Task Force Black
The explosive true story of the SAS and the secret war in Iraq
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from Wish List failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Task Force Black
Buy Now for $26.99
-
Narrated by:
-
Mark Urban
-
By:
-
Mark Urban
About this listen
"One of the few truly authentic accounts of the modern SAS outside the world of fiction." THE TIMES
Following the toppling of Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq in 2003, the SAS launched one of the most intense and secretive operations in its history: Task Force Black.
Operating out 'The Station' in Bagdad, Task Force Black's role was to hunt down senior members of Al-Qaeda operating in Iraq. Using the latest weaponry, combining with other international special forces units, the group waged a sustained covert campaign against terrorist groups across the county. Combining intelligence with brute force, the SAS went on the attack and had multiple successes, including the killing of several key Al-Qaeda commanders.
BBC journalist Mark Urban uncovers the sensational story of this operation and the extraordinary men who carried it out.
PRAISE FOR TASK FORCE BLACK
'That Mark Urban, a BBC journalist also known for excellent recent books on the Napoleonic Wars, has been able to tell this story is a testament to his determination and investigative skill. Few reporters succeed in cultivating any sources within the closed world of the British special forces; Urban has found dozens who have spoken with unprecedented candour. The result is gripping and troubling in equal measure and an invaluable addition to the increasingly comprehensive literature on the Iraq war.' Jason Burke, OBSERVER **
'Urban's book, Task Force Black, deserves to do well. It is the first account, as full as it can be under the circumstances, of the clandestine war waged by the SAS and their Royal Marines equivalent, the SBS, alongside US Delta Force in the height of that murderous war' Kim Sengupta, INDEPENDENT
When American and British forces invaded Iraq in 2003, elite special forces teams began hunting for weapons of mass destruction. When none were found, their mission pivoted to countering a rapidly growing insurgency. In this hidden war within a war, General McChrystal led a covert campaign that blended special forces operations, surveillance technology, and relentless raids to dismantle al-Qaeda and other insurgent groups.
I really struggled with this audiobook, and for a few key reasons. First and foremost, the structure made it incredibly difficult to follow. Rather than unfolding in a clear narrative or even a linear fashion, it jumped around a lot—introducing wave after wave of names, units, and acronyms from both British and American forces. I found it hard to keep track of who was who, or even understand how they all fit into the broader picture.
Despite the title, I came away still unsure what Task Force Black actually was. There was a lot of discussion about operations, tactics, and special units, but not enough grounding in who the SAS are or what their role was in Iraq. As someone new to this area of military history, I needed more foundational context to truly grasp what was happening.
There were moments I considered abandoning it altogether, but after already investing hours of listening time, I pushed through. Unfortunately, the depth and detail that some might find impressive just left me feeling overwhelmed and a bit lost.
That said, it's clearly a well-researched book, and Urban’s access to key figures is impressive. This just wasn’t the right entry point for me into the topic of British involvement in Iraq. If you're already well-versed in the subject, you might get far more out of it than I did. But as a newcomer, I found it dense, difficult to follow, and lacking the narrative drive that could have kept me engaged.
Wasn't the one for me
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.