Lions of Kandahar

The Story of a Fight Against All Odds

By: Major Rusty Bradley, Kevin Maurer

Narrated by: Eric G. Dove

One of the most critical battles of the Afghan War is now revealed as never before. Lions of Kandahar is an inside account from the unique perspective of an active-duty U.S. Army Special Forces commander, an unparalled warrior with multiple deployments to the theater who has only recently returned from combat.

Southern Afghanistan was slipping away. That was clear to then-Captain Rusty Bradley as he began his third tour of duty there in 2006. The Taliban and their allies were infiltrating everywhere, poised to reclaim Kandahar Province, their strategically vital onetime capital. To stop them, the NATO coalition launched Operation Medusa, the largest offensive in its history. The battlefield was the Panjwayi Valley, a densely packed warren of walled compounds that doubled neatly as enemy bunkers, lush orchards, and towering marijuana stands, laced through with treacherous irrigation ditches. A mass exodus of civilians heralded the carnage to come.

Dispatched as a diversionary force in support of the main coalition attack, Bradley’s Special Forces A-team and two others, along with their longtime Afghan Army allies, watched from across the valley as the NATO force was quickly engulfed in a vicious counterattack. Key to relieving it and calling in effective air strikes was possession of a modest patch of high ground called Sperwan Ghar. Bradley’s small detachment assaulted the hill and, in the midst of a savage and unforgettable firefight, soon learned they were facing nearly a thousand seasoned fighters - from whom they seized an impossible victory.

Now Bradley recounts the whole remarkable story as it actually happened. The blistering trek across Afghanistan’s infamous Red Desert. The eerie traces of the elusive Taliban. The close relations with the Afghan people and army, a primary mission focus. Sperwan Ghar itself: unremitting waves of fire from machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades; a targeted truck turned into an inferno; the death trap of a cut-off compound. Most important: the men, Americans and Afghans alike - the “shaky” medic with nerves of steel and a surgeon’s hands in battle; the tireless sergeant who seems to be everywhere at once; the soft-spoken intelligence officer with laser-sharp insight; the diminutive Afghan commander with a Goliath-sized heart; the cool maverick who risks all to rescue a grievously wounded comrade - each unique, all indelible in their everyday exercise of extraordinary heroism.

©2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.; 2011 Rusty Bradley

Great preformance

Great book, but the voices, accents, and overall gritty performance by Dove makes it even better.

this book hits home for the guys in the fight!

I had the pleasure working a long side Maj. Bradley He was a true leader! I would follow this guy to hell and back! everything in this book is spot on! from the start of the Mission to when we arrived at home! had the pleasure serving under Rusty for 3 years! he had a heart of gold! thank you Sir!

a very good book

I like the book , well written & well read. try it and I'm sure you'll like it.

True Hero's are born, their operations define them

This (Manual) story tells the story of what HERO's do for our freedom and how they sacrifice their family and own life to ensure we can do what we do every second of the day. We should always be Grateful to these unknown Warrior for their "Just another day at the office" Character. Thank you

Great Story and well told

What did you love best about Lions of Kandahar?

The best part is them describing what it's like to fight in such a strange land.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Lions of Kandahar?

Seeing how vastly superior our military is to the rest of the world. We are far and away the most advanced, most well trained and greatest fighting force on the planet.

inspirational and humbling

this is a must read for anyone. I believe it gives a sound view of what our men and women go up against. it's an amazing account of our brothers/sisters in arms and their determination to keep not only our country but others free from tyranny.

Well written and superbly told

This is an exciting and insightful account of one of the critical series of battles to retake the Panjwai Valley from the Taliban for the people of Afghanistan.

Non stop action! Great history!

Excellent example of a first person historical account of US Warriors in Afghanistan! Lots of effort was done to maintain accuracy in this account!

excellent

So I've read many true war stories from Bc to present and this one was the best

A superior story of Army Special Forces

Lions of Kandahar is a superior story of Army Special Forces and the Afghan soldiers they trained and fought with. This work is about grit, heroism, and the deep dedication of soldiers to one other while “in contact” with Taliban fighters in southern Afghanistan. I can’t believe I waited so long to listen to this! It’s a tremendous work from a great Army leader!