The Outpost

An Untold Story of American Valor

By: Jake Tapper

Narrated by: Rob Shapiro

Length: 22 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

The basis of the film starring Orlando Bloom and Scott Eastwood, The Outpost is the heartbreaking and inspiring story of one of America's deadliest battles during the war in Afghanistan, acclaimed by critics everywhere as a classic.

At 5:58 a.m. on October 3, 2009, Combat Outpost Keating, located in frighteningly vulnerable terrain in Afghanistan just 14 miles from the Pakistani border, was viciously attacked. Though the 53 Americans there prevailed against nearly 400 Taliban fighters, their casualties made it the deadliest fight of the war for the U.S. that year. Four months after the battle, a Pentagon review revealed that there was no reason for the troops at Keating to have been there in the first place.

In The Outpost, Jake Tapper gives us the powerful saga of COP Keating, from its establishment to eventual destruction, introducing us to an unforgettable cast of soldiers and their families, and to a place and war that has remained profoundly distant to most Americans. A runaway best seller, it makes a savage war real, and American courage manifest.

"The Outpost is a mind-boggling, all-too-true story of heroism, hubris, failed strategy, and heartbreaking sacrifice. If you want to understand how the war in Afghanistan went off the rails, you need to read this book." (Jon Krakauer)

©2012 Jake Tapper (P)2012 Simon & Schuster Audio

Critic reviews

"Tapper's sassy style...gives the book a humorous angle that probably won't be found in most mainstream books about Election 2000....For those who are looking for an insider's view and tales, this is the book to buy." (National Journal)

"Tapper, the network's ambitious, telegenic senior White House correspondent, has made a name for himself as a tough questioner...ABC's tenacious reporter is already proving to be the new star of the White House press pack." (The Daily Beast)

Great summation of the war in Afghanistan

A book better read, I think, than listened to; too many details that are better able to be seen and flipped back to in a book rather than keeping straight in one’s head. Too many names, places, details that if you’re reading the book you can go back to refer to (rank, where someone is in the leadership structure or what their role is). But it is a compelling book, one that keeps you riveted to the events and decisions that led up to the eventual assault on COP Keating. More than anything, it is a condemnation of our strategy to fight or how we chose to fight the war in Afghanistan.

Great story, terrible reading

The authors monotone drones on and on. Zero emotion, it makes a great story boring.

Author And narrator to be commended

This book does two things in my view one it describes modern combat In such a way that you cannot avert your eyes from the horror — and the sacrifices young people make who have no idea what they’re getting into.

It also portrays our Military governments unwillingness so far to to get beyond its own history And mythology. The failure from George Bush on down to adequately support the troops which they committed, and to broaden their Global View is displayed naked. Is this book assigned reading in every High Schools, or will The standard mythology and false narratives perpetuate this top down insanity?

Absolutely fantastic research, detail, description and vivid writing and story telling, made every bit more impacting through outstanding narration. Wow!!

Outstanding Book!

Great book following this small part of a much larger war in Afghanistan. Instead of going a mile wide, the author took it a mile deep.
Only gripe is that the narrator did not pronounce military acronyms correctly... It was a little painful to listen to those.

amazingly written

I listened to this book after listening to "Red Platoon" by Clinton Romesha. This was great insight on the building of COP Keating and the dynamics of the area leading up to the battle.

Amazing

I cried. I laughed. At one point I got so pissed off I ripped my headphones off and had to walk away. This is an incredible story that everyone should hear.

Not a boring moment

Sad story. Action packed booked. Hard to believe our military runs like this. I'm glad my son wasn't sent to this place.

Outstanding!!!

I have listened to the book 3 times now... I learn something new each time... every true American should read it... hats off to all the heroes of COP Keating and OP Fritsche

Very thorough

This book seems to be very thorough. I did find some discrepancies between this book and "Red Platoon" but that seems fairly normal and understandable. Excellent book!

Great Book

binged listened will read again waiting for the movie will read again great great 👍