My Share of the Task: A Memoir

General Stanley McChrystal

Jan 2013 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

"General McChrystal is a legendary warrior with a fine eye for enduring lessons about leadership, courage, and consequence." —Tom Brokaw

General Stanley McChrystal is widely admired for his hunger to know the truth, his courage to find it, and his humility to listen to those around him. Even as the commanding officer of all U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan, he stationed himself forward and frequently went on patrols with his troops to experience their challenges firsthand. In this illuminating New York Times bestseller, McChrystal frankly explores the major episodes and controversies of his career. He describes the many outstanding leaders he served with and the handful of bad leaders he learned not to emulate. And he paints a vivid portrait of how the military establishment turned itself, in one generation, into the adaptive, resilient force that would soon be tested in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the wider War on Terror.

"A compelling account of his impressive career." -The Wall Street Journal '

"This is a brilliant book about leadership wrapped inside a fascinating personal narrative." -Walter Isaacson, author of Steve Jobs

Stanley McChrystal retired in July 2010 as a four-star general in the U.S. Army. His last assignment was as the commander of the International Security Assistance Force and as the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. He is currently a senior fellow at Yale University's Jackson Institute for Global Affairs and cofounder of the McChrystal Group, a leadership consulting firm. He and his wife, Annie, live in Virginia.

Ratings and reviews

I am former military, but not in the US armed forces. I heard about Gen McChrystal's leadership qualities before, so I wanted to learn his insights. Overall, I found the book to be an interesting and humble account. I appreciated the tough decisions that the General had to make and the strategic considerations involved in the operations within both Iraq and Afghanistan. Ultimately, I truly respect Gen McChrystal for his humility and personal mastery. I did learn about being a better person from this book, specifically in the areas of loyalty, steadfastness and motivating others. I very glad that I invested the time in reading this autobiography.

Calling this man a war criminal is ridiculously stupid! Obama and Biden are the criminals you moron.

Rarely do I struggle to finish a book. I find my leadership style to be a complete opposite of the author.

About the author

Stanley McChrystal retired in July 2010 as a four-star general in the U.S. Army. His last assignment was as the commander of the International Security Assistance Force and as the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. He is currently a senior fellow at Yale University's Jackson Institute for Global Affairs and cofounder of the McChrystal Group, a leadership consulting firm. He and his wife, Annie, live in Virginia.