Greetings!

Libya was the place where you needed to worry about the young men who ogled a woman in the street and you had to worry about those who didn't! -

Fred Burton and Samuel Katz' stunning new book is an account of the attack against the U.S. diplomatic and intelligence outpost in Benghazi, Libya. Like most desperate battles one could detect the oncoming storm. Not unlike the Alamo 175 years ago, there was overwhelming evidence those in the skeleton garrison were in harm's way. Back home, the right people weren't listening.

On the night of 11 September, 2012, the American diplomatic mission came under a ferocious attack by a heavily armed and well-drilled cadre of Islamic terrorists. The prolonged fight in-scale was oddly reminiscent of the Alamo; a handful of Americans standing ground against overwhelming odds. The firefight and the ensuing attack hours later on a nearby CIA outpost ended in tragedy. Four Americans were dead including the American ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens, Information Officer Sean Smith, and two former Navy Seals, Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty. The American contingent fought and maneuvered brilliantly and as with most desperate battles, the outnumbered held out hope help would arrive. In Benghazi it never came. Over the chaotic hours, the Americans fought brilliantly against the impossible odds of numbers and munitions. By the early hours of 12 September, four Americans' last stand was over...

After the fall of Qaddafi Benghazi was transformed into a backdrop for fundamentalist fervor that included a den of spies from the African Continent worthy of a Humphrey Bogart movie, minus the romance. Benghazi became the apex of terrorist groups strategically positioned in the violent currents of the "Arab Spring." Choosing the eleventh anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in New York this group of imminently determined and heavily armed Islamic terrorists would give no quarter, their armaments aimed at the U.S. Diplomatic compound.

In Burton and Katz' account through exclusive cooperation of eyewitnesses and confidential intelligence sources, the authors reveal for the first time the terrifying twelve hour siege. Like Travis at the Alamo or Custer at the Little Big Horn Americans fought bravely but they couldn't hold. Ambassador Stevens and his contingent were lost to overwhelming force and the failure of the U.S. to liberate their fatal encampment at Benghazi.

Curiously unlike past American military and diplomatic defeats until now little has surfaced by way of the U.S. State Department or military intelligence. Burton and Katz brightly illuminate this seemingly unnecessary defeat suffered during the violent anarchic rebellion. Their book Under Fire is an inspiring testament to the uncommon valor and selflessness of the men and women who put country-first while serving in one of the world's most violent regions in history.

In battle Americans have always given a good account of intrepid U.S. commitment to stand fast, believe in a greater good, and die for it if the circumstances offer no way out. Regardless of your views; military, political, or simply an observer of history, take a moment to honor the four men who gave their "today" for our tomorrow.

Sincerely,