Lions of Kandahar: The Story of a Fight Against All Odds

( 63 )

Overview

One of the most critical battles of the Afghan War is now revealed as never before. Lions of Kandahar is an inside account by an unparalleled warrior, the only active-duty U.S. Army Special Forces soldier ever permitted to write, publish, and promote a book with full Army and Special Operations support.

Southern Afghanistan was slipping away. That was clear to then-Captain Rusty Bradley as he began his third tour of duty there in 2006. The Taliban and their allies were ...

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Lions of Kandahar: The Story of a Fight Against All Odds

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Overview

One of the most critical battles of the Afghan War is now revealed as never before. Lions of Kandahar is an inside account by an unparalleled warrior, the only active-duty U.S. Army Special Forces soldier ever permitted to write, publish, and promote a book with full Army and Special Operations support.

Southern Afghanistan was slipping away. That was clear to then-Captain Rusty Bradley as he began his third tour of duty there in 2006. The Taliban and their allies were infiltrating everywhere, poised to reclaim Kandahar Province, their strategically vital onetime capital. To stop them, the NATO coalition launched Operation Medusa, the largest offensive in its history. The battlefield was the Panjwayi Valley, a densely packed warren of walled compounds that doubled neatly as enemy bunkers, lush orchards, and towering marijuana stands, all laced with treacherous irrigation ditches. A mass exodus of civilians heralded the carnage to come.

Dispatched as a diversionary force in support of the main coalition attack, Bradley’s Special Forces A-team and two others, along with their longtime Afghan Army allies, watched from across the valley as the NATO force was quickly engulfed in a vicious counterattack. Key to relieving it and calling in effective air strikes was possession of a modest patch of high ground called Sperwan Ghar. Bradley’s small detachment assaulted the hill and, in the midst of a savage and unforgettable firefight, soon learned they were facing nearly a thousand seasoned fighters—from whom they seized an impossible victory.

Now Bradley recounts the whole remarkable story as it actually happened. The blistering trek across Afghanistan’s infamous Red Desert. The eerie traces of the elusive Taliban. The close relations with the Afghan people and army, a primary mission focus. Sperwan Ghar itself: unremitting waves of fire from machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades; a targeted truck turned into an inferno; the death trap of a cut-off compound. Most important: the men, Americans and Afghans alike—the “shaky” medic with nerves of steel and a surgeon’s hands in battle; the tireless sergeant who seems to be everywhere at once; the soft-spoken intelligence officer with laser-sharp insight; the diminutive Afghan commander with a Goliath-sized heart; the cool maverick who risks all to rescue a grievously wounded comrade—each unique, all indelible in their everyday exercise of extraordinary heroism.

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Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher
Advance praise for Lions of Kandahar
 
“A powerful and gripping account of a battle that helped shape the war in Afghanistan. But Lions of Kandahar is more than that. Major Rusty Bradley and Kevin Maurer give readers a stirring inside look at the day-to-day operations of a Special Forces team—and what it takes to defeat insurgents hell-bent on regaining control of Afghanistan. With crisp writing and page-turning action, Lions of Kandahar is one of the best books written about the conflict.”—Mitch Weiss, Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative journalist and co-author of the critically acclaimed Tiger Force: A True Story of Men and War
 
“A raw and authentic war story about untamed Green Berets in action. Bradley and Maurer crush it! Mr. President, grab a copy—this is a sure-bet Special Forces exit strategy. Unleash more of these brave lions across Afghanistan and America will win this war.”—Dalton Fury, New York Times bestselling author of Kill Bin Laden: A Delta Force Commander’s Account of the Hunt for the World’s Most Wanted Man
 
"This is a riveting tale, told from the front lines of the secret war against the Taliban. Lions of Kandahar is the definitive account of a modern Special Forces mission—a must-read for anyone hoping to understand the harsh realities of the Afghan conflict."—David Zucchino, Pulitzer-Prize-winning journalist and author of Thunder Run: The Armored Strike to Capture Baghdad

“I have read this book three times and I am still chilled to the bone with every word. In Lions of Kandahar you will be riveted by the unabridged action of our real-life military heroes. It took a group of exceptional individuals to accomplish Operation Medusa. We as a nation can only pray we have half the guts and fortitude given selflessly every day on our behalf by the Army Special Forces.”—Marshall R. Teague, actor; U.S. Navy (ret.)
 
