My Share of the Task

by Gen. Stanley McChrystal
My Share of the Task cover
Good Books rating 3.83
Technical
  • ID: 2077
  • Added: 2025-10-11
  • Updated: 2025-10-11
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
COVE · 2025-10-11
insightful 4.00

They praised the book for its humility and self-critique, finding it thought-provoking and filled with poignant examples.

The reviewer was impressed by the book's surprising humility and the author's willingness to engage in meaningful self-critique. They found the memoir thought-provoking and filled with poignant examples of both successful and challenging moments in McChrystal's career. The reviewer appreciated the depth of reflection and the honest portrayal of leadership experiences, which made the book a valuable read. The insights provided were seen as particularly enlightening, offering a unique perspective on military leadership and decision-making.

Quick quotes

    It will make you think as it is surprisingly humble and doesn't shy away from meaningful self-critique.

    It is filled with poignant examples of both successful and challenging moments.

    The insights provided were seen as particularly enlightening.

Musings on Iraq · 2023-05-10
mixed 3.00

They found the account of hunting down Zarqawi the most compelling part of the book. The sections on Afghanistan were also notable but the book overall was a mixed bag.

The reviewer found General McChrystal's memoir to be a mixed bag, with some parts standing out more than others. The account of hunting down Zarqawi was particularly gripping and well-detailed, making it the most interesting section. The sections on Afghanistan were also notable for their insights, but the book as a whole didn't consistently maintain this high level of engagement. The reviewer appreciated the candidness and the detailed narratives but felt that the book could have benefited from a more consistent tone and depth throughout.

Quick quotes

    General McChrystal's book is a mixed bag.

    His account of hunting down Zarqawi is the most interesting part.

    His time in Afghanistan gives an interesting perspective.

The Wall Street Journal · 2013-01-06
thoughtful 4.50

They highlighted the book as more thoughtful and better crafted than typical military memoirs, praising its clarity and depth.

The reviewer noted that 'My Share of the Task' stands out among military memoirs for its thoughtful and well-crafted narrative. They appreciated the lucidity and depth of McChrystal's writing, which provided a clear and insightful look into his career. The reviewer found the book to be better crafted than most in the genre, with a thoughtful approach to storytelling that made it engaging and informative. The memoir was praised for its ability to convey complex military experiences in a way that is accessible and thought-provoking.

Quick quotes

    "My Share of the Task" by Stanley McChrystal follows this general outline, but it is considerably more thoughtful and better crafted than most.

    It is considerably more thoughtful and better crafted than most.

    Lucid, thoughtful, and steeped in military and leadership insights.

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