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Interview with a Terrorist
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Hollywood and the media would lead you to believe that every time a prisoner is interrogated by a U.S. soldier, some form of torture or waterboarding is involved. Nothing could be further from the truth. “Interview with a Terrorist” walks you through the author’s real-life encounter with this shadowy profession, and explains what it is really like to sit across from some of the world’s most evil men and women.
James Rosone has spent over 2,000 hours interrogating Al Qaeda terrorists, cracking their secrets to prevent attacks against U.S. and Iraqi forces. While a part of an elite Air Force interrogation unit, he helped to uncover terrorist cells operating in Europe, East Africa, and in the U.S. Homeland. All the while, he endured challenges: long hours, cramped quarters, separation from his family, and incoming mortar and rocket fire.
“Interview with a Terrorist” explores the challenges of having to befriend terrorists who have committed some of the most insane acts of barbarism in order to gain their trust and exploit their knowledge to kill or capture their terrorist comrades. It delves into the trials of returning home to a nation and family who can never fully understand the sacrifices James made, or the battle he fights each night in his mind as he tries to go to sleep. Join James Rosone as he guides you through one of the darkest, dirtiest jobs of any war. Walk a day in the life of an interrogator, and ask yourself--could you handle it?
Hollywood and the media would lead you to believe that every time a prisoner is interrogated by a U.S. soldier, some form of torture or waterboarding is involved. Nothing could be further from the truth. “Interview with a Terrorist” walks you through the author’s real-life encounter with this shadowy profession, and explains what it is really like to sit across from some of the world’s most evil men and women.
James Rosone has spent over 2,000 hours interrogating Al Qaeda terrorists, cracking their secrets to prevent attacks against U.S. and Iraqi forces. While a part of an elite Air Force interrogation unit, he helped to uncover terrorist cells operating in Europe, East Africa, and in the U.S. Homeland. All the while, he endured challenges: long hours, cramped quarters, separation from his family, and incoming mortar and rocket fire.
“Interview with a Terrorist” explores the challenges of having to befriend terrorists who have committed some of the most insane acts of barbarism in order to gain their trust and exploit their knowledge to kill or capture their terrorist comrades. It delves into the trials of returning home to a nation and family who can never fully understand the sacrifices James made, or the battle he fights each night in his mind as he tries to go to sleep. Join James Rosone as he guides you through one of the darkest, dirtiest jobs of any war. Walk a day in the life of an interrogator, and ask yourself--could you handle it?
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 5, 2016
64 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 22, 2017
I could not put this book down! This book is about an interrogator's experience from training, through employment and finally post military.
Many themes that this book describes were all too familiar to my own family's experience.
Don't expect happy stories and good feelings from this. It's raw and it's real. This is the reality of many soldiers I know. Long hours, lack of sleep, intense awareness of surroundings, constant explosives, no leadership that has your back and difficulty reintegrating.
This also calls attention to how our politicians fail our military. Policies made in WA D.C. have REAL consequences in the day to day operations of our military. There's a problem when terrorists have more protections than US citizens.
The reality of PTSD and lack of quality help is addressed. As is the helplessness of spouses and the difficulty of the "new" normal of home life.
God bless our troops and their innumerable sacrifices!
Many themes that this book describes were all too familiar to my own family's experience.
Don't expect happy stories and good feelings from this. It's raw and it's real. This is the reality of many soldiers I know. Long hours, lack of sleep, intense awareness of surroundings, constant explosives, no leadership that has your back and difficulty reintegrating.
This also calls attention to how our politicians fail our military. Policies made in WA D.C. have REAL consequences in the day to day operations of our military. There's a problem when terrorists have more protections than US citizens.
The reality of PTSD and lack of quality help is addressed. As is the helplessness of spouses and the difficulty of the "new" normal of home life.
God bless our troops and their innumerable sacrifices!
