The Only Thing Worth Dying For

How Eleven Green Berets Fought for a New Afghanistan

By: Eric Blehm

Narrated by: P.J. Ochlan

""The one book you must read if you have any hope of understanding what our fine American soldiers are up against in Afghanistan.” —Former Congressman Charlie Wilson

From the author of the award-winning THE LAST SEASON, the untold story of the U.S. Army Special Forces team that conquered the Taliban against overwhelming odds while protecting Hamid Karzai, viewed at the time as the country’s best hope for a successful, democratically-elected leader.

On a moonless night just weeks after September 11, 2001, a U.S. Special Forces team of Green Berets known as ODA 574 infiltrated the mountains of southern Afghanistan with a seemingly impossible mission: to foment a tribal revolt and force the Taliban to surrender. Armed solely with the equipment they could carry on their backs, shockingly scant intelligence, and their mastery of guerrilla warfare, Captain Jason Amerine and his ten men had no choice but to trust their only ally, a little-known Pashtun statesman named Hamid Karzai. Having returned from exile, Karzai—on the run from the Taliban—was traveling the countryside to raise a militia.

The Only Thing Worth Dying For chronicles the most important mission in the early days of the Global War on Terror, when the men on the ground knew little about the enemy—and their commanders in Washington knew even less. With unprecedented access to surviving members of ODA 574, key war planners, and Karzai himself, award-winning author Eric Blehm cuts through the noise of politicians and high-level military officials to narrate for the first time a story of uncommon bravery and terrible sacrifice, intimately exposing the realities of unconventional warfare and nation-building in Afghanistan that continue to shape the region today.

Prairiesmoke

Sincerest Thank You to all involved. We love you guys and appreciate your every sacrifice. Eric, a wonderful job with this and Fearless. You are forever my Heroes.

Hero’s

I served in Afghanistan as well but have never heard this story before. These guys are true hero’s and paved the way to victory in Afghanistan. It is a hard ending to read but this book is a great testimony to the United States Military and all they do. It’s well researched as well, great book!!

Fantastic

Outstanding in every way. I really enjoyed the narrator...he did a great job using different voices throughout the story.

Great story of heroism despite the tragic end to ODA 574’s time in Afghanistan. Thank you to the fallen and to the survivors for your bravery and sacrifice. Our great nation is forever in your debt.

Very emotional and well written

If you don’t have strong feelings to salute a nearby flag and cry a little after reading this then your not a true patriot.

A great read

It’s amazing hearing the words and how these brave men dies for something so much more and how our politicians do more harm than good. Such an incredible book.