My Share of the Task

A Memoir

452 pages

English language

Published April 10, 2012 by Portfolio.

ISBN:
978-1-59184-475-4
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5 stars (1 review)

In early March 2010, General Stanley McChrystal, the commanding officer of all U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan, walked with President Hamid Karzai through a small rural bazaar. As Afghan townspeo­ple crowded around them, a Taliban rocket loudly thudded into the ground some distance away. Karzai looked to McChrystal, who shrugged. The two leaders continued greeting the townspeople and listening to their views.

That trip was typical of McChrystal’s entire career, from his first day as a West Point plebe to his last day as a four-star general. The values he has come to be widely admired for were evident: a hunger to know the truth on the ground, the courage to find it, and the humility to listen to those around him. Even as a senior commander, McChrystal stationed him­self forward, and frequently went on patrols with his troops to experience their challenges firsthand.

In this illuminating memoir, McChrystal …

3 editions

Interesting Look at the US's Longest Wars

5 stars

This was a great look from the inside of the US's longest wars. The author talks about the ups and downs of his time in command and doesn't make excuses for the downs. It's a great look at how our use of Special Forces has changed over the recent decades, and how the military can transform to fight wars it doesn't typically gear up for, and for which they're actually gearing down from now.

Subjects

  • Generals
  • United States
  • Military leadership
  • United States. Army
  • Afghan War, 2001-
  • Biography

Places

  • United States