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!!

Amazing book

I recommend this book to anyone interested in military history, especially those who have served. It's very well done and exceptionally well researched.

Loved it!!!

This was a great book. I feel bad for the families of the fallen and for those men and women that are suffering from physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wounds. This was a great read (listen).

Afghanistan as Thanatos

Where does The Outpost rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Very top of the Afghanistan books, and I have read quite a few.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The narrator. He is a captivating, nuanced, compelling speaker.

Which character – as performed by Rob Shapiro – was your favorite?

All of them.

If you could give The Outpost a new subtitle, what would it be?

See # 2 above.

Any additional comments?

If you read only one book about the Afghanistan War, this should be it. I had no idea of how wrong headed our leaders have been until I read this book. Our soldiers, their families, our nation deserve so much better.

Mandatory Read for Army and Marines

Fantastic read on the lessons learned from strategic, operational, and tactical perspective in the difficulties of conducting counter insurgency at cross purposes. Why is there such a disconnect between the strategic and operational objectives in regards to intent and purpose.

Very good book.

I liked this one a lot. it's worth the listen. It's sad that US soldiers are even put in positions like that.

Heartwrenching

This is a heartbreaking story of American heroes. All Americans should listen to this book.

Great Book

Such a great book. A lot of time and effort went into it putting this together and it shows.