My Share of the Task

A Memoir

By: General Stanley McChrystal

Narrated by: Kevin Collins

Length: 19 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

"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."

©2013 Stanley A. McChrystal (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"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)

My Share of the Task

Where does My Share of the Task rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book is at the top of my listening experiences

What was one of the most memorable moments of My Share of the Task?

McCrystal's final meeting with Obama

What does Kevin Collins bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His enphasis on those areas of most importance to the author.

Great words from a great leader.

Gen. McChrystal was and still remains a great leader in our military. This was a great book for military enthusiasts. But for someone who loves learning about and from great leaders, I really enjoyed this look into lesdership and details on Iraq & Afghanistan operations.

One of the greatest modern leaders

Throughout my career, GEN McCrystal and I have crossed paths many times. From when I was a brand new PVT giving then COL McCrystal a very awkward saluter raking the rocks at 3/75 and seeing him just laugh to a chance encounter at green ramp on Pope AFB when I was assigned to the 82nd. He always was a leader I wanted to emulate. This book only solidified my feelings. A true leader and a great human being. Men and Soldiers like him is what makes America and our Armed Forces so great.

Leadership at its Best

This was a fantastic review of the insights to a war that was all but standard. I admired Gen McChrystal for his handling of the accident on green ramp while at the 82nd . I also admire him for his dedication to our country and his career as a role model soldier and leader.

Listened Twice Because It Was That Good

It's a shame that such emence talent is lost to nongovernmental employment after military retirement.

Fantastic

This is a great book. It is a memoir, as well as a fascinating war story told from the perspective of a person who helped shape the modern counterterrorism fight.

A Great Look at a Great Leader!

What made the experience of listening to My Share of the Task the most enjoyable?

General (retired) McChrystal has a unique and incredible story to tell. As a major player in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, his memoir is a relevant study in recent U.S. conflict. As one with great interest in the topic of warfare, particularly recent warfare, this memoir is an excellent resource.

What was one of the most memorable moments of My Share of the Task?

While McChrystal does not narrate the book, he does narrate the conclusion. Hearing him talk about leadership and give guidance to the reader is something worth listening to at least once, if not several times over. Further, hearing his challenges as a leader provide great insight into how he led Soldiers and how he overcame many, many challenges.

Which character – as performed by Kevin Collins – was your favorite?

This question isn't really relevant for this title.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

McChrystal's closing words. He comments, "If I had to do it over again, I'd do some things in my career differently, but not many. I believed in people, and I still believe in them. I trusted and I still trust. I cared and I still care. I wouldn't have had it any other way.... To the young leaders of today and tomorrow, it's a great life. Thank you."

Any additional comments?

If you are interested in learning about the military and recent conflicts, leadership, or you are looking for a worthwhile autobiography to read - this is an excellent choice.

And if you found yourself buying into media hype or watching Netflix's "War Machine," I'd recommend you give this book a listen/read before you make a final conclusion.

Worthwhile yet technical

I’m not the biggest memoir person, but overall this is one of the most worthwhile to read of all the recent ones on the market. This man and those who worked alongside accomplished amazing things in the face of competing tensions, and is very educational on the recent history of Middle Eastern conflicts! Interesting to hear the perspective of someone from the inside.
I think that General McChrystal got a bit bogged down on details that no one but someone in the armed forces would understand or appreciate, but he emphasized notable characters from his life and generally showed how technical scenarios taught him something about what it means to be a good leader, especially within the military setting. The overarching narrative is one that inspires virtue, lauds hard work, honors the true-hearted, and encourages honesty. Again, a detraction is that some of these points are not integrated frequently enough or at all until the epilogue.

“Leadership is the art of influencing others.”

“People are born. Leaders are made.”

Works for readers interested in special ops.

This is the work of a dedicated officer and tells what it can about special operations at work in today's conflicts, especially dealing with Al Qaeda and similar elements.

The author narrates competently, and you get a feel for the man, a career officer starting with West Point and growing up on Army bases. He is a highly motivated officer, and that comes across in the book and his reading.

The standout aspect for me was the role of intelligence, especially two particulars. One was gathering intelligence while conducting an op, say at four in the afternoon. The team would collect intelligence (paper, computers, thumb drives, cell phones, etc,), get info from it, then launch another raid exploiting that info, do the same there, and make another raid the same day, all exploiting new intelligence harvested at each op.

The other standout was interrogation, the people involved, and the personal qualities that worked. McC agrees with McCain that torture is counterproductive.

A major limitation is that there's a lot that isn't told because it's classified. McC also goes out of his way not to criticize fellow officers. That's a weakness in that it's generally agreed that in the Brenner era in Iraq we didn't do very well because of poor leadership. When McC gives us one sentence on Sanchez, he doesn't do the subject justice.

I enjoyed this as a honest account of a career in a field I find interesting. Not all readers would, but for those of us interested in the subject, it's worthwhile.

A rare perspective

While the public only heard of his last 2 years, his story of the Special Operations Forces is a rare, unclassified story…. a unique man I met twice, I enjoyed his thorough autobiography.