Horse Soldiers

By Doug Stanton

Horse Soldiers - Doug Stanton
  • Release Date: 2009-05-05
  • Genre: Military History
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 397 Ratings

Description

Now a major motion picture from Jerry Bruckheimer starring Chris Hemsworth and Michael Shannon!

“A thrilling action ride of a book” (The New York Times Book Review)—the New York Times bestselling, true-life account of a US Special Forces team deployed to dangerous, war-ridden Afghanistan in the weeks following 9/11.

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.

Reviews

  • 12 strong

    3
    By OskiPop
    Too few chapters in the book, stories just ran together and it’s hard to keep up with what’s going on. One of the few times I’m looking forward to watching the movie even though I know there’s not going to be the detail there was in the book. I just feel the story will flow better
  • Great book!

    5
    By ericandi
    Awesome book. Don’t waste your time on the movie. From the previews I can tell that the movie is almost completely fabricated and nothing like the amazing true story told in this book. Hollywood once again took a great non-fiction book and totally turned it into a fictional movie that has only marginal similarities to reality.
  • Horse soldiers

    4
    By Bayraker
    A must read in order to know what our service people are dealing with
  • Awesome

    5
    By TacoGrease
    Why the story of the Horse Soldiers has not become a multi part HBO series like Generation Kill or Band of Brothers is beyond me. The story, in it of itself brilliant, has been incredibly well researched and reconstructed by Stanton. My only complaint is the focus on the Western media leading up to and following the capture of Mazar-i-Sharif (when Green Berets, British SBS commandos, and Northern Alliance Afghans are fighting for their lives, why would anyone care about some reporter trying to get into the city? Bloody stupid...). Other than that, as I said, fantastic book, one that will likely always be on my book shelf.
  • Amazing

    5
    By Texasreiguy
    Well written... Best OEF Afghanistan book I've read so far..
  • Horse Soldiers

    5
    By Poetessmom
    This is my first book read on any of the wars in Afghanistan. The author made it easy to understand despite the many players in this story. He never lost track of the humanity of the characters whether they were American or Alliance soldiers. And he put a face to the evils of the Taliban and Al Qaeda. That evil is so thorough and overwhelming that he helped me partner emotionally with the need to eradicate this scourge from the earth. If our soldiers question what they were a part of or what they had to do in the war, let them suffer emotionally no longer. Some things are not redeemable. Some people are not redeemable. God loves all people but some will never choose that narrow path of right and good that redeems us. It is unfortunate that good, patriotic men have to become instruments of right and justice. The author showed me that our great soldiers deserve the rest and peace of mind of jobs well done.
  • Must read for Amy military intrested

    5
    By spaz man
    Showed lots of detail kept you on the edge was supported by fact and as you go through the bibliography you can see that it is truly 100% fact
  • Americans Assist Those In Need

    5
    By tbw427
    This tells about what America is all about! A fantastic account about our soldiers and what they do to help liberate others who can't do it themselves. I've always been proud to be an American but after reading this account I'm even prouder. Special thanks to our SF soldiers who overcame huge odds in order to help the Northern Alliance stifle the reign of the Taliban.
  • Great Book

    5
    By PETEaggie
    I read this book when it first came out and really liked it. Gives you a good look into how we got into the war following 9/11.