The Unit

The Book in 1 Sentence

Not the book I was expecting, but the book that is absolutely needed because we live in the timeline where being a racist asshat is ok.

Brief Review

I hesitated to read this book as I was expecting it to be full of macho stories much like Thank you for my Service. However, I was immediately surprised by humility, honestly, and empathy that Adam has and took within the book talking about multi-layered sensitive subjects. I don't think I have consumed a non-fiction book so quickly as I did this book covering campfire story telling about being a good human being.

Why I Read this book

Look at that cover. Who wouldn't read a book with a SOF guy like that on the cover?

In-Depth Review (Favorite Quotes)

I was so surprised by this book. I really was expecting a book talking about how this person took on this mission to take down this terrorist, how they got wounded, and then came back to be the hard charger they always were. Much like The Reaper. However that isn't what this book is.

Adam, not his real name, tells his story of being an Egyptian American. Coming here after the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood in Alexandria. His family providing the money he would need to fly to the US, get a Green Card, and find a room with no furniture so he could be safe. He then met people who facilitated his ability to see that the assumptions and lessons he was taught about "All Jews" or "All Westerners" were not an accurate representation.

After joining the Army, he was invited to join "The Unit" where he would server as a primary representative and background translator for questioning terrorist who were picked up. However, instead of the torture that we picture from the media, he treated them with humility and empathy. Knowing the areas and the culture that they were coming from which allowed him to understand if what they were telling them was true or if it was a lie.

Rating

This book really felt like a friend telling a story. There is this friendly demeener as if he is trying to tell you his story, without the total preacher mentality that could have happened. I also recognize during my time in the Marines, that leaving your home town and actually interacting with others of different backgrounds points out that we are all the same. I am sad to admit that I at one time believed that Muslims across the world all were out to kill Americans. In reality the first time I really heard about that religion has on 9/11 when the Towers fell. This is the lesson this book teaches without force. That these terrorist groups are the worst of that faith, like some politicians are the worst of their country. They do not represent the whole. Please make sure you read this book. It is a 9.

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