The Mirror Test
America at War in Iraq and Afghanistan
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Narrated by:
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J. Kael Weston
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By:
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J. Kael Weston
About this listen
A powerfully written firsthand account of the human costs of conflict.
J. Kael Weston spent seven years on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan working for the US State Department in some of the most dangerous frontline locations. Upon his return home, while traveling the country to pay respect to the dead and wounded, he asked himself: When will these wars end? How will they be remembered and memorialized? What lessons can we learn from them?
These are questions with no quick answers but perhaps ones that might lead to a shared reckoning worthy of the sacrifices of those - troops and civilians alike - whose lives have been changed by more than a decade and a half of war.
Weston takes us from Twentynine Palms in California to Fallujah in Iraq, Khost and Helmand in Afghanistan, Maryland, Colorado, Wyoming, and New York City as well as to out-of-the-way places in Iowa and Texas. We meet generals, corporals and captains, senators and ambassadors, NATO allies, Iraqi truck drivers, city councils, imams and mullahs, Afghan schoolteachers, madrassa and college students, former Taliban fighters and ex-Guantánamo prison detainees, a torture victim, SEAL and Delta Force teams, and many marines.
The overall frame for the book, from which the title is taken, centers on soldiers who have received grievous wounds to the face. There is a moment during their recovery when they must look upon their reconstructed appearances for the first time. This is known as "the mirror test". From an intricate tapestry of voices and stories - Iraqi, Afghan, and American - Weston delivers a larger mirror test for our nation in its global role. An unflinching and deep examination of the interplay between warfare and diplomacy, this is an essential book - a crucial look at America now, how it is viewed in the world, and how the nation views itself.
©2016 J. Kael Weston (P)2016 Random House AudioListeners also enjoyed...
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Desert Redleg: Artillery Warfare in the First Gulf War
- American Warriors Series
- By: L. Scott Lingamfelter
- Narrated by: Bill Nevitt
- Length: 13 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
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When Saddam Hussein's Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990, triggering the First Gulf War, a coalition of 35 countries led by the United States responded with Operation Desert Storm, which culminated in a 100-hour coordinated air strike and ground assault that repelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait. Though largely forgotten in descriptions of the war, an eight-day barrage of artillery fire made this seemingly rapid offensive possible. At the forefront of this offensive were the brave field artillerymen known as "redlegs".
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Excellent account of the Gulf War.
- By Tim on 02-22-24
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Imperial Grunts
- On the Ground with the American Military, from Mongolia to the Philippines to Iraq and Beyond...
- By: Robert D. Kaplan
- Narrated by: John H. Mayer
- Length: 18 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
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Plunging deep into midst of some of the hottest conflicts on the globe, Robert D. Kaplan takes us through mud and jungle, desert and dirt to the men and women on the ground who are leading the charge against threats to American security. These soldiers, fighting in thick Colombian jungles or on dusty Afghani plains, are the forefront of the new American foreign policy, a policy being implemented one soldier at a time.
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Excellent book
- By Rob on 10-03-05
By: Robert D. Kaplan
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Where Men Win Glory
- The Odyssey of Pat Tillman
- By: Jon Krakauer
- Narrated by: Scott Brick
- Length: 13 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
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Like the men whose epic stories Jon Krakauer has told in his previous bestsellers, Pat Tillman was an irrepressible individualist and iconoclast. In May 2002, Tillman walked away from his $3.6 million NFL contract to enlist in the United States Army. He was deeply troubled by 9/11, and he felt a strong moral obligation to join the fight against al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Two years later, he died on a desolate hillside in southeastern Afghanistan.
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Good book, painful narration
- By Daniel on 09-23-09
By: Jon Krakauer
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Ashley's War
- The Untold Story of a Team of Women Soldiers on the Special Ops Battlefield
- By: Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
- Narrated by: Kathe Mazur
- Length: 10 hrs
- Unabridged
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From the author of the New York Times best seller The Dressmaker of Khair Khana comes the poignant and gripping story of a groundbreaking team of female American warriors who served alongside Special Operations soldiers on the battlefield in Afghanistan - including Ashley White, a beloved soldier who died serving her country's cause.
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A Diamond Among Diamonds
- By Cynthia on 04-25-15
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Black Ops
- The Life of a CIA Shadow Warrior
- By: Ric Prado
- Narrated by: Scott Brick
- Length: 12 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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Enrique Prado found himself in his first firefight at age seven. The son of a middle-class Cuban family caught in the midst of the Castro Revolution, his family fled their war-torn home for the hope of a better life in America. Fifty years later, the Cuban refugee retired from the Central Intelligence Agency as the CIA equivalent of a two-star general. Black Ops is the story of Ric’s legendary career that spanned two eras, the Cold War and the Age of Terrorism.
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Impressive and Inspiring!
- By medardo on 03-12-22
By: Ric Prado
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Without Hesitation
- The Odyssey of an American Warrior
- By: General Hugh Shelton, Ronald Levinson, Malcolm McConnell
- Narrated by: General Hugh Shelton
- Length: 6 hrs and 58 mins
- Abridged
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During a nearly 40-year career in the United States Army, Hugh Shelton has been known as a straight shooter - when he speaks he means what he says. Whether serving under a Democratic president or a Republican president, whether in a war that was popular at home or not, Hugh Shelton gave all he had, and asked nothing less of the men and women who worked for him. Politically independent, Shelton told the truth - not what his superiors wanted to hear.
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Week done!
