Not a Good Day to Die: The Untold Story of Operation Anaconda

Average customer rating:

Well researched, good book.

Very Good But Flawed

Great companion to "Roberts Ridge"

Good, Yet Too Detailed Read For Most Readers

Save yourself

Not a Good Day to Die: The Untold Story of Operation Anaconda
Sean Naylor
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Roberts Ridge: A Story of Courage and Sacrifice on Takur Ghar Mountain, Afghanistan

First In: An Insider's Account of How the CIA Spearheaded the War on Terror in Afghanistan

No True Glory: A Frontline Account of the Battle for Fallujah

Jawbreaker: The Attack on Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda: A Personal Account by the CIA's Key Field Commander

Generation Kill

ASIN: B000HT2OWQ

Book Description

In this New York Times bestseller, award-winning combat reporter Sean Naylor reveals how close American forces came to disaster in Afghanistan against Al Qaida-after easily defeating the ragtag Taliban that had sheltered the terrorist organization behind the 9/11 attacks.

At dawn on March 2, 2002, over 200 soldiers of the 101st Airborne and 10th Mountain Divisions flew into the mouth of a buzz saw in the Shahikot Valley. Believing the war all but over, U.S. military leaders refused to commit the troops and materiel required to fight the war's biggest battle-a missed opportunity to crush hundreds of Al Qaida's fighters and some of its most senior leaders. Eyewitness Naylor vividly portrays the heroism of the young, untested soldiers unprepared for the ferocious enemy they fought; the mistakes that led to a hellish mountaintop firefight; and how thirteen American commandos embodied "Patton's three principles of war"-audacity, audacity and audacity-by creeping unseen over frozen mountains into the heart of an enemy stronghold to prevent a U.S. military catastrophe.

Customer Reviews:

Well researched, good book........2007-10-03

Hard to follow all of the characters, and the author or his sources have an obvious bias against the Navy SEAL teams, but very interesting and educational read.

Very Good But Flawed.......2007-08-05

Many people have reviewed this book on this site so I'll just focus on a few key points. First, as many have commented, this book delves into the force structure details to a great extent. However, these details set the context for the problems the operation later encountered. I also read Robert's Ridge right after this book and it clearly lacks that context that would elevate it from the equivalent of an action movie.

The book appears to be thorough and meticulously researched. It covers the subject well.

The biggest flaw, in my view, is that the author felt entitled to engage in judgment throughout the book. He particularly makes sweeping, one-sided judgments about the people involved, their competence and their motivations, and sometimes seems to slant his reporting to support his judgments. Much, if not most of the time, there is little or no support provided for these judgments, good or bad.

He is overly harsh with respect to the SEALs. Some of them made mistakes no doubt but the reader can decide that for him or herself based upon a fair presentation of the facts. For example, he clearly leads the reader to judge the actions of a SEAL nicknamed Slab. Robert's Ridge offers details about Slab's decisions that may not completely counter balance the negative judgments but certainly provide a more complete picture of his decisions.

I found one particularly galling example to be the case of John Chapman, the combat controller who died when he went back with the SEAL team to rescue Neil Roberts. The author suggests that he was still alive when the SEAL team abandoned the ridge, thereby leaving him to fend for himself against overwhelming numbers. The author mentions that an official investigation concluded Chapman probably died before the SEAL team left him but he seems to steer the reader to the conclusion that the investigation must have been a white wash.

In fact, it wasn't until I read Roberts Ridge, and the accompanying notes, that I found out there was credible evidence suggesting that Chapman probably died immediately from his wounds and, if correct, could not have occupied a bunker to fight on. Of course, there is evidence to the contrary and unfortunately we'll never know. That's where the readers should be left - to form their own conclusions.

My other minor quibbles are that more and better maps collected in one section are needed, more pictures of the individuals would be useful and a timeline would help readers keep track of the many details. Curiously, despite the author's focus on details before the operation began, he provides little in the way of information about the aftermath.

