Targeted: Beirut: The 1983 Marine Barracks Bombing and the Untold Origin Story of the War on Terror

Jack Carr's "Targeted: Beirut" marks a bold and powerful departure into non-fiction, and he absolutely nails it. As a longtime fan, I was excited to see him tackle such a relevant topic, especially given the current geopolitical landscape.Carr’s insights into the complexities of Beirut and its historical context are both enlightening and timely. He combines his deep knowledge with compelling storytelling, making complex issues accessible and engaging. The way he navigates current events while drawing from his extensive background adds an authenticity that is hard to find elsewhere.This book is not just informative; it’s a gripping exploration of a region that remains at the forefront of global discussions. Carr’s ability to convey the nuances of the situation while keeping readers engaged is a testament to his skill as a writer."Targeted: Beirut" is a must-read for anyone looking to understand the intricacies of the Middle East today. Jack Carr has once again proven his prowess, and I can’t recommend this book highly enough!

This book is very interesting that it takes you behind the scene of what really happened here and the politics that where involved. It's a interesting but sad sad story.

Great book, as a formal Marine discharged in 1983 , this horrific event is forever etched in my memory. Watching todays news even 41 years later not much has changed in Lebanon .Marines are trained simply to kill the enemy, not as peacekeepers. they were used as pawns in a political mess, and should of never been there.

Targeted: Beirut is the heartbreaking story of 241 Marines and Naval Serviceman brutally murdered by a terrorist attack at the Battalion Landing Team Headquarters on October 23, 1983. The American Embassy in Beirut was attacked by terrorist in April of the same year. These acts were a forewarning for what happened to Americans 18 years later on Sept. 11, 2001. Authors Jack Carr and James Scott have done a masterful job of researching these events in Lebanon and memorializing those soldiers whose lives were brutally cut short. The bombings, the rescue and recovery as well as the difficulties in Identification are all eerily reminiscent of 9/11. President Reagans response and actions and inaction afterward are well told. Division at home and abroad concerning the placement of Marines in a nation the size of Connecticut that has had a history of instability and Religious violence is stressed throughout this retelling. This is an emotional read that will inform the reader and will make you angry at the loss of young life. The Epilogue movingly relates the sorrows of those who survived and family members left behind, I found this riveting. In particular a quote from a son who lost his father that day, "every joyful milestone in my life has also been a painful reminder of what I was also missing."(p.330) This whole book is a painful reminder of what occurred in Beirut in 1983 and continues to happen today. This should be required reading in schools to ensure we never forget. Recommended.

As a former Marine, reading this was personal. I knew many of those mentioned. The battle was not just fought in Lebanon, but in the conference rooms in Washington, Jerusalem, and Damascus. That is what I found most interesting and saddening. Marines were political pawns, placed in a no-win situation and restricted in their ability to fight. And in the end, so many died. The real audience for this book should be our policy makers so they understand what happens when you employ our Nation’s warriors and don’t let them fight.