- By Jennifer on 04-13-18
By: General Hugh Shelton, and others
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Hunting Che
- How a U.S. Special Forces Team Helped Capture the World's Most Famous Revolutionary
- By: Mitch Weiss, Kevin Maurer
- Narrated by: Robertson Dean
- Length: 7 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
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Che Guevara was a threat to American foreign policy - and when he turned his attention to Bolivia in 1967, the Pentagon made a decision: Che had to be eliminated. Hunting Che follows the exploits of Major Ralph "Pappy" Shelton, Felix Rodriguez, and Gary Prado - the Bolivian Ranger commander who ultimately captured him. With the White House and the Pentagon secretly monitoring every move, Shelton and his team changed history.
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Interesting
- By robert on 07-22-24
By: Mitch Weiss, and others
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The Assassins' Gate
- America in Iraq
- By: George Packer
- Narrated by: Richard Poe
- Length: 19 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
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The Assassins' Gate, so dubbed by American soldiers, is the entrance to the American zone in the city of Baghdad. In 2003, the United States blazed into Iraq to depose dictator Saddam Hussein. But after three years and unknown thousands killed, that country faces an escalating civil war and an uncertain fate. How did it get to this point?
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Highly Recommended
- By Drapeau on 02-01-07
By: George Packer
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Jawbreaker
- The Attack on Bin Laden and Al Qaeda: A Personal Account by the CIA's Key Field Commander
- By: Gary Berntsen, Ralph Pezzullo
- Narrated by: Robertson Dean
- Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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In Jawbreaker, Gary Berntsen, until recently one of the CIA's most decorated officers, comes out from under cover for the first time to describe his no-holds-barred pursuit of Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda.
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A great read (err - Listen)
- By Joshua on 07-01-08
By: Gary Berntsen, and others
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American Soldier
- By: General Tommy R. Franks, Malcolm McConnell
- Narrated by: Eric Conger
- Length: 19 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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The Commander in Chief of the United States Central Command from July 2000 through July 2003, General Tommy Franks made history leading American and Coalition forces to victory in Afghanistan and Iraq, the decisive battles that launched the war on terrorism.
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even more proud of our military
- By Brian on 08-12-04
By: General Tommy R. Franks, and others
What listeners say about The Mirror Test
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Lane Rogers
- 10-01-16
Good information
what is a good book. Lot of good information. The narrator narrator was too monotone for my taste. I think you would be a great book to read versus listening to it. even though about wmds was a contradictory to Dan Wrights and Chris Kyle book.
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- evil_doctor
- 01-16-17
reflections of humanity
this book is a must read for those who elect governments, and call themselves citizens.
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- Sonya B.
- 04-23-24
Unique and welcom perspective
This is the most unique perspective on war that I have read (listened to) in a while. A favorite. I will be listening to again and again.
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- Amazon Customer
- 12-24-16
Incredible book- I cannot give high enough praise.
Where does The Mirror Test rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
The greatest.
What did you like best about this story?
The most honest and clearheaded exploration of modernity, conflict and the inter-personal consequences of America at war.
Which scene was your favorite?
"The Ego has landed."
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
The scenes in Fallujah, state-side travels, reflections on "why," and so much more. This is a thick book, with a great deal to absorb. A beast of a book. Deserving a place in the pantheon of essential reads of our century. Also appreciate the rich and engaging discussion of Kael's many personal relationships formed with Iraqis and Afghans. Spending almost a decade in war zones, serving as the top (and sometimes only) foreign service diplomat in country, Kael presents a narrative that is nothing short of amazing. Remaining compassionate, and kind, while honestly exploring (with the reader) the forces, dynamics and sacrifice of a Nation at war, and the countries caught in the middle.
Any additional comments?
A beast of a book. Deserving a place in the pantheon of essential reads of our century.
----I hope you do read this. It is transformational. A must.
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1 person found this helpful
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- SFKOCH
- 08-11-22
Great Read. We'll Written.
Great Story. well thought out. and written and delivered by someone who took pride in his job and telling his story and those who lost there life for there country.
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- Jack Aubrey
- 06-05-16
A must read (or listen)
This is a comprehensive look at war and how it affects all sides. Many parts are hard to get through but it's important for us as a national to know what our actions do on a personal level.
It's certainly worth the time and is a unique view into how wars are really fought and won or lost.
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- T. F. W.
- 11-06-22
Terrible narrator
The narrator makes this absolutely unlistenable. I'm sure it is a fascinating story with unique insights...but you can't make it more than 30 minutes without wanting to turn it off. So disappointing.
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- Jessica Myrick
- 06-04-16
A Must Read
As an American with no personal ties to the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan it is (and has been) incredibly easy to overlook the toll that these wars have taken on our country, our soldiers, their families, and the natives of the countries invaded. This book provides raw insight into the true costs of war, and the price paid by all involved. This is the first book about any war that I've ever read, but after doing so I feel compelled, and obligated as an American citizen, to learn more and ask more about America's engagement in previous and future wars. Thank you Mr. Weston for your service, and for bravely and honestly telling your story.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Kim T Adamson
- 08-04-17
As good as the first time
I've listened to this audiobook six times and hear new things I missed before. I'm ready to listen again.
I've especially enjoyed sharing this audiobook with other Marines who served in Iraq and/or Afghanistan as I did.
I thought the authors narration of his book was the perfect choice with his voice inflections spot on with stories told. I personally related to this book 100%.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Window shoppa
- 06-13-17
Eye opening, emotional, powerful book
The author paints a vivid and sympathetic account of those caught up in war; from the soldiers, generals, and bureaucrats of the state department to the local politicians, community leaders and children in Afghanistan and Iraq. He relates some disturbing and depressing descriptions so there were times I cried or had to put it down but these are some very important lessons about armed conflict. The delivery of reading is dispassionate and not at all lively but I found it engrossing to listen to because of the story.
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1 person found this helpful