December 19, 2017
In Interview with a Terrorist, James Rosone reveals the truth about what may be one of the most misunderstood jobs in the military: that of interrogator. He is brutally honest, both about what the job entails and what it can do to the interrogator. He debunks many myths about interrogators (do they use stress positions or waterboarding?) and touches on how careful military interrogators need to be in order to stay within the law.
His voice is straightforward and very human; you feel as though he's speaking to you almost as a friend. But, be warned, this book doesn't read like a novel. That's not a bad thing, especially with this type of book, just something that the reader needs to be aware of. Recommended for: anyone who enjoys books about military life and is curious just how interrogators get information out of terrorists.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
His voice is straightforward and very human; you feel as though he's speaking to you almost as a friend. But, be warned, this book doesn't read like a novel. That's not a bad thing, especially with this type of book, just something that the reader needs to be aware of. Recommended for: anyone who enjoys books about military life and is curious just how interrogators get information out of terrorists.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
August 2, 2017
Fascinating read
I found this book extremely educational and well written. Prior to reading this book I had very little knowledge on the Iraq war. It is written in such a way that it is accessible to the average reader. The book is rich in detail and descriptions. I definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in the life of an interrogator.
I found this book extremely educational and well written. Prior to reading this book I had very little knowledge on the Iraq war. It is written in such a way that it is accessible to the average reader. The book is rich in detail and descriptions. I definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in the life of an interrogator.
May 29, 2018
Everyone should read this book
As a retired military guy it brought tears to my eyes at times. I'll never forget being called a "baby killer" when I came back in 1970 after two years. It never ceases to amaze me how the pc lawyers and politicians who are too good to ever put a uniform on can send us in to do their dirty work and then call us criminals for doing our duty. Within the sometimes suicidal rules they concoct.
God bless you and all like you.
RMW retired AF major
As a retired military guy it brought tears to my eyes at times. I'll never forget being called a "baby killer" when I came back in 1970 after two years. It never ceases to amaze me how the pc lawyers and politicians who are too good to ever put a uniform on can send us in to do their dirty work and then call us criminals for doing our duty. Within the sometimes suicidal rules they concoct.
God bless you and all like you.
RMW retired AF major
June 6, 2017
Wow.
This is the first book/memoir I've read on the role, and memories of an interrogator in a war zone. The subject matter was so interesting and enlightening,intense and well written. Thank you,I enjoyed the book very much.
This is the first book/memoir I've read on the role, and memories of an interrogator in a war zone. The subject matter was so interesting and enlightening,intense and well written. Thank you,I enjoyed the book very much.
May 8, 2019
Review of book
I enjoyed the descriptions of the detainees and the methods of interrogation used. Reading how you decided what approach to take with each detainee was very interesting. The whole process is very intriguing. Also, to hear about the conditions you endured. Being in the middle of an active conflict but having to function effectively each day. Thank you for sharing your victories and your difficulties while performing your job at a such an effective level. Also, thank you for your love of country and your dedication to fulfilling your duty with integrity.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the detainees and the methods of interrogation used. Reading how you decided what approach to take with each detainee was very interesting. The whole process is very intriguing. Also, to hear about the conditions you endured. Being in the middle of an active conflict but having to function effectively each day. Thank you for sharing your victories and your difficulties while performing your job at a such an effective level. Also, thank you for your love of country and your dedication to fulfilling your duty with integrity.
September 8, 2018
While Drinking My Daily Coffee
Very interesting and disturbing read but I know that in this world, people like the author is needed. My way of life and the future of my grandsons, depend on them. Like it or not, a military interrogator is needed. Or we may have another 911. Read for enlightenment and gratitude for our safety.
Very interesting and disturbing read but I know that in this world, people like the author is needed. My way of life and the future of my grandsons, depend on them. Like it or not, a military interrogator is needed. Or we may have another 911. Read for enlightenment and gratitude for our safety.
