12 Strong cover art

12 Strong

The Declassified True Story of the Horse Soldiers

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About this listen

 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. Armed Forces Military Special & Elite Forces War Solider Middle East
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It starts slowly, but stick with it as it heats up to an extraordinary finale. An epic journey and insight as to how Special Forces think and operate.

Great historical account.

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Overall a very good account of how special forces soldiers interact with local forces to achieve a goal. For those interested in the military diplomatic psychological of soldiering it is a good account of obviousness learned by American forces.

The overall story was interesting with Americans learning how small wars are fought without a large supply train. I found it very interesting that the book at times stressed the fact that the Afghans did a lot of the fighting rather than claiming all the valour for the US troops.
The narrator was good though the hoarse throatiness during stressful times in the story made my eyes roll.


In the end it draws a very good contrast to the beginning of the Afghanistan campaign as opposed to the Iraq campaign.

Overall worth a read or listen.

How very American

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excellent story (probably nothing like the planned film) with outstanding descriptions of the efforts of 12 men and their cooperation with afghan groups fighting in Afghanistan. Heroism is not enough to describe the daily strain these men endured ahead of main operations by US forces. Detailed and explicit, and intriguing from start to finish. Highly recommended

superb story of gallant men

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Very interesting general story, but I was quite bored at times with the endless details

Very interesting, but too many details

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I actually wish they had not used the film poster on the cover art as it does not hold up to the book at all! Great performance, this gives you a real insight to the early days following 9/11. American specials forces inserted into crazy conditions and world war 1 style fighting with cavalry charges, the book covers many battles and the delicate alliances with tribal leaders. Because of the nature of the book you do have to concentrate and be involved with the book, and finish it over a short period of time or you will forget names and places!

Forget the film, this is the real deal!

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