Alpha
Eddie Gallagher and the War for the Soul of the Navy SEALs
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
An “infuriating, fast-paced” (The Washington Post) account of the Navy SEALs of Alpha platoon, the startling accusations against their chief, Eddie Gallagher, and the courtroom battle that exposed the dark underbelly of America’s special forces—from a Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter
WINNER OF THE COLORADO BOOK AWARD • “Nearly impossible to put down.”—Jon Krakauer, New York Times bestselling author of Where Men Win Glory and Into the Wild
In this “brilliantly written” (The New York Times Book Review) and startling account, Pulitzer Prize–winning New York Times correspondent David Philipps reveals a powerful moral crucible, one that would define the American military during the years of combat that became known as “the forever war.”
When the Navy SEALs of Alpha platoon returned from their 2017 deployment to Iraq, a group of them reported their chief, Eddie Gallagher, for war crimes, alleging that he’d stabbed a prisoner in cold blood and taken lethal sniper shots at unarmed civilians. The story of Alpha’s war, both in Iraq and in the shocking trial that followed the men’s accusations, would complicate the SEALs’ post-9/11 hero narrative, turning brothers-in-arms against one another and bringing into stark relief the choice that elite soldiers face between loyalty to their unit and to their country.
One of the great stories written about American special forces, Alpha is by turns a battlefield drama, a courtroom thriller, and a compelling examination of how soldiers define themselves and live with the decisions in the heat of combat.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
New York Times reporter Philipps (Lethal Warriors) presents an enthralling, blow-by-blow account of the 2019 court-martial of U.S. Navy SEAL platoon chief Eddie Gallagher for stabbing a wounded ISIS prisoner to death. Philipps traces the history of the Navy's special operations force from WWII through the Cold War and Vietnam, as SEALs "developed a rogue outsider status that they wore like a badge of honor." In May 2017, Gallagher's Alpha team entered Mosul, Iraq, to assist in the battle against entrenched ISIS fighters. As the platoon progressed across the ruined city, Gallagher began to behave "like some two-bit cult leader," pitting team members against one another and committing such abuses as stealing personal items, deliberately firing at civilians, and putting the platoon into "pointlessly risky situations." After returning to the U.S., some SEALs came forward with allegations that Gallagher had murdered a 17-year-old prisoner and then posed for a photo with the corpse. Philipps describes how President Trump and Fox News pundits came to Gallagher's defense, and recounts the shocking events of the court-martial (which ended with Gallagher's acquittal on all but one charge) in riveting detail. This is the definitive portrait of a saga that exposed deep fault lines within an elite fighting force.
Customer Reviews
Dark and disturbing
Alpha is a very well written, engrossing story that presents a very dark and disturbing event in recent history. It is written by a Reporter from the New York Times, publication that is very well known for having far Left leanings. He takes several swipes at Fox News, President Trump, And their supporters, which I think are excessive and unnecessary. That being said, the information he provides concerning Eddie Gallagher, and those around him, appears to be well documented.It does not present the Navy Seals In a very favorable light.
Character matters
This book is gripping, and got me so angry that at times I had to set it aside just to not get too worked up. It is a timeless tale of the courage of those who stand up for what’s right pitted against the criminals and the cowards who don’t stand up to them. Seeing this play out all the way up to President Trump who clearly damaged the sailors he was commander of for political gain infuriated me. He, and the other cowards in this story and out in the world are still out there. But so are the heroes. Here’s to the heroes.
Dirty Harry goes to Mosul
A book about American injustice glorified in the press that explains why jurors and grand juries in police killings seem unable to deal with bad apples. Everything’s here from ISIS to the President and the convicted employed at Fox News. A book for the ages that redefined heroes and combat within the American social context.