Book Description
In words that might have been ripped from today’s combat dispatches, Steven Pressfield, the bestselling novelist of ancient warfare, returns with a riveting historical novel that re-creates Alexander the Great’s invasion of the Afghan kingdoms in 330 B.C., a campaign that eerily foreshadows the tactics, terrors, and frustrations of contemporary conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Narrated by Matthias, a young infantryman in Alexander’s army, The Afghan Campaign explores the challenges, both military and moral, that Alexander and his soldiers face as they embark on a new type of war and are forced to adapt to the methods of a ruthless foe that employs terror and insurgent tactics, conceals itself among the civilian populace, and recruits women and boys as combatants. Matthias joins Alexander’s army after it has conquered the Persian empire and is advancing east into Afghanistan on its way to the riches of India. Part of a unit that includes recruits his own age as well as veterans, Matthias chronicles his rapid coming-of-age as a soldier as he enacts Alexander’s scorch-and-burn strategies, experiences the joys and sorrows of a romance with an Afghan girl, and faces the barbarism of the Afghans, his fellow soldiers, and ultimately himself. As Matthias relates the brutal day-to-day encounters between the two sides, he exposes the human cost borne by a company of men whose code is humanist and secular when they seek to impose their will on a people of deep religiosity, insularity, unbending pride, and a passionate readiness to die for their cause.
An edge-of-your-seat adventure that brings to life the confrontation between an invading Western army and fierce Eastern warriors determined at all costs to defend their homeland, The Afghan Campaign once again demonstrates Steven Pressfield’s profound understanding of the hopes and desperation of men in battle and of the historical realities that continue to influence our world.
Customer Reviews:
21st Century story With a Sarissa.......2007-10-17
My hobby is Greco-Roman history and I will read almost anything relating to the time period. This is one book though that I can't recommend. It has a poor plot, B movie characters, character development which would make a romance novel look good and "Macedonian slang" which makes one queasy.
It reads like some movie script trying to mirror our present fight in afgahnistan full of Christian-Muslim concepts and musings. That would be fine if it did't try to pass itself off as a historical novel, which it isn't.
If you thought 300 was historically accurate, you'll love this book.
Historical Fiction as it Should be Written.......2007-08-27
Steven Pressfield was born in 1943. He is an American novelist and author of screenplays, principally of military historical fiction set in classical antiquity. His historical fiction is well-researched, but for the sake of dramatic flow, Pressfield may alter some details, like the sequence of events, or make use of jarring contemporary terms and place names, his stated aim being an attempt to capture the spirit of the times.
I must admit I don't find Steven Pressfield's books easy to read. That is not to say that they are not worth reading, in fact the opposite applies. The problem for me lies in the fact that they are so full of detail and have such an extensive character list, that I am forever checking back for something that I may have missed, or for a name that I can put to a character. But there can be no doubting the quality of the author's writing and this is a small price to pay,.
Steven Pressfield, the best selling novelist of ancient warfare, returns with a riveting historical novel that re-creates the invasion of the Afghan kingdoms in 330 BC by Alexander the Great.
Platoon, 2300 years gone.......2007-08-24
I took this book on a cross country flight and read it twice before being able to put it down. I simply can't get enough of this guy Pressfield.
I couldn't help thinking of Matthias, his buddies, and commanders as ancient versions of Chris Taylor, Gardner, Elias, and Barnes in "Platoon." Pressfield, of course, is leagues ahead of the petulant Oliver Stone as a storyteller, and the story here is much more richly detailed and militarily accurate, historically significant, gory, tragic, epic, and heroic. Everyone who's ever dreamed of being a soldier or a hero can empathize with Matthias:
We feel his reticence for war through his mother: '...you are my bulwark and the bulwark of this farm. We shall never see your brothers again. Lust for glory will be their finish; they will leave great names and nothing more.'
But also what motivates him: 'My father and brothers... All three are warriors and heroes. I would sooner die than prove unworthy of them.' And the reverence the army has for Alexander himself: 'The men are in love with Alexander, this is no overstatement. The troops are aware of his movements, moment by moment, as pack dogs are of the stud wolf. The corps gravitates to his apparition and feeds up on sight of him, as the lover on that of his darling."
We feel his disgust at slaughtering POWs through his best friend Lucas: 'God what a stench when a man's guts are opened to the air. That doesn't go into your dispatches, does it? We read nothing about the sound the 'follow-on' makes, going down the line of throat-slit men with a club, bashing skulls like walnuts, while the still living men pray without voices or curse us in gurgling blood or plead for their lives."
Like Pressfield does over and over again, he makes his characters, and the times they live in, accessible by how they relate to each other and how they react to their environments, and it's spectacular, stirring, invigorating reading. What a ride!
War never changes, not really.......2007-08-16
I hadn't read anything by Pressfield since Gates of Fire, but this one looked interesting and I have a long-time interest in Alexander, so I picked it up at the library. I was put off at first at the appearance in the first few pages of fake soldierly slang -- how likely is it that the Macedonian infantry referred to themselves as "Macks"? -- but I stuck with it and quickly became absorbed in the author's detailed depiction of the Greek attempt to conquer a country extremely unlike theirs. It's pretty obvious Pressfield wants you to draw comparisons between Alexander's attempted conquest and the American attempt 2,300 years later, and he makes it clear that not much has changed in terms of the Afghan psyche. Not even with the adoption of Islam has made that much fundamental difference; the Afghans were the way they are many centuries before that. The character of young Matthias, a glory-seeking recruit, is similar to that of young soldiers today, especially regarding the shock of his first kill, his admiration of the enemy coupled with his profound lack of understanding of them, and his adhesion to his mates, for whom he would readily die. Shinar, the local girl with whom he becomes tragically involved, is also carefully and very sympathetically drawn, as are the portraits of Lucas, his best friend from home, and Flag, the veteran sergeant for whom he develops a close regard.
Pressfield is a historical fiction master .......2007-08-01
Pressfield approaches Renault in his ability to put the reader in the era and culture. This piece really shows how interesting history can be, even fictionalized, when applied by a powerful pen such as Pressfield's. Perhaps he could have done more with the marriage of Alexander to Roxanne, Spitamenes or the disaffection of Alexander's commanders at this point in his campaign. But his point of view was not in the king's strategies and court, but in the field tent or out in the wilderness of Afganistan. There was a realism of conflict that came through that was not the glorious conquest so many writers attempt to display. An excellent portrayal of human struggle that could have been applied to any number of historical events. Great book with a different feel than many fictional accounts.
