Into the Fire

A Firsthand Account of the Most Extraordinary Battle in the Afghan War

By: Dakota Meyer, Bing West

Narrated by: Zach McLarty

Length: 5 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

"The story of what Dakota did . . . will be told for generations." (President Barack Obama, from remarks given at Meyer's Medal of Honor ceremony)

In the fall of 2009, Taliban insurgents ambushed a patrol of Afghan soldiers and Marine advisors in a mountain village called Ganjigal. Firing from entrenched positions, the enemy was positioned to wipe out 100 men who were pinned down and were repeatedly refused artillery support. Ordered to remain behind with the vehicles, 21 year-old Marine corporal Dakota Meyer disobeyed orders and attacked to rescue his comrades.

With a brave driver at the wheel, Meyer stood in the gun turret exposed to withering fire, rallying Afghan troops to follow. Over the course of the five hours, he charged into the valley time and again. Employing a variety of machine guns, rifles, grenade launchers, and even a rock, Meyer repeatedly repulsed enemy attackers, carried wounded Afghan soldiers to safety, and provided cover for dozens of others to escape - supreme acts of valor and determination. In the end, Meyer and four stalwart comrades - an Army captain, an Afghan sergeant major, and two Marines - cleared the battlefield and came to grips with a tragedy they knew could have been avoided. For his actions on that day, Meyer became the first living Marine in three decades to be awarded the Medal of Honor.

Into the Fire tells the full story of the chaotic battle of Ganjigal for the first time, in a compelling, human way that reveals it as a microcosm of our recent wars. Meyer takes us from his upbringing on a farm in Kentucky, through his Marine and sniper training, onto the battlefield, and into the vexed aftermath of his harrowing exploits in a battle that has become the stuff of legend.

Investigations ensued, even as he was pitched back into battle alongside U.S. Army soldiers who embraced him as a fellow grunt. When it was over, he returned to the States to confront living with the loss of his closest friends. This is a tale of American values and upbringing, of stunning heroism, and of adjusting to loss and to civilian life.

We see it all through Meyer's eyes, bullet by bullet, with raw honesty in telling of both the errors that resulted in tragedy and the resolve of American soldiers, U.S.Marines, and Afghan soldiers who'd been abandoned and faced certain death.

Meticulously researched and thrillingly told, with nonstop pace and vivid detail, Into the Fire is the true story of a modern American hero.

"Sergeant Meyer embodies all that is good about our nation's Corps of Marines. . . . [His] heroic actions . . . will forever be etched in our Corps' rich legacy of courage and valor." (General James F. Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps)

©2012 Bing West and Dakota Meyer (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

" Into the Fire is a deeply compelling tale of valor and duty. Dakota Meyer will not identify as a hero, but he will, I think, accept the title warrior. Dakota's storytelling is precise and, for a Medal of Honor recipient, touchingly humble. With deft prose he drops us smack in the middle of one of the most heinous small unit firefights of the current wars. His insights into military tactics and politics in a war zone are sharp and uncompromising and work as a primer on infantry war fighting for the uninitiated. Dakota was a magnificent marine and he is now an equally magnificent chronicler of warfare and the small group of people who do today's fighting for America." (Anthony Swofford, author of Jarhead)

"[Bing] West's greatest strengths are his exceptional personal courage and his experienced perception of combat." ( The Washington Post)

"West [is] the grunts' Homer." ( Los Angeles Times Book Review)

WOW

The book was a well written explanation of who Dakota is, is heroics and the brotherhood.

It was clear from the author, Dakota, fellow servicemen and the grand conclusions the Top Hats and rank climbers are going to loose this war by not taking the fight to out enemies to kill them.

After we helped the Afghans beat the Russians Rep. Charlie Wilson said, "These things happened. They were glorious and they changed the world... and then we f#@cked up the endgame."

Amazing

This is an amazing reflection of bravery and a true American hero! No matter your opinion on the war...a great account of one of the toughest battles faced by our military forces!

I must read for all young men

This is a real story of selfless courage. This Marine is a great example for all of use in this day and time.

Kentucky bumpkin

A frustrating true Chronicle Reinventing the mistakes of past War fighting in far off places.

true American Hero

A really exciting and emotional story of a true American hero. kept my dog walks going on and on because I just couldn't stop listening.

Into the Fire, a true story of bravery and valor

If you want to read a story about bravery and valor recommend this book.

Dakota Meyer an outstanding marine deserved and received the medal of honor for the bravery and valor he showed under fire.
I recommend this authentic account of his service to our country.

Wonderful Book

Dakota takes you there. You could feel the action. It is a wonderful read. Highly recommended !!!

Boots on the ground view of battle

What I love about this book is the empathy behind the author's view of others.

Factual intense shows the failure in leader ship

Teacher is the meaning of perseverance dedication
And leadership from the bottom up. It’s a shame people were put in harms way for no good reason for another incomplete or are we i M power our enemies ! And shows The incompetence of staff officers and all alarms miles from the battlefront

Great War Story

This is an unbelievably, great, war story. I thoroughly enjoyed every recollection of Dakota Meyer’s story. The narration is great as well though I have heard Meyer speak about some of the acronyms used in the military and they were spoken differently within The narration.