12 Strong

The Declassified True Story of the Horse Soldiers

By: Doug Stanton

Narrated by: Jack Garrett

Length: 16 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

"A thrilling action ride of a book" (The New York Times Book Review) - from Jerry Bruckheimer in theaters everywhere January 19, 2018 - the New York Times best-selling, true-life account of a US Special Forces team deployed to dangerous, war-ridden Afghanistan in the weeks following 9/11.

Previously published as Horse Soldiers, 12 Strong is the dramatic account of a small band of Special Forces soldiers who secretly entered Afghanistan following 9/11 and rode to war on horses against the Taliban. Outnumbered 40 to one, they pursued the enemy army across the mountainous Afghanistan terrain and, after a series of intense battles, captured the city of Mazar-i-Sharif. The bone-weary American soldiers were welcomed as liberators as they rode into the city. Then the action took a wholly unexpected turn.

During a surrender of 600 Taliban troops, the Horse Soldiers were ambushed by the would-be POWs. Dangerously overpowered, they fought for their lives in the city's immense fortress, Qala-i-Janghi, or the House of War. At risk were the military gains of the entire campaign: if the soldiers perished or were captured, the entire effort to outmaneuver the Taliban was likely doomed.

"A riveting story of the brave and resourceful American warriors who rode into Afghanistan after 9/11 and waged war against Al Qaeda" (Tom Brokaw), Doug Stanton's account touches the mythic. The soldiers on horses combined ancient strategies of cavalry warfare with 21st-century aerial bombardment technology to perform a seemingly impossible feat. Moreover, their careful effort to win the hearts of local townspeople proved a valuable lesson for America's ongoing efforts in Afghanistan. With "spellbinding...action packed prose...The book reads more like a novel than a military history...the Horse Soldier's secret mission remains the US military's finest moment in what has since arguably been a muddled war" (USA TODAY).

©2009 Doug Stanton (P)2011 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

“A fascinating account…This is not just a battle story - it’s also about the home front. An important book.” ( The Today Show)

“A thrilling action ride of a book.” (Bruce Barcott, cover of The New York Times Book Review)

Life changing

My heart goes out every time to the boys that have fought to keep our country free....at any cost and thank you to these brave horseman who willing answered the call. If you want to know anything about who has helped to make this country great.....don't hesitate to read this book.

LIKED: AMERICAN SNIPER, LONE SURVIVOR? READ.

BADASS BOOK PERIOD. AWESOME LOOK INTO THE ENDLESS SKILLS OF OUR U.S. SPECIAL FORCES MEN & WOMEN. STORY FIRST HAND SHOWS JUST HOW EFFECTIVE ONLY 2 COMPANIES CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VICTORY OR DEFEAT.

my brother Vern

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

my brother Vern is in the book.

What other book might you compare Horse Soldiers to and why?

The Hunt for Bin Laden by Robin Moore Because they talk about my Brother in this book

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

when my brother's Friend bill Bennett was killed

Great story

Wonderful and heartwarming story. something I didn't know about the Afghan war. Such brave men.

Must listen!!

Awesome book to listen to, if this is all true then this remarkable story sould be told in our public schools.

The narrator wasn’t that bad

Yeah, he sounded like the Movie Guy, but he’s not as bad as some reviewers say he w.

Historically entertaining

I vividly recall the chain of events which lead to the Team’s deployment to Afghanistan. Seeing the depictions and hearing them on the audio book brought contexts to the events. A great story of American Hero’s in out war against terrorism.

12 Strong Review

A very good insight to the military actions immediately after 9/11 in Afghanistan. Only reason I don’t give five stars is that the number of characters might be easier to follow in a print edition. That aside, this is an excellent book.

Fascinating read!

At a time when SEALS seem to get all the glory, it was fascinating to read of a Special Forces Team doing a mission which is a lot more than just killing the enemy. I have read a ton of books from The War on Terror era and have never read one like this. Well researched, well written and topped off with a great narrator, this is book that will teach you about Special Forces and the brave men who were the tip of the spear into Afghanistan before we ever knew we were kicking it off.

Hard men doing hard work

These are the men that do what needs to be done and they do so every day all around the world. They preserve our freedom.