Book Description
A chilling story of modern terrorism from the grandmaster of international intrigue.
T he Day of the Jackal, The Dogs of War, The Odessa File-the books of Frederick Forsyth have helped define the international thriller as we know it today. Combining meticulous research with crisp narratives and plots as current as the headlines, Forsyth shows us the world as it is in a way that few have ever been able to equal.
And the world as it is today is a very scary place.
When British and American intelligence catch wind of a major Al Qaeda operation in the works, they instantly galvanize- but to do what? They know nothing about it: the what, where, or when. They have no sources in Al Qaeda, and it's impossible to plant someone. Impossible, unless . . .
The Afghan is Izmat Khan, a five-year prisoner of Guantánamo Bay and a former senior commander of the Taliban. The Afghan is also Colonel Mike Martin, a twenty-five-year veteran of war zones around the world-a dark, lean man born and raised in Iraq. In an attempt to stave off disaster, the intelligence agencies will try to do what no one has ever done before-pass off a Westerner as an Arab among Arabs-pass off Martin as the trusted Khan.
It will require extraordinary preparation, and then extraordinary luck, for nothing can truly prepare Martin for the dark and shifting world into which he is about to enter. Or for the terrible things he will find there.
Filled with remarkable detail and compulsive drama, The Afghan is further proof that Forsyth is truly master of suspense.
Customer Reviews:
What A Bomb "Detained Differences" is alot beter!.......2007-10-14
This book was terrible, it was very flawed and hard to get through. If your looking for a great novel on the war on terror and detainees, read "Detained Differences" by J. Robert Rowe.Detained Differences
Back-up book gets the job done.......2007-10-13
A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I embarked on an out-of-state vacation, on the first morning of which I left my take-along paperback on AMTRAK's Southwest Chief. As I tearfully waved goodbye to my literary security blanket as it pulled out of Albuquerque's rail station on its way to Chicago, I had to implement my fallback position. Thus, at first chance I purchased THE AFGHAN.
The Afghan is Izmat Khan, who cut his eye teeth fighting the Soviets. Then, during the Afghan civil war following the USSR's withdrawal, Khan became a Taliban commander battling against the Anglo-American supported Northern Alliance. After being captured and participating in the Qala-i-Jangi prison rebellion, Izmat was spirited off to the American detention center at Guantanamo Bay to be imprisoned there for four years.
Meanwhile, the CIA and MI6 catch whiff of a new Al Qaeda plot code named "al-Isra", which, in Islamic tradition, was the Prophet Muhammad's journey to heaven to be personally instructed on prayer rituals by Almighty God Himself. Obviously, to the experts, the new terrorist attack is to be no small bang. But what, exactly? It's decided to send in a deep cover operative to find out. Ex-Colonel Mike Martin of the Parachute Regiment and the SAS. Mike, raised in Iraq and with skin coloring and fluency in Arabic, is, with additional coaching on the Koranic verses, the perfect choice.
After a sham trial at Gitmo in which a recalcitrant Khan is judged innocent enough to be released back to Afghani government custody, the Afghan is whisked off to solitary confinement in an isolated CIA safehouse in the Washington State Cascade Range. Mike is substituted in his place and transported to Afghanistan, where his escape is staged and he bluffs his way into the Al Qaeda network. The covert mission is up and running.
I haven't read a Forsyth offering in decades, not since The Day of the Jackal and The Odessa File. I was so impressed by the film version of the former (The Day of the Jackal) that I must have seen it 5 or 6 times. THE AFGHAN is hard to put down, though it isn't without deficiencies.
One of this novel's best features is its summary history of the relationship of the Afghani Taliban and the Saudi-founded Al Qaeda, as well as portrayal of radical Islam's activities in the island nations north of Australia. It's a sobering picture. And the broad outline of the storyline is gripping enough as the terrorist plan plays out.
THE AFGHAN has two glaring flaws, in my opinion. The greatest is the manner in which the Izmat Khan character is disposed of; it made my eyes roll in disbelief. Finally, though Mike Martin is unquestionably the most interesting character in the book, the reader pretty much loses sight of him, at least at ground level, once he inserts himself into al-Isra. Once that happens, the script, while still maintaining a high level of entertaining tension, is one seen by the reader as if from a distance.
As for my original vacation read, The Assassins Gallery, I trust it found a good home in the Windy City. I've ordered another copy.
Formula novel.......2007-10-05
Through a thick forrest of detail and "local color," which gives the impression the author was reluctant to throw away any bit of research he had gathered, we glimpse a thin and improbable plot of uncanny coincidences. The only type missing is the old favorite: the last page discovery of the hero's true noble ancestry and heritage.
The author's ambition seems to have been to think up "the next 9/11" and offer a satsifying thwarting of it by the capable counter-espionage of the Brits and the Americans, in that order, for the author manages to convey subtly but clearly that the Brits are cleverer although less endowed technologically than their "cousins" (the term is used).
As for the terrorists, we get the strong message that the enemy is Islam (with the perfunctory occasional disclaimer de rigueur that it is Islamic fundamentalism and not all Islam). The "Islamist" characters are all cardboard cutouts animated by one goal in life only: to destroy us. From the farthest reaches of far east Asia to the ME and Africa, they all hate us with a fanatical passion for no other reason except that their religion dictates it.
In its pamphleteering simplicity, his novel reminded me of the short reels shown in American theaters before the movies in the early 50s aiming to keep us vigilant against the "red menace" and reassuring us that our brave FBI and NSA men (no women yet) were working tirelessly and successfully to protect us.
Disappointing, especially from someone of this author's talent and previous work.
Disappointing.......2007-10-04
In general, I'm a Freddie Forsyth fan, but I found this one disappointing.
Freddie does his homework superbly well, in fact better than any other thriller writer I can think of. Problem is, he appears sometimes to confuse his outstanding homework with the novel whose basis it supposedly forms, so that the novel ends up as a long litany of fascinating facts and explanatory asides, with a bit of story shoved in. Now I find his homework very interesting, but it eventually becomes a drudge and every now and then I find myself screaming, "GET A MOVE ON!!" This is such a Forsyth.
