13 hours: the inside account of what really happened in Benghazi

Journalist Zuckoff has a knack for recreating the emotional intensity of combat in his reading of his book, which describes the horrific experiences of the security team at the U.S. State Department Special Mission Compound in Benghazi, during the 2012 terrorist attack in which J. Christopher Stevens, the U.S. ambassador to Libya, was killed. Zuckoff effectively conveys the camaraderie of the team of CIA contract operators-all men in their 30s or 40s with specialized military backgrounds-prior to the attack. Zuckoff's evocative delivery also successfully captures the ambiguity of the conflict, as the soldiers find themselves unsure of exactly who they are fighting and how to engage the enemy. Given the rapid-fire style of the interactions, casual listeners may find themselves struggling to keep up with the story. A Hachette/Twelve hardcover. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Zuckoff's (Frozen in Time) latest work details the September 11, 2012, terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya, via personal accounts of the brave people who fought that day. Given that it covers a topic mired in controversy, this book is strikingly authoritative owing to the CIA Annex Security Team's heavy involvement in the content. The team was constructed of six former servicemen contracted for CIA protection. When an attack began on the U.S. diplomatic mission compound, the team knew they had to intervene. Despite being repeatedly delayed by stand-down orders, the men decided to ignore orders and rush to the compound in an attempt to save lives. Listeners will not only hear about explosions and gunfights but also other factors of combat such as the pain of losing a brother during battle and uncertainty about returning home to a wife and children. Zuckoff steers clear of politics and personal agendas. This book is for listeners interested in strictly the facts behind the 13 grueling hours of fighting in Benghazi. Zuckoff's narration is dramatic but not over the top. He expertly balances the emotion of fighting with his factual reporting style. VERDICT Recommended for fans of military nonfiction.-Sean Kennedy, Cleveland Marshall Coll. Law Lib. (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.