It's really a shame the author approached this topic the way he did because the topic is fascinating and it's important. There are many lessons to be learned and not only for those planning combat. Still, it's a good book overall and worth reading.

Great companion to "Roberts Ridge".......2007-07-11

There's not much I can say that hasn't been spelled out in the 80+ reviews before mine, but I'll add my 2 cents nonetheless. Naylor's account, as many have indicated, IS a pretty heavy on minute details, but that's not a bad thing in and of itself. The problem I had was following the incredible number of names and ranks that were spit out that were NOT on the battlefield. It's not all that difficult to follow the major players in the story, but some of the background people are really hard to track. I also need to echo the reviews that point out that Naylor was seemingly overly harsh on the SEALs involved. While this isn't so apparent in the beginning, and he does have some kind things to say about a few SEAL operators, once the story progresses to the Takur Ghar section he seems to have a real axe to grind with the Navy and I think his Army loyalty is exposed. Many of the "mistakes" or decisions the SEALs made were no different from ones the Army made earlier in the operation, (Blue on Blue bombing killing U.S. troops, anyone?) but Naylor treats every mis-step in this part of the story as if the mistakes were unique to the Navy. It gets pretty old after a while. Those gripes aside, this was still an excellent read and especially worthwhile if you have read or intend to read "Roberts Ridge". Naylor's book should probably be read first, just because it gives a lot more background for why "Slab's" superiors were so insistent he and his team go when and where they did. Overall highly recommended.

Good, Yet Too Detailed Read For Most Readers.......2007-06-24

I really liked this book for the exact reasons that many others didn't -- the detail. As someone who served in Afghanistan on two occassions, I am less interested in the 'blood and guts' battle scenes and more in the behind-the-scenes stories that go into intelligence and planning. Granted, the story at times gets bogged down in seemingly insignificant details, but I felt the overall pacing was good. The backgrounds and personalities of the individuals portrayed gave a good sense of the men who were fighting, planning, and organizing Operation Anaconda. From what I understand, many people at SOCOM hated this book because of the details provided which means Naylor hit a homerun in getting his facts straight.

Definately not a book for all tastes, but if you like books that focus on the minutia, then this one is for you. For good combat action, read 'Blackhawk Down' or 'Ambush Alley'.

Save yourself.......2007-06-06

I feel like the author should somehow reimburse for the time I wasted on this book. In additon to providing the reader with endless obscure details about every officer in the military NOT involved in the fighting, he actually manages to make the few combat sequences boring! It might read something like this:

"Task force Hammer got shot at by some terrorist guys-they shot back. Meanwhile, back headquarters, command was arguing about whether to use 1" or 0.75" margins on the TPS 145 ZX2 forms. The 1" advocates prevailed."

If you are planning a congressional investigation into Operation Anaconda and want every, single brain-numbing detail, buy this book. If you want the perspective of the soldiers actually fighting, BUY SOMETHING ELSE.

Average customer rating:

come visit this gorgeous land
HIKING THE ANACONDA PINTLER WILDERNESS-

Hiking the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness
Mort Arkava , and Morton L. Arkava
Manufacturer: Mort Arkava
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Sports | Subjects | Books
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Hiking Montana, 3rd: 25th Anniversary Edition (State Hiking Series)

ASIN: 0967751802

Book Description

This book is a comprehensive guide to the trails of the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness of southwestern Montana. 48 hikes are described in detail in addition to sketch maps and photographs. A 60 mile long segment of the Continental Divide Trail traversing the wilderness is featured. A variety of trails are offered including short day hikes and more extended loops and shuttle hikes are available. This is the only book describing the area.

Customer Reviews:

come visit this gorgeous land.......2003-07-06

Mr. Arkava's sense of Montana is overwhelming - like he spent all his life here. As a home-dweller in Montana for 43 years, I can tell you that the moon shines loud, the animals sing to you at night, and the sun beats hard in the summer and retreats mightily in the winter.