“The war in Afghanistan is made for Special Forces, but very little has been written about these soldiers since the initial attack on Afghanistan in 2001. Bradley and Maurer do a great job of showing how these elite units fight and why they are so important to the battle against the Taliban. Lions of Kandahar is a gripping, moving, and well-told war story.”—Greg Jaffe, Washington Post reporter and co-author of The Fourth Star: Four Generals and the Epic Struggle for the Future of the United States Army

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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780553807578
  • Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
  • Publication date: 6/28/2011
  • Pages: 304
  • Sales rank: 31697
  • Product dimensions: 9.28 (w) x 6.38 (h) x 1.04 (d)

Meet the Author

Rusty Bradley

Major Rusty Bradley was wounded during the Battle of Sperwan Ghar in command of a Special Forces A-team, on his third combat tour as a Special Forces team leader. A native of North Carolina, he graduated from Mars Hill College and enlisted in the Army in 1993, serving as an infantryman for six years before earning his commission from Officer Candidate School in 1999.
                                      
Kevin Maurer has been embedded as a reporter with the U.S. Special Forces and 82nd Airborne Division in Afghanistan and Iraq more than a dozen times in the last five years.

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Table of Contents

Glossary ix

Author's Note xi

Chapter 1 First Contact 3

Chapter 2 That Sewer Smell 7

Chapter 3 Picking a Fight 23

Chapter 4 Welcome Back 29

Chapter 5 Bingo Red One 42

Chapter 6 Operation Medusa 63

Chapter 7 Rat Lines 81

Chapter 8 A Cat-And-Mouse Game 94

Chapter 9 The Red Sands 104

Chapter 10 The Notebook 115

Chapter 11 The Voice of an Angel and Death 131

Chapter 12 "Shoot into the Bushes, Daddy!" 144

Chapter 13 Black on Ammo 155

Chapter 14 Seven Two-Thousand-Pounders 171

Chapter 15 Put Your Mouthpiece In 182

Chapter 16 Friends for Life 191

Chapter 17 "These Jokers Just Don't Give Up!" 205

Chapter 18 Holding On at all Costs 219

Chapter 19 Today Is Not Your Day 229

Chapter 20 A World of Hurt 239

Chapter 21 The Dragon's Back 248

Chapter 22 Firebase Sperwan Ghar 259

Epilogue 271

Acknowledgments 277

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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 63 )
Rating Distribution

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(41)

4 Star

(13)

3 Star

(4)

2 Star

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 63 Customer Reviews
  • Anonymous

    Posted Sat Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2011

    awsome,what a patiot is at heart

    the book is spellbinging, leaves you wanting more, puts a lump in your throat and tear in the eye. makes you want to thank a vet. every chance you get. they pay a high price.

    4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Mon Jul 25 00:00:00 EDT 2011

    Highly Recommended

    I was stationed in Kandahar 07-08 as the Senior Police Mentor and had one of my PMTs (Police Mentoring teams) at both Masem Ghar and Sperwan Ghar. I got bits and pieces of how 3rd Group had taken control in Panjwaji. I have stood on top of Sperwan Ghar and understood its tactical significance. It brought together the pieces of the puzzle I did not understand. Additionally, I share the Author's frustration with both NATO forces and particularly the Canadians. I could not put the book down. A great story of guts and personal bravery by the SF teams in the fight. My hat is off to my brothers of 3rd SFG! We did many ops with both 3rd and 7th Groups in my tour. I learned volumes from both of those groups of professionals. This book continued my Education, thanks Gentlemen!

    Tom Ritz COL US Army (Ret)

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Fri Nov 30 00:00:00 EST 2012

    Real as it gets

    Rust Bradley lived though hell and wrote a book about it. The story is impressive. What a handfull of well trained, dedicated soldiers can do against great odds is compeling reading. I am much impressed with Rusty and his men. Thank God we have such men in our military. Thank you for your service Rusty and that of your men as well.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Mon Feb 11 00:00:00 EST 2013

    A must read about the amazing soldiers in our military special f

    A must read about the amazing soldiers in our military special forces and what they give for freedom. It makes one wish I could turn back time and still be in the military and serve with such great men as these. It would be an honor to be around such professional soldiers . God bless them and their families.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Thu Feb 07 00:00:00 EST 2013

    Simply a great first-hand account of combat operations in Afghan

    Simply a great first-hand account of combat operations in Afghanistan; the difficulties faced due to the enemy, coordination, and command. It just tells of what happened during the operation and what the Major was thinking. A must read military memoir.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Fri Oct 19 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Great book!

