Description
Book SynopsisBrooklyn to Baghdad is the true story of a retired NYPD intelligence sergeant applying his street-cop tactics and interrogation skills against a lethal insurgency that had infected Iraq. A group of retired Special Forces soldiers and law enforcement experts came together to form the counterinsurgency group codenamed “Phoenix Team.” Exposing the corruption of both the Iraqi and US governments, the team faced serious setbacks and challenges. Brooklyn to Baghdad shows the effectiveness of Phoenix Team, their ability to process forensic evidence and human intelligence gleaned through interrogations at the point of capture to provide direct targeting for follow-on missions. This memoir also illustrates the politics of Washington, DC, and the US Army in the war-fighting effort, which continually hampered complete success while simultaneously preserving career aspirations. Throughout are many humorous and emotional anecdotes that reveal the men behind the missions and the toll the theater of war takes on real human lives
Trade Review"An exhilarating and infuriating look at busting bad guys on both sides of the Earth. Feel secure that the man about to tell you his story of law enforcement from Brooklyn to Baghdad is of the utmost character. You are in good hands." Vincent Marra, NYPD Deputy Inspector, Ret., from his foreword
"If you don't understand how important a weapon on-the-ground intelligence and interrogationor, as Christopher Strom might put it, 'talking' can be, you need to read this book. 'Phoenix' and similar intel programs played an important role in Iraq and will continue to do so in any future conflict; here they are presented at ground level. Brooklyn to Baghdad illuminates a part of modern warfare rarely mentioned in history books, let alone news accounts of war. Its warts-and-more portrayal of personalities is refreshing. Its candid discussion not only of problems but of the dilemmas and ethics, or occasional lack thereof, of contemporary policing and military intelligence gathering makes it more than just a page-turner, though it is that, too. Strom, Preisler, and Benson have added an important book to the post-9/11 oeuvre." Jim DeFelice, coauthor of American Sniper, Every Man a Hero , and other bestsellers
"Terse, detailed account of a no-nonsense cop's time running interrogations in Iraq."Kirkus Reviews
"Overall, this is a highly informative glimpse into the cat and mouse side of counterterrorism." Booklist Online
