Roberts Ridge

A True Story of Courage and Sacrifice on Takur Ghar Mountain, Afghanistan

By: Malcolm MacPherson

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

Length: 8 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

For the U.S. Navy's elite team of SEALs, the mission seemed straightforward enough: to take control of a towering, 10,240-foot mountain peak called Takur Ghar, a key post in their plan to smash Taliban al Qaeda in eastern Afghanistan. But the enemy was waiting, and when the Special Forces chopper was shredded by enemy fire, a red-haired SEAL named Neil Roberts was thrown from the aircraft. Roberts's fellow SEALs were determined to bring him out - no matter what the cost.

This harrowing true account based on stunning eyewitness testimony and painstaking research captures in dramatic detail the 17-hour battle fought by a few dozen warriors against near impossible odds to save one of their own.

©2005 Malcolm MacPherson (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Well told and frightening as well as true, this is a book that bridges the breach between the increasingly professional American military and a civilian culture possessing little knowledge or experience of the military." ( Booklist)

An American Story of Courage

Great book to accompany Operation Anaconda. Worth the read/listen for those interested in the early war in Afghanistan.

Harrowing Story

The book is really good and provides detailed accounts of this battle. This battle took place in March 2002 in Afghanistan with a joint special operations task force of Navy SEALs, Air Force PJs and air traffic controller‘s, and Army 160th SOAR. I have friends who were 160th Night Stalkers (now they are out of the military), so this story very much appealed to me. Since this was so early in the war, it would be interesting to know how the SOP's have changed over time in Afghanistan to better adapt to the terrain.

When I was stationed in Kandahar in 2009/2010, it was apparent things had changed drastically since 2002. There was always a sortie of two fighter jets circling available for CIS. The predator and raptor were also readily available to provide eyes in the sky for ground troops. In March 2002, aircraft were coming off of the air craft carriers such as the USS Kitty Hawk, flying from Kuwait, and other locations. Bases in Bagram and Kandahar likely didn’t have many aircraft available (like they did in 2009/2010) and the joint services workings were still being sorted out as to who will do what with the time comes to act.

great book. incredible story. hard lessons.

this is a great audiobook that was easy and quick to get through but the story and it's lessons are hard to hear. It's an example of how highly capable technology can be full of complexities that create a fog of War even though they were designed to eliminate them.

Roberts Ridge.

This is a great Book. I would recommend it to anyone. I love true stories and this is a great one. This tells you how things can go terribly wrong in a short period of time and how men pull together to survive those times. It is a must Book to listen to.

Honor! Courage! Brotherhood!

I heard of this book by a fellow Veteran of the United States Military. This book is riveting. The author puts up on the mountain. He puts you into the firefights. You can feel the pain from those injured and those watching their brothers suffer. While you are up on the mountain with the US Army Rangers, you can you can just about feel the bullets whizzing by past your ears and over your head. For me, I was frustrated because of the confusion in the communications between Headquarters and the boots on the ground. Where was the urgency to rescue the Navy SEALs? War is hell. I am saddened by the deaths during this battle. I am glad that the losses weren't worse. As I always say, I injury is too much. I death is devasting. This is an OUTSTANDING book. I highly recommend it to every American.

Very Well Written...Poorly Narrated

Great story, narrator's incorrect pronunciation of Bagram, and Gardez among others as well as his over exaggeration of several character's southern accents was extremely annoying and it was only the extremely well written story that kept me listening. Can't believe that anyone who has ever been in Afghanistan much less a part of this heroic battle would allow it to be narrated so poorly so I must conclude that they were not given the opportunity to do so or worse yet ingored. i will never listen to anything narrated by Joe Barrett again.

Good.

Had a hard time believing that every character had a southern plantation owners accent. other than that, great narration and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Good book but has issues

Amazing story and well told. Narrator is dynamic and engaging but many military acronyms incorrect and detracted from story. Also, voice impressions were unnecessary and seemed out of place. But overall recommend

Worthy story, terrible naration.

Would you consider the audio edition of Roberts Ridge to be better than the print version?

I would rather read this book then listen to it. The narrator was terrible.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

His attempt at changing his voice with different characters was lack luster.

Any additional comments?

Great story of some brave men who fought and died. Gives you a glimpse into the horror that can go wrong in a mission.

Courage and strength

Courage and strength displayed throughout this book. No greater gift than to give your your life for your brother