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Jawbreaker (Abridged): The Attack on Bin Laden and Al Qaeda: A Personal Account by the CIA's Key Field Commander Audiobook
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(3.04) - 568 listener ratings
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In Jawbreaker Gary Berntsen, until recently one of the CIA’s most decorated officers, comes out from under cover for the first time to describe his no-holds-barred pursuit of Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda. With his unique mix of clandestine knowledge and paramilitary training, Berntsen represents the new face of counterterrorism. Recognized within the agency for his aggressiveness, Berntsen, when dispatched to Afghanistan, made annihilating the enemy his job description. As the CIA’s key commander coordinating the fight against the Taliban forces around Kabul, and the drive toward Tora Bora, Berntsen not only led dozens of CIA and Special Operations Forces, he also raised 2,000 Afghan fighters to aid in the hunt for bin Laden. In this first-person account of that incredible pursuit, which actually began years earlier in an East Africa bombing investigation, Berntsen describes being ferried by rickety helicopter over the towering peaks of Afghanistan, sitting by General Tommy Franks’s side as heated negotiations were conducted with Northern Alliance generals, bargaining relentlessly with treacherous Afghan warlords and Taliban traitors, plotting to save hostages about to be used as pawns, calling in B-52 strikes on dug-in enemy units, and deploying a dizzying array of Special Forces teams in the pursuit of the world’s most wanted terrorist. Most crucially, Berntsen tells of cornering bin Laden in the Tora Bora mountains—and what happened when Berntsen begged Washington to block the al-Qaeda leader’s last avenue of escape. As disturbingly eye-opening as it is adrenaline-charged, Jawbreaker races from CIA war rooms to diplomatic offices to mountaintop redoubts to paint a vivid portrait of a new kind of warfare, showing what can and should be done to deal a death blow to freedom’s enemies. CIA Commander Gary Berntsen on… His eyebrow-raising style: “Most CIA Case Officers advanced their careers by recruiting sources and producing intelligence, I took a more grab-them-by-the-neck approach…I operated on the principle that it was easier to seek forgiveness than ask for approval. Take risks, but make sure you’re successful. Success, not good intentions, would determine my fate.” Doing whatever it took: “I didn’t just want to survive: I wanted to annihilate the enemy. And I didn’t want to end up like one of my favorite historical characters—Alexander Burns…He was one of the first of more than 14,000 British soldiers to be wiped out by the Afghans in the First Afghan War. Like Burns before me, I was also an intelligence officer and spoke Persian. This was my second trip into Afghanistan, too. The difference, I told myself, was that Burns had been a gentleman and I would do whatever it took to win.” Dealing with a Taliban official who controlled American hostages: “Tell him that if he betrays me or loses the hostages I’ll spend every waking moment of my life hunting him down to kill him. Tell him I’m not like any American he has ever met.” The capabilities of his Tora Bora spotter team: “Working nonstop, the four men directed strike after strike by B-1s, B-2s, and F-14s onto the al-Qaeda encampment with incredible precision. Somehow through the massive bureaucracy, thousands of miles of distance [and] reams of red tape…the U.S. had managed to place four of the most skilled men in the world above the motherlode of al-Qaeda, with a laser designator and communications system linked to the most potent air power in history…As I listened over our encrypted radio network, one word kept pounding in my head: revenge.” Also available as a Random House AudioBook
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"Excellent! "The biggest and most important failure of CENTCOM leadership came at Tora Bora when they turned down my request for a battalion of U.S. Rangers to block bin Laden's escape." (page 314)."
— George (4 out of 5 stars)
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“The Afghan campaign of 2001 was the CIA’s finest hour. Jawbreaker is the story of that victory and of the handful of clandestine service officers who organized one of the swiftest, most economical and most decisive military operations in history. Jawbreaker is both a thrilling read and a timely reminder of why America needs a clandestine service, and what we owe to those who serve in it.”
— James Dobbins, Director of International Security and Defense Policy, Rand Corporation; Former U.S. Special Envoy to Afghanistan -
“A real page turner…Berntsen was the CIA’s ‘go to guy’ when it came to leading in Afghanistan, owing to his exceptional operational and leadership skills in situations involving the threat of immediate danger. Berntsen is brave and bold and a true American hero.”
