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Escape from Kabul

The Inside Story

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About this listen

 'An important account of one of the defining moments of the modern world' PETER FRANKOPAN

Readers' praise for Escape from Kabul:
'It's rare for a book to be so well written that you feel you are there yourself. I felt like I was holding my breath reading it. Truly eye opening and shocking' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Must read for military historians. Brilliantly written by those who understand modern warfare and politics. Highly recommended.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A compelling page-turner' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The evacuation of Kabul in August 2021 will go down in military history as one of the most unexpected events in modern times. In an eerie replay of the disastrous British retreat from Kabul in 1842, coalition troops withdrew from Afghanistan after twenty years of military campaigning. The subsequent collapse of the Afghan government and its army shocked the world, as a resurgent Taliban gathered its forces and swept across the country. Thousands of Afghans who had worked with the allies were left to the meagre mercy of the Taliban.

As the Taliban went door to door to execute 'collaborators', a small international task force set out on a daring mission to evacuate as many Afghans and their families as possible.

Drawing on a wide range of first-hand accounts - the politicians and officers who planned the trans-continental rescue, the young soldiers who were faced with the unenviable task of keeping a crowd of thousands of desperate people at bay, former interpreters and soldiers of the Afghan Special Forces who made it out - Escape from Kabul is the harrowing true story of Operation Pitting and the Kabul airlift.

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'An essential contribution to the historical record, told with lucid flair' - Sophy Roberts

'A compelling account of one of the most seismic events in recent years. . . Vividly told, Escape from Kabul captures the human cost of America's deal with the Taliban' - Larisa Brown

'Escape from Kabul is savage, adrenalin-fuelled, brutally honest, compelling, and essential reading. Wood and Jones are a dream team writing about a nightmare. . . These are the stories that soldiers tell each other when the press and politicians have packed up and moved on. These are the real stories of the men and women who snatched honour from the jaws of humiliating betrayal and defeat' - Ben Timberlake

'Escape From Kabul explains through personal knowledge and eye-witness testimony the bravery, endurance and professionalism of men and women tasked with achieving the near-impossible'- Stuart Ramsay, Chief Correspondent, Sky News

'Wood and Jones have done an excellent job of translating that chaos into a powerful narrative, replete with human drama and - to some extent - horror. It is certainly compelling and disturbing reading' - Mail on Sunday ©2023 Levison Wood and Geraint Jones Military

Critic reviews

An important account of one of the defining moments of the modern world (Peter Frankopan)
An essential contribution to the historical record, told with lucid flair (Sophy Roberts)
A compelling account of one of the most seismic events in recent years. Through an accumulation of eye witness reports, Levison Wood reveals the true horror and scale of the Afghan suffering and the heroic efforts of the British and American troops and veterans during the August 2021 evacuation from Kabul. Vividly told, Escape from Kabul captures the human cost of America's deal with the Taliban (Larisa Brown)
Escape from Kabul is savage, adrenalin-fuelled, brutally honest, compelling, and essential reading. Wood and Jones are a dream team writing about a nightmare. Their writing style is perfect: highly-charged and vivid one moment, cold and analytical the next. The authors are soldiers turned writers and have clearly won the trust of their contributors. These are the stories that soldiers tell each other when the press and politicians have packed up and moved on. These are the real stories of the men and women who snatched honour from the jaws of humiliating betrayal and defeat (Ben Timberlake)
Escape From Kabul explains through personal knowledge and eye-witness testimony the bravery, endurance and professionalism of men and women tasked with achieving the near-impossible (Stuart Ramsay, Chief Correspondent, Sky News)
All stars
Most relevant
Really well told from the perspective of the people that were there. In-depth assessment of those that experienced the Afghan war. How and why it all fell apart and the controversial withdrawal that was such a mess to many but also an extraordinary success to many others. Love it! Fantastic journalism!

Exceptional analysis of the last phase of the Afghan war

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A raw and at times harrowing account of the final days of the mission in Afghanistan. Drawn from a wide array of people this book illustrates how once again its the people at the lower tiers that get things done, some never to live to tell the tale. It could have been a catastrophe but for luck and on the spot decisions, experience which no doubt was used to good effect in the last few days in Sudan. This won’t be the first book about the withdrawal but it’ll probably be the most accurate from those recounting their memories, still fresh in the mind.

Not the end

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The honesty and compassion shown by all involved. The ongoing commitment continues. I am very proud of my regiment being an ex 2 para soldier.

The unconditional effort given to help those in desperate need need.

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A fascinating collection of accounts bringing to light the appalling failings of government and policy. Also the incredible story of bravery and acts of real humanity in these heartbreaking circumstances that were never done justice by the world's press at the time.

Excellent work

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Great insight from a wide range of individuals. I know the audio is by one of the author’s friends and I feel bad saying this but it was not well read. It was reminiscent of an action film trailer voiceover and got quite annoying. A shame as the book itself is faultless!

Impeccably researched

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