The Finish: The Killing of Osama bin Laden

Mark Bowden's account of the manhunt for Osama bin Laden draws on access to key sources to document the behind-the-scenes story of his killing. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, bin Laden disappeared for a decade. During this period, the U.S. military developed a new tactical approach to fighting al Qaeda, integrating intelligence from multiple agencies with special operations forces. Following thousands of missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, this strategy evolved into an effective tool for pursuing bin Laden. By spring 2011, intelligence identified a compound in Abbottabad with an estimated 50/50 chance that bin Laden was present. Bowden describes three options considered: a drone strike, precision bombing, or a Navy SEAL assault. He documents the decision-making process through interviews with President Obama and other officials, showing how the president ultimately chose the course of action that led to the operation's conclusion.