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The Outpost

An Untold Story of American Valor

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About this listen

 The basis of the film starring Orlando Bloom and Scott Eastwood, The Outpost is the heartbreaking and inspiring story of one of America's deadliest battles during the war in Afghanistan, acclaimed by critics everywhere as a classic.
At 5:58 AM on October 3rd, 2009, Combat Outpost Keating, located in frighteningly vulnerable terrain in Afghanistan just 14 miles from the Pakistani border, was viciously attacked. Though the 53 Americans there prevailed against nearly 400 Taliban fighters, their casualties made it the deadliest fight of the war for the U.S. that year. Four months after the battle, a Pentagon review revealed that there was no reason for the troops at Keating to have been there in the first place.

In The Outpost, Jake Tapper gives us the powerful saga of COP Keating, from its establishment to eventual destruction, introducing us to an unforgettable cast of soldiers and their families, and to a place and war that has remained profoundly distant to most Americans. A runaway bestseller, it makes a savage war real, and American courage manifest.
"The Outpost is a mind-boggling, all-too-true story of heroism, hubris, failed strategy, and heartbreaking sacrifice. If you want to understand how the war in Afghanistan went off the rails, you need to read this book." -- Jon Krakauer Freedom & Security Military Politics & Government United States War & Crisis World War

Critic reviews

"Tapper's sassy style...gives the book a humorous angle that probably won't be found in most mainstream books about Election 2000....For those who are looking for an insider's view and tales, this is the book to buy."—National Journal
"Tapper, the network's ambitious, telegenic Senior White House Correspondent, has made a name for himself as a tough questioner...ABC's tenacious reporter is already proving to be the new star of the White House press pack."—The Daily Beast
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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Very much so if they have an interest in this historical period

Who was your favorite character and why?

All of them because it made me realise just how unimportant we 'normal' people are to the ruling politicians of our respective countries.

Have you listened to any of Rob Shapiro’s other performances? How does this one compare?

The reading was truthful and very realistic to the story

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The suffering at the end on both sides

Moving story

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An in depth review of the battle of Kamdesh and the events leading up to it. I listened to Red Platoon by Clinton Romesha before this. Jake Tapper goes more in depth and begins way before the battle. I highly recommend both books.

A brilliant book

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I have read & listened to many books on war . The outpost audiobook is one of the best yet . The narration is spot on . I would recommend this to anyone not just those with an interest in war but for anyone seeking to understand what motivates individuals to join the armed services knowing that by doing so they could be making the ultimate sacrifice .
This book covers all aspects from the emotional , political through to second by second accounts of terrifying insurgent attacks on remote US outposts .
I highly recommend this book to anyone !

The outpost

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this is a really interesting book loved it all the way through a good book

really good book outstanding story

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fantastic telling of cop keating and the personnel. I found myself researching the fallen heroes and the other camps mentioned brilliant.

fantastic

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