Outlaw Platoon

Heroes, Renegades, Infidels, and the Brotherhood of War in Afghanistan

By: Sean Parnell, John Bruning

Narrated by: Ray Porter

Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

In combat, men measure up. Or don't. There are no second chances.

In this vivid account of the U.S. Army's legendary 10th Mountain Division's heroic stand in the mountains of Afghanistan, Captain Sean Parnell shares an action-packed and highly emotional true story of triumph, tragedy, and the extraordinary bonds forged in battle.

At 24 years of age, U.S. Army Ranger Sean Parnell was named commander of a forty-man elite infantry platoon - a unit that came to be known as the Outlaws - and was tasked with rooting out Pakistan-based insurgents from a mountain valley along Afghanistan's eastern frontier. Parnell and his men assumed they would be facing a ragtag bunch of civilians, but in May 2006 what started out as a routine patrol through the lower mountains of the Hindu Kush became a brutal ambush. Barely surviving the attack, Parnell's men now realized that they faced the most professional and seasoned force of light infantry the U.S. Army had encountered since the end of World War II.

What followed was 16 months of close combat, over the course of which the platoon became Parnell's family: from Staff Sergeant Greg Greeson, the wise, chain-smoking veteran who never lost his cool; to Specialist Robert Pinholt, a buttoned-down conservative with the heart of a warrior and the mind of an economist; to Staff Sergeant Phil Baldwin, the platoon's voice of calm and reason, a man who sacrificed everything following the events of 9/11 - career, home, financial stability - to serve his country. But the cost of battle was high for these men: Over 80 percent were wounded in action, putting their casualty rate among the highest since Gettysburg, and not all of them made it home.

A searing and unforgettable story of friendship in battle, Outlaw Platoon brings to life the intensity and raw emotion of those 16 months, showing how the fight reshaped the lives of Parnell and his men and how the love and faith they found in one another ultimately kept them alive.

This audiobook is enhanced with a downloadable PDF containing photographs from the hardcover edition.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2012 Sean Parnell (P)2012 HarperCollinsPublishers

Inspirational in the midst of vivid combat tales

What made the experience of listening to Outlaw Platoon the most enjoyable?

I previously read Outlaw Platoon and was touched by the revealing look at the thoughts and struggles of a young combat infantry platoon leader. In telling the story, the author provided the humanizing bits showcasing the personalities and heart of his men that made you care about them, at the same time describing the battles they fought in gritty and vivid detail. I decided to add the audiobook to my collection and was very pleased with it.

What other book might you compare Outlaw Platoon to and why?

I would compare the feelings evoked by reading Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell to those Sean Parnell brought out reading Outlaw Platoon.

What about Ray Porter’s performance did you like?

His speaking cadence did justice to the first person telling of the story, both the stressful combat scenes and the light hearted moments.

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend Outlaw Platoon, both the book and the audiobook to anyone interested in what it was really like fighting in Afghanistan and an insight into the brave men who willingly go into harms way on behalf of the United States.

Sean allows you into his life

2nd listen and it still brought tears to my eyes as Sean brought me into his life in Afghanistan. An emotional ride with Him through all the experiences and emotions he endured during his deployment. The reality of Sean’s experiences in battle with a religion of hatred and not of peace.
Absolutely the best biographical audio books I’ve had the pleasure of listening to.

Great book, wish the author would have read it

Great book, couldn't stop listening until the end. The only problem I had with the reading is the way that the reader mispronounced military terminology. Other than that the performance was great.

Amazing story

One that will make you love and cherish the country in which you live, and respect the soldiers that ensure our freedom. A classic.

Great but be prepared

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes - It was gripping

Any additional comments?

I was sorry when this ended - I was held captive by every word. But be prepared for some grim details about the insanity of war.

Enjoyed it very much!!!

Excellent story telling. It is not one of those "Americans are all hero" type books. The guy who read the book was also outstanding...

Excellent, compelling, gripping

What made the experience of listening to Outlaw Platoon the most enjoyable?

Gave me a great appreciation for what our heroes have to endure.

What did you like best about this story?

Real life story, not written as self glorification.

Which character – as performed by Ray Porter – was your favorite?

Sean Parnell

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

n/a

Any additional comments?

Worth the read/listen.

Leaders lead.

The reason why we don't respect our youngest generation is because we can't wait to watch another WW2 movie. We raised heros right in front of our eyes, and because we don't understand them, we don't reveer them like we should.

Excellent narration (even though someone should have researched some of the acronyms and how they're pronounced to help him out).

Excellent recount of courage and brotherhood

This book is amazing, and I’m so proud that my countrymen could stand so brave against such a ruthless enemy.

Also really enjoyed the humor from the bantering in the platoon.

Thanks for the great book!

Awesome Tale

Written from the 1st person point of view, it paints a really good picture of what it's like to be in a unit going through a combat deployment. Excellent story from beginning to end.