— Cofer Black, former Chief of the Central Intelligence Agency’s Counterterrorism Center
Jawbreaker Listener Reviews
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" A decent read. Trying to read through so many redacted sections just left me hungry for the missing details. And I am noticing that one of the problems of reading accounts of intelligence and SF operations so soon after the event is that you never really get to know the characters. All the names are false and the biographies so vague and general as to keep the people unknown - which is good for operational security but bad for narrative. "
— Alain, 2/18/2014 -
" Gary Berntsen is Gary Berntsen's greatest fan. This is a fantastic story, and the mission of the Jawbreaker team was so crucial in the opening months of the war, but I was distracted by Gary Berntsen's "me" monster complex. "
— Larry, 2/17/2014 -
" This book is about ############ and all the ##### ######## #######. [redacted by censors protecting their ass]. Yes, there are annoying passages blacked out that would have given context to the backstory and some pertinent parallel operations. Agha Gary, as he is known in-country, starts the story with the embassy bombings in Africa and carries through to mid-Dec 2001 in Afghanistan when he is forced out of his position running the ground war there. Along the way, we meet some very dedicated civilian and military personnel called on to serve in tough conditions. A must-read for anyone wanting the whole picture on our astounding victory against the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Argh, could he at least give us some decent maps at key points in the operation? And he never gets down to details on some battles and ops that I really wanted to hear more about. Surprising events: the Brits were initially resented by the Afghans because they just showed up in country with no apparent permission or coordination. The hostages held by the Taliban (8 religious personnel) were a key focus of much activity, even while trying to find and pursue the bad guys. Whoever came up with the plan to have the northern Alliance stop outside Kabul to allow the freakin’ UN to negotiate a surrender by the Taliban? That idea went out the window fast. Gary B tears up the bureaucracy, especially the Clinton crowd for timidity and indecision. The story of how we won this battle is partly here but much is left out or for other books. "
— Mike, 2/6/2014 -
" I was really excited to read this book but have to admit it was a let down. I was annoyed by the large sections that were blocked out bc the CIA wouldn't allow it to be published. It was a very slow storyline that tried to cover too long of a time frame. "
— Bruce, 1/25/2014 -
" A very partisan (anti-Clinton, pro-Bush) narrative. Far, far too much redacting. What's the point of including full paragraphs of black bars and then summarizing them in one sentence? "
— Deckardo, 1/10/2014 -
" An amazing account of the brave members of the US Special Forces, the CIA, and our Afghan allies who risked their lives to bring the fight to Al Qaeda in Afghanistan just after 9/11 "
— Nathan, 1/1/2014 -
" This is an autobiographical account of the CIA's point-man in the field during the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. Nuff' said. "
— Blake, 1/1/2014 -
" I read it years ago, but I recall thinking it was ok. "
— Vicky, 12/30/2013 -
" if you can find it buy a copy! "
— Marius, 10/31/2013 -
" Book describes CIA operations in Afghanistan during late 1990s and early 2000. "
— Dan, 10/24/2013 -
" You want to know the details about how we missed killing or capturing Bin Laden then this is your book. A very informative look at the CIA in Afghanistan post 9/11. "
— Chris, 10/18/2013 -
" Great book on the eve of political disagreement on CIA programs and the War on Terror. "
— Emily, 10/14/2013 -
" I would read it again "
— Kevin, 8/28/2013 -
" Interesting subject, well written. The one essential problem I have with this book is that its narrative is crippled by heavy redactions. "
— James, 7/1/2013 -
" It's a decent autobiography about a guy who led a interesting life, and it was interesting seeing the war on terror/war in Afghanistan from the eyes of the someone who was behind the scenes, but still right up there in the thick of the action. "
— Jonathan, 3/2/2013 -
" Good first hand accounts of what really happens on the front lines of the war against the Taliban. Only wish the CIA sensors wouldn't have redacted ALL of the most interesting parts. "
— Ryan, 1/3/2013 -
" Gary's account of what happened in this world historical time frame (immediately after 9/11) is riveting. "
— Paul, 5/12/2012 -
" If you enjoy stories about hunting terrorists, this is your book. Also, there are some awesome accounts of Special Forces hiding in the crevice of a mountain, while marking Taliban caravans for laser guided bombs. "
— Sean, 4/5/2012 -
" This is one man's overly macho biography. I didn't really care for his finger pointing and posturing. We get it: politics got in the way. If you want a more comprehensive look at the Afghan war then I recommend Ghost Wars instead. "
— Courtney, 1/27/2012 -
" It was great to here the account from the head CIA officer involved in the early stages of the war in AFG. I would like to read a version that does not have so much of its text redacted. "
— Craig, 8/22/2011 -
" Interesting. The number of redacted passages makes for a difficult read. "
— Brynn, 6/2/2011 -
" An amazing account of the brave members of the US Special Forces, the CIA, and our Afghan allies who risked their lives to bring the fight to Al Qaeda in Afghanistan just after 9/11 "
— Nathan, 1/25/2011 -
" You want to know the details about how we missed killing or capturing Bin Laden then this is your book. A very informative look at the CIA in Afghanistan post 9/11. "
— Chris, 1/24/2011 -
" Gary Berntsen is Gary Berntsen's greatest fan. This is a fantastic story, and the mission of the Jawbreaker team was so crucial in the opening months of the war, but I was distracted by Gary Berntsen's "me" monster complex. "
— Larry, 7/9/2010 -
" Berntsen gives tremendous insight into what it took to liberate Afghanistan in 2002 -- a lot of ingenuity, guts and determination. An fascinating read. "
— Frank, 11/27/2009 -
" Great book on the eve of political disagreement on CIA programs and the War on Terror. "
— Emily, 7/14/2009 -
" This is one man's overly macho biography. I didn't really care for his finger pointing and posturing. We get it: politics got in the way. If you want a more comprehensive look at the Afghan war then I recommend Ghost Wars instead. "
— Courtney, 11/9/2008 -
" This is an autobiographical account of the CIA's point-man in the field during the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. Nuff' said. "
— Blake, 10/9/2008
About the Authors
Gary Berntsen served for more than two decades in the Central Intelligence Agency. He operated at the highest levels in the Middle East and Latin America and led the CIA’s major counterterrorist deployments in East Africa following the attacks on the U.S. embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam. In hunting down Osama Bin Laden, he also commanded the most successful CIA paramilitary team ever assembled, a tale spellbindingly told in the New York Times bestseller Jawbreaker. Berntsen is a recipient of the CIA’s distinguished Intelligence Medal and Intelligence Star.
Ralph Pezzullo is a New York Times bestselling author and award-winning playwright, screenwriter, and journalist. His books include Jawbreaker (with CIA operative Gary Berntsen) and Zero Footprint (with military contractor Simon Chase).