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City of Death

Written by: Ephraim Mattos, Scott McEwen
Narrated by: Ephraim Mattos
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Publisher's Summary

This is the true story of Ephraim Mattos, a former US Navy SEAL, and what he witnessed while volunteering as a frontline combat medic during the historic battle to retake Mosul from ISIS - the deadliest urban combat the world has seen since WWII.

After leaving the US Navy SEAL teams in spring of 2017, Ephraim Mattos, age 24, flew to Iraq to join a small group of volunteer humanitarians known as the Free Burma Rangers, who were working on the front lines of the war on ISIS. Until being shot by ISIS on a suicidal rescue mission, Mattos witnessed unexplainable acts of courage and sacrifice by the Free Burma Rangers, who, while under heavy machine gun and mortar fire, assaulted across ISIS minefields, used themselves as human shields, and sprinted down ISIS-infested streets - all to retrieve wounded civilians.

In City of Death: Humanitarian Warriors in the Battle of Mosul, Mattos recounts in vivid detail what he saw and felt while he and the other Free Burma Rangers evacuated the wounded, conducted rescue missions, and at times fought shoulder-to-shoulder with the Iraqi Army against ISIS. Filled with raw and emotional descriptions of what it's like to come face-to-face with death, this is the harrowing and uplifting true story of a small group of men who risked everything to save the lives of the Iraqi people and who followed the credence, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends".

As the coauthor of the number-one New York Times best-selling American Sniper, Scott McEwen has teamed up with Mattos to help share an unforgettable tale of an American warrior turned humanitarian forced to fight his way into and out of a hell on earth created by ISIS.

©2018 Apollo River, LLC. and Scott McEwen (P)2018 Hachette Audio

What the critics say

"Ephraim Mattos has demonstrated a rare level of public virtue and commitment to humanity. City of Death is a sobering reminder of the challenges we face on this earth, but stories like Ephraim's inspire us to press on. Books detailing the lives of Special Forces heroes are not uncommon these days. However, Ephraim's unique story of combat and sacrifice AFTER leaving the military will leave a lasting impression on the reader." (Tim Ballard, founder and CEO of Operation Underground Railroad)

"In combat it's not about the number of lives you take, it's about the number of lives you save. Ephraim did not only fight the toughest terrorists in the world during the Battle of Mosul, but he also saved numerous innocent Iraqi lives. He is the true definition of an American freedom fighter." (Hamody Jasim, Sgt. Major Iraqi Army (Ret.) and author of The Terrorist Whisperer)

"Ephraim's story is a taut real-life thriller. His vivid and brilliantly reported account of events on the front-lines gives the reader a real dose of reality. He has a unique way of storytelling that makes this book a page-turner." (Rudolph Atallah, lieutenant colonel (ret.), former Africa counterterrorism director, Office of the Secretary of Defense)

What listeners say about City of Death

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True life stories are the best

Everyone needs to listen to Ephraim's story. BTW , I found this audio book thanks to MrBallen on YouTube.

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Fantastic book

Hard to put down! One of the best books I ever read. absolutely fantastic! Two thumbs up!

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So real, feel like a fly on the wall. Hope remains

My husband and I listened together. This is more than just a story of freedom, but also a story riddled with practical wisdom. What stood out to us: The story ends with a challenge to love not hate. Peshmerga...our respect has grown for those who face death, especially for others. Greater love hath no man than this, than a man lay down his life for another.

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Inspirational

The most beautiful life story about the most beautiful people with the most beautiful hearts. FBR are a true inspiration.

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Tear jerker if you feel for the Iraqi regulars.

Book had me tearing up thinking bout how the Iraqi people have endured so much. Great description of a horrible experience.

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