Task Force Black: The Explosive True Story of the Secret Special Forces War in Iraq

First - given the material published in the book, I'm surprised the manuscript made it to print.Rumors about Task Force 88 (Google "Task Force Black" and it will take you right to TF-88) have been floating around for some time. This book completely throws back the covers behind the action of the world's top Tier 1 units, their critical role in the Iraq war, and the political gamesmanship, intelligence coups and failures, and the difficult decisions made on a daily basis during the war. The verbiage is realistic, and the author went to great lengths to get every single detail as correct as possible. Some key takeaways:1) For those that keep wondering who the top Tier-1 unit in the world is, this book answers that definitively. Delta Force (CAG) pretty much leads the entire time, with the SAS paired to the hip with Delta, the SBS regarded as "Tier 2" Special Forces by their SAS counterparts, and Seal Team Six barely getting mentioned. It's clear that throughout the Iraq war, Delta and the SAS were the tip of the spear units that did most of the heavy lifting and carried out most of the top missions. The first half of this book details the Delta missions and op-tempo and how the SAS basically had to fight politically just to get in the game for some of the top missions.2) The book depicts the events on the ground in Iraq in painstakingly clear details. It's not an easy read, and the violence took me back to very unpleasant times when the media coverage in the US showed the carnage in Iraq on a daily basis and the precious loss of life. If you are squeamish about such details, fair warning - this may not be the book for you3) Most importantly, the book makes it clear that there was zero, absolutely no strategy whatsoever on the part of US and Coalition military planners on how to fight the insurgency, and most of all, win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people. Reading this book makes me realize how much we owe our military professionals for not only having to basically "make it up as they went along", but also ensure they get it right more than they get it wrong, for the sake of the entire world. With events continuing to unfold in the Middle East, this should be required reading by officers in all branches of the military, if it's not already.Overall - a fantastic, just incredible read. My favorite non-fiction military book to date.

I was working in Iraq during much of the time covered by this book and was more than aware of the SAS "presence" in country. The book is written from a British viewpoint with the author being a well known English journalist. I found it very interesting and very accurate. There is some "British military jargon" that it takes time to get used to, such as calling the SAS troopers "Blades", etc. But overall it is a good read and accurately depicts the problems the SAS had with their own command structure as they tried to fit into General McCrystals overall game plan for countering the rising insurgency. I found it an easy read, but then again I was in Iraq at the time and was somewhat familiar with referenced events. I do believe, however, the average reader will enjoy the book as the events portrayed have been well researched and the books itself, well written.

Task Force Black is a true account of the anti-insurgent mission conducted by various special ops groups in Iraq, especially the US Delta Team and the UK's SAS under the polymath commander Stanley McCrystal. Combining technology, air and ground Black Ops and rapid systematic offenses, they were successful in taking down Al Qaeda's militant arm in Iraq. Well written, detailed and full of insightful material, this is a great read for both entertainment, research and insight into how modern wars are won. McCrystall should be honored and his methodology utilized in the future. Mark Urban;s book is a great addition to my collection of military history. As a avid history enthusiast and writer who incorporates historical facts, I highly recommend this book.

Nice to know how well work together with our UK allies. We have to do better. It isTin our best interestd@G Moore USN

This book though probably not its main intent, provides a great history of both the US and Great Britain's special forces contribution to the war. I haven't read a better cumulative history yet then this book. If you're looking or a book to inform you of the black world that existed and won the war in Iraq, then look no further.

This was a very good book and without a doubt worth the buy. Wish we could see more books on the market about international special operations. My only complaint really was that the book did get a bit slow a points, other than that, if you want a good read about our brothers in arms across the pond, start here.

I bought this book to find some insight into the British contribution to the war in Iraq. The British troops were there because Tony Blair felt they should help the U.S. The British were responding to tips we provided via our terrorist blacklist, which is a questionable document at best. I could find no story line or continuity. It seemed like no one knew what they were doing, just a series of random acts.On the other hand, if you like to read action stories about soldiers fighting; this is the book for you.

I was in high school when the invasion of Iraq occurred, and only knew about what was going on in news reports. I am glad we have books like this that talk about what was going on behind the scenes.

It's difficult as a civilian to understand so many lives lost, a country now in shambles thousands of Iraqi people made homeless so many civilians dead and for what this book to me only shows how futile this was . I felt if Saddam Hussein had still been alive he would have kept this region of the world under control all we seem to have done in the West as in Libya Afghanistan syria have left these countries in complete mess thousands and thousands of innocent people whole families wiped out and thousands immigrated to the west and for what , so many brave soldiers dead who believed in freedom for all to a part of the world that does not recognise or want our way of life heart breaking. but my admiration to these warriors following orders without question and looking out for each other is what makes a soldier heroes all

I expected an true and factual action-based book and in the first chapters it reads as a history book. Not in the least gripping and if it truly is an explosive story then sadly the fuse is too long. I closed the book before getting to the bang.

For someone who had a very negative view of the iraq war because of all the media activity i wanted to know what was really going on behind the scenes, and in particular what our boys were up to and why our involvement lasted so long... it was clear the British army were almost fighting with one hand behind their backs and after reading Tim Collins' account of his time there- which turned into a farce where he was scapegoated by someone to save face -(thankfully exonerated and given an OBE), I was left with even more questions. Mark Urban's book gave a broader account which showed how our special forces worked flat out to put a lid on the insurgency and sectarian conflict which ripped Iraq apart after the fall of Hussain....The book is very detailed both on a strategic level, shows the respect our cousins the US special forces have for the SAS at the highest levels, but also makes the very complex social, political and cultural issues facing US/UK forces, which were compounded by the problems in the UK at a political level understandable... there are eye witness accounts of Special forces raids by some of the operators involved, and the involvement of the main characters behind the planning, Graeme Lamb, Stanley McChrystal and General Petraeus are highlighted and explained....The book was throughly checked out by the MOD so there are no banana skins to worry about. It has been informative, easy to read and at times gripping and has tranformed my view of the Iraqi conflict and our role there in a big way.

This the true story of the Iraq war with the different factions.This war fort by the Americans & our forces is a war that can never be won .The different cultures in Iraq will never agree. As soon as one leader is taken out another pops up in his place. The Americans & the British forces fort well together,eventually.

Bought this as it was recommended by “Chris Ryan”. You’ve really got to be into the detail of the politics of the SF world to get to the end of it though and that’s coming from someone who has read most everything on the Special Forces.