'13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened In Benghazi' by Mitchell Zuckoff provides a detailed and gripping narrative of the events surrounding the attack on the American Embassy compound in Benghazi on September 11, 2012. offers a non-political and first-hand perspective of the small unit tactics and skirmishes that led to the death of the US Ambassador and other security contractors. It delves into the chaos, bravery, and challenges faced by the security personnel at the CIA Annex during the assault, highlighting the heroism and struggles of the individuals involved in defending their countrymen.

The author, Mitchell Zuckoff, presents an apolitical and unvarnished account of the incident based on eyewitness testimony and documented evidence. The writing style is described as concise, detailed, and without political commentary, providing an accurate retelling of the chaotic and dangerous situation faced by the Annex security team. offers background information not presented in the movie adaptation, expanding on the geopolitical context and paying tribute to the special operators involved in the defense of the diplomatic annex.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is characterized by a fast-paced, suspenseful style that creates a thrilling reading experience, resembling action-packed fiction.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around the detailed recounting of the events during the Benghazi attack, centering on the security team's efforts to protect the compound amidst chaos and confusion.

Setting:

The setting is the strife-torn city of Benghazi, focusing on the American diplomatic compound's chaotic environment during the attack.

Pacing:

The pacing is intense and unrelenting, with a focus on maintaining suspense and urgency during crucial moments of the attack.

Forty-five years later, on September 11, 2012, the American diplomatic outpost in Benghazi again came under sudden siege by a murderous mob. Again the attackers couldn’t reach their prey, so they plun...

Genres:

nonfiction

thriller

military history

Topics:

survival against odds

Notes:

The book is based on a real-life attack in Benghazi that occurred on September 11-12, 2012.

It focuses on the experiences of six American security contractors during the attack.

The authors include the real names of three of the contractors, while two use pseudonyms.

The contractors had backgrounds in military service, including former Navy SEALs.

Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three Americans were killed in the attack.

The security team struggled to identify who was friend or foe during the chaos.

About a dozen Americans were rescued due to the efforts of both the contractors and local Libyans.

There was a significant delay in the rescue operation, which the team believes contributed to the deaths of the ambassador and another American.

The fight was complicated by political indecision and a lack of military support.

The narrative is presented in a thriller-style format, emphasizing the tension and urgency of the events.

Zuckoff intentionally excludes detailed political context and focuses on the action on the ground.

The book acts as a tribute to the bravery of the contractors involved in the defense efforts.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include graphic violence, death, and discussions of military operations, which may be disturbing to some readers.

From The Publisher:

The harrowing, true account from the brave men on the ground who fought back during the Battle of Benghazi.

13 Hours presents, for the first time ever, the true account of the events of September 11, 2012, when terrorists attacked the US State Department Special Mission Compound and a nearby CIA station called the Annex in Benghazi, Libya. A team of six American security operators fought to repel the attackers and protect the Americans stationed there. Those men went beyond the call of duty, performing extraordinary acts of courage and heroism, to avert tragedy on a much larger scale. This is their personal account, never before told, of what happened during the thirteen hours of that now-infamous attack.

13 Hours sets the record straight on what happened during a night that has been shrouded in mystery and controversy. Written by New York Times bestselling author Mitchell Zuckoff, this riveting audiobook takes listeners into the action-packed story of heroes who laid their lives on the line for one another, for their countrymen, and for their country.

13 HOURS is a stunning, eye-opening, and intense audiobook - but most importantly, it is the truth. The story of what happened to these men - and what they accomplished - is unforgettable.

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13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened In Benghazi

Mitchell Zuckoff