There is also the gaze of the old mountains on young hearts (yes, even though my face is full of wrinkles, I still have a very young heart which beats faster with each word I write) and the majestic views of a still young land from the peak.

I admit the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness is even more beautiful than my hometown of Big Timber. I sent this book to three of my four kids to remind them how beautiful this place is (my eldest child, Barbara, still loves her mother and hasn't moved away even though HER three kids have long left).

HIKING THE ANACONDA PINTLER WILDERNESS-.......2000-02-24

Being a hiker and nature lover, I found this title one of the best hiking guide books so far. The author convinced me to try the Anaconda Pintler Wilderness, his detailed description of trails in this wilderness is a first. It ties in well with another book, "The Pintlers, Majestic They Stand", both of history and mountain adventures in the Anaconda Pintler Wilderness over a century ago.

Surviving the Iron Curtain: A Microscopic View of What Life Was Like Inside a War-Torn Region

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A must-read book on surviving in Biafra
Surviving the iron curtain by Chief Uche Jim Ojiaku

Surviving the Iron Curtain: A Microscopic View of What Life Was Like Inside a War-Torn Region
Chief Uche Jim Ojiaku
Manufacturer: PublishAmerica
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | World | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1424170702
Release Date: 2007-03-26

Book Description

The NIGERIA-BIAFRA war started in mid 1967 when a tiny region of Nigeria seceded from Nigeria to become Biafra. With the complete support of the British government, Nigeria instituted a very powerful and effective blockade on Biafra. The only communication that Biafra had with the rest of the world was through the RED CROSS and CARITAS relief flights that were flown into Biafra at nights under heavy attacks from Nigerian forces. Some of the planes were shot down. With no powerful nation backing Biafra, coupled with the blockade and the consequent lack of food and medicine, surviving in Biafra became a matter of improvisements for both Biafran forces and citizens. In an area that was replete with diseases like malaria, typhoid and kwashiorkor, this book explains how the Biafran citizens were able to survive for almost three years until Biafra was defeated in January 1970.

Customer Reviews:

A must-read book on surviving in Biafra.......2007-05-07

Chief Jim Ojiaku has written a fantastic and excellent expose' of the events of the Nigerian civil war from the home perspective. The rendition of his experiences, his free style of writing, enabled him to compress a large volume of facts with eloquence and details, thus, reminding the reader about why 'war is raw'. Chief Ojiaku wrote from the heart--a testament of the originality that would be a point of reference for future writers, hence there were no bibliographical references. The book portrayed how a determined people (Biafrans) courageously persevered over a thirty-month bloody civil war in the face of adversity perpetrated by world super-powers who coerced the international community to look away while they helped the Federal Government of Nigeria in its failed effort to win the war in forty-eight hours, then resorted to blockade and blanket the Biafrans both by sea, air, and land and executed the blood-letting and starvation that led to an eventual surrender to peace in 1970.
Chief Ojiaku indicated that although the battle ended in the war front, the war rages on as people from the Biafran side continue to be marginalized in almost all aspects of Nigerian life--politics, university admissions, road constructions and what have you! This book showed that Chief Jim Ojiaku can successfully make use of good advice. Thanks to his brother in law--Professor Joe Akunna who sincerely advised him to put down his thoughts in black and white.
Surviving the iron curtain exemplified how Biafra was killed in a genocidal civil unrest, but the people refused to die. The planned extermination of the Biafrans from the surface of the earth--how civilians were tortured and starved, the poor state of Biafra, how ill-equipped young people joined the war to save their people, how the Biafrans used improvises to fight valiantly as the Biblical David against Goliath. Chief Uche Jim Ojiaku did not forget the benevolence of the Red Cross and other relief organizations in breaking the iron curtain despite enemy attack. Worst still was the only twenty pounds which Biafrans received from the Nigerian Government who had any bank account in Biafran banks--being the only rehabilitation received since after the war.
Chief Jim Ojiaku deliberately refused to deal with the blame game that characterizes every war. He was right to blame both sides in order to allow the reader to understand his reason for writing the book. Finally Biafra surrendered through the courage and bravery of Colonel Philip Effiong who helped to salvage the human skull that was left of Biafra--in 1970. I strongly recommend this book to all who profess to the Biafran cause-both old and young--a reminder of the indelible scar--that was Biafra.

