Bravo Company

An Afghanistan Deployment and Its Aftermath

By: Ben Kesling

Narrated by: Ben Kesling

Length: 12 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

A timely and searing account of the American war in Afghanistan

In Bravo Company, journalist and combat veteran Ben Kesling tells the story of the war in Afghanistan through the eyes of the men of one unit, part of a combat-hardened parachute infantry regiment in the US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division.

A decade ago, the soldiers of Bravo Company deployed to Afghanistan for a tour in Kandahar’s notorious Arghandab Valley. By the time they made it home, three soldiers had been killed in action, a dozen more had lost limbs, and an astonishing half of the company had earned Purple Hearts.

In the decade since, two of the soldiers have died by suicide, more than a dozen have tried, and others admit they’ve considered it. Declared at “extraordinary risk” by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Bravo Company was chosen as test subjects for a new approach to the veteran crisis, focusing less on isolated individuals and more on the group.

Written with an insider’s eye and ear and drawing on extensive interviews and original reporting, Bravo Company follows the men from their initial enlistment and training, through their deployment and a major shift in their mission, and then on to what has happened in the decade since, as they returned to combat in other units or moved on with their lives as civilians, or struggled to.

This is a powerful, insightful, and memorable account of a war that didn’t end for these soldiers just because Bravo Company came home.

©2022 Ben Kesling. Published in 2022 by Abrams Press, an imprint of ABRAMS, New York. All rights reserved (P)2022 by Blackstone Publishing

Content

Real soldiers stories - considered thought on men who served- honored each man with respect and depth

Absolutely jaw dropping

This book was my breakout into books about the modern conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and I’m never looking back from it. It made me think and sometimes work through a lot of my memories with my guys overseas both good and bad. The author really knows what he’s talking about because he has walked the walk. 10/10 would recommend.

This book just hits a place deep inside.

What an emotional Rollercoaster, as a son of a Army Veteran who took his own life, a brother to a Airborne Veteran that took his own life, and a friend to an Army Reservist who took his own life. This book gave some closure and understanding to the battle 2 out of 3 of them served in. As a civilian Ben also gave me more common ground to talk to my Veteran friends (one from Bravo Company) who remembers vividly events from this book. Thank you Ben for not only your service to this country but your service to your fellow brothers and sisters, and thank you for reading the book yourself.

Honest and raw

Ben does an amazing job of taking off his rose colored glasses for A-war that was and still somehow manages to make sure that we see the men of Bravo company As flawed But caring men with lives not so Dissimilar to our own.

Outstanding story and narration

It takes a few minutes to really warm up, but once things get going, it is a tremendously articulate, relatable, and piercing story. The author is also the narrator, and the way that he reads it really brings it to life. Highly recommended.

A story that needed to be told

Let me start off by saying, I loved this book. It was extremely hard to get through, but I am so glad I did.

I am not a military man. I didn’t come from a military family. This book sheds so much light on the motivations and experiences of those that served our country in a strange war. I don’t know that I understand any more about why the US was in Afghanistan, but I did learn about the experiences many men had there, and continue to have at home. For that I think I am a better person.

I was there

Best Afghanistan book to date. He explains so much that I can’t. Fantastic read and excellent listen.

Inspiring and well written

I loved how this book is basically three mini books within one solid book: before war, during war, and then the aftermath of war. Ben did an amazing job researching and telling the story of the men of Bravo company. You sometimes forget these are real stories because it reads like a compelling novel. Which is what makes it so unique.

Great book, fantastic narration.

Fascinating long-form telling of a story that Ben Kesling wrote about in shorter form for the Wall Street Journal. Great job of getting into the sometimes gnarly details of a challenging topic, while still keeping the story approachable for the non-military reader. I was very pleased by the author's narration, which was engaging and gave an authentic feel to the storytelling. This was a huge relief for me, as nothing bums me out like great book with poor narration.

Breathtaking

As a wife of a Vet, who is a Ranger, who shares some similarities in injuries and experiences with Bravo Company. It was enlightening and heartbreaking and beautiful. Thank you Ben for taking the time to speak to the warriors. ♥️