Horse Soldiers: The Extraordinary Story of a Band of U.S. Soldiers Who Rode to Victory in Afghanistan

Thrilling True Story About U.S. Special Forces vs. Taliban in Afghanistan

As he did "In Harm's Way", Doug Stanton has written another factual, thrilling account; this time about a small band of Special Forces soldiers ordered to Afghanistan on a secret mission shortly after 9/11 to assist local warlords in the fight against the Taliban in the northern part of the country. The soldiers pursued the enemy on horseback, riding over brutal terrain and fighting battles along the way, to capture the city of Mazar-i-Sharif. The book culminates with the exciting battle at the city's fortress Qala-i-Janghi, which will hold your attention and take your breath away. It seems like you are right there watching the soldiers fight an enemy that greatly outnumbered them. In "Horse Soldiers" you get to know individual soldiers and their families. While the men faced unsurmountable odds in Afghanistan, their families waited at home in great anticipation to hear from their loved ones. Can the soldiers trust the Afghan generals who are leading them into the battles? Are the people in the villages members of the Taliban? The soldiers must be constantly cautious and on alert. Stanton's narrative is researched exceptionally well; the book reads like a novel. Stanton has included a list of key players at the beginning of the book, which I found helpful and referred to often. Also, maps and drawings help you better understand different vital locations. Beliefs are contrasted between CIA Paramilitary Officer Mike Spann, loyal to the U.S., and the young American found fighting alongside the Taliban, John Walker Lindh. The Horse Soldiers combined strategies of calvary warfare with 21st century aerial bombardment technology. The soldiers make an effort to befriend the local townspeople and avoid civilian casualties. That they did so serves as a valuable lesson for America's fight in Afghanistan today. For the most part, this is a country of a proud people fighting oppression by the Taliban and in search of its place in the modern world, in pursuit of humanity for all its citizens. Stanton's "Horse Soldiers" is a book with heart, with an unforgettable message.

10 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

Mounted Fury

Doug Stanton has written the gripping true story of American Special Forces fighting against and sometimes along side Afghan warlords in their hunt for the Taliban in what can only be described as the Wild West meets High Tech in his bestseller, "Horse Soldiers". I remember when this story first broke a few years ago. I followed it closely on Fox News and CNN with both pride and fascination as I watched US Special Forces units, along with a host of colorful and often deadly array of individuals battling the Taliban from the air, ground, and on horseback as they transverse some of the most beautiful and inhospitable land on the planet.

Doug Stanton has done a wonderful job of relating their stories. Written from the perspectives of those who participated, "Horse Soldiers" provides outstanding examples of how to merge the high tech of today's military with the needs of the mission, which in some cases, required US troops to take a backseat to the egos of Afghanistan's ruling warlords who, without their assistance, we stood no chance of success. What I personally enjoyed the most as former military, was that in writing the book, Stanton doesn't allow himself to get in the way of those telling the story, namely those who took on and fought the Taliban a some journalist do. Kudos to Stanton!

I can easily see this book becoming required reading at any of our nation's military academies. As I commented to friend of mine recently, "Horse Soldiers" is like a Tom Clancy novel, only this is real! So, if you're someone who is interested in the war on terrorism or simply enjoy high adventure, this book is for you.

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Thrilling True Story About U.S. Special Forces vs. Taliban in Afghanistan

As he did "In Harm's Way", Doug Stanton has written another factual, thrilling story about a small band of Special Forces soldiers ordered to Afghanistan on a secret mission shortly after 9/11 to assist local warlords in the fight against the Taliban in the northern part of the country. The soldiers pursued the enemy on horseback, riding over brutal terrain and fighting battles along the way, to capture the city of Mazar-i-Sharif. The book culminates with the exciting battle at the city's fortress Qala-i-Janghi, which will hold your attention and will take your breath away. It seems like you are right there, watching the brave soliders fight the enemy that greatly outnumbered them. In "Horse Soliders", you get to know individual soldiers and their families. While the men faced unsurmountable odds in Afghanistan, their families waited at home in great anticipation to hear any news from their loved ones. Can the soldiers trust the Afghan generals who are leading them in the battles? Are the people in the villages members of the Taliban? The soldiers must be constantly cautious and on alert. Stanton's narrative is researched exceptionally well; the book reads like a novel. Stanton has included a list of key players at the beginning of the book, which I found helpful and referred to often. Also, maps and drawings help you better understand different vital locations. The book also describes persons of constrasting beliefs - of CIA Paramilitary Officer Mike Spann, loyal to the U.S., and the young American found fighting with the Taliban, John Walker Lindh. The Horse Soldiers combined strategies of calvary warfare with 21st century aerial bombardment technology. The soldiers made an effort to befriend the local townspeople and avoid civilian casualties. That they did so serves as a valuable lesson for America's fight in Afghanistan today. For the most part, this is a country of a proud people fighting oppression by the Taliban and in search of its place in the modern world, in pursuit of humananity for all its citizens. Stanton's "Horse Soliders" is a book with heart, with an unforgettable message.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Excellent so far

have not finished it yet, but; so far it is outstanding.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Every American should read this book. I knew we had brave young men serving in these Speical Units. Any young man or woman wanting to join one of these elite units should read this story.They would understand the vigorous training reguirement.

I'm a Vietnam Vet, Combat Infantryman, so I can sure understand their heavy loads carried on their backs. As was pointed out in the book, you can't carry enough ammo.
This is a very good read, my thanks to the Doug Stanton for telling their story.

SFC Joseph H Wolfe, Jr. USA (RET)

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Recent history, military and political

This story is from headlines in the last 10 years, but is likely to be a history lesson for future studies of the Afghan war effort since 2001. So much is written of WWII heroic efforts, Vietnam and Korea's plusses and minuses, but current history often neglected. The Iraq and Afghanistan war efforts have modern day heroes that are beginning to show up in non-fiction literature. "Eight lives down" is an example in the Iraq theatre, and "Horse Soldiers" will bring the effort of US Special Forces to light in a way not recognized by the press. Stanton's chronological account of brave and brilliant US service men integrating themselves into the Afghan tribal war saga and with few men, and significant strategy accomplish more the tens of thousands of troops will do under less competant but higher level authority. This account leaves you with a respect and admiration for today's career military, extraordinary telling of a present day military success that will linger long after the last page.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

This may be the first historic view of the 2001 US conflict in Afghanistan. It is very different from the news accounts and therefore very groundbreaking and relevant.

First I would like to state my relevant personal life experience as it applies. For more than a decade I was a civilian engineer working with and around DoD special operations personnel in various capacities. I was NOT an operator, however. Not even close. Having said that, I can say that this expedition in Afghanistan was, in my opinion, what Special Operations is all about. It may have been US SpecOps' finest hour, but there have been many fine hours for SpecOps, so that statement would quite likely be contradictory among knowledgeable SpecOps personnel. But it shows the type of results that can be acheived with just a few dedicated, elite, highly trained, and superbly selected individuals. The author, unfortunately, was so agog at the type of heroism that is common among these people that he neglected to give an adequate top level overview of the events as they unfolded. This made it difficult for me to follow as I read through the various anecdotes. Nevertheless, he has heralded an incredible story that desperately needs to be told to all Americans. When these events were unfolding, they could never have been chronicled, for a number of reasons, so the American public has not had even a glimmer of what occurred. But now enough time has passed that the story can be told without getting mired down in spin, politics, or petty recriminations, to say nothing of causing serious suffering to those heroic soldiers who would have been dangerously compromised by earlier publicity. And what a story it is! I would recommend it for all Americans who would like to be proud of their country and what some have done for it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Awesome book and different view of the War

This was the 1st book I read about the Afghanistan War and it truly amazed me. This book is way different then reading press clippings or internet articles about the war. It gives an in-depth view of the 1st couple of months after 9/11 and what the US did.
It's an amazing story that has so many twists and turns. Who could have known that the US worked with warlords or had Special Forces ride on horseback through the country? It is an amazing read and I recommend it to anyone. Great page turner

Excellent read

If you think you're a tough guy read this book. Afterwards, if you still think you're a tough guy you're probably in the book.

THE BEST POST 911 BOOK

The book portrays the indvidual soliders, their personalities and families and the exceptionally detailed battles waged by special forces and the Afgan soldiers. Great descriptions of the logistical battle to insert SF solider and CIA operators. This is a must read if you really want to know went on in our secret battles. This is truly a historical book.

Great book

Actually read this via audio.very inspiring.makes me glad that we have guys out there ready to do whatever it takes so i dont have to.thank you!

Wish I Read It Sooner

Wonderful story of our bravest and brightest fighting alongside Afghans with supplies from REI. Great look at how the Army's Special Forces live and work behind the lines.

Excelent!

I found this book to be extremely good.
Although, I may be baised considering my uncle was one of the men in the group of soldiers, but that fact aside, I still found it to be a thrilling and gripping (and very factual) novel.

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0 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Great read very educational

#1

poorly written. do not buy this

the book does very little to provide information outside the events taking place. leaves the authoe feeling lost amd unaware of actually whtats happening. i feel if this was written with more detail and backround info it could have been a great booko

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Facts make this book a living history of a new kind of war for americans.

The author of this book went to extraordinary lengths to print only the facts and the circumstances that make this more than a story.The reader of this story will come away from this book with the knowledge and reverence for the bravery of these Americans.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

highly recommended

Is an awesome book about the war on terrorism which mixes the technology of the US military and the long tradition of afganistan warlords fighting battles traveling on horseback.....gives you the insight on how resiliant the taliban and afganistan fighters are...

Coming from a veteran and seeing a good friend die in combat in Lwara, Afghanistan this book is the best non-fiction war novel I've ever read.....

Absolutely amazing. Gave me chills and made me feel as though I was actually there.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Fantastic

This is a fantastic historical piece. This could have easily escaped into history without being documented.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.