Under Fire: The Untold Story of the Attack in Benghazi

Written by Fred Burton and Samuel M. Katz

Narrated by Jeff Gurner

The New York Times bestselling inside account of the attack against the U.S. diplomatic and intelligence outposts in Benghazi, Libya.

On the night of September 11, 2012, the American diplomatic mission at Benghazi, Libya, came under ferocious attack by a heavily armed group of Islamic terrorists. The prolonged firefight, and the attack hours later on a nearby CIA outpost, resulted in the deaths of four Americans, including the American ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens, the Information Officer, Sean Smith, and two former Navy SEALs, Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty, working for the Central Intelligence Agency.

After the fall of Qaddafi, Benghazi was transformed into a hotbed of fundamentalist fervor and a den of spies for the northern half of the African continent. Moreover, it became the center of gravity for terrorist groups strategically situated in the violent whirlwinds of the Arab Spring. On the eleventh anniversary of the 9/11 attacks against the United States, a group of heavily armed Islamic terrorists had their sights set on the U.S. diplomatic and intelligence presence in the city.

Based on the exclusive cooperation of eyewitnesses and confidential sources within the intelligence, diplomatic, and military communities, Fred Burton and Samuel M. Katz reveal for the first time the terrifying twelve-hour ordeal confronted by Ambassador Christopher Stevens, Sean Smith, his Diplomatic Security (DS) contingent, and the CIA security specialists who raced to rescue them.

More than just the minute-by-minute narrative of a desperate last stand in the midst of an anarchic rebellion, Under Fire is an inspiring testament to the bravery and selflessness of the men and women who put their country first while serving in one of the most dangerous regions in the world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: Sep 3, 2013
• ISBN: 9781427236067

Fred Burton

Fred Burton was deputy chief of the Counterterrorism Division of the State Department's Diplomatic Security Service and is currently a vice president at Stratfor, a global intelligence agency known as the 'shadow CIA.' He is the author of Ghost: Confessions of a Counterterrorism Agent and has appeared on major television and radio shows, as well as writing for the Los Angeles Times, among others. He lives in Austin, TX.

Reviews for Under Fire

[jeff hetschel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This account is the “other side of the coin” from 13 Hours. In this account, our Administration is organized, involved, proportional and “there for you”. SECSTATE is engaged and leading “from the front”. I think I would not want to be an Ambassador

[Michael Orabona · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow a great audio book on what happen. If you watched the movie. This fills in more of the story.

[lamson_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Under Fire is the account of the attack on the American Special Mission and CIA annex in Benghazi, Libya. Relying on local militias as a backup force that for the most part didn't materialize left embassy and annex security forces fighting Islamist rebels on their own. The outcome: four Americans killed, including Ambassador Stevens. This might not have happened had the mission been established with the security features put in place after previous embassy attacks.It is annoying when a book has a glossary for acronyms and then uses ones that are not listed. Perhaps petty, but still annoying. Otherwise I would have given a rating of four stars,

[scrh-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I provided the following review on the Amazon.com Web site and gave the book a five-star rating:The well-written book is an apolitical account of men and women who found themselves in one of the world's hot spots, Benghazi, Libya, at a time that would turn into tragedy in September 2012. Four gallant servants of the United States of America rendered their lives, while serving their country.Upon finishing the reading of the book, persons unfamiliar, should take away a basic knowledge (and also hopefully an appreciation) of the Diplomatic Security Service – the who, what, where, when, and why.The authors do an excellent job providing background and details of places, organizations, political tensions, and people, thereby furnishing readers with an educational source that is not readily available elsewhere.The pace of the book is rapid, covering background, events just prior to the attack, stages of the attack itself, rescue, and the attack's aftermath, in a manner that reflects support and admiration for the heroes involved.Several graphics of the attack site are included and are essential for the understanding of the tragic story. The book is well-documented. A helpful glossary is included to assist the reader in coping with numerous abbreviations and acronyms common to government organizations. Several color photos are included that enhance the book. An excellent index is also provided.Readers should be aware that there is more of this story to be told at a later time, as investigations and fact-finding are still ongoing. Yet, I am glad to have read the book and am comfortable in recommending it to anyone who desires to learn more of those who serve the USA in dangerous places and in unique ways.