Surviving the iron curtain by Chief Uche Jim Ojiaku.......2007-04-23

In reading Chief Uche Jim Ojiaku's book I learned a piece of history that needs to be read by everyone and the world needs to remember the horrors of the war between Nigeria and The Republic Of Biafra and a war that tore apart a country.
He tells of one story about his brother Emmanuel who is killed at the front at the young age of 19 and the beautiful touching letter his father writes to his dead son, "An Epitath To Lt. Emmanuel Ojiaku."

This letter is heart breaking and no one would forget reading it. He writes very lovingly about his mother, father, brothers and sisters and especially about his love for his people. He brings forth in his book many beautiful photographs and diagrams on the many foods in his region and explains in great detail on each food and how they're prepared.

This book is a must read. Jim brings forth the great love he has for his people, his family and most of all his great country.

I give Chief Uche Jim Ojiaku five stars ***** for a book well written.

Joseph Frank Baraba

Average customer rating:

Buried gold and anacondas
Rolf Blomberg
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B00005XART

Average customer rating:

A must for Angela Fans

Angela Anaconda: My Notebook
Kent Redeker , and Barry Goldberg
Manufacturer: Simon Spotlight
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Humorous | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Popular Culture | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Picture Books | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Being a Teen | Social Issues | Teens | Subjects | Books
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Angela Anaconda - See You When You See Me Vol 1

ASIN: 0689839952

Book Description

Hello to everyone! My name is Angela Anaconda and I've written a book about me, on account of my best friend Gina Lash saying that I should write about all the exciting things that happen to me.

In this book is everything you need to know about almost everybody I know, like my friend Johnny Abatti (who is pretty okay, for a boy); my dog, King; Mrs. Brinks, my fourth-grade teacher who wears a wig; my family; and Nanette not-French Manoir, the prissy princess of Tapwater Springs, where we live.

So turn the book over, and let's begin!

Customer Reviews:

A must for Angela Fans.......2001-03-07

If you love the "Angela Anaconda" TV series, then this is the book for you. I used to read the Digimon books - but this one's much funnier. I laughed so hard I broke all my furniture. Well, not really. But you get the idea. So what are you waiting for? BUY THIS BOOK!

Average customer rating:

Anacondas (World's Largest Snakes)
Valerie J. Weber
Manufacturer: Gareth Stevens Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

Zoology | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0836836537

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Anacondas (Naturebooks)
Mary Ann McDonald
Manufacturer: Child's World Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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Anaconda y Otros Cuentos de la Selva
Horacio Quiroga
Manufacturer: Vicens Vives
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Short Story Collections | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Infantil y juvenil | Libros en español | Formats | Books

No ficción | Infantil y juvenil | Libros en español | Formats | Books

Cuentos de Amor de Locura y de Muerte

ASIN: 8431660058

Tales of Giant Snakes: A Historical Natural History of Anacondas and Pythons

Average customer rating:

This book is cool.
A delightful debunking of the myths about the biggest snakes
The Facts and Nothing But the Facts

Tales of Giant Snakes: A Historical Natural History of Anacondas and Pythons
John C. Murphy , and Robert W. Henderson
Manufacturer: Krieger Pub. Co.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0894649957

Book Description

Tales of Giant Snakes, examines the natural history of four species of snakes known to exceed 20 feet in length. Based on the writings of explorers, missionaries, scientists, and adventurers over the past 200 years, the authors have pieced together exciting and informative glimpses into the lives of these legless giants. Included are chapters on where they are found (often around human habitations), what they eat (includes crocodiles, deer, and cows), how big do they really get (a controversial subject), attacks on humans (rare), exploitation by humans for their skins, and conservation. The book is illustrated with photos, historical lithographs, maps, and graphs.