Of course, poor Freddie bungled badly - his first book, "The day of the Jackal", was the best political thriller ever written and the only way to go from there was down. But hopefully not THIS far down...
On the jacket of my copy, the UK's "Daily Wail" is quoted as saying, "Forsyth's finest novel since The Jackal." Poppycock. This one of his worst. The characterisation is non-existent, the story highly improbable in parts, and it doesn't even have Freddie's trademark twist in the tail at the end. Freddie is cashing in on post-9/11 US paranoia, with a tip of his hat to the British Army's SAS, for which he clearly has a high regard. For me it just doesn't work.
Forsyth on the Slide.......2007-09-27
John Forsyth has been one of my favorite fiction writers. However, this novel is a severe disappointment that I would recommend to no one.
His research was poor. The plot was awkward and choppy. The whole thing seemed thrown together and a one star rating is more than it deserves.
Book Description
If the Marines are "the few, the proud," Recon Marines are the fewest and the proudest. Nathaniel Fick's career begins with a hellish summer at Quantico, after his junior year at Dartmouth. He leads a platoon in Afghanistan just after 9/11 and advances to the pinnacle—Recon—two years later, on the eve of war with Iraq. His vast skill set puts him in front of the front lines, leading twenty-two Marines into the deadliest conflict since Vietnam. He vows to bring all his men home safely, and to do so he'll need more than his top-flight education. Fick unveils the process that makes Marine officers such legendary leaders and shares his hard-won insights into the differences between military ideals and military practice, which can mock those ideals. In this deeply thoughtful account of what it's like to fight on today's front lines, Fick reveals the crushing pressure on young leaders in combat. Split-second decisions might have national consequences or horrible immediate repercussions, but hesitation isn't an option. One Bullet Away never shrinks from blunt truths, but ultimately it is an inspiring account of mastering the art of war.
Customer Reviews:
Real simple.......2007-09-08
Want to know the what it's like to be an junior Officer? The loneliness, the NCO's you rely on, the men, the idiots above you? Read this. A simultaneous must read is Evan Wright's Generation Kill. Identical time amd place seen from two very different perspectives.
Very Well Written.......2007-09-03
In addition to excellent content, this is a very readable book and Nate Fick compactly explains things about military life and the warrior ethos that aren't well understood outside the military. A couple page glossary of military abbreviations would be a welcome addition though.
Excellent and thought provoking.......2007-08-18
Most of my Amazon reviews deal with grilling, but I felt compelled to give my opinion. Nathaniel Fick is welcome to dine on steak or some pulled pork at my home any time he visits Bloomington, Indiana. The book is wonderfully written. He skillfully balanced descriptions of the people, events and emotions he encountered during his tour with the USMC. He did not rely on the tool of describing the technology of modern warfare to impress his reader. He is no Tom Clancy and I found this to be refreshing.
I went to his website and read an number of articles and reviews he has published since completing this book. He makes a number of astute observations on politics, the war, and the state of our nation. I hope to see more from him soon.
Nate: 2020?.......2007-08-15
Enough praise has already been heaped and another 5-star review won't change a 5-star average. A few hopefully new comments:
- Frick allows critical details of his personal life to trickle out in undeclared intimations; e.g., he's probably Catholic and probably had a girlfriend. The story would have meant more to me if I'd known exactly who was speaking. The narrative does a decently indirect job of this, but I wonder how many scenes were left out that could have showed us more of who he is?
- Why does that matter? Well, not to be a jaded 40-something who grew up in a very political environment, but I cannot imagine a clearer statement of intent to run for office. Let's see... Military hero? Check. Exposure of sensitive side? Check. Willingness to put in the hours? Check. Ability to lead others? Check. Ability to turn a phrase? Check. Empathy with the common man? Check.
I have nothing against the idea and I'd probably even vote for him. I'm just surprised nobody else has noticed this... And perhaps the explanation to my first comment is cleared up by the observation of the second.
A rare view of the USMC.......2007-08-11
Nathaniel Fick tells an interesting story from an unusual perspective. How many books can you find written about the experiences of a Marine Corps officer in war? A fair handful. How many such books can you find written by an articulate liberal arts major? Maybe just this one.
The author's educated perspective on the Marine Corps perfectly underlines the amazing strengths and the maddening weakness of the Marine Corps, depicting that certain je ne sais quois those in or around the Marines understand and critics never see.
He manages to illustrate his respect for the Marines and his mission while still exposing the stupidity of military bureaucracy, showing clearly that the good or evil possible with our military forces can really boil down to a good person or a fundamentally bad person in charge of a lowly combat platoon.
If you want a thoughtful perspective on the USMC or the opening days of the war in Iraq, this book is up your alley.
Book Description
“Here is what you will not find in the news–the personal cost of war written as clear and beautiful as literature worthy of the name is. These stories are the real thing, passionate, imaginative, searing.”
–Richard Bausch, author of Wives & Lovers
The first book of its kind, Operation Homecoming is the result of a major initiative launched by the National Endowment for the Arts to bring distinguished writers to military bases and inspire U.S. Marines, soldiers, sailors, and airmen and their families to record their wartime experiences. Encouraged by such authors as Tom Clancy, Mark Bowden, Bobbie Ann Mason, Tobias Wolff, Jeff Shaara, and Marilyn Nelson, American military personnel and their loved ones wrote candidly about what they saw, heard, and felt while in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as on the home front. Taken together, these almost one hundred never-before-published eyewitness accounts, private journals, short stories, letters, and other personal writings become a dramatic narrative that shows the human side of warfare.
• the fear and exhilaration of heading into battle;
• the interactions between U.S. forces and Afghans and Iraqis, both as enemies and friends;
• the boredom, gripes, and humorous incidents of day-to-day life on the front lines;
• the anxiety and heartache of worried spouses, parents, and other loved ones on the home front;
• the sheer brutality of warfare and the physical and emotional toll it takes on those who fight;
• the tearful homecomings for those who returned to the States alive– and the somber ceremonies for those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation.
