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The Assassins Gate: America in Iraq Audiobook, by George Packer Play Audiobook Sample

The Assassins' Gate: America in Iraq Audiobook

The Assassins Gate: America in Iraq Audiobook, by George Packer Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Richard Poe Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc. Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 13.17 hours at 1.5x Speed 9.88 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: January 2008 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781436147613

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

31

Longest Chapter Length:

52:05 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

02:04 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

38:14 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

5

Other Audiobooks Written by George Packer: > View All...

Publisher Description

Winner of the Robert F. Kennedy Award, George Packer is a venerated staff writer for The New Yorker-with four tours on assignment in Iraq. With The Assassins' Gate, he offers a penetrating work of journalism on the United States' occupation of Iraq. The Assassins' Gate, dubbed so by American soldiers, is the entrance to the American zone in the city of Baghdad. In 2003, the United States blazed into Iraq to depose dictator Saddam Hussein. But after three years and unknown thousands killed, that country faces an escalating civil war and an uncertain fate. How did it get to this point? George Packer describes the players and ideas behind the Bush administration's war policy. He also provides first-hand accounts of the men and women-both civilian and military, coalition and Iraqi-who are caught in the middle of the conflict. Rich in history and political insight, this is an important contribution to the ongoing dialogue over the Iraq War.

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"An on-the-ground view of the Iraq Conflict from New Yorker journalist Packer, with a balanced perspective that nevertheless makes the war look pretty much botched from conception to execution to reconstruction. It's not a complete downer, however, profiling countless hopeful strugglers on all sides."

— Robin (4 out of 5 stars)

Awards

  • Finalist for the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction

The Assassins' Gate Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.241379310344827 out of 54.241379310344827 out of 54.241379310344827 out of 54.241379310344827 out of 54.241379310344827 out of 5 (4.24)
5 Stars: 12
4 Stars: 12
3 Stars: 5
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1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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1 Stars: 0
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  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Donald Rumsfeld = war criminal. "

    — John, 2/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great book to learn about the history of the war and the major players in the ongoing saga. Gives you a great feel for life in Iraq during wartime. "

    — David, 1/26/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book stands out among those I've read so far about America's occupation of Iraq. The author is featured prominently in "No End in Sight", the recent documentary. Together, they are excellent companion pieces, if you're in to being outraged and depressed. "

    — Brian, 1/25/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " FFL selection. Author writes for the New Yorker and will be speaking at the library. "

    — Faye, 1/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Excellent book about the American mistakes in Iraq the first two years of the war. Moving and well-documented "

    — Mary, 1/3/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A little partisan at times, but overall pretty eye opening and startling. A good companion piece to State of Denial. "

    — Golden, 1/2/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A must read for anybody who wants to know America's plan for Iraq invasion "

    — Michael, 12/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " One of many beat your head against the wall books written about the Iraq debacle. Fascinating, interesting, but ultimately terribly dispiriting hence the moderate ranking. "

    — Pat, 11/20/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Only the first year of our Iraq War - excellent "

    — Lonni, 11/6/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " The most clear-eyed history I've ever read of why we're in Iraq and what happened. This is the standard by which future histories of this war should be judged. "

    — Koven, 10/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Man, Iraq is messed up! "

    — Nicky, 9/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " An eye-opening look at American-Iraq diplomacy before, during and after the American invasion of 2001. "

    — Moriabyrne, 8/31/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I started reading this book--but then had to return it to the library--but am definitely going to check it out again--it's phenomenal. Packer just wrote a fascinating article for the New Yorker on IRAQ, too. "

    — Christine, 1/20/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Like watching slow torture. The war was screwed from the get go, and here it all is. At points, it seemed like too much opinion, which was unnecessary on such a major mistake. "

    — Ethan, 1/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Required reading, if ever there was such a thing. "

    — William, 8/14/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " The Best Book on Iraq "

    — j.marvin, 11/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Extremely informative. I wanted to learn more about a historical event that I have lived through and remembered, and this was truly fascinating. It was all new to me, so it took me awhile and it was dense, but I really enjoyed it. "

    — Sarah, 11/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Best book I read in 2006. Pulitzer finalist which ought to have won. "

    — Dan, 9/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A good narrative about all the many, many things America did wrong in the Iraq War. "

    — Charles, 3/19/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I think Packer would have done better to stick with short articles. While some of the content in this book was interesting, much of it was too disjointed and tangential to hold my attention for long. "

    — Jackie, 2/27/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " FFL selection. Author writes for the New Yorker and will be speaking at the library. "

    — Faye, 12/20/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " George Packer is a very good writer and journalist. I've read him in the New Yorker for years and this book was sitting unread on my shelf so now I'm gonna look like a super smart smarmy bastard on the bus and train when I whip this badboy out. "

    — Will, 12/16/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This has confirmed everything I ever thought about the war in Iraq. "

    — Keith, 7/26/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Covers the period leading up to the Iraq war. Great book. It covers how there was no plan for what to do after Baghdad fell. "

    — Manuel, 3/16/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Excellent book about the American mistakes in Iraq the first two years of the war. Moving and well-documented "

    — Mary, 8/4/2009
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Well done and easy to read. I gained a greater understanding of the war in Iraq "

    — Roger, 6/17/2009
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " SOOO much ! <br/> <br/>George Packer did a remarkable job of blending personal stories about so many stakeholders involved in Iraq that I increased my understanding of that area ten fold. It really is such a complicated situation, created by centuries of competing factions. "

    — Holly, 5/24/2009
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Explains so much about how/why we are where we are now in Iraq . . . "

    — Isahah, 3/12/2009
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A really good analysis of how we got into the war in Iraq. Many different reasons but one goal. "

    — Adam, 3/3/2009

About George Packer

George Packer is an award-winning author and staff writer at The Atlantic. His previous books include The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America, winner of the National Book Award; The Assassins’ Gate: America in Iraq; and Our Man: Richard Holbrooke and the End of the American Century, winner of the Hitchens Prize and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for biography. He is also the author of two novels and a play and the editor of a two-volume edition of the essays of George Orwell.

About Richard Poe

Richard Poe, a professional actor for more than thirty years, has appeared in numerous Broadway shows, including 1776 and M. Butterfly. On television he has had recurring roles on Star Trek and Frasier. His films include Born on the Fourth of July and Presumed Innocent. Poe is a well-known and prolific audiobook performer and the winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards.