My Share of the Task
A Memoir
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My Share of the Task
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Narrated by:
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Kevin Collins
About this listen
"Never shall I fail my comrades.... I will shoulder more than my share of the task, whatever it may be, one hundred percent and then some."
—from the Ranger Creed
In early March 2010, General Stanley McChrystal, the commanding officer of all U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan, walked with President Hamid Karzai through a small rural bazaar. As Afghan townspeople crowded around them, a Taliban rocket loudly thudded into the ground some distance away. Karzai looked to McChrystal, who shrugged. The two leaders continued greeting the townspeople and listening to their views.
That trip was typical of McChrystal’s entire career, from his first day as a West Point plebe to his last day as a four-star general. The values he has come to be widely admired for were evident: a hunger to know the truth on the ground, the courage to find it, and the humility to listen to those around him. Even as a senior commander, McChrystal stationed himself forward, and frequently went on patrols with his troops to experience their challenges firsthand.
In this illuminating memoir, McChrystal frankly explores the major episodes and controversies of his eventful career. He delves candidly into the intersection of history, leadership, and his own experience to produce a book of enduring value.
Joining the troubled post-Vietnam army as a young officer, McChrystal witnessed and participated in some of our military’s most difficult struggles. He describes the many outstanding leaders he served with and the handful of bad leaders he learned not to emulate. He paints a vivid portrait of the traditional military establishment that turned itself, in one generation, into the adaptive, resilient force that would soon be tested in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the wider War on Terror.
McChrystal spent much of his early career in the world of special operations, at a time when these elite forces became increasingly effective - and necessary. He writes of a fight waged in the shadows by the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), which he led from 2003 to 2008. JSOC became one of our most effective counterterrorism weapons, facing off against Al Qaeda in Iraq.
Over time, JSOC gathered staggering amounts of intelligence in order to find and remove the most influential and dangerous terrorists, including the leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. The hunt for Zarqawi drives some of the most gripping scenes in this book, as McChrystal’s team grappled with tricky interrogations, advanced but scarce technology, weeks of unbroken surveillance, and agonizing decisions.
McChrystal brought the same energy to the war in Afghanistan, where the challenges loomed even larger. His revealing account draws on his close relationships with Afghan leaders, giving readers a unique window into the war and the country.
Ultimately, My Share of the Task is about much more than war and peace, terrorism and counterinsurgency. As McChrystal writes, "More by luck than design, I’d been a part of some events, organizations, and efforts that will loom large in history, and more that will not. I saw selfless commitment, petty politics, unspeakable cruelty, and quiet courage in places and quantities that I’d never have imagined. But what I will remember most are the leaders."
©2013 Stanley A. McChrystal (P)2013 Penguin AudioListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
"General McChrystal is a legendary warrior with a fine eye for enduring lessons about leadership, courage, and consequence. He took me inside the command bunker, on nighttime raids, and through the fog of war, political and military. My Share of the Task is an important, riveting, and instructive account of the triumphs and trials of America’s two longest wars.” (Tom Brokaw, author of The Greatest Generation)
“Written in the tradition of Ulysses S. Grant, My Share of the Task is a clear, compelling, self-critical, and utterly unpretentious memoir. I know of no better book on the nature of modern military command.” (John Lewis Gaddis, author of George F. Kennan: An American Life)
"This is a brilliant book about leadership wrapped inside a fascinating personal narrative. By describing his own life, and especially his command in Afghanistan, General McChrystal helps us understand the modern missions of the military. More than that, he provides lessons about leadership and values that are indispensable in our daily lives. It’s a deeply inspiring tale." (Walter Isaacson, author of Steve Jobs and Benjamin Franklin)
What listeners say about My Share of the Task
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Stevie R
- 28-09-24
The fact that he is amazing leader , organiser and soldier
Really well told, it just goes to show that a really decent guy and his career can be destroyed by a journalist hunting for a story who tells a pack of lies for his own benefit and even though the general was investigated and no evidence or substance was found for the article, he was never given back his position.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Taffsmith
- 14-11-20
Great insight
A fascinating look at a great leader and an out and out problem solver, he seems to be the man who goes in and gets the job done. Utilising extraordinary people to support the Mission. Gather all the information, from all levels (Private to the President) to understand the situation and push out direction in a short time frame. An honest account of the facts, shame it has been redacted a little.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Andy
- 13-04-13
Inspirational
I bought this book expecting half expecting it to be full of US military exaggeration however, I was very pleasantly surprised. This is a humbling account from an inspirational leader who provides an articulate and thoughtful version of his time in Afghanistan as well as allowing us a window into his personal life.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mr David Haig
- 07-01-16
Highly recommended,
I took this book as a chance thinking it'll either be annoying USA saves the world or much more interesting. It turned out to be a very good book by Stanley McChrystal on his military career but with a particular focus on his tie as a senior US commander in both Iraq and Afghanistan. A detailed and informative description of the key players involved, decisions made, leadership, and goals and aims of the jihadist opponents. The author does not try to diminish the mistakes made by the coalition but explains how the mistakes were made and how to avoid them in the future. Overall a very good book about key events of our time.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- adrad78
- 09-06-17
Excellent book
Excellent book from a story of a man who will be long remembered. It was a great insight into both the man and very recent history.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- neil macdonald
- 19-07-19
Frank and honest account of a remarkable leader
General McChrystal delivers an open and honest account of his time as a commander and leader throughout his career including his premature resignation.
A truly inspiring read and an insight into one of the centuries great leaders.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- GB2014
- 16-03-24
A real leader who has empathy and strength to listen to his junior ranks
Unwavering duty to country and allies but more importantly a genuine understanding and empathy to junior ranks whilst always being open to ideas from all ranks which portrays a real believe in abilities of all who served under him.
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- Anonymous User
- 20-06-19
Interesing insights
As a fan of both military history and action-packed war books, I had heard/read General McChrystal's memoir mentioned several times in other works. While the finer points of his work were undoubtedly lost on me, I thoroughly enjoyed the insights I gained into the author's innovative thinking, management and a willingness to break convention. If you are looking for a thrill, this book is not it. If you are looking to challenge your thinking around war and leadership,this is the book for you,
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ryan
- 01-07-16
A remarkable and honest man
An honest account by a remarkable man, hero and leader. Unfairly treated by the media.
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- Uche
- 15-01-19
Simply Exceptional
Watched 'War Machine' (on Netflix) which I thought was a terrible movie where a journalist basically defamed & derailed someone's career with just one article. I thought to myself I definitely have to checkout who this General Stan guy was & boy was I glad I did!! I knew about Gen. Petraeus from the news but not this chap.
What an exceptional book about leadership & an unrivalled insight into the dirty war in Iraq & Afghanistan. When you move away from the over-politicised media coverage throughout that time & take a look through Gen. Stan's lens, you see a war that's so complex that you see the brave sacrifice of lives including those of the enemy for a cause each believes in. The deep appreciation in this book of the history of each nation's culture, tribes, factions, people & geography gives an insight into why this was not a war that could be won by the barrel of a gun or nuclear bombs or even mere democracy. It would need a combination of a 100 different elements which I believe was made clear to the listener in this book.
The book was so good that my next listen will be on his other book: Leaders Myth & Reality.
Thanks General Stanley McChrystal for the diligence in putting this audiobook together.
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