Kill Chain

The Rise of the High-Tech Assassins

By: Andrew Cockburn

Narrated by: Malcolm Hillgartner

Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

This essential, pause-resister narrative on the history of drone warfare by the acclaimed author of Rumsfeld explores how this practice emerged, who made it happen, and the real consequences of targeted killing.

Assassination by drone is a subject of deep and enduring fascination, yet few understand how and why it has become our principal way of waging war. Kill Chain uncovers the real and extraordinary story of drone warfare - its origins in long-buried secret programs, the breakthroughs that made drone operations possible, and the ways in which the technology works and, despite official claims, does not work.

Taking the listener inside the well-guarded world of national security, the audiobook reveals the powerful interests - military, CIA, and corporate - that have led the drive to kill individuals by remote control. Most importantly of all, the book describes what has really happened when the theories underpinning the strategy - and the multibillion-dollar contracts they spawn - have been put to the test.

Drawing on sources deep within the military and intelligence establishments, Andrew Cockburn's Kill Chain unveils the true effects, as demonstrated by bloody experience, of assassination warfare - a revelation that listeners will find surprising and shocking.

©2015 Andrew Cockburn (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Fascinating and Infuriating

Great book. Very well delivered history of how we got to where we are. It would be great to hear more on solutions that DO work, but that was not this book.

An IRL Dystopian Sci-fi Story

This book oddly reads like a Michael Crichton sci-fi novel but then you realize that THIS is not a sci-fi novel. This novel is not kind to the military industrial complex, General Atomics and Lockheed Martin specifically. There are a number of well supported critical takes, some takes are less supported with a twinge of unsupported personal biases in the later chapters. Personally I would have loved to see a bit more of a counter ballance to some claims. Overall my go two book on how America screwed up in Afghanistan.

Excellent read!

This book was recommended by CMSAF Joanne Bass and I hope other military members get a chance to read it! Eye opening for sure!

Very well done

A great book for understanding the history and future of automated and long distance warfare.

Great read

What other book might you compare Kill Chain to and why?

For further reading I would highly recomend Black Flags by Joby Warrick and ISIS by Hassan Hassan

Any additional comments?

Theres a lot of books about this subject but this book focuses on key points in tech warfare on the path to where we are now.

Introduction

Good topic but too short. Starts you thinking but needs more. No real discussion of opposing views.

outstanding

Tells a well ducunentwd and chilling tale of US government's counterproductive drone war and the powerful forces in government and business that are pressing it relentlessly forward.

A thorough review of the drones

A great blend of history and the Present. I learned a lot about the rationale behind the origin of drones, and its absolutely astounding longevity despite their ineffectiveness. The American military machine and its wealthy lobbiests are making the world unsafe as defense contractors' main goal is to make money -- money coming from tax payers. Ethics never seems to be an issue, all the while innocent people die from being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It is a great read to view drone warfare from the perspective of an insider, away from conventional news clips and journalistic sensationalism.

A real eye opener

I'm buying the hardback AND giving this audible book to everyone I know that can still think for themselves. You should too.

Informative

Informative
Engaging and informative. Good listen. Will follow this one up with the author’s other book on the topic.