From riveting combat accounts to profound reflections on warfare and the pride these troops feel for one another, Operation Homecoming offers an unflinching and intensely revealing look into the lives of extraordinary men and women. What they have written is without question some of the greatest wartime literature ever published.
“Andrew Carroll has given America a priceless treasure.”
–Tom Brokaw, on War Letters
Proceeds from this book will be used to provide arts and cultural programming to U.S. military communities. For more information, please go to www.OperationHomecoming.gov.
Customer Reviews:
*Tissue alert*.......2007-07-26
This book was very moving. I laughed and I cried. There were sad stories and poignant stories and many positive stories. I recommend this book to anyone wanting a real look at how the military and their families feel about going through these deployments. I also recomment it for families going through the deployments now. I have learned a lot about what my son may be going through and may not be willing to share with us right now.
Crying, laughing, both at the same time.......2007-03-06
I am a military wife. My young daughter and I survived 12 months while my husband served in Iraq. This book was absolutely amazing. I cannot come up with the words to describe how much this book meant to me. I don't know about other spouses, but no matter how much my husband and I talk, it is not easy for him to communicate his thoughts or feelings on his service in Iraq. It was even difficult for him to describe his life over there when asked directly. I think a lot of it is him trying to protect me, but also, his brain does not work that way. He was there, he did what he had to do as a soldier, end of story. This book brought me insight into my husband. It made me laugh. It made me cry. It made me sick. It made me angry. It made me happy. It made me joyful. It made me all of these things at the same time. I am so thankful to the organization(whose name escapes me right now) that made this book possible. It is a book that touched my heart and soul. I will never be the same, and I am greatful for that. It is in know way a "light" read. I read it quickly, as I do everything, but because I was hungry to read more, to know more, to feel more. Do not read it without a box of tissues next to you.
Nothing has been closer to home for me .......2007-03-03
I am a NCO in the army and have been to Iraq 4 times and this book sent chills through my bodie many times with the pure honest look at war. Most of the stories are reflections of events that any service member will identifie with. Then there are some events told in this book only a select few will truely grasp. This is a must read if you would like a insight into the mind of a Military member who has been deployed. I cant recomend this book more then just get it read it and prepair to get choked up. I know i did
AN IMPORTANT BOOK.......2007-02-12
This book really gives you a taste for how it is in Iraq...I think everyone should read it...especially Pres. Bush.
Excellent Audio Version.......2007-01-20
I listened to the audio version of this book. It was one of the most moving panoramic portrait of emotions of this war. Hearing these letters read aloud bring them to life in a way not possible in a reading. My congratulations to the publishers and producers of this work of art. Very very moving. Makes this war more of a reality for me here at home; it doesn't take sides, but expresses the good and the sad about this conflict. I laughed and misted up. A truly beautiful and broad compilation of real life stories.
Book Description
-Fresh approach to knitting and crocheting with traditional and contemporary stitch patterns
-Membership in the Knitting Guild of America has increased 21 percent - - to 11,000+ -- since the end of 2001, and surveys show most knitters also crochet
-Clearly describes degree of difficulty for each project
New and experienced knitters and crocheters will discover all the instruction and inspiration they need to create amazing afghans, scarves, pillow, wraps and blankets in this exciting new guide. An extensive directory covers 200 ripple-stitch patterns and variations, describes techniques used, and level of experience required to complete each project.
This book gives readers:
-Detailed directions and more than 200 color illustrations to use in completing each project
-Tips for combining various types of yarns to create projects featuring a kaleidoscope of color
-Access to various knitting and crochet resource Web sites
Customer Reviews:
For experienced only!.......2007-10-16
This book has very good patterns. The only problem is that it has several mistakes. If you are experienced you will have no problem making the corrections. However, I would not recommend this to someone new to crochet.
crochet.......2007-10-10
I enjoyed purchasing this book especially where it allows you to actually look through the book before purchasing - so when I received the book, it was exactly what I wanted
200 Ripple Stitch Patterns.......2007-08-12
This book has an interesting way of presenting both crochet and knit patterns. With this system you can make any size you desire in your project.
Crochet preference for myselff.......2007-06-19
I saw a Granny ripple on an online blog, referencing the title, 200 Ripple Stitch Patterns. I was intrigued and ordered the book. I am not new to crochet, but I am somewhat advanced-newish to ripples and I find the ripple afghans charming. I love to match and compliment colors to my quilts and this gives me a nice reference to use for complimentary "ripples" too. I am more into crochet, but the knit pictures are nice too! I have more than one or two favorites, so the price was worth it to me to see these charmers on a bed or sofa! For those who love to ripple, I think this is inspiration waiting to happen.
Nice collection.......2007-06-07
This is a beautiful book, but I too was upset to discover that there are no where near 200 different patterns. The same pattern is counted as 2, sometimes 3 different ones when yarns are switched out or used in a different sequence. While this produces a slightly different look, the PATTERN remains the same. I have only tried a handful of the patterns, and so far have not encountered errata.
Book Description
In America’s battle against al-Qaeda and their allies, the goal of the Navy SEALs is to be the best guns in the fight—stealthy, effective, professional, and lethal. Here for the first time is a SEAL insider’s battle history of these Special Operations warriors in the war on terrorism.
“Down range” is what SEALs in Afghanistan and Iraq call their area of operations. In this new mode of warfare, “down range” can refer to anything from tracking roving bands of al-Qaeda on a remote mountain trail in Afghanistan to taking down an armed compound in Tikrit and rousting holdouts from Saddam Hussein’s regime. It could mean interdicting insurgents smuggling car-bomb explosives over the Iraqi-Syrian border or silently boarding a freighter on the high seas at night to enforce an embargo. In other words, “down range” could be anywhere, anytime, under any conditions.
In Down Range, author Dick Couch, himself a former Navy SEAL and CIA case officer, uses his unprecedented access to bring the reader firsthand accounts from the warriors in combat during key missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Couch creates a pulse-pounding, detailed narrative of the definitive engagements of this war, while painting an unusually intimate portrait of these warriors in the field. The performance of the SEALs in difficult, changing environments—in the heat of the Afghan desert, in the snow-packed Hindu Kush, on the high seas, and in the urban chaos of Baghdad—has been nothing short of extraordinary. The SEALs, coordinating with other American forces, the CIA, and foreign special operations units like the Polish GROM, have once more shown their genius for improvisation and capacity for courageous action in leading the fight against this new and vicious enemy.
The first battle history of its kind, Down Range is a riveting close-up of some of America’s finest warriors in action against a deadly foe.
Also available as an eBook
Customer Reviews:
Not up to snuff.......2007-08-07
I thoroughly enjoyed "The Warrior Elite" and everything I enjoyed about that book was gone from this one. Dick Couch did a good job of making the trainees of BUD/S Class 228 personable, but "Down Range" is a very dry read. It might be due to increased security concerns and classified operational details, but I did not enjoy this book as much.
the filler thriller.......2007-06-21
Well, I picked up this book because I thought, "Sweet. SEALs, middle east, covert ops, what's not to love??" Well the book was more like a documentary or briefing most of the time. It focuses far too much on the development of a SEAL and their organization. If I wanted to read about that, I would've picked up a book about the making of a Navy SEAL. I was disappointed. The story really only had a few exciting parts and those tended to come towards the end of the book. Let's put it this way, he spends around ten pages telling what should've been an exciting mission aboard a ship, only to tell us that the men on board were not dumb enough to carry weapons. Hmph. If you are looking for enemy contact, look elsewhere.
Decent primer for casual military reader.......2007-05-19
Like some of the other reviewers here have commented, based on the background of the author and the notes on the book's cover, I was expecting a much more exciting read. The reality, however, is that Couch hides behind the excuse of "classified details" for most of this work. The early pages are all extremely redundant if you have ever read anything at all about the SEALs; there is nothing new there. And much of the mission details are very sparse and vague. I do "get" that the very nature of the work these men do requires secrecy, but I always feel a little taken when a book promises to divulge some of this information and then ultimately fails to do so. Couch hints more than once at a seething tension between the different service branches by taking every opportunity to make sure many pats on the back are handed out all around. It starts to feel very plastic and forced after a while. Overall I would not recommend this book to anyone who has done much reading in this genre. Frankly it's just boring, light on operational nitty-gritty, and way too easy to read. It took me about 4 hours to read cover to cover, and for $15 for the paperback I feel a little ripped-off. It's an okay way to get an overview for what these incredible men do for our country, but a waste of time for anyone who has a few books under their belt. I won't be reading any of Couch's other works based on this piece.
Depends on what your read first..........2007-05-18
If this is the first Dick Couch book read, it's a good one. Other people have commented that it seemed fluffy and not authentic (leaving out the bungling of bureaucrats and the inter-service rankling). I see that differently, I appreciate the way Couch focuses on the positive. There's no denying that those things happen but when you read Down Range, you get the best of who "we" are in this elite arm of the military. If you have read Warrior Elite or other Couch books, you will see plenty of overlapping detail. Bottom line: this is a good book by an author I really like, but not his best.
A good book, but not great..........2007-02-14
Down Range reads like a Pentagon de-brief, with little action. Couch, a former SEAL with extensive street cred (mainly Viet Nam) is a terrific writer and even gives over-due credit to the Air Force Combat Controllers, who are often overshadowed by SEALs and Green Berets. This book is detailed, but with the wrong details. I'd much rather read about the men on the tip of the spear, the real war fighters with guns in the fight, than the brass back at HQ calling the shots. Problem is, many of the brass are Couch's personal friends or former students.
The Warrior Elite is a great book, this is just good.
Book Description
Lt. General Mike DeLong, deputy commander of the U.S. Central Command during the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, was second only to General Tommy Franks in conducting the war on terror. From his vantage point at the center of discussions between President Bush, Donald Rumsfeld, Paul Wolfowitz, and Tommy Franks, General DeLong offers the frankest and most authoritative look yet inside the wars--how we prepared for battle, how we fought, how we toppled two regimes--and what's happening now on these two crucial fronts. DeLong made a significant retort of those critical of having a more streamlined, technological force in a recent New York Times op ed and on CNN. This book builds on his argument: in war, expect the unexpected. Mistakes will be made, and no amount of war-gaming can create instant harmony and peace in a region that has never known it.
Customer Reviews:
Filled me with new respect.......2007-06-30
Every now and then I'll read a book and wish that I could meet the author for dinner. A General Speaks Out was one of those books. General DeLong is a fascinating person. He comes across as a no nonsense type of guy but clearly has a sense of humor as well and this book is about his time in one of the hardest jobs on earth. Between dealing with Secretary Rumsfeld, General Franks-- a guy you would NOT want to get on the bad side of, and running a war it's a wonder he made it retirement without collapsing.
The most interesting part of the book was the wild contrast between the stuff the media was printing and they way things actually were. If the media scandals of recent years didn't make you question everything you read in the newspaper then this book should.
Finally, I was really moved by the dedication and calmness of our military. Thank you General DeLong for your service.
A book from Rumsfeld's biggest fan.......2007-05-03
Mike DeLong is the former second in command at US Central Command. He is also among the most die-hard supporters of Don Rumsfeld. When six retired generals called for Rumsfeld to resign in the sprint of 2006 over the situation in Iraq, Mike DeLong took the other side and became the public defender of Rumsfeld and the "stay the course" strategy in Iraq.
The book isn't very good. DeLong mostly just repeats Rumsfeld's ideas and tries to defend the Iraq war. He is all for transformation of the military along the lines Rumsfeld wanted. But he doesn't bother to think about the implications of how a small high-tech army can ever win an insurgency war like Iraq. In fact, for an ex-general, he doesn't give much thought to how to do things better in Iraq at all.
On the lead-up to the Iraq war, he might as well be Rumsfeld or Cheney. He repeats all the disproved alligations of links between Bin Laden and Iraq. In interviews he also has claimed that Al Queida had its own chemical weapons plant in Kurdistan.
As far as WMDs, he is convinced that everything said in the lead-up to the war was true. The only reason they didn't find the weapons is that they were taken to Syria. Along the same lines, the book gives the impression that the "solution" to Iraq that he sees is invasions of Syria and Iran. I would not doubt though that if such invasions occured that the WMDs would again not be found he would tell us that they are in Sudan or Lebannon. He basically doesn't retreat an inch from the worst of the disproved pre-war claims.
