The Operators cover art

The Operators

 Preview
Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Operators

By: Michael Hastings
Narrated by: Dan Russell
Try Premium Plus free

Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $26.99

Buy Now for $26.99

About this listen

General Stanley McChrystal, commander of international and US forces in Afghanistan, was living large, with staff calling him a rock star.

Journalist Michael Hastings of Rolling Stone looked on as McChrystal and his staff let off steam, partying and openly bashing the Obama administration. When Hastings' piece appeared a few months later, it set off a political firestorm: McChrystal was ordered to Washington, where he was unceremoniously fired.

Hastings gives us a shocking behind-the-scenes portrait of Allied military commanders, their high-stakes manoeuvres and often bitter bureaucratic infighting.

©2012 Michael Hastings (P)2016 W F Howes Ltd Afghan & Iraq Wars Asia Military Military & War Political Science Politics & Government War Middle East Iran

Critic Reviews

"An insightful look at how powerful some of the US's top generals really are, and also unwraps some of the chaos behind allied military command and the so-called 'war on terror'." ( The Sunday Business Post)
"Hastings offers a fiercely intelligent analysis of how the American military spun the war in Afghanistan." ( The Sunday Telegraph)
All stars
Most relevant  
The author was candid and frank in his assessment of both the subject and at times himself. The story is unique as he was not bluffed by his proximity to the people however he did remain respectful of the subjects.

Revealing

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I wanted to read this after seeing Brad Pitt's warm machine. I thought it was fascinating. It was good to get the complete picture around what happened. Let's hope they learn from it.

A good accompaniment to war machine

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This book is for anyone who has any interest in the U.S military industrial complex and wants to know more about what drove politics and policy during the last 20 years in Afghanistan and Iraq. The books does a great job at explaining exactly what the problems are.

Very recommended

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.