Michael Hastings to Discuss Afghanistan Book "The Operators"

Book author and Rolling Stone contributing editor Michael Hastings will speak about his newest book “The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America’s War in Afghanistan,” at the Toms River library branch Saturday, March 31 at 2 p.m.  

The Friends of the Toms River Library Branch will sponsor the program.

Hastings is a contributing editor at Rolling Stone where he regularly covers international affairs, including the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya, for the magazine.

In 2010 he was named one of The Huffington Post’s “Game Changers of the Year.” He received the George Polk Award in journalism for his Rolling Stone story, “The Runaway General.”  That article is often cited as the catalyst that prompted General Stanley McChrystal’s resignation as commander of all U.S. and NATO forces June 23, 2010.

McChrystal was replaced by General David Petraeus.

A 2011 inspector general report from the Pentagon cleared McChrystal of any misconduct. Rolling Stone’s executive editor Eric Bates said Hastings’ article was accurate in every detail.

Hastings spoke at the Toms River branch when his first book, “I Lost My Love in Baghdad: A Modern War Story,” was released in 2008.

Hastings’ GQ story “Obama’s War” was selected for Best American Political Writing in 2009.

Hastings’ articles have also appeared in several prominent national publications, including Newsweek, Men’s Journal, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, Slate, Salon, Foreign Policy, The Daily Beast and Huffington Post.

This program is free and open to the public.  For more information visit the library’s website  at www.theoceancountylibrary.org