The Operators (book)

For the film adaptation, see War Machine (film).
The Operators
AuthorMichael Hastings
SubjectWar in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
GenreMilitary History
PublisherBlue Rider Press
Publication date
2012
Pages417 pages
ISBN0399159886
OCLC769821482
Websitemichaelhastings.com

The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America's War in Afghanistan is a 2012 non-fiction book by American journalist Michael Hastings. The book was adapted into the fictionalized film War Machine (2017).

Plot

The Operators is a book that details the author's travels with General Stanley McChrystal and his team in April 2010. It includes extensive quotations from over 20 hours of audio recordings of McChrystal and his inner circle.

Critical reception

The Daily Beast called it a "book of great consequence...The Operators seems destined to join the pantheon of Global War on Terror (GWOT) literature".[1] Conversely, in The Wall Street Journal, reviewer Mark Moyar slammed the book, stating: "In contrast to many of the other correspondents covering Afghanistan, Mr. Hastings has not invested the effort required to comprehend the war's complexities."[2] However, the Journal failed to disclose that Mark Moyar was a consultant for the U.S. military, who worked for General Petraeus and General Caldwell.[3] The book became a New York Times bestseller.[4]

Film adaptation

Main article: War Machine (film)

On 14 April 2014, it was announced that David Michôd would write and direct The Operators, which was subsequently retitled War Machine. The 2017 film was jointly produced by Plan B Entertainment, New Regency, Netflix, and RatPac Entertainment, and starred Brad Pitt.[5][6]

References

  1. ^ Gallagher, Matt (January 17, 2012). "The Operators by Michael Hastings (Review)". Daily Beast. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  2. ^ Moyar, Mark (5 January 2012). "Antiwar Reporting". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  3. ^ "Q&A with Michael Hastings | C-SPAN.org".
  4. ^ Taylor, Ihsan (2012). "Best Sellers". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-06-19.
  5. ^ "'Animal Kingdom' Filmmaker Boards Brad Pitt's Adaptation of Michael Hastings' 'The Operator'". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  6. ^ "David Michod to Direct, Write Brad Pitt's 'The Operators'". Variety. Retrieved 12 April 2014.