Items related to My Share of the Task: A Memoir

My Share of the Task: A Memoir - Hardcover

 
9781591844754: My Share of the Task: A Memoir
View all copies of this ISBN edition:
 
 
“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.”

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author:
STANLEY McCHRYSTAL retired in July 2010 as a four-star general in the U.S. Army. His last assignment was as the commander of the International Security Assistance Force and as the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. He had previously served as the direc­tor of the Joint Staff and as the commander of the Joint Special Operations Command. He is currently a senior fellow at Yale University's Jackson Institute for Global Affairs and the co-founder of the McChrystal Group, an advisory services and leadership development firm. He and his wife Annie, live in Virginia.
Review:
“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

“Stanley McChrystal has written the finest military memoir of his generation. Lucid, thoughtful, and steeped in military and strategic history, My Share of the Task is not just the story of one man’s service; it is the story of the development of a new way of war. This book is not just for aficionados of military history or for students of American foreign policy; it’s for anyone who wants to understand the challenges of leadership in America today.”

—WALTER RUSSELL MEAD, author of Special Providence and God and Gold

“A remarkable memoir by one of the most exceptional and thoughtful leaders of his generation.”

—RORY STEWART, author of The Places in Between

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

  • PublisherPortfolio
  • Publication date2013
  • ISBN 10 1591844754
  • ISBN 13 9781591844754
  • BindingHardcover
  • Number of pages464
  • Rating

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9781591846826: My Share of the Task: A Memoir

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  ISBN 13:  9781591846826
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group, 2014
Softcover

Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace

Stock Image

McChrystal, General Stanley
Published by Portfolio (2013)
ISBN 10: 1591844754 ISBN 13: 9781591844754
New Hardcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
GoldenWavesOfBooks
(Fayetteville, TX, U.S.A.)

Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. New. Fast Shipping and good customer service. Seller Inventory # Holz_New_1591844754

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 22.44
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 4.00
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

McChrystal, General Stanley
Published by Portfolio (2013)
ISBN 10: 1591844754 ISBN 13: 9781591844754
New Hardcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
GoldBooks
(Austin, TX, U.S.A.)

Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. New Copy. Customer Service Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # think1591844754

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 28.23
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 4.25
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

McChrystal, General Stanley
Published by Portfolio (2013)
ISBN 10: 1591844754 ISBN 13: 9781591844754
New Hardcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
Front Cover Books
(Denver, CO, U.S.A.)

Book Description Condition: new. Seller Inventory # FrontCover1591844754

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 30.39
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 4.30
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

McChrystal, Stanley
ISBN 10: 1591844754 ISBN 13: 9781591844754
New Hardcover First Edition Quantity: 1
Seller:
rarefirsts
(Charlotte Hall, MD, U.S.A.)

Book Description Hardcover. Condition: New. Dust Jacket Condition: New. 1st Edition. First Edition stated, with correct number line sequence, no writing, marks, underlining, or bookplates. No remainder marks. Spine is tight and crisp. Boards are flat and true and the corners are square. Dust jacket is not price-clipped. This collectible, " NEW" condition first edition/first printing copy is protected with a polyester archival dust jacket cover. Beautiful collectible copy. GIFT QUALITY Size: 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. Book. Seller Inventory # 005520

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 29.95
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 6.95
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

McChrystal, General Stanley
Published by Portfolio (2013)
ISBN 10: 1591844754 ISBN 13: 9781591844754
New Hardcover First Edition Quantity: 1
Seller:
Gumshoe Books
(Columbia, SC, U.S.A.)

Book Description Hardcover. Condition: New. Dust Jacket Condition: New. 1st Edition. Seller Inventory # 026204

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 45.00
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 4.75
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

McChrystal, General Stanley
Published by Portfolio (2013)
ISBN 10: 1591844754 ISBN 13: 9781591844754
New Hardcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
Hafa Adai Books
(Moncks Corner, SC, U.S.A.)

Book Description Condition: new. Seller Inventory # Hafa_fresh_1591844754

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 46.08
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 3.95
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

McChrystal, General Stanley
Published by Portfolio (2013)
ISBN 10: 1591844754 ISBN 13: 9781591844754
New Hardcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
Wizard Books
(Long Beach, CA, U.S.A.)

Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. New. Seller Inventory # Wizard1591844754

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 53.93
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 3.50
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

McChrystal, General Stanley
Published by Portfolio (2013)
ISBN 10: 1591844754 ISBN 13: 9781591844754
New Hardcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
BennettBooksLtd
(LOS ANGELES, CA, U.S.A.)

Book Description Condition: New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! 1.7. Seller Inventory # Q-1591844754

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 57.93
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 5.39
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

McChrystal, General Stanley
Published by Portfolio (2013)
ISBN 10: 1591844754 ISBN 13: 9781591844754
New Hardcover First Edition Quantity: 1
Seller:
Gumshoe Books
(Columbia, SC, U.S.A.)

Book Description Hardcover. Condition: New. Dust Jacket Condition: New. 1st Edition. Seller Inventory # 026134

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 75.00
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 4.75
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

McChrystal, General Stanley
Published by Portfolio (2013)
ISBN 10: 1591844754 ISBN 13: 9781591844754
New Hardcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
Aragon Books Canada
(OTTAWA, ON, Canada)

Book Description Hardcover. Condition: New. Seller Inventory # XL1--022

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 70.00
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 23.00
From Canada to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

There are more copies of this book

View all search results for this book