Sean Naylor Book order (chronological)

Since September 11, one organization has been pivotal in America's military response, turning the tide against al-Qaida in Iraq, killing key figures like Bin Laden and Zarqawi, rescuing Captain Phillips, and capturing Saddam Hussein. Its commander has the capability to direct cruise missile strikes and conduct special operations globally. This narrative unveils the inside story of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), a secret military entity that has transformed counterterrorism over the past decade by integrating intelligence and operational expertise for high-profile missions. JSOC encompasses the military's elite special operations units, including Delta Force, SEAL Team 6, and the 75th Ranger Regiment, along with secret aviation and intelligence units. For the first time, the book reveals the high-stakes meetings in war rooms from the Pentagon to Iraq and the intense operations conducted from an MH-60 Black Hawk to Delta Force's Pinzgauer as they approach their targets. Through exclusive interviews, reporter Sean Naylor shares insights into how an organization originally designed in the 1980s for limited missions evolved post-9/11 to become the military's foremost weapon in the fight against terrorism and continues to adapt today.

If you loved American Sniper, you will appreciate this gripping account of Operation Anaconda, penned by award-winning journalist Sean Naylor, who witnessed the action firsthand. On March 2, 2002, the first major battle of the 21st Century erupted in Afghanistan's Shahikot valley, where over 200 soldiers from the 101st Airborne and 10th Mountain Divisions faced a fierce enemy. They paid a heavy price for strategic miscalculations that underestimated the enemy's strength and resolve. Following the September 11 attacks, Coalition forces swiftly toppled the Taliban, but the Pentagon's belief that the war was nearly over led to a lack of necessary troop commitment for total victory. Responsibility for the battle fell to a disjointed group of untested units assembled at the last minute, resulting in a chaotic and perilous situation. Deprived of the infantry, artillery, and air support they had trained for, the soldiers fought for survival in brutal high-altitude combat, backed by a small but vital team of special forces. This narrative is ideal for fans of Black Hawk Down, Zero Dark Thirty, and authors like Chris Ryan and Andy McNab. Sean Naylor, a senior writer for the Army Times, has reported on various military operations and received the Edgar A. Poe Award for his coverage of Operation Anaconda.