Customer Reviews:

This book is cool........1999-10-19

this book is cool, i also know the guy, he works at the high schoo

A delightful debunking of the myths about the biggest snakes.......1999-07-13

Hollywood has not been kind to the long constrictor. In its view, they drop out of trees or rise up out of rivers, big as buses and determined to squeeze the guts out of that hapless human being who has wandered within reach of their treacherous or lecherous (depending upon the sex of the victim) coils. Though big snakes have, in fact, never been much interested in people, people have always been fascinated by them. Sensational stories of villagers squashed and gobbled up by monstrous serpents fill the accounts of explorers and early "naturalists." For all the satisfying fear they engender in far removed readers, such stories do the snakes injustice and divert attention from their remarkable morphology and living habits. These authors are scientists, but they are also literate and obviously snake enthusiasts. So while they stick to the facts, they write clearly and engagingly in defense of remarkable animals who, when it comes to encounters with humans, are much more sinned against than sinning. There are chapters about feeding and breeding of course. But there is also a serious review of the extraordinary stories that impute lengths of sixty or more feet to anacondas and pythons. By the time the myths have been detonated, the terrified lay reader is ready for an honest answer to the question, "How long can a snake grow?" Read the book to find out. But I will say it is longer than some buses.

The Facts and Nothing But the Facts.......1998-05-28

I purchased this book on a whim, knowing of the authors' credibility. When I got in to it, I realized it was going to be more than I expected. This work discredits one by one all the ridiculous length claims on snakes from around the world. Instead of these (sometimes outrageous) claims, the authors provide you with THE FACTS AND NOTHING BUT THE FACTS!

It is about time herpers spread the honest truth about these species to the general public, rather than the typical "My python should hit thirty-five feet because that's the maximum size!".

This book is an educational experience for ANYONE with an interest in these species or herps in general. I wholeheartedly recommend it!

Book Description

This volume represents the proceedings of a workshop held from 30 July 3 August 1995 at Fairmont Hot Springs, Montana. The workshop was designed to meet the scientific and regulatory need for current information describing ecotoxicology and risk assessment for wetlands. Professionals from government, industry, and academia were selected to participate based on their expertise on the specific topic to be considered. These workshops have provided an excellent forum for stimulation and exchange of ideas on the technical and scientific issues underlying chemical fate and effects in the environment and overall hazard assessments of chemicals in ecosystems. The organizers and participants of this workshop hope that the current proceedings will be as useful as the previous workshop proceedings to scientists, engineers, and decision-makers concerned with maintaining and reducing the loss of the nation's wetland resources. Althought the organization and objectives of this ! workshop were similar to some earlier workshops, this is the first workshop to deal primarily with the environmental aspects of an ecosystem rather than with a discrete environmental problem. The proceedings of this workshop is published by the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.

Book Description

Rena and Shugo entered The World with dreams of becoming legends. Those dreams have quickly drifted into the twilight now that they're in prison! As the controversy surrounding Shugo's bracelet shifts into overdrive, will our heroes be deleted...or is it end of The World as we know it? Don't miss the climatic end to the best-selling multimedia manga in The World!

Customer Reviews:

Great Ending to a Great Manga.......2006-12-17

.Hack//Legend of the Twilight Vol. 3
By: Tatsuya Hamazaki

Here it is, the final book in Legend of the Twilight sereis. The final adventure of Shugo and his party opens with the gang still imprisoned by the Cobalt Knight Brigade with no hope of escape and facing deletion, all hope seems to be lost. I won't spoil the ending, so I'll just give a brief summary of logins 13-21.

