Not a Good Day to Die

The Untold Story of Operation Anaconda

By: Sean Naylor

Narrated by: John Henry Cox

Length: 19 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

At dawn on March 2, 2002, America's first major battle of the 21st century began. Over 200 soldiers of the 101st Airborne and 10th Mountain Division flew into Afghanistan's Shah-i-Kotvalley - and into the mouth of a buzz saw. They were about to pay a bloody price for strategic, high-level miscalculations that underestimated the enemy's strength and willingness to fight.

Now, award-winning journalist Sean Naylor, an eyewitness to the battle, details the failures of military intelligence and planning and vividly portrays the astonishing heroism of these young, untested US soldiers. Denied the extra support with which they trained, these troops nevertheless proved their worth in brutal combat and prevented an American military disaster.

©2005 Sean Naylor (P)2007 AudioGO Ltd.

Riveting

Fascinating account of a complex and important battle in the early months of the war in Afghanistan. Great narration, riveting story.

Fantastic book.

Great book and a great overall history of the beginning of the GWOT. Sure John Chapman doesn't receive the credit he deserves but the book was written before everything was declassified. If you read this and want to continue the TRUE story of what happened in the Battle of Takur Ghar then read or listen to Alone at Dawn.

Good Story

I was one of Butler's men and this story covered the broad strokes well. It definitely took me back and during the opening chapter I felt like I was back on that CH47 headed into the fight.

3rd Read

This is the 3rd book I've listened to or read on Operation Anaconda. This being the only book written by a non-sof member, I really appreciated the external perspective and due diligence performed by the author to pull the info from every corner of the op. Naylor displayed a deep understanding of the community, more so than I'd expect from an outsider anyway. Absolutely worth the read.

Great book on the war in Afghanistan

I am finding that there are a lot of good books being written about the Afghanistan war. People really need to hear these stories to appreciate what our soldiers have been going through, not only fighting the enemy, but also their leadership. The news media has stopped digging for the truth, which they abused in Vietnam, so the American public has the perception that our military leadership is mission driven, and not vying for promotions, at the expense of their men.

Required reading for every staff officer

Not a story about people like Band of Brothers, etc. if that is what you seek there are other books. If you are looking at how decisions are made, staff operations, all bound by political constraints then this is your book. Excellent audiobook.

Listen to it at 1.25 speed for better effect:-)

I had previously read another reader’s audible review who said this book’s narrator read too slow and therefore was disappointed in the story. I found by listening to “Not a Good Day to Die” read by John Henry Cox at 1.25 or 1.5 speed, it gave the story a level of excitement and “on edge” feeling. I really enjoyed this book because of the background and research to set the foundation to understand the fight.

ok, lots of details, missed opportunities.

Really just glossed over the events of John Chapman. For such a long and detailed story the end falls short.

enlightening

If you have any ties to Afghanistan or the us military and you are familiar with operation anaconda this is the book you need to listen to. I've listened to a few other books about this operation and Afghanistan but this is by far the most comprehensive and well put together a compilation of facts.

Even more valuable today

A sobering look at courage and dysfunction among a force not yet matured by two decades of war in Afghanistan. An extraordinarily well crafted account of how an awakened Super Power stumbled into and individuals surmounted institutional and situational challenges in the dawn of an era of wider war. Time adds greatly to this work; Bad decisions and death seem more needless.l; Prudent decisions and acts of courage rise to be more singular and extraordinary. The best and worse of so much are chronicled herein.