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First In: An Insider's Account of How the CIA Spearheaded the War on Terror in Afghanistan Hardcover – May 10, 2005

by Gary Schroen (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 654 ratings
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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 U.S. retaliation against terrorism–and reclaimed the country of Afghanistan for its people.
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  1. Print length
    400 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Presidio Press
  4. Publication date
    May 10, 2005
  5. Dimensions
    6.43 x 1.31 x 9.54 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0891418725
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0891418726
  8. See all details
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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
654 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book easy to read and well-written. They appreciate the detailed and well-documented account of the early days of the war on terror. The narrative provides an interesting, chronological story with action and humorous anecdotes. Readers value the insight into the early days of the War on Terror and the politics provided by the source. Overall, customers describe the book as a compelling and sober account from someone who was there.

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ReadabilityBook detailNarrative qualityInsightAccount quality
58 customers mention "Readability"56 positive2 negative

Customers enjoy the book for its story and narrative. They find it easy to read, with a good chronological flow, and a fast read without overdoing details.

"Extremely interesting and well written treatment of the early days of our involvement in Afghanistan...." Read more

"...Great read that I didn't want to end. Would love to know more someday but ... it's the CIA so they'd have to kill ya." Read more

"If you're interested in the CIA or intelligence, "First In" is a great read that provides a wealth of information and detail by a CIA officer who..." Read more

"...how that team deployed and operated in Afghanistan that makes this book so fascinating...." Read more

35 customers mention "Book detail"28 positive7 negative

Customers find the book detailed and well-documented. They say it gives a clear picture of how the mission in Afghanistan unfolded. The book is described as an excellent reference for anyone interested in the early days of the CIA's foray into the war against Osama Bin Laden. Readers appreciate the author's experience in the region and that he holds nothing back.

"Extremely interesting and well written treatment of the early days of our involvement in Afghanistan...." Read more

"...The author was unique in the sense that he had experience in the region prior to the events that brought him there post-9-11...." Read more

"...This is well written and reads like a novel for the most part...." Read more

"...can tell from the description and other reviews, the book is a very frank account of the CIA's initial foray into Afghanistan after 9/11...." Read more

23 customers mention "Narrative quality"23 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the narrative quality of the book. They find it engaging, with action stories and humorous anecdotes. The book provides a good chronological story about modern intelligence operations and the war in Afghanistan. Readers appreciate the historical details and political aspects. Overall, they describe it as an interesting book about the war in Afghanistan.

"...Reads like a thriller novel, but full of interesting historical fact. Highly recommended." Read more

"...It’s interesting many years late to review how we felt, how our leaders thought, and still feel the sting of the attack on our nation...." Read more

"...Balanced with historical perspective, Gary Schroen's account of the CIA spearheaded War on Terror in Afghanistan is the most recent addition to an..." Read more

"...That said, it was an interesting story, which gave me insight into the strange military and political history of Afghanistan." Read more

22 customers mention "Insight"22 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides insightful and compelling accounts of the early days of the war on terror. They appreciate its valuable perspective from the source, including an account of the dysfunction between government agencies before 9/11. Readers also appreciate the inside view into the CIA's operations and interactions with other branches of government. The book provides valuable insights into history and the CIA's activities.

"...In my view, Schroen's most valuable contributions are his chapter on History, and his Afterword that summarizes today's condition...." Read more

"...the CIA or intelligence, "First In" is a great read that provides a wealth of information and detail by a CIA officer who was on the ground in..." Read more

"...the Afghan front detract from a thoroughly entertaining read and a true insight into what could be called the CIA's most important mission in recent..." Read more

"...in particular, this book is an amazing read and will answer so many questions about why and how we were in involved...." Read more

3 customers mention "Account quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the account quality excellent. They say it's an incredible and sobering account of how seven brave men fought for freedom.

"...however, this book is not a sensation seeking expose, it is a sober account of how seven brave and resourceful CIA officers did their best to..." Read more

"A great account of how things actually unfolded in those first months and years following 9/11...." Read more

"Incredible account by someone who was there..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • A. Dawson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Must Read
    Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Extremely interesting and well written treatment of the early days of our involvement in Afghanistan. Reads like a thriller novel, but full of interesting historical fact. Highly recommended.
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  • Toe Tag
    4.0 out of 5 stars Brings back memories
    Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This is the first in a series of books documenting the war on Al Qaeda from the perspective of a CIA officer sent post-9-11 with the express mission to destroy the terrorists, their support, uproot the Taliban and bring to justice those who inflicted terrible pain on The United States.

    First let me say this book brought back a lot of memories of those days after the attack. It’s interesting many years late to review how we felt, how our leaders thought, and still feel the sting of the attack on our nation. Two hundred years from now people will still be reviewing the historical record. It is for this reason I am most pleased to have read this book.