If the pro-Rumsfeld politics of the book are the bad part, the good part of the book is when he talks about the actual mechanics of leading the war effort in Iraq from the perspective of his job (second in command). But even in that part, this is his second book and after "inside Centcom", there isn't all that much new to say.
The truth as he saw it........2007-04-04
The writer of this book is a retired Naval Aviator, US Marine Corps Leutenant General who writes as he sees it. It is of his experiece as the number 2 officer in the US Central Command who kept the home fires burning during te 2003 invasion of Iraq. This revised and renamed editon serves a real purpose in that his view on events of major signifiance vary from other writers and remain unchallenged. It is an important writing because it shows that in any modern day military venture, there is much political, logistical and other work in the background during both the planning and the operational phases. Written in a simple style which adds to it value Well worth reading. The cost is right.
the men there know the truth.......2007-03-21
Excellent book by a man who was there, and helped set up everything. Easy to complain and knock things down when you HAVEN'T been there and know all that is going on. The General is honest and forthcoming with success's and failures.
Book Description
A National Public Radio reporter covering the last stand of the Taliban in their home base of Kandahar in Afghanistan's southern borderland, Sarah Chayes became deeply immersed in the unfolding drama of the attempt to rebuild a broken nation at the crossroads of the world's destiny. Her NPR tour up in early 2002, she left reporting to help turn the country's fortunes, accepting a job running a nonprofit founded by President Hamid Karzai's brother. With remarkable access to leading players in the postwar government, Chayes witnessed a tragic story unfold-the perverse turn of events whereby the U.S. government and armed forces allowed and abetted the return to power of corrupt militia commanders to the country, as well as the reinfiltration of bands of Taliban forces supported by U.S. ally Pakistan. In this gripping and dramatic account of her four years on the ground, working with Afghanis in the battle to restore their country to order and establish democracy, Chayes opens Americans' eyes to the sobering realities of this vital front in the war on terror.
She forged unparalleled relationships with the Karzai family, tribal leaders, U.S. military and diplomatic brass, and such leading figures in the Kandahar government as the imposing and highly effective chief of police-an incorruptible supporter of the Karzai regime whose brutal assassination in June 2005 serves as the opening of the book. Chayes lived in an Afghan home, gaining rich insights into the country's culture and politics and researching the history of Afghanistan's legendary resistance to foreign interference. She takes us into meetings with Hamid Karzai and the corrupt Kandahar governor, Gul Agha Shirzai, into the homes of tribal elders and onto the U.S. military base. Unveiling the complexities and traumas of Afghanistan's postwar struggles, she reveals how the tribal strongmen who have regained power-after years of being displaced by the Taliban-have visited a renewed plague of corruption and violence on the Afghan people, under the complicit eyes of U.S. forces and officials.
The story Chayes tells is a powerful, disturbing revelation of misguided U.S. policy and of the deeply entrenched traditions of tribal warlordism that have ruled Afghanistan through the centuries.
Customer Reviews:
Former NPR reporter discovers how the world works.......2007-10-04
In this book, Sarah Chayes travels to Afghanistan after 9/11 and stays there for several years. She begins as a reporter and ends up working in the non-government sector as a minor political player.
This book is written as her personal and professional journey in Afghanistan. She learns there that people are not what they seem. Different agencies of the US government and their allies work at cross purposes. Stupid bureaucratic rules lead to bad policy. Some people don't want to know the truth, or even worse, they know the truth but choose ignore its implications. Or they may even know the truth and want to cover it up.
My first reaction to all this was, "Duh." Anyone who studies foreign policy knows that this is how the world works; Chayes' own story simply provides details from a new place. My second, and more troubling reaction was, "Why is Chayes surprised by this?"
I was repeatedly stunned by her lack of knowledge and naivete. She studied Arabic in college, along with medieval Islamic history. She has a BA and MA from Harvard in these fields. Yet she apparently had no idea how tribal politics or patron-client political systems work. She's surprised that the US Army, US Special Forces, and US Agency for International Development might be supporting different players in Afghan politics. Heck, in Vietnam US forces supporting different players ended up shooting at each other. I'm sure the Soviets had similar experiences around the world.
Her great virtue, and I want to emphasize how impressive it is, is her courage. She is willing to put herself on the line. She returns to Afghanistan when she doesn't have to. She lives in residential areas, not in foreigner compounds. She leaves an attractive career at NPR to head an NGO in Afghanistan on a shoestring budget. She stays in place after receiving multiple death threats (and after investigating their credibility). She has a close friend, and many acquaintances, die. Her courage and her personal commitments as a liberal do-gooder shine through the book.
As a first-hand report of how Afghanistan works today, and how the foreigners in it live, this is an interesting book. However, it's written as a personal journey, which makes it two or three times longer than it need be - - we find out how Chayes learned things, not just what she learned. If you like these journeys, you'll like the book. I found those parts a bit tedious because of the naivete with which she began.
Some early chapters of the book also provide amusing anecdotes on how National Public Radio and other media outlets work. Apparently, they send reporters to foreign countries in order to write up stories consistent with the editors' preconceived notions. They are also supposed to write on the same subjects that other reporters have written on. Of course, we all know this, too, but it's nice to have the confirmation.
So, all in all, a mixed review.
How we are losing Afghanistan........2007-09-10
The author Chayes details how the United States is losing Afghanistan after our brillant success in toppling the Taliban. The main reason is due to support of narrow based warlords who are pillaging the country. Due to supporting the wrong people, we are tarnishing our options as the population is coming to view NATO/U.S. as one and the same with the warlords. Everybody has focused on the fighting in Iraq and how we are losing there, but Chayes book details how both the military and civilian authorities have turned over Afghanistan to the same people that ran it into the ground prior to the Taliban. In her neck of the woods at Kandahar, the US has supported a warlord named Gul rather than better representatives in the Pashtun tribes.
I liked Sarah's book and give her high marks for her journals in Afghanistan. I would point out that Westerners have to be careful of how to tell Third World nationals on how to run their countries. Both is Iraq and Afghanistan, we face situations where people are coming to the forefront in the government. For us to tell them how to run their country smacks of colonialism. However, Chayes is right on the mark in staying that the U.S. made many mistakes in how they occupied this country.
Intelligent, fascinating, revealing. An exceptional assessment of post 9/11 Afghanistan!.......2007-08-07
If your thinking about buying this book, do yourself a favor, BUY IT! Regardless of your motives, this book is worth reading.
Sarah Chayes has produced a revealing and intelligent Occidental glimpse into post 9/11 Afghanistan.
Chayes experiences reporting for NPR and her experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco has given her the deft to negotiate the notoriously suspicious and misogynistic culture that permeates the Middle East. She is an observant and adept diplomat who does not mince words or appear to be beholden to any government agency or Non-Governmental Organization (NGO).
Afghanistan, Chayes observes, is "an entire nation comprised of generations suffering the effects of PTSD." I had never considered such a possibility and if Americans realized this concept, perhaps we could be a bit more productive in our re-construction and social efforts.
For the military, Chayes's analysis of the county's centuries old "yaghistan reflex," which has salvaged generations of Afghans from raiding empires is both brilliant and of important note. Chayes also reveals the not-so-subtle influences of Pakistan on Afghan political and social instability.
This is all wound around the story of Chayes's experiences and her brief but telling assessment of Afghan history.
Chayes includes a perceptive and frank quote by one of her associates, Ayse Yildiz, that could surmise the situation there at least as much as the book's title, "Here we are, a bunch of kids from dysfunctional families, working at a dysfunctional organization, trying to fix a dysfunctional country."
REVIEW EVERY BOOK YOU READ.
An Outstanding Piece of Analusis.......2007-05-07
Sarah Chayes gives a view of Afganistan which goes far beyond what we get in the usual media. She is a skilled detective and finds answers which the military and the State Department cannot.
Captivating and Insightful Account of Afghanistan.......2007-04-03
This is one of the most insightful and captivating books written on Afghanistan since 2001. Ms. Chayes skillfully intersperses first-hand anecdotes, historical context, and current events into a non-fiction page-turner. This book does a wonderful job of giving the reader a good understanding of what is really happening in Afghanistan and why we can't ignore its problems.
Book Description
While America held its breath in the days immediately following 9/11, a small but determined group of CIA agents covertly began to change history. This is the riveting first-person account of the treacherous top-secret mission inside Afghanistan to set the stage for the defeat of the Taliban and launch the war on terror.
As thrilling as any novel,
First In is a uniquely intimate look at a mission that began the U.S. retaliation against terrorism–and reclaimed the country of Afghanistan for its people.
Customer Reviews:
Good Inside Look.......2007-07-29
This is a great first hand account of what was going on after 9/11. While we were at home wondering what our government was doing, these guys were getting things done.
Disappointingly dull.......2007-06-19
This book is more a lesson in the stifling bureaucracy of the U.S. government -- even when engaged in one of the most important foreign operations in its history. Schroen's book is filled with operational minutiae that, while providing a detailed account of the CIA operation in Afghanistan after 9/11, is bled dry of any context.
I feel for Schroen and his team as time and again, their efforts are hampered by intra-agency turf wars, mistrust and miscommunication with the U.S. military, not to mention the substantial obstacles they had to overcome vis-a-vis their Northern Alliance hosts.
It comes across in Schroen's writing -- he's at the center of the operation, but is largely beholden to other forces, in Washington and in Afghanistan. And you only get a glimpse at his frustration, probably due to the diligence of the CIA editorial oversight. I can't help but think that I'm reading a highly sanitized and watered-down version of what Schroen *really* wanted to say. (Note that unlike Gary Berntsen's "Jawbreaker", this book was published with the CIA's full approval, with nary a redacted line.)
In the end you get the sense that the CIA team were little more than clerks or administrators, doling out the cash to keep Afghan allies, well allied, and making requests for travel, fuel, etc. That's too bad because clearly Schroen and his teammates deserve acknowledgment (and praise) for what they were able to accomplish on the ground, despite being hamstrung and their own operational limitations.
stellar account .......2007-06-02
This book represents a stellar account of the disconnect betwen the policymakers in Washington and those charged with the execution of U.S. foreign policy. Schroen's book also chronicles the insidious influence lobbyists representing foreign nations can have on defense or foreign policy. Pushing forward Pakistan's agenda cost lives of our true allies, those in the Northern Alliance who laid it all on the line to take the fight to the Taliban.
Best CIA book I've ever read.......2007-05-18
Mr. Schroen is the first author coming out of the CIA that I've ever read that has a shred of humility. It was refreshing to read his perspective and look into his amazing paradigm without all the macho horse-crap. This was a very interesting topic to me, and I really enjoyed this author's telling of it. I am into the details and there were a lot of them in this book. It's not a thriller-spy story, but it is a great read in my opinion.
Tip of the Spear.......2006-07-07
Gary Schroen was less that 3 months away from retirement from the CIA on 9/11. He'd had a successful career there in "Operations", the guys who do the actual spying (as opposed to "Analysis", the guys who try and figure out what everything means), mostly dealing with the Middle East, and had wound up a Deputy Division head. For 2 years in the early 90s he was the Station Chief in Kabul, Afghanistan, and later in the decade he'd flown into the Northern Alliance's territory and met Ahmed Shah Masoud, the charismatic leader of that group who was assassinated just before 9/11. He had extensive contacts with various friendly figures in Afghan politics, speaks at least one of the local languages, and of course has lots of experience. As a result, 15 days after 9/11, Schroen was flown into the Northern Alliance's Panshir Valley on a CIA helicopter along with a half dozen other CIA guys, various laptops, satellite phones, and radios, a crate of guns, and $3 million in cash. His orders were to find and kill Osama bin Laden, and topple the Taliban government. This book is his account of the mission, how it went, and the adventures they had along the way.
Schroen was sent into Afghanistan at a time when the army didn't consider it safe to deploy troops (apparently now, if the army can't medivac wounded they won't operate in an area, and since there were no friendly airbases close enough, they were skittish about the idea of committing troops or flying combat missions) so Schroen and his friends were on their own for a considerable time period (about a month). They made friends with the locals (some of whom Schroen already knew) spread around money to buy weapons and supplies, and lobbied for airstrikes, Special Forces teams, and generally support while they watched the Northern Alliance fight the Taliban. As time passed, other CIA teams and Special Forces Operators did appear. At one point in the story, several of the CIA guys participate in a cavalry charge (I keep reading books that recount the "last" cavalry charge in history: believe it or not, this one worked) and there are various other interesting anecdotes. The author, 59 at the time he was inserted into Afghanistan, had terrible intestinal troubles that were never entirely resolved, and one of the other guys had gas (apparently from the altitude). While they didn't get Osama (never even got close, really...they landed on the other side of the country) they were instrumental in tipping the war against the Taliban.