Login 13: It's Not Over Yet: With no hope, Rena has given up on the possibility of getting out of prison and fulfilling her dreams of becoming the kind of hero that the original Black Rose was. Shugo, on the other hand, still believes that everything will work out. The gang then receives help in their darkest hour when they need it the most.

Login 14: Separation and Encounter: Shugo, Rena, and Zefie break free from their captures and are on the lamb. While running, they encounter the man who got them jailed in the first place, Komiyan the Third. Zefie cures what ails Komiyan and he then joins the gang on their run from the law. Meanwhile, Lord Balmung is pulling strings from the shadows.

Login 15: Sacred Zone: The Hidden and Forbidden Area: Mirei, Ouka, and Hotaru come to terms with their decision to leave Rena, Shugo, and Zefie. The gang recieves a special key to gain access to a restricted area. The only problem is the Cobalt Knight Brigade stands between them and the gate.

Login 16: Spear Through the Heart: The war between Shugo and his friends and the Cobalt Knight Brigade has started. When one member is put in danger, another steps in and grows up in a big way.

Login 17: That Time...Pt.1: Insight is given for Kaumi's past as they struggle to keep the Cobalt Knight Brigade from obtaining the Helba Key.

Login 18: That Time...Pt.2: Shugo and Rena have a sit down with Kamui and manage to "elude" the Cobalt Knight Brigade and travel to the forbidden area, the Net Slums.

Login 19: Net Slums: Shugo, Rena, Zefie, and the gang travel to the Net Slums and discover what a desolate place it is, even for Zefie's mother to be in. Soon, they discover a winged guardian stands in their path.

Login 20: Attributes of a Hero: In order to find Zefie, Shugo is forced to fight against the powerful Lord Balmung in order to reach Aura.

Login 21: Attributes of a Hero: Rena, Shugo, and Zefie find out what awaits them in the word TWILIGHT.

After the conclusion of the story, there are several smaller comics at the end of the book. Again, the pin-up pictures in this book is spectacular. This is the coolest manga that I have ever read, it's a great story, it's well drawn, and is a real page turner. A fitting end to the Legend of the Twilight series.

Good for Manga Newbies.......2006-07-18

This was the first manga series I ever bought. While it's certainly not on par with the likes of say, Sailor Moon or Cardcaptor Sakura, this is not a bad place to start if you're looking to get into manga. So yeah, if you've never read manga before, think of this series as a starter's kit. But for more seasoned manga fans, this series feels kinda flat, and you can do better :p

Disapointing ending!.......2006-07-14

I have loved .Hack//Legend of the Twilight books, till I got to the thrid book. I was very disapointed in this book, I mean, it was a very weak story line, and it just wasn't very exciting as first two volumes. I think that Tatsuya Hamazaki should have made this manga into two, because it is a very big manga. And I lost and confused in the manga too!

-Chibi

BEST!.......2005-04-19

*sob* I love this Manga. It's by far the best. *sob* BUT NOW IT'S DONE!!!!!!!!!!! So I've read it multiple times, and it Never gets old. I'm not giving anything away. But it's the best Manga if you're a fan of the series. And you'd think it was all 'oh, its over, lets just wrap it up', but NO, it's got action and a little sobs at the end//happy sobs.
.Hack Vol. 3 deserves 100000000000000000000000000000000000 out of 5 stars, really. Buy it and you wont be dissapointed.

BEST!.......2005-04-19

*sob* I love this Manga. It's by far the best. *sob* BUT NOW IT'S DONE!!!!!!!!!!! So I've read it multiple times, and it Never gets old. I'm not giving anything away. But it's the best Manga if you're a fan of the series. And you'd think it was all 'oh, its over, lets just wrap it up', but NO, it's got action and a little sobs at the end//happy sobs.
.Hack Vol. 3 deserves 10(...) out of 5 stars, really. Buy it and you wont be dissapointed.

Average customer rating:

.Hack: //Legend of the Twilight, Vol. 3
Tatsuya Hamazaki
Manufacturer: Client Distribution Services
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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