American Spartan

The Promise, the Mission, and the Betrayal of Special Forces Major Jim Gant

By: Ann Scott Tyson

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell, Danny Campbell

Length: 15 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Lawrence of Arabia meets Sebastian Junger's War in this unique, incendiary, and dramatic true story of heroism and heartbreak in Afghanistan written by a Pulitzer Prize-nominated war correspondent.

Some have called him "Lawrence of Afghanistan". To the Pashtun tribesmen he is "Commander Jim", leader of the "bearded ones". He is Army Special Forces Major Jim Gant, one of the most charismatic and controversial U.S. commanders of modern memory, a man who changed the face of America's war in Afghanistan when his critical white paper, "One Tribe at a Time", went viral at the Pentagon, the White House, and on Capitol Hill in 2009.

A decorated Green Beret who had spent years training indigenous fighters, Jim argued for embedding autonomous units with tribes across Afghanistan: These American soldiers would live among Afghans for extended periods, not only to train and equip tribal militias, but to fight - and even die - alongside them in battle. He argued that we could earn the trust of the Afghans and transform them into a reliable ally with whom we could defeat the Taliban and Al Qaeda networks. The military's top brass, including General David Petraeus, then commander of U.S. Central Command and overseeing the war in Afghanistan, and Admiral Eric Olson, head of Special Operations Command, approved the plan and gave Jim the go-ahead to embark on the mission.

p>A war story like no other, an unprecedented account of a warrior who took up the cause of villagers as if it were his own, and of a woman on the front lines of a distant war, American Spartan is an unforgettable tale - and one of the most remarkable and emotionally resonant narratives of war ever published.

©2014 Ann Scott Tyson (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers

Super Hero

Is what I liked most is Jims dedication valor and ability to adapt f&$@&n stud!

What I disliked is how the brass handled this whole situation. If your not on the ground how can you really know what's what.

Good job Colonel you're an American hero

Great Story with terrible narration

Would you consider the audio edition of American Spartan to be better than the print version?

I never read it so I couldn't say.

What other book might you compare American Spartan to and why?

It really is an original.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

It did in some parts and didn't in others.

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

Not really. I understand the story. A soldier feels sold out by his command. Not that uncommon.

Any additional comments?

It was the most annoying thing in the world when the female narrator would immitate a man's voice!

Must read

Incredibly written and read. Flows smoothly and keeps you wanting more. This book will make you rethink how we have approached both wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A great warrior story

When I first started listening to it, I thought that I wouldn't like it, but I really got drawn in.

Great book!

Riveting

What an amazing, and tragic story. Although the book starts off slow due to character development, quickly winds up to incredible story. This book is filled with tales of war, love, laughter, and bravery. The book does a great job of describing the afghans, and even the Taliban in a way few Americans I've ever known.

Really self serving book

The book spent hours.... really just working to justify one officer's fall from grace. Sad.

Wow! One of the best books I’ve read in a while!

And absolutely fascinating story about the intelligence and sacrifice of one man for his country and the Afghan people. I read over 100 books a year and this is one of the best books I’ve read lately.

Major Gant is a true warrior and hero

Incredible story about a true American hero & the definition of a warrior. Never lost a man & made those around him a better soldier and a better person. Thank you for your service Major Gant.

Excellent Story. True American Hero

This is a great story of an American Hero and Warrior put must honor and respect of one's self and others before the wishes of a Government which does not support his beliefs. The world and Military would be better off if we had More Major Jim Gant's.

Excellent

The story was very well-told and engaging. It's difficult not to become emotionally invested in Major Gant's story. What was done to him was a disgrace and a black mark on the Army's record.

Thank you Jim for your service to our country and the Afghan people. You're an inspiration, a patriot, and despite what some pinhead say, you're the true embodiment of what it means to be a green beret.