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12 Strong (Abridged): The Extraordinary Story of a Band of US Soldiers Who Rode to Victory in Afghanistan Audiobook
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(4.00) - 1,870 listener ratings
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Now a major motion picture from Jerry Bruckheimer and Lionsgate!
The New York Times bestselling “spellbinding true-life story” (USA TODAY) of a United States Special Forces team deployed to the war-ravaged Afghanistan mountains in the weeks immediately following 9/11, overcoming great odds to become heroes of our era.
In the weeks following the attacks of September 11, a small band of Special Forces soldiers secretly entered Afghanistan. Riding on horseback, they pursued the Taliban over the stark and mountainous Afghanistan terrain. After a series of intense battles, they captured the strategically essential city of Mazar-i-Sharif.
The bone-weary American soldiers were welcomed as liberators as they rode into the city, and the streets thronged with Afghans overjoyed that the Taliban regime had been overthrown. Then the action took a wholly unexpected turn. During a surrender of six hundred Taliban troops, the Horse Soldiers were ambushed by the would-be POWs. Dangerously overpowered, they fought for their lives in the city’s immense fortress, Qala-i-Jangi, or the House of War. At risk were the military gains of the entire campaign: if the soldiers perished or were captured, the entire effort to outmaneuver the Taliban was likely doomed.
Previously published as Horse Soldiers, 12 Strong “is not just a battle story—it’s also about the home front. An important book” (the TODAY show). A thrilling, inspiring tale of a group of men on horses who did the impossible and an incredible account of real life bravery and heroism in the face of insurmountable odds.
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"I found this book very interesting and very gruesome to read at the same time. To think people we're treating other people like the way the taliban were treating it's citizens of afghanistan. To think those few men, are not even thought of or even remembered now a days it immoral. If it weren't for this book we may have nevered have learned about a new age technology combined with old world travel defeated a country and save it's people."
— Jessica (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“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 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 -
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 thrilling military action, brilliant in-depth journalism, and powerful story telling. 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 -
“Spellbinding…action packed prose…The book reads more like a novel than a military history…the Horse Soldier’s secret mission remains the U.S. militarys finest moment in what has since arguably been a muddled war.”
— USA Today -
“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
Awards
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New York Times bestseller
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One of the 2009 New York Times Book Review 100 Notable Books for Nonfiction
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A Publishers Weekly bestseller
12 Strong Listener Reviews
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Chris Dunn, 5/25/2021
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" Amazing!!!! I had goosebumps the last 20 pages!!!!! The intelligence of these soldiers and mental strength is surreal as well as physical!!!! Well researched!!!! A must read!!!! "
— Tammy-Anne, 2/16/2014 -
" Read within the past year. Not sure of date completed. "
— Gary, 2/12/2014 -
" The true story of a small group of US Special Forces soldiers that go into Afghanistan after 9/11 to fight the Taliban on horseback. A lot of good info on Afghanistan and also on the Special Forces. "
— Carmen, 2/3/2014 -
" Interesting to see how our soldiers performed in such a recent war. We are fortunate to have such outstanding men as those depicted in this book fighting for our counry. "
— Dad, 2/3/2014 -
" This is a book that we should all read. This is the true story of true patriotism and incredible bravery. Military policy doesn't always make sense. "
— Shane, 1/30/2014 -
" A VERY good read! A multi-layered and edge-of-your-seat read. Highly, highly recommend. My favorite read so far in 2011. "
— Tasha, 1/6/2014 -
" Recommendation from Matt Voigt, guy we interviewed on May 13, 2011. Interesting read about Special Forces soldiers that literally rode to battle on horses. "
— Jeff, 1/6/2014 -
" I had never read a book like this before...after seeing the author on Jon Stewart, I was interested. What an incredible true story of the men and women in our country that risk EVERYTHING to make us safe and secure. I wanted to read more... "
— Drea, 12/23/2013 -
" Very well written history of the first group of special forces soldiers to enter Afghanistan after the 9/11 and fight the Taliban. Incredible story of true heroes. "
— Todd, 12/12/2013 -
" Amazing story of warfare in Afghanistan shortly after 9/11. The author did extensive research about these soldiers from Ft. Campbell. "
— Terry, 4/14/2013 -
" A great read that takes you back to the days right after 9/11, when the first American soldiers went into Afghanistan. I really liked it, and it helped teach me a lot about Afghanistan, but it got kind of dense at points. I'm not usually big on war books, but I'd recommend this one. "
— Emily, 2/4/2013 -
" Story of 1st Special Forces A Team who linked up with Gary Schoen, 1st CIA Team into Afghanistan in Oct 2001 after 9./11. linked up with Northern Alliance General Dostum, and literally fought on horseback with his troops - fascinating!! "
— Hugh, 1/2/2013 -
" This was an excellent book. "
— Cindy, 11/11/2012 -
" Lots of books about war and Afghanistan, but this is the best. Loved it. "
— Chris, 10/16/2012 -
" Interesting story but not entranced "
— Phil, 8/28/2012 -
" Outstanding! Details the travels of the first Special Forces into Afghanistan. Very intense. "
— Kirk, 8/13/2012 -
" This book is about extraordinary men who happened to be soldiers. Until this book, I did not even know about these special forces who were faced with impossible odds. "
— Robbie, 4/6/2012 -
" Really enjoyed reading this - it felt like a Tom Clancy novel but is a true story. "
— Dara032, 12/19/2011 -
" Invasion of Afghanistan after 9-11. I got lost in all the place and people names. Good firsthand account if you want to plow through it. "
— Patty, 4/12/2010
About Doug Stanton
Doug Stanton is the author of the New York Times bestseller In Harm’s Way: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors. A former contributing editor at Esquire, Sports Afield, and Outside, he is now a contributing editor at Men’s Journal and has written extensively on travel, sport, entertainment, and history, during which time he has nearly drowned in Cape Horn waters, survived a mugging by jungle revolutionaries, played basketball with George Clooney, and took an acting lesson from Harrison Ford. Stanton graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan and Hampshire College in Massachusetts and received an MFA from the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop. He and his wife, the investigative reporter Anne Stanton, have three children.
About Dennis Boutsikaris
Dennis Boutsikaris is a two-time OBIE award winner. He has received five Audie Awards and seven Golden Earphone Awards for his work in over 100 audiobooks and was voted one of the Best Voices of the Year by AudioFile magazine. He has appeared in numerous Broadway, television, and film roles. He played Mozart on Broadway in Amadeus and has appeared on television shows including Shameless, The Good Wife, House M.D., Grey’s Anatomy, ER, and Law & Order.