Benghazi!: A New History of the Fiasco that Pushed America and its World to the Brink

Former U.S. Diplomat, political analyst, and author Ethan Chorin unveils his account of the events that led up to the infamous and highly publicized attack on the U.S. Embassy and C.I.A. Annex on September 11, 2012. He outlines the role Ghadaffi and his authoritarian regime played in creating a climate ripe with discontent, repression, and disillusionment. He also illuminates the growing divisive rhetoric and political strife in America that exists in the wake of Benghazi and continues to proliferate today, noting that, unfortunately, America has failed to learn many of the teachable lessons of Benghazi.

This is an eye-opening and intriguing book. It contains an immense amount of research with over six hundred citations in all and is ripe with historical context. Chorin’s post in Libya from 2004–2006 as well as his position as the co-director of an NGO in Benghazi at the time of the attack make his narrative both captivating and notable.

Chorin is candid in his beliefs, openly expressing his dissatisfaction with how the Obama administration dealt with international conflicts in the aftermath of the tragedy. He weighs in on many of the political figures in Washington but does so in a relatively moderate and balanced way. Overall, Benghazi is an informative and enlightening read.