Horse Soldiers: The Extraordinary Story of a Band of Special Forces Who Rode to Victory in Afghanistan - Softcover

Stanton, Doug

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1847398235 ISBN 13: 9781847398239

Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK, 2010

Synopsis

The Horse Soldiers is the true, dramatic account of a small band of Special Forces soldiers who entered Afghanistan immediately following September 11, 2001 and, riding to war on horses, defeated the Taliban. Heavily outnumbered, they nonetheless succeed in capturing the strategic Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif, where they are welcomed as liberators as they ride on horseback into the city, the streets thronged with Afghans overjoyed that the Taliban have been kicked out. The soldiers rest easy, as they feel they have accomplished their mission. Then the action takes a wholly unexpected turn. During a surrender of Taliban troops, the Horse Soldiers are ambushed by the would-be P.O.W.s and, still dangerously outnumbered, they must fight for their lives in the city's ancient fortress known as Qala-I Janghi, or the House of War...

About this title

Review:

"A thrilling action ride of a book." -Bruce Barcott, cover of "The New York Times Book Review"

"A fascinating account...This is not just a battle story--it's also about the home front. An important book." -"The Today Show"

"Doug Stanton's "Horse Soldiers" is as gripping as the most intricately plotted thriller. It is a masterwork of stunning military action, brilliant in-depth journalism, and powerful storytelling. Finally Americans can know how just a few dozen courageous U.S. soldiers beat the Taliban under the most extreme and dangerous conditions imaginable. I could not put this book down." -- Vince Flynn

""Horse Soldiers" is a great read -- a riveting story of the brave and resourceful American warriors who rode into Afghanistan after 9/11 and waged war against Al Qaeda. We're hearing many of these stories for the first time -- and from those who waged a war worthy of Rudyard Kipling, James Bond, and Davy Crockett." -- Tom Brokaw

"Doug Stanton's "Horse Soldiers" is the story of the first large American unconventional warfare operation since World War II. My Green Berets were launched deep into enemy territory to befriend, recruit, equip, advise, and lead their Afghan counterparts to attack the Taliban. The Horse Soldiers succeeded brilliantly with a highly decentralized campaign, reinforced with modern airpower's precision weapons, forcing the Taliban government's collapse in a few months. Doug Stanton captures the gritty realities of the campaign as no other can." -- Geoffrey C. Lambert, major general (retired), U.S. Army, and commanding general of the U.S. Army Special Forces Command (Airborne), 2001-2003

"Not just an epic war story, "Horse Soldiers" is a beautifully written, intimate portrait of the men and women who lived the battle on the fields of fire -- and at home, too. Their secret mission against the Taliban was intelligent, brave, and undertaken with great care for the good people of Afghanistan. Doug Stanton's superb account is an invaluable insight for policy makers and the public for years to come." -- Greg Mortenson, author of "Three Cups of Tea"

""Horse Soldiers" reads like a cross between an old-fashioned Western and a modern spy thriller." -- "Parade Magazine"

"Stanton has captured the inner workings of... Special Forces operations. A thorough recounting of the events told from the soldiers' point of view." -- Veritas, Journal of Special Operations History

"In the spirit of "Black Hawk Down" and "Flags of Our Fathers," Doug Stanton plunges into the heart of a single mission and returns with a stark understanding not only of what happened but what was truly at stake. Through precise reportage and hauntingly rendered battle scenes, Stanton shows that we may ignore this 'forgotten' theater only at our own peril." -- Hampton Sides, author of "Ghost Soldiers" and "Blood and Thunder"

"Doug Stanton's Horse Soldiers is as gripping as the most intricately plotted thriller. It is a masterwork of stunning military action, brilliant in-depth journalism, and powerful storytelling. Finally Americans can know how just a few dozen courageous U.S. soldiers beat the Taliban under the most extreme and dangerous conditions imaginable. I could not put this book down." -- Vince Flynn

About the Author:

Doug Stanton has travelled extensively as a contributing editor for the US Esquire, and other magazines. With his contacts in the Department of Defence, Pentagon, and various branches of the US military, Stanton is a subject matter expert in the areas of insurgency, counter-insurgency, and unconventional and civil wars.

About this edition

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1847398235
• ISBN 13: 9781847398239
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 416