Level Zero Heroes

By: Michael Golembesky, John R. Bruning

Narrated by: Peter Berkrot

Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's Summary

In Level Zero Heroes, Michael Golembesky follows the members of U.S. Marine Special Operations Team 8222 on their assignment to the remote and isolated Taliban stronghold known as Bala Murghab as they conduct special operations in an effort to break the Taliban’s grip on the Valley.

What started out as a routine mission changed when two 82nd Airborne Paratroopers tragically drowned in the Bala Murghab River while trying to retrieve vital supplies from an air drop that had gone terribly wrong. In this one moment, the focus and purpose of the friendly forces at Forward Operating Base Todd, where Team 8222 was assigned, was forever altered as a massive clearing operation was initiated to break the Taliban’s stranglehold on the valley and recover the bodies.

From close-quarters firefights in Afghan villages to capturing key terrain from the Taliban in the unforgiving Afghan winter, this intense and personal story depicts the brave actions and sacrifices of MSOT 8222. Listeners will understand the hopelessness of being pinned down under a hail of enemy gunfire and the quake of the earth as a 2000 lb. guided bomb levels a fortified Taliban fighting position. A powerful and moving story of Marine Operators doing what they do best, Level Zero Heroes brings to life the mission of these selected few that fought side-by-side in Afghanistan, in a narrative as action-acked and emotional as anything to emerge from the Special Operations community contribution to the Afghan War.

©2014 Michael Golembesky and John R. Bruning (P)2014 Macmillan Audio

Worst narrator ever

This is such a great story but the narrator killed it. Way over acted with his tough guy talk. I had to buy the hard copy since I couldn't listen to this D Bag narrator anymore. This would be five stars if it weren't for him.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Disappointingly hard to listen to

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Somebody who hasn't read much of this genre

What do you think your next listen will be?

Something narrated by Scott Brick

What didn’t you like about Peter Berkrot’s performance?

The "good old boy"is overdone and robs the story of credibility

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Level Zero Heroes?

12 minute prologue, Nevada Desert. I.e. Everything I have read so far

Any additional comments?

It is probably a great story but the narration is a turn off

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

JFO who works w/ JTACs 2 put warheads on foreheads

The narrator pronounced some military terms wrong here and there, such as "5.56" as "five fifty-six" as opposed to "five five six", "ANA" is just read as an acronym not "Anna". He said "50 millimeter" instead of "50 cal" at one point which I chuckled at because that is almost the size of a mortar round. I'm just being picky though and most civilians and even many service members wouldn't have picked up on some of these things. Overall, phenomenal book though. I have already recommended it to many of my brothers in arms and would recommend it to anyone with interest in modern US military history. If you happen to be a fister, a JFO, Fire Supporter, JTAC, TACP, CCT, etc. then this is definitely a great book for you. It provides a lot of valuable lessons that can be applied on the battlefield.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great Book, Alright Narrator

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Peter Berkrot?

I'm not sure who would have been a better narrator, but Peter Berkrot, while very into the story, made the main character sound far too whiney. At times when the character was making observations in relatively benign circumstances, Peter made him sound as though the world was crashing down. This definitely took away from the instances of real legitimate complaint and danger.I will give him credit for very few errors (later edited sentences). Great voice and dictator, just the wrong voice for this novel.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Good story horrible narrator!!!!!

I couldn’t really pay attention because this f****** guy went way WAY over board on trying to express his voice talents here... I want a fucking book credit for his trash

great book. highly recommend.

this is a an amazing look into the personal experience of a soldier in Afghanistan.

Awesome Book

As a Marine, it touches my heart and soul. Semper Do my brothers and sisters.

great story, somewhat annoying narrator

The story and pacing are great, with the layout clear and easy to follow. However, the narrator was somewhat annoying, it was as if he was doing his impression of William Shatner playing James Kirk on the original star trek series.

narration very over dramaticized

I'm not 10% into the first chapter and I don't know that I can finish this book because the narrator is so over the top. no one speaks that way. I wish I could get a refund.

Great Book

From a former Marine who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, this book show the unvarnished truth of battle and the warriors who fight it. Semper Fi Ski!