June 12, 2018
Very interesting
I read this in one day. I found it to be interesting and covering an area of the war not usually talked about. The writing is well done and flows easily. Very good book.
I read this in one day. I found it to be interesting and covering an area of the war not usually talked about. The writing is well done and flows easily. Very good book.
January 10, 2019
Once I started reading this book I never wanted to put it down. I found it interesting to hear about how some things functioned in the military that I wouldn't have guessed before. Thank you for your service and the great book.
February 2, 2021
A good story accounting, though I suspect this is a composite. I have to wonder about how much of this the author actually did. Seems a lot for someone straight out of school and who is also not a linguist.
May 29, 2018
Excellent book....
Excellent book.... this book was very well written and personal... It gave an first hand insight into what the intelligence community does to keep us safe...
Excellent book.... this book was very well written and personal... It gave an first hand insight into what the intelligence community does to keep us safe...
April 20, 2019
interview with a terrorist
A window into the life of a military interrogator. an autobiographical account by James Rosone. Very insightful. An interesting read.
A window into the life of a military interrogator. an autobiographical account by James Rosone. Very insightful. An interesting read.
February 16, 2023
Interview With a Terrorist is a compelling Book
First, to the authors, Thank You both, for your service to and protection of our country, secondly, this memoir is wonderful.
First, to the authors, Thank You both, for your service to and protection of our country, secondly, this memoir is wonderful.
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June 7, 2019MWSA Review
Interview with a Terrorist is an interesting and provocative firsthand account of author James Rosone’s time in Iraq with the United States Army. In 2006, Rosone trained for human intelligence gathering and deployed to Camp Striker in Iraq. From the training on how to stay within the letter of the law to his homecoming trip, the book details the eighteen months that affected his life in ways that could not be imagined. Daily contact with some of the worst members of terrorist groups as well as living conditions the American military endured as a matter of course produced a determination to make a difference to our fighting forces, our country, and the world at large.
Most members of the American public know little of the day to day grind of our military men and women who interrogate terrorists for human intelligence. Instead we have all too often relied on the sensationalist media and Hollywood’s version of the truth. This book provides an unvarnished antidote through the eyes of someone who actually spent time doing the work.
Review by Betsy Beard (June 2019)
Interview with a Terrorist is an interesting and provocative firsthand account of author James Rosone’s time in Iraq with the United States Army. In 2006, Rosone trained for human intelligence gathering and deployed to Camp Striker in Iraq. From the training on how to stay within the letter of the law to his homecoming trip, the book details the eighteen months that affected his life in ways that could not be imagined. Daily contact with some of the worst members of terrorist groups as well as living conditions the American military endured as a matter of course produced a determination to make a difference to our fighting forces, our country, and the world at large.
Most members of the American public know little of the day to day grind of our military men and women who interrogate terrorists for human intelligence. Instead we have all too often relied on the sensationalist media and Hollywood’s version of the truth. This book provides an unvarnished antidote through the eyes of someone who actually spent time doing the work.
Review by Betsy Beard (June 2019)
February 27, 2022
Grateful for his sacrifice
Few people would open up and be as honest about a very personal and dangerous experience they had while serving their country. This book made me more grateful for the personal sacrifices our soldiers have survived or endured in order to keep us free.
Few people would open up and be as honest about a very personal and dangerous experience they had while serving their country. This book made me more grateful for the personal sacrifices our soldiers have survived or endured in order to keep us free.
January 7, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I knew from the summary would find it interesting but I didn't realize just how much. James Rosone writes a very descriptive account of his time spent in Iraq interviewing detainees suspected of acts of terrorism. Although I'm sure that there is much that was censored due to the sensitive nature of the information, he writes with a lot of clarity to help the reader truly understand what the job entailed and what the experience was like. He also shares about the difficulties of his transition back to the states and to family life. It really gives a person a great perspective of the true sacrifices that our military personnel endures to ensure our American freedoms. I would highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to have a greater understands of our men and women in uniform!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews