The Only Thing Worth Dying For: How Eleven Green Berets Forged a New Afghanistan

Nice work BLEHM

Great read, couldn't put it down. An amazing and intriguing look into what was and what is really going on in Afghanistan. The detail was intense, nice work Blehm

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

Great story about even greater men

Eric Blehm couldn't have portrayed the story, both victories and defeats, of Specials Forces ODA 574 any better. Blehm clearly placed a high premium on accuracy by interviewing numerous members of ODA 574 as well as other major players - including Afghan president Hamid Karzai. As a future Army officer myself, the realism and attention to detail really sets this book apart from other similar books. Additionally, Blehm's writing clearly displays the emotion each member of ODA 574 put into their mission. The men may not have known at the time that Hamid Karzai would become president, but they knew that their roles would change Afghanistan forever. The story of ODA 574 certainly had its ups and downs but Blehm captures the determination of team to complete their mission despite sometimes overwhelming odds. It is accessible to everyone, whether or not they are especially familiar with the military.Overall, The Only Thing Worth Dying For is wonderfully written and meticulously researched.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

This book is a must read for our generation

What an important book for our generation, especially for those of us who have never experienced war or simply don't understand what our service men and women are up against everyday to help protect innocent people and freedoms around the world. Eric Blehm's ability to tell this amazing story through these real life characters was simply fascinating and heartbreaking. I felt like I was there with them during this mission, and I still can't stop thinking about this story. My heart goes out to everyone affected by the tragedies of war. I truly believe this book will inspire generations to come, and I highly recommend this book to all Americans, Democrat or Republican, Pro-War or Anti-War. Thank you for having the courage and fortitude to stay true to the facts, and write this important book Mr. Blehm, and thank you to all of our military men and women who risk their lives everyday to protect our freedom.

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Very Enlightening

I've always had a hard time understanding the War on Terror. Thank you for putting it an absorbing story for me to grasp the reality and the magnitude of this War on Terror. Definately a "Must Read!"

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Eric Blehm hits another Home Run!

This timely story on current events involving critical issues in Afghanistan will totally thrill and entertain the reader. My wife and I read and enjoyed Eric Blehm's previous book, titled "The Last Season", and having worked in the National Park Service, we were impressed by the author's depth in research, and ability to portray with amazing accuracy the nuances of backcountry wilderness rangers, search and rescue operations, and the types of characters who gravitate to those fields. While I do follow current events, I am not the type who would normally pick up a book about WAR, but we were so taken by Eric Blehm's last book, his writing style and depth of his research into real life events that we wanted to see if his follow up book would take us into Afghanistan, like he took us into the High Sierra in his last book. He succeed. I got the book yesterday, and finished it today. Blehm's talent for research clearly raises the bar for nonfiction books. His style of writing brings excitement and detail to real life stories and makes these events read like the most exciting thriller on the shelf. (Read the endnotes, Blehm only used info gathered from his own interviews with eye witnesses who were there) Before reading "The Only Thing Worth Dying For", I thought our Special Forces teams were just a bunch of snake eaters and assassins. This story reveals in detail a well educated, a highly trained team, and a dedicated and politically astute element in this sensitive real life assignment. The only reason you will put this book down is to take a deep breath and calm your emotions before reading on. It is exciting, educational, and a politically relevant tale of significant real events effecting our current and ever deepening involvement in the complicated Afghanistan corner of our world. Do not miss this one!

Nevada Bookworm

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Awesome

I spent 8 years in the SF, an awesome written book of the men in Afghanistan.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

An important book about an important, true story

I have had the pleasure to read this gripping tale of the account of the 11 man Green Beret Team that escorted Karzai into Afghanistan from Pakistan a few short weeks after the horrors of 9-11.
Anyone who wishes to read an objective, incredibly well researched account of a seminal point in the development of Afghan freedom, owes it to themselves to read this book.
It is the true story of the men we entrust with our own freedom and the championing of freedom in distant lands.

Thank you Eric for your brutal and honest commitment to accuracy and for helping to peel back the onion skin of a complex contemporary issue.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

An incredible story brought to life by the author's accomplished voice and his ground-breaking research.

This is by far the best book on the contemporary U.S. war in Afghanistan published thus far. Eric Blehm is both a gifted storyteller and a meticulous researcher. He makes you feel like you are on the ground in Afghanistan, serving as a member of a Special Forces "A-team."

The narrative recounts the struggles of a small group of men who defeated the Taliban in their tribal heartland and brought Hamid Karzai to power in 2001. Despite our American fascination with technology and firepower, war remains a uniquely human endeavor. Blehm's characters are fully developed because he captures the human condition in extraordinary circumstances: valor and cowardice, the altruistic and the self-interested, skill and luck.

Those of us who directly participated in these events have praised this book as the first one to paint the full picture of what happened after 9/11. Accurately capturing every facet of this strategic turning point required exhaustive research. The author interviewed everyone from Special Forces teammates to Afghan President Karzai. He uses official documents, but steers clear of CIA or Department of Defense self-appraisals that paint an overly flattering picture. In total, this provides the reader with a visceral understanding of both modern combat and the timeless concepts of the fog and friction of war.

"The Only Thing Worth Dying For" is an engrossing read that is also enlightening. Eric Blehm provides a rare look at Hamid Karzai as our nation makes pivotal decisions on the way forward in Afghanistan. And as our nation grapples with terrorist threats in places like Yemen and Somalia, this book provides a lesson in succeeding on the ground without a large commitment of forces.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

If you like facts and not filtered media and Hollywood.

This book was an amazing read. As an Military Operator, I can attest to the real feel of the story. The emotions, camaraderie, and the problems that go along overzealous leadership, are all real. The story was fully approved by the SF soldiers and their survivors.

With all of the media "junk" out there, you should really pick this book up. It's very hard to put down. This is a great book especially if you want to learn what a Special Forces soldier is really like.
This story really tied up the Afghanistan situation for me with a view of what was going on in the crucial Southern part of the country, when what we were being reported all the time was focused on the North.
The brave Soldiers and Airman of this story have had their adventure told in an accurate, respectful manner.

The author specifically steered clear of glamorized violence and gore. That being said, you will get a very well written dose of what hell must surely be like and how the US Military handled things in an extremely professional manner, and also where it failed miserably. The story is a successful one about helping put a good leader in to place against insurmountable odds.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Required reading for each american

This book was a great book which revealed the dedication and sacrifices that our Green Berets / Special Forces made in helping the Afghan people and President Karza in forming their government. This book shows the training, and commitment and sacrifices that members of our Special Forces made. It is a book that you can not put down once you start to read about the challenges that the men were faced with on a daily basis in working with the Afghans and also the Senior U.S. Officers who were wanting to coach from the sidelines so they could get their medals and awards on the basis of the original Green Berets work with the Afghans. Unfortunately, the ending of the book reveals the true sacrifice of these 11 Green Berets/Special Forces when Senior Officers give orders and make decisions without consideration for the Special Forces Team or the Afghans. This should be required reading for each American and should be in each Library. Each of us, as Americans, need to say Thank you to the men and women serving our country and protecting our freedom and the freedom of others.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

An engaging account of the brave men who fought the war on terror in Afghanistan.

Eric Blehm continues to enthrall his readers with his outstanding writing ability. In The Only Thing Worth Dying For, Eric tells the story of the brave men of the Green Berets in Afghanistan with incredible detail and compelling drama. The book is nonfiction, but is written in such a way that the story captivates the reader and quickly becomes a page turner. Eric has a true gift in telling a story based upon fact without interjecting his personal biases or beliefs. The compilation of his interviews with the subjects of his book provided the information and dialogue. The way he assembled it and told the story is outstanding. I highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates great writing. Eric has honored the brave men of ODA 574 with the writing of this story. America is blessed to have brave men like those in ODA 574. America is also blessed to have great writers like Eric Blehm.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A Story of Distinction

This is an extraordinarily well-written book with a storyline that reveals genuine understanding among men before a mistake occurs that leaves one in tears. If only we could have maintained the good will that was developed during this early episode shortly after 9/11. Eric Blehm's research is extremely thorough and it is apparent that he develops a trusting relationship with his interviewees, which is the only way a story of this magnitude has any validity. A must read for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of Afghanistan and its history of the last 40 years. A must read in order to meet the Green Berets who served their country with such distinction.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Another view of Karzai

Not your typical war story, but more of an inward look of the Special Forces and what they do correctly and wrongly. Also a well researched view of what went on in the early days of our involvement in Afghanistan. Doesn't say much for the Bush Administration. A good and fast read.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Fascinating!

After reading this book, I am hungry for more information about Hamid Karzi, and the social structure in Afganistan.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

I can't put this book down.

I find that I can't put this book down. I am both fascinated by everything I am learning, and still touched worrying about these green berets. I can't help but like all these men. I have so much respect and admiration for them all. Blehm has done an excellent job or putting a human element on a tough war and also helping the average person understand how and why things are done in the middle East. I found I cared so much about the Green Berets and couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next. I also found I understood the makeup of Afghanistan better and much more sympathy for the Afghan people.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Well-written, important account.

As I turned the pages, I was left with a conflicted mash-up of analysis and emotion. The five-star rating is thus a benefit of doubt. However, I must preface my comments by stating that this is an excellent work about the first days of the US invasion.
The gripping account of a voiceless cadre is always welcome in the annals of military history. Blehm's work follows the boot tracks of soldiers that would otherwise fade with time, and it does so in a way that conveys the values of a dedicated group of soldiers without resorting to bathos and mawkishness. There is no doubt that this ODA is dedicated, selfless and courageous. Their accounts are frank, and in many instances, brutal. When Blehm directly quotes his sources, we see the blunt language that accompanies the military's KISS principle. At the same time, Blehm gives life to the personalities of each man. These are not smack-talking, tactical gear-laden "cool guys". These are sensitive, insightful and intelligent men who are aware of their own limitations, the strategic goals of their allies and the importance of their mission. They comprehend the importance of cultural respect and cross-cultural understanding as a means of achieving strategic victory.
Yet, as Blehm highlights these characteristics, he leaves the reader wondering why we still struggle in Afghanistan over ten years later. Blehm's greatest misstep is his failure to adequately address this question. Blehm sets up a perfect case for such analysis, and his puzzling short-shrift on the issue could be a bit disappointing for some readers. At the same time, this would have substantially increased the book's length, and if Blehm's goal was to shed light on a fascinating story, then such analysis would be more appropriate in a subsequent work.
Many readers will find the tragedy at the end of the book to be emotionally shattering. For myself, it inflamed the scars from my own experiences; it prompted me to open that one trunk in my attic filled with photos, patches and similar vestiges of another conflict that now seems distant and irrelevant, now remembered only in grave markers. In similar fashion, the photo on the front cover becomes an epitaph when one finishes this work.
The Kirkus review called this "lowbrow history". That is not an accurate description. This account has an important place in the history of this conflict, as it renders a narrative that is too important to be consolidated to make room for post-structuralists' concerns. Some of these men made the highest sacrifice. If that prompts us to conversations that address deeper questions, then one cannot characterize this work as entertainment. To do so would be to discount the humanity in this story.

Must read for any future SOF.

Great story of SOF warriors. Tells the harsh reality of war and the quiet professionals that protect our country.

Excellent Story

I picked this up on a whim, and was not disappointed. The story is a true life tale of what war really entails for those that were/are fighting to manage peace in an unmanageable world. The story of the special forces team is triumphant, sad, and yet heroic. The ending does leave a little to be desired in terms of continuing on the fight(s), but overall it's a fantastic look into the lives of America's heroes.

Must Read

For anyone who enjoys military books, this is a must read!
Great first hand account from the ones who had "Boots on the Ground".

True Heroes

True Heroes, but not a fan of the book.