‘This is a book to make your blood boil. Expertly reported and written, Alpha details a truly shameful national episode, and stands as a powerful corrective for those who mistake cruelty for toughness and equate war with murder.’
-- Mark Bowden,
New York Times bestselling author of
Black Hawk Down and
Hue 1968
‘This is one of the best books to come out of the Iraq war. It is also one of the saddest. There have been many books about Navy SEALs and snipers, but Alpha is by far the most important. I think it will be required reading for the Navy, as Black Hearts has become for the Army. Anyone who cares about the American military needs to read this.’
-- Thomas E. Ricks, bestselling author of
Fiasco,
First Principles, and
The Generals
‘Alpha is a phenomenally reported, deeply compelling portrait of moral courage and moral cowardice in the SEAL teams. Philipps details not simply the many failures of leadership within SEAL ranks that enabled war crimes, jeopardised the mission, and risked the lives of service members, but also the culture that made accountability almost impossible. Superb.’
-- Phil Klay, National Book Award–winning author of
Missionaries and
Redeployment
‘Alpha is an important, infuriating, meticulously researched account of modern warfare that I found nearly impossible to put down.’
-- Jon Krakauer, New York Times bestselling author of
Where Men Win Glory and Into the Wild
‘New York Times reporter Philipps presents an enthralling, blow-by-blow account of the 2019 court-martial of US Navy SEAL platoon chief Eddie Gallagher for stabbing a wounded ISIS prisoner to death … This is the definitive portrait of a saga that exposed deep fault lines within an elite fighting force.’
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Publishers Weekly, starred review
‘A dogged researcher and gifted writer, Philipps turns the story of Gallagher’s rise, his alleged war crimes and the botched Navy prosecution into an infuriating, fast-paced thriller.’
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The Washington Post
‘Shakespearean … An excellent read from a seasoned reporter who covered the entire saga [of] Eddie Gallagher.’
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The San Diego Union-Tribune
‘This disturbing but gripping account by award-winning New York Times correspondent Philipps will appeal to a large audience but few SEAL admirers … After a review of SEALs history, training, and operations in Iraq, Philipps delivers the result of years searching confidential Navy documents, court transcripts, service and medical records, thousands of text messages and emails, and interviews with current and former SEALs … Brilliant journalism that offers a deeply disquieting commentary on America’s dysfunctional cultural divide.’
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Kirkus Reviews, starred review
‘I’ve been haunted these last few days by Alpha … It’s engrossing, full of horror and deeply damning.’
-- Sam Sifton -
The New York Times
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