    This is one of the best books that I have ever read. The author tells the story so well that you feel that you're right there with his team.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Tue Jul 17 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Very engaging

    An excellent book which flows very well. It is about one specific week or so period and the action is rapid fire. Nice coverage of the SF team on the ground and some on the Afghan forces. Could have had more on them but not a real issue. Enjoyed and marveled at what transpired during this engagement.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Wed May 02 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Read

    These men showed bravery and unconditional love to each other. I read "Outlaw Platoon" prior to this book. Two different authors with two different styles of writing. The latter book brought you so close to the soldiers you felt you were right beside them. This author approached the story differently and I struggled at first reading the story. I am glad that my determination to finish won. Wonderful story and worth reading.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sat Apr 14 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    True bonding

    Many military books have allowed a deep rapport with the ones actually going through the daily turmoil of trying to stay alive but this book puts one in the humvee!

    I was sad to close the book at the end knowing I would no longer be with the guys!!

    Jdl

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Thu Mar 29 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Excellent coverage of US Army Special Forces in 2006

    What a great story about our brave Army SF and air support troops 5 years after 9/11. This is a page burner and lets the rest of us get some feeling of what our SF troops do.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sat Mar 24 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Absolutely Amazing!

    The true story of the men, machines, and burning desire for victory in the face of a relentless enemy. I felt like I was right there in the action during this play by play account of a battle that took place in Afghanistan. A truly blood pumping experience.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sat Mar 03 00:00:00 EST 2012

    Highly recommend for interested readers

    Very clear writing about complicated and often fast moving circumstances. The opposition is much more numerous, and better organized and equiped than is usually described in this conflict. I was unaware of this mission, or for that matter, any similar ones: so perhaps I am not as well informed as some readers. This is a fine book, and I recommend it highly.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Wed Jan 18 00:00:00 EST 2012

    Great war memoir

    As someone who has read 100s of books about modern US Warfare, Spec Ops, and the GWOT, this book is in the top 5 in my opinion. The writing is superbly metivulous but does not get bogged down in trivial details or confuse newbies with military jargon. The love he has for his men comes through the story clearly and you come away with a greater understanding of the warrior spirit. Muat read for anyone interested in the Afghan war or SpecOps.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Wed Sep 07 00:00:00 EDT 2011

    Couldn't put it down.

    Very well written. Auther doesn't wonder off subject like several books I've read that recount military operations. You get to know most of the participants and feel the pain of their loss. Oddly enough one of the operators that is described in this book sounds like some one I know haha. Either a coincidence, or it's a smaller world than I thought.

    Anyway if you're looking for a book that brings out the horrible circumstances our military elite face on a routine basis and an insight to the stubborn and deadly determination in which they bring to the battlefield then look no further. This is the book for you. You'll find that not only were our SOF boys heroic in their defiance of an overwhelming enemy, but so were the Afghan soldiers who were under their command and care.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Mon Jan 27 00:00:00 EST 2014

    Amazing first-hand account - compelling read

    This is a most incredible account, in the words of the men that were there, of a protracted battle against the Taliban for control of a vital region in Afghanistan. The incidents felt very real in the spare narrative style that brings the reader as close to the conflict as possible. Smells, sounds and feelings all come across with a clarity that only the participants of combat could offer. The story of the Special Forces troops and the relationship they shared with their Afghanistan Army allies is a case study in the best way Special Forces perform. Their bravery and sacrifice are only to be admired and cherished by our country.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sat Jul 27 00:00:00 EDT 2013

    Loved It!

    This book was pretty decently written. Although, I feel that it was a little self-serving at times, the historical accounts of the battles fought is pretty accurate. I've operated in correlating areas in which this book encompasses and I found it to be pretty accurate. Great read!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Tue Oct 30 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Average.

    I get the impression that alot of the story has been left out for OPSEC purposes. Frustrating, but an easy read.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sat Apr 07 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Highly Recommended

    I could not put the book down - I was so intrigued by it. Everyone should read it.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sat Mar 31 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Excellent t te


    A realiss

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Sat Jan 21 00:00:00 EST 2012

    Great read!

    Action packed read throughout about our nation best by one of our nations best!

    0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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