The Finish

The Killing of Osama bin Laden

By: Mark Bowden

Narrated by: James Lurie

"There wasn’t a meeting when someone didn’t mention Black Hawk Down."
—A senior Obama Administration official, as quoted in The New York Times, on May 2, 2011

From Mark Bowden, internationally best-selling and acclaimed author of Black Hawk Down and the preeminent chronicler of the actions of our military and special forces writing today, comes an intensely gripping account of the hunt for and elimination of Osama bin Laden. With unprecedented access to key sources and his great gift for storytelling, Bowden takes us inside the rooms where decisions were made and on the ground where the action unfolded. The story focuses on Bin Laden, who maintained a stream of despairing correspondence in hiding in the year before his death, and on President Obama, perceived by many as an anti-war candidate, whose evolving views and enormous responsibilities have turned him into one of the most determined warriors to ever inhabit the White House.

Bowden's book is an unrivaled account of the most high-profile special-forces operation ever to have been undertaken, and a pause-resistant narrative of how the man behind 9/11 was finally brought to justice.

©2012 Mark Bowden (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

A great story...nicely told

Well worth the time. Riveting in parts that overcome the sluggishness of the praising of President Obama and a not quite objective characterization of President Bush. I almost bailed during the early parts of what I saw as an over emphasis of President Obama's role which recurred in parts. I feel that this account excessively minimized the efforts of President Bush. But I left with a better understanding of the dynamics that President Obama balanced and his leadership in foreign policy. I learned. I appreciate. well done. I wish the reader used a little less inflection in certain parts. A good "read."

The Obama man-crush is a bit much

Interesting story that validates much of the film Zero Dark Thirty. The author gives Obama far too much credit for the raid’s success.

Good content, but ...

I would recommend the book, but the Narrater is too soft spoken. It seems as if he’s reading the book in a room full of people who are sleeping, and he’s trying not to wake them up. It gets a little irritating after a while.

Speak up please...

What did you love best about The Finish?

Another excellent book from Mark Bowden. Gripping and fully of suspense.

What did you like best about this story?

The inside stories from the actual players at White House, Special Ops and CIA

What aspect of James Lurie???s performance would you have changed?

He spoke like he was telling a secret. The entire performance was practically whispered.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Political Agenda

I downloaded this book, because it said, if you liked No Easy Day, then you'll like The Finish, or something like that. But I didn't find the two books alike at all. No Easy Day focused on the operators, the preparations, and the mission. The Finish seemed like it had more of a political agenda, and focused more on the politicians....just in time for the elections too.

Great listen.

I enjoyed listening to this book it was very interesting and well read. Great job.

Some new details in a story that needs to be remembered

Narrator was a little boring to listen to but overall story sticks it home. Well balanced assessment from a great writer of our time - wish he would have told more stories of other GWOT raids but they are all still classified!

Bowden is great as usual, but the narrator sucks

What made the experience of listening to The Finish the most enjoyable?

Mark Bowden tells a really great story, and he obviously had very good source access.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The descriptions of how the Obama team made the decision to kill bin Laden and why were fascinating and a very good look into national decision making on critical issues facing our country. McRaven comes off looking like a badass.

How could the performance have been better?

The narrator thinks that whispering makes him sound more mysterious. Or maybe he just likes to whisper. Anyway, his voice acting contributed nothing to the story and eventually became distracting from it.

The inside story!

Mark Bowden is by far my favorite contemporary author! This book contains many interesting facts that I would never have expected to learn. This book is one of his best! The subject matter is obviously captivating but there is a so much more than the description of the mission. This book actually made me reconsider my view of president Obama. I never thought that would happen!

Great Book!!

this one definitely makes you feel proud to be an American!!! this is a must read for every red blooded American Patriot!!!