The Afghan Campaign (Abridged): A novel Audiobook, by Steven Pressfield Play Audiobook Sample

The Afghan Campaign (Abridged): A novel Audiobook

The Afghan Campaign (Abridged): A novel Audiobook, by Steven Pressfield Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: James Langton Publisher: Random House Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 4.33 hours at 1.5x Speed 3.25 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: July 2006 Format: Abridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780739333259

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

95

Longest Chapter Length:

05:57 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

02:23 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

04:02 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

16

Other Audiobooks Written by Steven Pressfield: > View All...

Publisher Description

2,300 years ago an unbeaten army of the West invaded the homeland of a fierce Eastern tribal foe. This is one soldier’s story . . . 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. In a story that might have been ripped from today’s combat dispatches, Steven Pressfield brings to life the confrontation between an invading Western army and fierce Eastern warriors determined at all costs to defend their homeland. Narrated by an 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. An edge-of-your-seat adventure, The Afghan Campaign once again demonstrates Pressfield’s profound understanding of the hopes and desperation of men in battle and of the historical realities that continue to influence our world.

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""The Afghan Campaign" by Steven Pressfield offers a gripping narrative set against the backdrop of Alexander the Great's conquests in ancient Afghanistan. Pressfield's vivid storytelling transports readers to a tumultuous era of war, ambition, and cultural clashes. While I enjoyed the story and appreciated Pressfield's meticulous research, I couldn't help but feel that "The Afghan Campaign" fell slightly short of some of his other historical novels. However, this sentiment was ameliorated by the exceptional narration by James Langton in this audiobook version. Langton's performance is nothing short of remarkable, breathing life into Pressfield's characters with depth and authenticity. His interpretation adds an immersive layer to the story, making the audiobook a compelling listening experience. I'm sure I would have had reservations about the physical book, but Langton's superb reading alone makes the audiobook version of "The Afghan Campaign" worth recommending. His portrayal of the various characters elevates the narrative and enhances the overall enjoyment of the story. For fans of historical fiction, particularly those interested in ancient warfare, this audiobook is an excellent-listen."

— Peppone (4 out of 5 stars)

The Afghan Campaign Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.93103448275862 out of 53.93103448275862 out of 53.93103448275862 out of 53.93103448275862 out of 53.93103448275862 out of 5 (3.93)
5 Stars: 8
4 Stars: 14
3 Stars: 5
2 Stars: 1
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — Edward Winterberger, 7/2/2022
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Alexander's campaign in Afghanistan faces challenges with uncanny similarities to the Russian and American experiences in the 20th and 21st centuries... an easy read and fun. "

    — Tom, 2/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " [Audio book] Rousing tale of counter insurgency in Afghanistan (not this current one, but the one Alexander waged). Description of a soldier's life on campaign was well constructed. "

    — Milton, 1/30/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Very interesting historical novel. Would make a great read for a high school boy who otherwise doesn't like reading. Despite the war setting and male author, the book has feminist undertones. What I learned from the book is that nothing has changed in Afghanistan in 2300 years. "

    — Ann, 1/27/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Slow start, but great story once it picks up, and great ending. "

    — Leo, 1/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Interesting depiction of the military career of a Macedonian soldier during Alexander's time. Kind of clunky in making overly obvious allusions to subsequent conflicts in Afghanistan, but still good. "

    — Liosliath, 1/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A good read. Lots of blood, lots of violence; the perfect thing for a young girl growing up in this harsh world. "

    — Jun, 12/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Follows Alexander's path into Afghanistan and his unsatiable desire to quell the area before moving his army to India. Picks up where Virtues of War leaves off. "

    — Michael, 12/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Better than Killing Rommel but not as good as Gates of Fire or Last of the Amazons. Not enough character development for my taste. "

    — Shawn, 10/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Steven Pressfield is great at setting descriptions. A lot of action and historical content. Easy to read, I recommend the book. "

    — Oscar, 9/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Seeing the army of Alexander the Great invade and try to occupy Afghanistan from a common soldier's point of view was very informative. Good historical novel. Entertaining and informative. "

    — Terry, 7/29/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " This is the second book of his I have read, and I've come to accept the fact that I just don't like Pressfield. The topics are interesting, which makes me want to like it, but the dialogue seems phony. "

    — Nick, 7/6/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " George Bush should have read this "

    — Randy, 6/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " The best book about the personal toll of war and the clash of cultures I have read. Couldn't put it down. A great companion to "On Killing" and Sebastian Junger's "War" "

    — Matt, 12/23/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " The use of modern idiom dilutes the story's impact. "

    — Mike, 12/5/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is a must read. If ever there was a book that reflected the futility and brutality of the war in present day Afghanistan, this is it. Brilliantly told. As far as I'm concerned, it outclasses Gates of Fire. "

    — Thomas, 8/3/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Brutal portrayal of Alexander's campaign through Afghanistan ending with his marriage to Rosario Dawson. There's some pretty slick parallels to the modern Afghan campaign. Maybe we all need to marry Puerto Rican Afghan princesses. "

    — Ryan, 6/26/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Historical fiction of Alexanders invasion of Afghanistan told from the point of view of a foot soldier in his army. "

    — Fred, 6/22/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Expected more after Gates Of Fire. Found the ending a bit rushed. Otherwise pretty good. "

    — Old-Barbarossa, 3/11/2012
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " I was expecting an historical novel and Iit is more novel than historical "

    — Jerry, 12/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Hands down, the finest work of historical fiction I've ever read. And I've read a lot of historical fiction. "

    — Myke, 5/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A good read. Lots of blood, lots of violence; the perfect thing for a young girl growing up in this harsh world. "

    — Jun, 3/29/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Terrific. Helps one understand the painful history of the region and how futile it seems to battle there. "

    — Craig, 3/18/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Alexander's campaign in Afghanistan faces challenges with uncanny similarities to the Russian and American experiences in the 20th and 21st centuries... an easy read and fun. "

    — Tom, 3/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " As I was reading this I kept being pulled forward into the present-day and the current conflict in Afghanistan. Someone once said that all wars are the same... maybe all wars in Afghanistan are identical? "

    — Mieczyslaw, 1/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Interesting depiction of the military career of a Macedonian soldier during Alexander's time. Kind of clunky in making overly obvious allusions to subsequent conflicts in Afghanistan, but still good. "

    — Liosliath, 1/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " New Steven Pressfield addict. Gates of Fire was better, but the author never dissapoints. "

    — Cassandra, 1/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A very good read. Great scenes of battle. "

    — Roop, 1/5/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " The best book about the personal toll of war and the clash of cultures I have read. Couldn't put it down. A great companion to "On Killing" and Sebastian Junger's "War" "

    — Matt, 1/2/2011

About Steven Pressfield

Steven Pressfield is the author of the hugely successful novels Gates of Fire, Tides of War, and Last of the Amazons, among others. His debut novel, The Legend of Bagger Vance, was made into a major motion picture starring Matt Damon and Will Smith in 2000. He lives in California.

About James Langton

James Langton, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, trained as an actor at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and later as a musician at the Guildhall School in London. He has worked in radio, film, and television, also appearing in theater in England and on Broadway. He is also a professional musician who led the internationally renowned Pasadena Roof Orchestra from 1996 to 2002.