Book description
An award-winning journalist reveals the dramatic true story of the CIA's Team Alpha, the first Americans to be dropped behind enemy lines in Afghanistan after 9/11. America is reeling; Al-Qaeda has struck and thousands are dead. The country scrambles to respond, but the Pentagon has no plan for Afghanistan--where Osama bin Laden masterminded the attack and is protected by the Taliban. Instead, the CIA steps forward to spearhead the war. Eight CIA officers are dropped into the mountains of northern Afghanistan on October 17, 2001. They are Team Alpha, an eclectic band of linguists, tribal experts, and elite warriors: the first Americans to operate inside Taliban territory. Their covert mission is to track down Al- Qaeda and stop the terrorists from infiltrating the United States again. First Casualty places you with Team Alpha as the CIA rides into battle on horseback alongside the warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum. In Washington, DC, few trust that the CIA men, the Green Berets, and the Americans' outnumbered Afghan allies can prevail before winter sets in. On the ground, Team Alpha is undeterred. The Taliban is routed but hatches a plot with Al-Qaeda to hit back. Hundreds of suicidal fighters, many hiding weapons, fake a surrender and are transported to Qala-i Jangi--the "Fort of War." Team Alpha's Mike Spann, an ex-Marine, and David Tyson, a polyglot former Central Asian studies academic, seize America's initial opportunity to extract intelligence from men trained by bin Laden--among them a young Muslim convert from California. The prisoners revolt and one CIA officer falls--the first casualty in America's longest war, which will last two decades. The other CIA man shoots dead the Al-Qaeda jihadists attacking his comrade. To survive, he must fight his way out against overwhelming odds. Award-winning author Toby Harnden gained unprecedented access to all living Team Alpha members and every level of the CIA. Superbly researched, First Casualty draws on extensive interviews, secret documents, and deep reporting inside Afghanistan. As gripping as any adventure novel, yet intimate and profoundly moving, it tells how America found a winning strategy only to abandon it. Harnden reveals that the lessons of early victory and the haunting foretelling it contained--unreliable allies, ethnic rivalries, suicide attacks, and errant US bombs--were ignored, tragically fueling a twenty-year conflict. "Masterful, complex, and heartfelt, from the deeply personal to the critically strategic. Captures many lessons on many levels." --Ambassador Hank Crumpton, former senior CIA officer
RiddleRover
I'm thrilled that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features to cater to all types of users. Audiobook joy made simple โ this app's ease of use is a true marvel. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment.
Hobo Samurai
The narrators' voices on this app are so soothing โ it's my relaxation therapy. This app has made my road trips and flights infinitely more enjoyable. This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment. This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature turns any environment into a cozy listening haven.
Washer
ListenBook has redefined my audiobook journey, making it more enjoyable and convenient than ever before. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my audiobook experience, ensuring I catch every detail. I canโt believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended!
Scratch Man
ListenBook's support for various audio formats means I never have to worry about compatibility issues. ๐ Adding excitement to everyday tasks โ this app is my partner in productivity! ๐๐
Abyss Tamer
Book groups feature keeps series and related titles together. Neat and tidy! ListenBookโs interface is clean and intuitive. Itโs a joy to use.
Bad Princess
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and precise controls make it a joy to use every day. ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Sexy
ListenBook has become my go-to app for all things audio โ from lectures to speeches, it's got it all. ListenBook's sleek design and easy chapter access make navigation a breeze.
Parallax Sugar
This app's user-friendly design makes navigating through books a breeze. I can't thank the developers enough for constantly updating and improving the app. I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate. ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination.
Fl00d
ListenBook has revolutionized my audio experience, making it both personalized and engaging. The app's support for different audio formats is like a dream come true for audiophiles. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart.
Jungle King
๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ Discovering new worlds on my daily walks โ this app is my travel companion! ๐๐ง ListenBook has made my daily commutes so much more enjoyable. I look forward to listening every day! ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched. Iโve been using ListenBook for months, and itโs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnโt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Lope Lope
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. Thanks to ListenBook, I've rediscovered the joy of exploring my favorite content on multiple devices. Iโve tried several audiobook players, but ListenBook stands out for its reliability and ease of use. The equalizer and voice boost features make every book sound amazing. Plus, the dark mode is perfect for nighttime listening. Great job, developers!
Chameleon
ListenBook has completely changed my audiobook experience โ it's like having a personal audio library. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats means I can now enjoy all my favorite audiobooks in one place. ListenBook has turned my downtime into an opportunity for exploration and growth.
MythMaker
Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences โ a thoughtful feature. With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting โ pure magic! With this app, I'm experiencing the joy of reading in a whole new light. ๐ Elevating my reading routine โ this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. ๐๐ An absolutely stellar production from start to finish! The narrator's command of pacing and tone was masterful, knowing exactly when to speed up for excitement or slow down for dramatic effect. The audio quality was pristine with no distracting mouth sounds or uneven volume.
Necessary Momentum
The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day. Highly engaging! The combination of a well-written story and skilled narration made this audiobook hard to pause. I finished it much faster than I expected because I just couldnโt stop listening.
Drugstore Cowboy
Language courses on audiobooks helped me pick up a new language effortlessly. ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like my personal audiobook oasis. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Murmur
I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments.
Sky Herald
I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. ๐ Transforming long drives into memorable journeys through the magic of audiobooks! ๐๐ Audiobook lovers, meet your new best friend! This app's smooth playback and easy organization have transformed my reading experience. ๐๐ง Library organization has never been easier thanks to ListenBook. My collection is well-managed. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata keeps my audiobook library organized and visually appealing.
Intimidation Station
Thanks for making my daily commute to work enjoyable and engaging! ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction makes sure that background distractions don't interfere with my listening. Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didnโt have any major complaints, but I also donโt see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
Fire Queen
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks, lectures, and speeches an absolute pleasure. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureโit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Stone Boomstick
ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. ๐ Turning my phone into a portal of stories โ this app's ease of use is remarkable! ๐ฑ๐ซ ListenBook has transformed my daily commute. I look forward to my journeys with this app by my side. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience