13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi by Mitchell Zuckoff with Members of the Annex Security Team, 2014

My interest in this book was spurred on by the television series Homeland, and the book proved to be more tension filled and suspenseful than any Homeland episode, which is saying a lot!

The true story of six American heroes and bad-asses, 13 Hours recounts the night a State Department compound was attacked in the increasingly unsteady city of Benghazi.

The story center around the CIA Annex Security Team, made up of former military professionals hired out as contractors: Dave "D.B." Benton, Mark "Oz" Geist, Kris "Tanto" Paronto, Jack Silva, John "Tig" Tiegen, and Tyrone "Rone" Woods.

Outnumbered and possibly outgunned, these men are brave and eager to rush to the assistance of State Department personnel, including Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens, whose compound comes under attack by a Libyan mob.

Descriptions of Benghazi, with its militia rule and everyday presence of Technicals, trucks with rocket launchers hitched to the back, paint a bleak picture.

The Annex Security team describe how they blend in despite standing out as Americans, constantly remain vigilant and risk their lives to save others.  Like anyone else, these men fear for their lives and think of their families, but their bravery and strength make them true heros.

The overnight battle at the CIA Annex on September 11, 2012 makes for real page-turner material.  Not just for me, but also for my husband, who was just as enthralled with the book.