    The author was unique in the sense that he had experience in the region prior to the events that brought him there post-9-11. Because of his contacts and his knowledge of language and culture he was ideal to bring an alliance of tribes inline in order to destroy the enemy. This book deals prodomently with that event.

    There is no lack of action. But the book does deal with the important issues of rapidly bringing the war to Al Qaeda. This war developed rapidly and the quality of management needed to ensure its success is quite remarkable.

    Ultimately this book merges with another book Jawbreaker: The Attack on Bin Laden and Al Qaeda: A Personal Account by the CIA's Key Field Commander by Gary Berntsen who takes what was built by Gary Schroen. There’s more physical action in this book . But none-the-less the books provide an inside view of those dark days.

    Over all this is a very interesting book about the war in Afghanistan. If you enjoyed this then I would strongly suggest Hank Crumpton’s book The Art of Intelligence: lessons from a Life in the CIA’s clandestine service as they both deal with direct intervention in Afghanistan. I would also recommend Hard Measures by Jose A Rodriguez as a primer for what happens when you have key assets with information derived from the battle field.

    All four of the books create an historical record of the CIA’s activities. Well…at least what they will release to the public. There is always a “rest of the story” some place waiting to be read.
    23 people found this helpful
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  • FlyingBooksUSA
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gary Schroen's "First In" is the missing piece of the puzzle
    Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2005
    Verified Purchase
    Gary Schroen's "First In" is the missing piece of the puzzle about the early US intervention in Afghanistan after 911. The detailed account of the CIA's first team in pulls back the curtain on the enlistment of the support of the Northern Alliance and the subsequent military action to defeat the Taliban and push Al Qaeda into Pakistan. Inside info such as the $13,000,000 in cash brought into the country to buy favor, and the order by his superiors to "bring Bin Laden's head back in a box on dry ice" is dispensed by Schroen with little censorship by the CIA. Balanced with historical perspective, Gary Schroen's account of the CIA spearheaded War on Terror in Afghanistan is the most recent addition to an uncrowded field of first hand published stories of what really went on and still goes on in Afghanistan.

    Another must read is The Gem Hunter, True Adventures of an American in Afghanistan by Gary Bowersox. This boots-on-the-ground, first hand account of Bowersox's 30+ years of travel to Afghanistan to buy rubies, sapphires, emeralds and lapis puts into perspective the unfolding story of the struggles, hopes & dreams of the Afghan people. Bowersox, who was friends with Massoud the head of the Northern Alliance who was killed at the hand of Bin Laden directed assassins two days before 911, tells about the involvement of the Russians, the Taliban, Al Qaeda and the Pakistani government's role in the affairs of the country. Although perhaps self serving, Bowersox says the best way to help everyday Afghan people is to buy gems from their country, one of their only legal exports with opium being number one illegal export.

    If you want to know more about this part of the world than 99.99% of all Americans, news pundits and politicians then read both of these books and you will. Better yet, give these books to US soldiers going to Afghanistan and you may save a life from the insight they provide.
    12 people found this helpful
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  • Donny
    5.0 out of 5 stars Reads like a novel.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    An interesting read spurred by the movie '12 Strong'. Had heard/read a few articles about the first days of the war in Afghanistan and the SpecOps but wanted to know more. I did a little research and this and 'Jawbreaker' were recommended as giving the most concise views of that timeframe. Still reading 'Jawbreaker', which is good but did not read like "First IN". This is well written and reads like a novel for the most part. Some of the names and terminologies are a bit confusing at first but it all shakes out. Great read that I didn't want to end. Would love to know more someday but ... it's the CIA so they'd have to kill ya.
    13 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Brizzy48
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
    Reviewed in Australia on December 7, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I am so impressed with the level of detail in how the author has gone about describing those events. It's very impressive his level of retaining so much information during his time there. In fact, I will re-read it for a second time to absorb the information again as it is such interesting reading and will have a better understanding of just how they went about commencing the war on terror. Highly recommended reading.
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  • Roger
    5.0 out of 5 stars an interesting read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 15, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    A good insight into the way America views the world and the disfunctional way the CIA is saddled with having to cope with American foreign Policy ... Worth reading
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  • Wardog
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interessant geschrieben und guter informationsgehalt1
    Reviewed in Germany on February 16, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Das Buch lässt sich leicht lesen und ist für Interessierte für die Geschehnisse im Afghanistans-Krieg emfehlenswert. Man erhält Informationen von erster Hand über die Schwierigkeiten diesen ersten Einsatzes in Afghanistan. Auch interessant fand ich die Ausführungen wie die US-Regierung mit den Tadjiken-Führer umgegangen ist, wir sie quasi "ausgebremst" wurden.
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  • EnAhmad
    5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended for every Afghan.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 4, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    It Really Is What The name Suggests. Sheds great light on the mission and characters involved.Highly recommended for every Afghan.
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  • David Lee
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 23, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    A real insight into the beginning of the war on terror and subsequent impact on Afghanistan.

    A real page turner.

    Fantastic!
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