This is an interesting, intelligent book. The accounts of the politics in Washington and the Pentagon are of course frustratingly vague, but of course the author was in Afghanistan when the debates were taking place, so he can only recount what he was hearing over the radio or phone. But for an account of the War on Terror from someone who was on the front lines, this book is just about as good as it gets.
Customer Reviews:
Thanks to Barbara G Walker, I can knit!.......2007-03-10
Although I learned the basics many years ago, I have always been a very mediocre knitter. I have never attempted lace, cables, or multi color patterns, and aside from a few children's sweaters and simple socks, I have never completed a major handknitting project.
This book has been sitting on my bookshelf for several years now, but I never seemed to have the time or nerve to begin. Finally determined to master the craft, a few weeks ago I obtained a few pounds of yarn, a pair of short #8 needles, and I finally began to work my way through. I have just finished square 21, the gorgeous 'Florentine Frieze', and I can feel my skills and confidence improve with each square. The knit-purl combination, slip stitch and mosaic patterned squares have each turned out beautifully and I am eager to get to twisted stitch paterns, cables, and lace. There is even a square to teach short-rowing.
My goal is to finish this afghan over the next two or three months. By then I believe I'll have the skills to complete any project, including a number of one of a kind sweaters that I plan to design and knit with the aid of Knitware software, this book, and/or Ms Walker's other stitch treasuries, all of which are indispensible to any serious knitting student's library.
Enjoyable easy steps.......2006-11-13
I have knit five of the squares since receiving the book, and am enjoying trying new stitch patterns on such small do-able squares which remove the drudgery of having to create a whole garment.
There is good explanation of how to do various techniques such as slip stitching, joining new colours etc. However, I did not find the book's instruction very clear on how to actually knit the basic knit/purl stitches, how to control the tension, how to hold the needles etc. For that, I had to turn to the internet where there are various free instructional videos demonstrating the Continental technique used in this book.
I expect to be pleased with my finished afghan, but as I will not be learning any shaping techniques (decreasing/increasing) I do not feel that I will be confident to knit a garment right away after completing this book.
wonderful way to improve knitting skills.......2005-10-20
I'm enjoying working the squares, because they are so portable with instructions that are easy to follow. I am very glad I made this purchase, because learning these skills will allow me to knit those sweaters I'm dreaming of. Here's a tip: Wooden needles don't show up on the xray of airport security, so I was able to knit on the plane from LA to Orlando. Great way to pass the time.
Techniques & More.......2005-09-06
I love this "how to" book! This is a comprehensive study in many stitches, techniques, and explanations of the various aspects of knitting. The ease of transporting your work as you knit each square is a plus as well.
It's a wonderful teaching tool for beginners, but just as great for intermediate knitters. There is something to learn with just about every square, and when you finish, you've got an afghan!
I highly recommend Learn to Knit Afghan Book by Barbara Walker, as her illlustrations and directions are clear and very easy to follow.
Lace and Cables and much else for new knitters.......2004-01-17
When I was young and Richard Nixon was in the White House...I knew how to knit and purl and that was about it. I had never done a project. I had made a rather dinky scarf, but that was about the extent of it. Somebody else had to cast on and bind off for me.
Almost 30 years ago, I saw Barbara Walker's book and immediately purchased it. Then I got the yarn. I worked through all the squares in a few months--I could have gone quicker but was also going to graduate school, had an infant. Not only was the afghan beautiful, but Walker's notes were so helpful and abundant that I had no trouble whatsoever. Walker really helps you to learn to identify the sundry scenarios that yarn on the needle can create and also to demystify it.
I emerged from the experience and went on to knit fisherman sweaters, lacy christening gowns, and was able to take on any pattern I encountered.
Walker's book is somewhat like going to university and then to graduate school in knitting: I really can't think of any technique that she did not explain.
It's a great first project since it will teach you everything you need to know to do almost any knitting project. I felt as if I had been awarded a Ph.D. in knitting by the time I completed the afghan. It's enormously gratifying to move from little knowledge to creating cables and lace in a matter of weeks.
Since then, I've made several more Learn to Knit afghans in many different colours. I have used Walker's other knitting pattern books to substitute squares when I've wanted more of a challenge.
Other great aspects of this project are its portability; the immediate satisfaction of completing a square and looking at the results, and its beauty. You can use as many colors as you like, or you can limit yourself to two colors.
Books:
- The Age of Faith, Part IV, A History of Medieval Civilization--Christian, Islamic, and Judaic--from Constantine to Dante: A.D. 325 - 1300
- The Box: How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger
- The Cambridge History of Southeast Asia 4 volume Paperback Set (Cambridge History of Southeast Asia)
- The Cambridge Illustrated History of France (Cambridge Illustrated Histories)
- The Communist Manifesto (Signet Classics)
- The Complete Anne of Green Gables Boxed Set (Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island, Anne of Windy Poplars, Anne's House of Dreams, ... Rainbow Valley, Rilla of Ingleside)
- The Condition of Postmodernity: An Enquiry into the Origins of Cultural Change
- The Fight for Jerusalem: Radical Islam, the West, and the Future of the Holy City
- The Good Husband of Zebra Drive (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency 8)
- The Great War for Civilisation: The Conquest of the Middle East
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- The Traveler's Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success
- Owl Moon
- International Tax Agreements, Supplement No. 39. Sales No E.83.Xvi.2
- Odd Girls and Twilight Lovers: A History of Lesbian Life in Twentieth-Century America
- Leni: The Life and Work of Leni Riefenstahl
- Teutonic Knights: A Military History
- Nature's Economy: The Roots of Ecology
- OrCAD PSpice for Windows, Volume I: DC and AC Circuits
- Inside Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003
- Guide to American Business Schools, The Penguin
Contemporary
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The Virtues of War: A Novel of Alexander the Great
Tides of War
Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae
The Isle of Stone: A Novel of Ancient Sparta
Last of the Amazons
