Always Faithful

A Story of the War in Afghanistan, the Fall of Kabul, and the Unshakable Bond Between a Marine and an Interpreter

By: Thomas Schueman, Zainullah Zaki

Narrated by: Patrick Kirchner, Wali Habib

Length: 12 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Band of Brothers meets Argo in this dramatic and heartfelt dual memoir of the war in Afghanistan told by two men from opposite worlds. Always Faithful entwines the stories of Marine Major Tom Schueman, and his friend and Afghan interpreter, Zainullah “Zak” Zaki, as they describe their parallel lives, converging paths, and unbreakable bond in the face of overwhelming danger, culminating in Zak and his family’s harrowing escape from Kabul.

In August of 2021, just days shy of the 20th anniversary of 9/11, America ended its longest war. The speed of the Afghanistan’s fall was so stunning that thousands of Afghan citizens who had helped American forces over the course of two decades—and had been promised visas in return—were suddenly stranded, in extreme, imminent danger. As the world watched the shocking scenes of desperation at the Kabul airport in the final two weeks of August, Maj. Tom Schueman fought—both behind the scenes and through a social media campaign—to get his friend and former Afghan interpreter, Zak, out of Afghanistan before he and his family were discovered by the Taliban. When Zak and his family finally took off from the airport mere days before the US left the country, the years-long effort to get Zak to America culminated in two simple words on Instagram: “Wheels up.”

Now in Always Faithful, Tom and Zak tell the full story of the divergent paths that led them to Afghanistan, the dangerous road they walked together in service to America, and how their commitment to each other ended up saving them both. Brilliantly told in Tom’s and Zak’s alternating first person voices, Always Faithful tracks the parallel lives of these two men who each spent their childhoods in fear, peril, and poverty, and turned to war in attempt to build a meaningful future. On an inevitable course towards each other, their lives dovetail in Afghanistan’s deadly Helmand Valley, where they formed a brotherhood that transcends even the most overwhelming of odds, eventually culminating in Zak’s harrowing, eleventh-hour rescue.

The end result is an intensely personal and uniquely ground-level account of Tom and Zak’s experience, Always Faithful gives readers a 360-degree view of the war. At once provocative and heart pounding, their stories together form a microcosm of the complicated and lasting effects of America’s longest war. Through their eyes and their experiences, they challenge readers to explore the legacy of the war for American and Afghan citizens alike, as we all collectively seek to understand whether twenty years of war was worth the price.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Thomas Schueman (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

A must read for Americans especially politicians

This book gives the perspective, hopes, and dreams of the people of Afghanistan. My heart goes out to those left behind. How we left Afghanistan was embarrassing.

An incredible story of faith and brotherly love

I can’t recommend this book enough. The dual perspectives of Tom and Zack interwoven in alternating chapters are the perfect way to tell this story. Both narrators are superb. If you want to feel something inside, this book will light your fire.

Great story of the love of a brother

I watched the last chapters of this book play out during the fall of Kabul after happening upon an Instagram post from Major Schueman. It was as gut wrenching then as it was now listening to the story in their own words. This book is a full of the juxtapositions of war and a beautiful story of two men and the unbreakable bond forged by war. You owe it to everyone who suffered in Afghanistan and on the home front to give it a listen.

The story, history & pure emotion.

There's nothing that I disliked. After watching The Covenant & loving it, my friend recommended this book. The history, emotion, action, patriotism, was gut wrenching in the worst and best ways. I believe I cried continously for the last hour before it ended. Highly recommend

Great story!!

I am not military but I felt like I was there going through each and every step with them.

is such inspiring book

one of the best war books I have read definitely recommend buy in it ans prepare to cry

Beautiful

So beautifully written, and incredibly moving. I have cried for this amazing family, and I always feel immense gratitude to live in this country.

The narrators are wonderful and truly bring life and joy to this story.

Thank You

An excellent book

Worthwhile listen. On one level, this book covers the lives of Tom and Zak and the compelling tale of the struggle to get Zak and his family out of danger in Afghanistan. The struggle ultimately leads to the chaos at Kabul airport as many people were trying to flee. That story leads to another level as it illuminates the problems with the U.S. extended military involvement in Afghanistan and even more, the consequences of the withdrawal in 2021. I highly recommend tis book.

One drawback of the audio version is the different volume levels of the Tom and Zak chapters. Depending on the environment that you use for listening, it could be a problem.

Could not stop listening!

Once I started this book, I could not stop listening and looked forward to it everyday. The events and passion explained and detailed by Tom’s and Zack’s story are truly remarkable and gut ranching. A positive story out of so much loss and failure, a must listen/read.

Amazing story

Keep pushing for zaks visa maj lt tom Schueman is a true American hero