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Lions of Kandahar cover art

Lions of Kandahar

Written by: Major Rusty Bradley, Kevin Maurer
Narrated by: Eric G. Dove
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Publisher's Summary

One of the most critical battles of the Afghan War is now revealed as never before. Lions of Kandahar is an inside account from the unique perspective of an active-duty U.S. Army Special Forces commander, an unparalled warrior with multiple deployments to the theater who has only recently returned from combat.

Southern Afghanistan was slipping away. That was clear to then-Captain Rusty Bradley as he began his third tour of duty there in 2006. The Taliban and their allies were infiltrating everywhere, poised to reclaim Kandahar Province, their strategically vital onetime capital. To stop them, the NATO coalition launched Operation Medusa, the largest offensive in its history. The battlefield was the Panjwayi Valley, a densely packed warren of walled compounds that doubled neatly as enemy bunkers, lush orchards, and towering marijuana stands, laced through with treacherous irrigation ditches. A mass exodus of civilians heralded the carnage to come.

Dispatched as a diversionary force in support of the main coalition attack, Bradley’s Special Forces A-team and two others, along with their longtime Afghan Army allies, watched from across the valley as the NATO force was quickly engulfed in a vicious counterattack. Key to relieving it and calling in effective air strikes was possession of a modest patch of high ground called Sperwan Ghar. Bradley’s small detachment assaulted the hill and, in the midst of a savage and unforgettable firefight, soon learned they were facing nearly a thousand seasoned fighters - from whom they seized an impossible victory.

Now Bradley recounts the whole remarkable story as it actually happened. The blistering trek across Afghanistan’s infamous Red Desert. The eerie traces of the elusive Taliban. The close relations with the Afghan people and army, a primary mission focus. Sperwan Ghar itself: unremitting waves of fire from machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades; a targeted truck turned into an inferno; the death trap of a cut-off compound. Most important: the men, Americans and Afghans alike - the “shaky” medic with nerves of steel and a surgeon’s hands in battle; the tireless sergeant who seems to be everywhere at once; the soft-spoken intelligence officer with laser-sharp insight; the diminutive Afghan commander with a Goliath-sized heart; the cool maverick who risks all to rescue a grievously wounded comrade - each unique, all indelible in their everyday exercise of extraordinary heroism.

©2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.; 2011 Rusty Bradley

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Great listen! Must read for Afghanistan veterans!

Having deployed in the same area in 2010 it was nice seeing how we secured the area back in 2006. Well done with the book and thank you for helping the Canadian during Op Medusa!

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Inspirational and beautifully articulated

As a member of the ISAF mission on Medusa I can say this is a very real and accurate account. it is written from the perspective of the ground forces and my hat goes off to the SF operators. at the time I didnt realize how much you did to help.

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Amazing story

As a Vet I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The author never slagged any other forces, even though it may have been called for, but focussed on the story at hand. Great work!

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Intense, but Amazing!

The book was amazing, it really made you feel like you were there! My uncle was part of that operation with the Canadians, so thanks to the author for supporting my uncle and fellow Canadians is that battle!

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Excellent action backed read

Fantastic story of the biggest battle to take place in Afghanistan. I recommend also reading Operation Medusa. It its told from the ISF or Canadian command perspective. The two books combined complete the challenges of this forgotten battle.

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One of the best.

Great story that really draws you in. The narrator does a great job of conveying the emotions of the troops. Couple of hiccups with some vernacular but other than that it's a great performance.

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Great book but...

It was an incredible story, but use a narrator that knows or understands military vernacular and acronyms. He made the story less interesting because it was clear the guy knew nothing about the army. Great content, should have just read the book myself.

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