First Platoon cover art

First Platoon

A Story of Modern War in the Age of Identity Dominance

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First Platoon

By: Annie Jacobsen
Narrated by: Annie Jacobsen
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About this listen

 From the author of NUCLEAR WAR: A SCENARIO, a powerful story of war in our time, love of country, the experience of tragedy, and a platoon at the center of it all.

This story might sound familiar at first: it is about a platoon of mostly nineteen-year-old boys sent to Afghanistan, and an experience that will change all their lives. But their part of the story folds into the next: linked to those soldiers and never comprehensively reported before is the U.S. Department of Defense’s quest to build the world’s most powerful biometrics database, with the ability to identify, monitor, catalog, and police people all over the world.

First Platoon is an American saga of technology and war that illuminates a transformation of society. It is about identity in the age of identification. About humanity in the age of biometrics, iris scans, fingerprint scans, voice patterning, detection by odor, gait, and more. And about the power of point of view in a burgeoning surveillance state.

Based on hundreds of formerly classified documents, FOIA requests, and exclusive interviews, First Platoon is an investigative exposé by a master chronicler of government secrets. First Platoon reveals a post–9/11 Pentagon whose identification machines have grown more capable than the humans who must make sense of them. A Pentagon so powerful it can cover up its own internal mistakes in pursuit of endless wars. And a people at its mercy, in its last moments before a fundamental change so complete it might be impossible to take back. Military Military Science Politics & Government Social Sciences War & Crisis War Surveillance Middle East Inspiring Veteran

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All stars
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Another great book by Annie, I have many of her books and this one doesn’t disappoint.

Fantastic book

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The story is gripping, heartbreaking and sobering. My condolences to bereaved and injured. Shame on those who disgrace their memory and efforts to do the "right thing". My thanks to Ms Jacobson for her hard work. diligence and masterful skills in writing and oration.

brilliantly researched

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Superbly researched. Well done Annie Jacobsen. An exposé of the perfidy of the direction the world is going and its conclusion is obvious. The egregious abuse of data resulting in a pardon for an obvious psychopath is disturbing. Thank you for writing this book.

A Must Read

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I really liked the story. Good history of biometrics and it's use in the GWOT. As usual Jacobsen tells it her way with facts and figures.

I enjoyed this title. Interesting chapter of GWOT.

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Another detail packed book from this author. Annie presents an interesting look at how modern warfare is fought with identity at is forefront. It’s quite an eye opener when you hear that the surveillance techniques used by the military are now being adopted by law enforcement and the possibility for misuse or incorrect analyses of data. Another chip away at our privacy laws, which seem to be eroded every year under the guise of national security. Read expertly by the author at an easy to listen pace. I recommend all the books from this author if military history and warfare are of interest to you.

Another detail packed book

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