the USBP. The book “Borderline” does all that and then some.

The book is the most accurate and comprehensive representation of Border Patrol life and that includes the hardships, mistakes, victories and adrenaline there is. This book should be required reading for anyone interested in joining or even anyone that wants to have any opinion on the Border Patrol or border policy.

The most enthralling part of the book was the common sense explanation of the current policy struggles and the in depth understanding of the complexities that come with it. Vargas points out exquisitely how these problems can be humanely addressed while still supporting the agents in the field to do the job they are specially trained to do (secure the border) rather than be bogged down in border policy problems.

On a final note I want to thank Vargas for writing the book we have all been hoping for a decade now. These issues have plagued the agency and the hearts of all our agents. I know you said you are not a particularly religious guy but I am positive The Holy Spirit was guiding your heart in writing this with how accurate, logical and loving this book was completed. Stay green brother!

Break down of every statement

The break down of every mission in detail

The explanation of what the BORSOC and border patrols actual job title is

The importance of having a border patrol and border