The Unit Audiobook By Adam Gamal, Kelly Kennedy cover art

The Unit

My Life Fighting Terrorists as One of America's Most Secret Military Operatives

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The Unit

By: Adam Gamal, Kelly Kennedy
Narrated by: Adam Gamal, Peter Ganim
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About this listen

This program features an introduction narrated by the author. It has been modified to maintain the author's anonymity.

The first and only book to ever be written by a member of America's most secret military unit―an explosive and unlikely story of immigration, service, and sacrifice.

Inside our military is a team of operators whose work is so secretive that the name of the unit itself is classified. Highly-trained in warfare, self-defense, infiltration, and deep surveillance, "the Unit," as the Department of Defense has asked us to refer to it, has been responsible for preventing dozens of terrorist attacks in the Western world. Never before has a member of this unit shared their story—until now.

From Adam Gamal, one of the only Muslim Arab Americans to serve inside “the Unit," comes an incisive firsthand account of our nation’s most secretive military group. When Adam arrived in the United States at the age of twenty, he spoke no English, and at 5’1” and 112 pounds, he was far from what you might expect of a soldier. But compelled into service by a debt he felt he owed to his new country, he rose through the ranks of the military to become one of its most elite and skilled operators.

With humor and humility, Adam shares stories of life-threatening injuries, of the camaraderie and capabilities of his team, and of the incredible missions―but also of the growth he experienced as he learned to understand his own moderate faith.

Enthralling and eye-opening, The Unit is at once a gripping account of the fight against terror, an urgent examination of the need for diversity, and an inside look at how America fights its battles abroad in the modern age of terrorism.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

©2024 Adam Gamal and Kelly Kennedy (P)2024 Macmillan Audio
Afghan & Iraq Wars Afghan War Armed Forces Iraq War Military Military & War Special & Elite Forces Wars & Conflicts Thought-Provoking Witty

Critic reviews

“[Gamal] volunteered for a force so secret that he can only refer to it as “the unit.” The author describes it as similar to special forces, employing the same murderous training, teamwork, daring, and firepower, but with additional emphasis on surveillance and intelligence gathering. Most of the book recounts missions in the Middle East and Africa, and the text, some of it redacted, features plenty of fireworks, including an encounter when Gamal was shot and almost died…. The compelling story of an unlikely hero in the war on terror.”—Kirkus Reviews

“In The Unit, Adam Gamal takes readers on an extraordinary journey from immigrant to elite operator. A gripping tale of bravery, sacrifice, and unwavering determination and patriotism written with vivid detail and relentless suspense. The Unit recounts the adrenaline-fueled encounters and the heart-stopping moments when lives hang in the balance while exploring Gamal’s inner struggles and sense of purpose. The book is a stark reminder of the sacrifices of America’s special operations forces and how America’s melting pot is its best defense.”–Kevin Maurer, #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of No Easy Day

"Adam Gamal served in the most secret military organization in our country and he did so with distinction and courage. Read The Unit and get a glimpse inside the highest levels of special operations."–Will Chesney, US Navy SEAL (ret.) and bestselling author of No Ordinary Dog

What listeners say about The Unit

Highly rated for:

Inspiring Story Powerful Narrative Compelling Personal Journey Unique Perspective Well-told Autobiography
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    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting but likely not what reader expects

Let me be clear from the outset that I enjoyed The Unit and would recommend it to others. However, I gave the book 4 stars not 5 stars, because I think the marketing around the book is a bit misleading. This is not like most of the books by former operators where you get a sanitized version of their experience in the military. Contrary to the marketing, this book is much more about the author's experiences growing up and his views on America and his place in America. If you are looking for a book about kicking down doors or practicing CQB in a kill house this book is not for you. The author's military career plays a part in the book, but it is by no means the main subject of the book. The author's military career is utilized as a means of organizing the author's larger discussion of his experience as an immigrant and the importance of immigrants to America.

Additionally, the book is just not particularly well edited. There are multiple antidotes that appear twice or more in the book more or less verbatim and often do not entirely make sense in the context in which they appear. Honestly, at times it felt like the ghost writer was just sticking stories in to increase the page count/book length to make sure it reached the contracted length.

Overall, I found The Unit to be an enjoyable and interesting listen; however, I suspect many will purchase the book based on the marketing and general content of books in this genre and be disappointed.

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4 people found this helpful

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A different perspective

Fantastic! The author brings different perspective with his story. The narrator does a great job bringing the author’s personality to life.

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Very interesting well written!

Really liked the depth of the story and how he clarified so much of the truth about himself and our country and his culture!
Excellent reader too.

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Salad not melting pot

As a career soldier this opened my eyes to a lot of things. Cultural sensitivity being number one and the author does a fantastic job at explaining WHY we need more training in this. I actually got a chance to go to Jordan for a month for this. It was a great start but had so much more to learn. Great job of telling your story SGM!

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All American’s should read this book!

Told from the heart of a US immigrant warrior protecting all of us including the Americans who would judge them by their religion or skin color! A true American hero. From an old Vietnam era veteran, thank you for your service!!

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Genuine look at the military and the US

A lot of angry Republican nationalists in the reviews are upset it’s not another war story proclaiming how great America is; this is real and nitty gritty about the US, it’s military and the social structures that permeate both. America was never a utopia. But with more good people like the author in it, it can actually become something great.

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Fascinating

The story is personal - not just a collection of missions. For me, the description of his life before he joined “The Unit” really hooked me.

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Why seals right books

Not sure how good it would have been if not redacted. But it’s a more a bitter, personal, political and religious philosophy book then anything else. Makes you wonder what “America” will be in the future.

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This is a story of what it means to be an American.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s not a tale of testosterone- laden military “war stories” but rather a summary of the diligence, patriotism, and self-sacrifice of one immigrant in defending our nation. Further, it’s a testament to the vital contributions of minorities across modern American society.

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Inside intel of relational dynamics

Great back story providing insight and understanding of our elite military and our varying enemies. #Thank you for your service 👏🏽👍🏽💪🏽

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