Targeted: Beirut

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

Oct 23, 2024

∙ Paid

Cover of Targeted: Beirut by Jack Carr features a dramatic silhouette of a soldier in tactical gear against a war-torn Beirut cityscape. The title 'Targeted: Beirut' is prominently displayed in bold white text, emphasizing the high-stakes military thriller theme. The dark, gritty background adds intensity, drawing attention to the author's name, 'Jack Carr,' positioned at the bottom. This cover image reflects themes of warfare, strategy, and conflict central to the book.

Targeted: Beirut authored by Jack Carr and James M. Scott, provides a full and insightful story of the American experience in Beirut in 1983 leading up to and after the devastating truck bomb attack on the Marine Barracks on October 23 at 0621 AM. In the largest non-nuclear explosion at the time ever recorded, this tragic event claimed 241 lives in an instant, and continues to reverberate today, influencing those affected, shaping foreign policy, and altering our understanding of the evolving character of war.

The authors present a vivid, meticulously researched narrative that brings to life the real experiences of the Marines amidst the complex, multi-layered story of the U.S. military's involvement in Lebanon. They illuminate not only the personal stories of those who were there, but in parallel, paint the landscape of the fragmented Lebanese society and the intense internal cabinet disagreements within the Reagan administration over how to broker peace and protect military forces. …

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