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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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Best book I’ve read all year. This is a must read as are all of Annie’s books

Amazing

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Shows that the real enemy is not the biometric capture but humans with agendas.

Great book on biometric capture.

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A fascinating telling of the use of biometrics and tracking and where it may lead. A big part of the story is telling about a platoon in Afghanistan and what happened to them. At times it was a little confusing going over the names and different narratives, but still a fascinating story. The reality of the troops on the ground and the big picture of rule of law and top down command is clearly different in many important ways. You feel for the plight of the troops, the locals totally unaware of what is try to be done to them and the many ways tracking and surveillance can fail.

Fascinating insights

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