Red Platoon

A True Story of American Valor

De: Clinton Romesha

Narrado por: Will Damron, Clinton Romesha

The only comprehensive, firsthand account of the 13-hour firefight at the Battle of Keating, by Medal of Honor recipient Clinton Romesha, for listeners of Black Hawk Down by Mark Bowden and Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell.

"'It doesn't get better.' To us, that phrase nailed one of the essential truths, maybe even the essential truth, about being stuck at an outpost whose strategic and tactical vulnerabilities were so glaringly obvious to every soldier who had ever set foot in that place that the name itself - Keating - had become a kind of backhanded joke."

In 2009 Clinton Romesha of Red Platoon and the rest of the Black Knight Troop were preparing to shut down Command Outpost Keating, the most remote and inaccessible in a string of bases built by the US military in Nuristan and Kunar in the hope of preventing Taliban insurgents from moving freely back and forth between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Three years after Keating's construction, the army was finally ready to concede what the men on the ground had known immediately: It was simply too isolated and too dangerous to defend.

On October 3, 2009, after years of constant smaller attacks, the Taliban finally decided to throw everything they had at Keating. The ensuing 13-hour battle - and eventual victory - cost eight men their lives.

Red Platoon is the riveting firsthand account of the Battle of Keating, told by Romesha, who spearheaded both the defense of the outpost and the counterattack that drove the Taliban back beyond the wire and received the Medal of Honor for his actions.

Includes original songs “Red Platoon” and “Remember the Fallen”

Songs performed by Michael Connors. ℗2016 Michael Connors Music.

"Red Platoon" words and music by Jim Kinsey, Michael Connors, Clint Romesha, Mike Hartnett and James Breedwell © 2016 All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

"Remember The Fallen" words and music by Michael Connors, Jim Kinsey, Billy Dawson and Mike Hartnett © 2016 All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission. Executive Producer, Nemo Arms

©2016 Clinton Romesha (P)2016 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“This ranks among the best combat narratives written in recent decades, revealing Romesha as a brave and skilled soldier as well as a gifted writer.... Romesha remains humble and self-effacing throughout, in a contrast with many other first-person battle accounts, and his powerful, action-packed book is likely to stand as a classic of the genre.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“The book is riveting in its authentic detail.... Romesha ably captures the daily dangers faced by these courageous American soldiers in Afghanistan.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“[Romesha’s] account displays all the hallmarks of superlative wartime reporting: unflinching honesty; vivid, in-the-trenches description; and deeper reflections on the pathos of battle.” (Booklist)

nonstop action

took a little while to get going but once you got into the meat of the context it was really good

words cannot describe

when you have battle buddies that are mentioned in this and you served with in this book. it really hits home. RIP to all of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Outstanding

I listen to a lot of books and rarely does one capture me as a listener as this one did. I recently had the pleasure of meeting the author and it provoked me into watching his story on Netflix and getting this book.

The Netflix show is good, but does not even begin to tell this story. The book is outstanding. It is captivating. I loved it,

Hemingway would certainly appreciate it for its raw honesty and simplicity.

You should, however, be forewarned that it is graphic.

SF

WEM

Horrible Narrator

This is such a great story and well written to have a boring narrator read it in a tone that sounds as if he is trying to put you to sleep. Such a swing and miss for what is a great US Military story.

Outstanding

A supremely detailed account of the battle for COP Keating. The description of the small unit tactics is remarkable. The personal description of the men involved in the battle makes the story all the more gut wrenching.

I highly recommend having a map of the COP and important surrounding landmarks available from the outset of your research into this battle. These men and the research behind this book deserve your full intellectual energy.

The Most Relatable Depiction of Modern War

As a OEF veteran, I can testify that this is one of the most real depictions of Modern Warfare, It's costs, it's struggles, it's humor and its overall complexity. Simply put, it reminds you of what it means to be American when you here the story of these brave Soldiers. They are a credit to our country and themselves. I am truly thankful to the author for his Keen ability to relay experiences of his and his team's that are understandably impossible to fully speak of. Fantastic listen.

just wow

great account of those young men who fought for and with their lives. thank you men of red platoon for your service.

Very captivating and intensely interesting story.

From the minute I started listening to the account of what happened at the base I could not quit listening until I found out what happened. The author made you feel like you were there and part of the team of soldiers defending the base. Excellent Book.

Powerful and Enlightening

What made the experience of listening to Red Platoon the most enjoyable?

The first hand account of any story always draws me in more into that story. Hearing the story from the author's perspective was great.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I've forgotten his name, but the guy who was training the locals who got caught up in the battle and showed his heroism more than once. While others are curled up in the fetal position, he's pushing them to fight and does not hesitate going out to face the danger.

Have you listened to any of Clinton Romesha and Will Damron ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to gain a perspective on what our fighters have endured and continue to endure while serving in battle on foreign soil.

Impressive Bravery but hard to keep men straight

This was an amazing story to hear. I feel it helped me understand deployments and the bond of a platoon much better. As an audible book however, it was difficult to keep all the soldiers straight and keep track of everything going on.