First In

An Insider’s Account of How the CIA Spearheaded the War on Terror in Afghanistan

By: Gary C. Schroen

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

While America held its breath in the days immediately following 9/11, a small but determined group of CIA agents covertly began to change history. This is the riveting first-person account of the treacherous top-secret mission inside Afghanistan to set the stage for the defeat of the Taliban and launch the war on terror.

As thrilling as any novel, First In is a uniquely intimate look at a mission that began the US retaliation against terrorism - and reclaimed the country of Afghanistan for its people.

©2005 Gary C. Schroen (P)2021 Tantor

Background to other accounts!

First hand accounts are always the best. Many other stories touch on the CIA involvement. This gives you the back story that is missing in those accounts! Excellent read!

Favorite narrator yet

Good to hear this side of the beginning in Afghanistan. There was a lot more moving parts early on than I knew about.

A Courageous tale

what an amazing story of courage and hope... Gary Schroen tells his story of going over to Afghanistan with his team of CIA operatives and linking up with the Northern Alliance forces to defeat the Taliban. Schroen gives details to how the CIA gained intelligence on the Taliban throughout the years leading up to 9/11 in order to defeat them in 2001. It is an amazing boots on the ground account of the relations with Northern Alliance forces and Pashtuns (anti taliban forces) and it gives you a great account of the first hand combat Schroen and his team experienced. Schroen was near to retiring and then 9/11 happened and as a great American he put that on hold. Read this man's story. its a courageous and patriotic tale and its a good insight into how the War on Terror was handled in the very early stages.

great book!

a great listen and wealth of information. my only regret is finding this book shortly after Gary's passing.

Great audio book

Very detailed and educational with insightful information. A beginning to end story of times most Americans were not cognizant of what the US was doing.

Fascinating behind the scenes account

I learned so much about the inter workings of the various groups involved in post-9-11 military activity as well as the background needed to set the stage. The reader was excellent. The story was read with a great balance seriousness and humor at times. That first Jawbreaker team sounds like a very special crew. Highly recommend.

Great book

Great book.
Listening to the text, then the Authors note at the end and realizing that the book was written in 2004, really stands as a witness against the policy makers In Washington.
The policy makers have a bad habit of not listening to the men on the ground.
In 2004 Gary says that UBL is in Pakistan and that’s where we will find him…2 May 2011 Abbottabad Pakistan, that’s where we find him.
It sure sounds like Gary is a subject matter expert.

interesting story, terribly narrated.

The narrator was bad enough that I would not recommend listening. If you're interested, just read the book.

Interesting Insight

The detail provided is incredible. It describes how the team was assembled and their backgrounds, the interactions between US Agencies and the local NA leaders/forces, the logistics involved, and how the battles progressed. Provides a perspective of how things planned to go forward, important leaders for the future of democracy in the country, when in reality the Evacuation of Kubal by the US ended poorly and the rise of the Taliban again.

Tedious narration of tedious writing

The stories themselves are incredible, particularly if you have any sort of experience with Afghanistan / understanding of the evolution of the fight there.

Problem is, so much time is spent describing the room, the food, the air, the ___. Leaves little room to imagine the conditions and dulls the stories with details.

The narrator exacerbates this as his voice itself scratches the ears.