Synopses & Reviews
The
New York Times bestselling inside account of the attack against the U.S. diplomatic and intelligence outposts in Benghazi, Libya
On the night of September 11, 2012, the American diplomatic mission at Benghazi, Libya, came under ferocious attack by a heavily armed group of Islamic terrorists. The prolonged firefight, and the attack hours later on a nearby CIA outpost, resulted in the deaths of four Americans, including the American ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens, the Information Officer, Sean Smith, and two former Navy SEALs, Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty, working for the Central Intelligence Agency.
After the fall of Qaddafi, Benghazi was transformed into a hotbed of fundamentalist fervor and a den of spies for the northern half of the African continent. Moreover, it became the center of gravity for terrorist groups strategically situated in the violent whirlwinds of the Arab Spring. On the eleventh anniversary of the 9/11 attacks against the United States, a group of heavily armed Islamic terrorists had their sights set on the U.S. diplomatic and intelligence presence in the city.
Based on the exclusive cooperation of eyewitnesses and confidential sources within the intelligence, diplomatic, and military communities, Fred Burton and Samuel M. Katz reveal for the first time the terrifying twelve-hour ordeal confronted by Ambassador Christopher Stevens, Sean Smith, his Diplomatic Security (DS) contingent, and the CIA security specialists who raced to rescue them.
More than just the minute-by-minute narrative of a desperate last stand in the midst of an anarchic rebellion, Under Fire is an inspiring testament to the bravery and selflessness of the men and women who put their country first while serving in one of the most dangerous regions in the world.
Review
"AMAZING READ." —Politico
"A gripping first-hand narrative of the night of the attack that killed U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans, pieced together from intelligence reports and eyewitness accounts . . . [The authors] keep the politics out of it and let the events of that night speak for themselves."
—Huffington Post
"Heart-stopping, minute-by-minute detail . . . Much more a tale of valor on the ground than a story about the overshadowing grandstanding we've witnessed from those in Washington's bleachers."
—Graydon Carter, Vanity Fair
"A wealth of information that paints a night-long war . . . The harrowing story of the firefight faced by those who escaped the compound and the two terrorist attacks that night on the CIA's annex in Benghazi."
—Washington Examiner
"A compelling read." —The Atlantic Wire
"Readers will come away with a vivid picture of the rented diplomatic compound where Ambassador Stevens died and the long, bloody fight to defend him." —San Diego Union-Tribune
"Compelling. . . The more we learn about Benghazi, the more we need to know. The story is far from over." —New York Post
“This is a gripping, authoritative account of a tragedy thats not going away. What happened in Benghazi on that fateful night counts, because its the moment when the Arab Spring took a wrong turn and drove into the abyss. It tells the story of a Washington too blinded by politics to see the facts. A wonderful book.”
—Robert Baer, former CIA operative and New York Times bestselling author of See No Evil
“A stunning reconstruction of events surrounding the terrorist attacks in Benghazi. It will be particularly instructive to those who have a limited knowledge of the processes for providing security for our diplomats serving abroad.”
—Admiral B. R. Inman, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
"A gripping chronological account of the attack. Readers will clearly comprehend how the DS agents were put into an impossible, life-threatening situation with few of the ready assets associated with American power . . . Authoritative account of a still-controversial spasm of anti-American violence."
—Kirkus
Review
“Jeff Gurner narrates this book as if it were a thriller whose ending is still a mystery. His insistent, clear voice and sometimes breathless pacing accentuates the action and keep the listener interested throughout. Well worth a listen.” - AudioFile Magazine
Praise for the print edition of Under Fire: The Untold Story of the Attack in Benghazi
“This is a gripping, authoritative account of a tragedy thats not going away. What happened in Benghazi on that fateful night counts, because its the moment when the Arab Spring took a wrong turn and drove into the abyss. It tells the story of a Washington too blinded by politics to see the facts. A wonderful book.”
—Robert Baer, former CIA operative and New York Times bestselling author of See No Evil
“A stunning reconstruction of events surrounding the terrorist attacks in Benghazi. It will be particularly instructive to those who have a limited knowledge of the processes for providing security for our diplomats serving abroad.”
—B. R. Inman, Admiral, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
Synopsis
The first explosive inside account of the attack at the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, that took the lives of four Americans including the U.S. Ambassador
On the night of September 11, 2012, the American diplomatic mission at Benghazi, Libya, came under ferocious attack by a heavily armed group of Islamic militants. The prolonged firefight and an attack hours later on a CIA outpost nearby resulted in the deaths of four Americans—including the American ambassador. It was a foreign policy disaster whose repercussions will be felt for years to come.
Based on the exclusive cooperation of eyewitnesses and confidential sources within the intelligence, diplomatic, and military communities, authors Fred Burton and Samuel Katz bring to life the terrifying twelve-hour ordeal confronted by Ambassador Chris Stevens, his Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) contingent, and the CIA operatives, special operations soldiers, and other security specialists who raced to rescue them.
More than just the minute-by-minute narrative of a desperate last stand in the midst of an anarchic rebellion, Under Fire is an account of how a contingent of DSS agents and former Navy SEALs worked together inside highly-classified critical threat outposts in a city that is now in the crosshairs of the global war on terror. It is the story of the gallantry of individuals facing impossible odds and a compelling testament to the bravery and selflessness of the men who put their country first while serving in one of the most dangerous regions in the world.
About the Author
FRED BURTON is Vice President of Intelligence and Counterterrorism at Stratfor, the largest global private intelligence company, and is one of the worlds foremost experts on security, terrorists and terrorist organizations. He is a former State Department counter-terrorism deputy chief and DSS Agent and the author of a bestselling memoir, Ghost: Confessions of a Counterterrorism Agent and Chasing Shadows.
SAMUEL M. KATZ is an internationally recognized author and expert on Middle East security issues, international terrorism, counter-terrorism, and special operations. His books include Relentless Pursuit: The DSS and the Manhunt for the Al-Qaeda Terrorists, and The Hunt for the Engineer: How Israeli Agents Tracked the Hamas Master Bomber.
Table of Contents
DedicationFrom the Directors DeskAuthors NoteClarificationsPreface - The Oncoming StormBook One - Fires Before Benghazi Chapter One - The Libyan Chapter Two - The Global Protectors in a World at War Chapter Three - 9.11.12 - A Fiery Morning in the Arab Spring Chapter Four - Libya Chapter Five - Special Mission Benghazi Chapter Six - The Special Agents Chapter Seven - Life in Critical Threat Chapter Eight - From Wheels Down to Lights OutBook Two - Attack Chapter One - The Cool of Night Chapter Two - Attack! Attack! Chapter Three - The Annex Chapter Four - Overrun Chapter Five - Notifications Chapter Six - The Fires of the MartyrsBook Three - Rescue Chapter One - End of Siege Chapter Two - Diplomatic Pouch Chapter Three - Link-Up Chapter Four - Departures Chapter Five - Contact Chapter Six - Breakout Chapter Seven - The CavalryBook Four - Fire Before Dawn Chapter One - The Anonymous Target Chapter Two - The Looters Chapter Three - The Terminal Chapter Four - Benghazi Medical Center Chapter Five - Incoming Chapter Six - Aftermath Chapter Seven - HomePostscriptGlossaryAcknowledgementsEndnotes