12 Strong cover art

12 Strong

The Declassified True Story of the Horse Soldiers

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12 Strong

By: Doug Stanton
Narrated by: Jack Garrett
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About this listen

"A thrilling action ride of a book" (The New York Times Book Review) - from Jerry Bruckheimer in theaters everywhere January 19, 2018 - the New York Times best-selling, true-life account of a US Special Forces team deployed to dangerous, war-ridden Afghanistan in the weeks following 9/11.

Previously published as Horse Soldiers, 12 Strong is the dramatic account of a small band of Special Forces soldiers who secretly entered Afghanistan following 9/11 and rode to war on horses against the Taliban. Outnumbered 40 to one, they pursued the enemy army across the mountainous Afghanistan terrain and, after a series of intense battles, captured the city of Mazar-i-Sharif. The bone-weary American soldiers were welcomed as liberators as they rode into the city. Then the action took a wholly unexpected turn.

During a surrender of 600 Taliban troops, the Horse Soldiers were ambushed by the would-be POWs. Dangerously overpowered, they fought for their lives in the city's immense fortress, Qala-i-Janghi, or the House of War. At risk were the military gains of the entire campaign: if the soldiers perished or were captured, the entire effort to outmaneuver the Taliban was likely doomed.

"A riveting story of the brave and resourceful American warriors who rode into Afghanistan after 9/11 and waged war against Al Qaeda" (Tom Brokaw), Doug Stanton's account touches the mythic. The soldiers on horses combined ancient strategies of cavalry warfare with 21st-century aerial bombardment technology to perform a seemingly impossible feat. Moreover, their careful effort to win the hearts of local townspeople proved a valuable lesson for America's ongoing efforts in Afghanistan. With "spellbinding...action packed prose...The book reads more like a novel than a military history...the Horse Soldier's secret mission remains the US military's finest moment in what has since arguably been a muddled war" (USA TODAY).

©2009 Doug Stanton (P)2011 Simon & Schuster
Middle East Military Political Science Special & Elite Forces War Solider City
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Critic reviews

“A fascinating account…This is not just a battle story - it’s also about the home front. An important book.” ( The Today Show)
“A thrilling action ride of a book.” (Bruce Barcott, cover of The New York Times Book Review)

What listeners say about 12 Strong

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Educational

The book is long and in parts hard to listen to but it is an interesting I site into the fight against the talaban and the way the US special forces went about the situation

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Horse Soldiers - Amazing!

This was a fantastic read - well written and with complete empathy for the main characters. The author captured the essence of these incredibly able and brave men and accurately showed their intelligence which often one assumes is not high in the military lexicon - but for Special Forces personnel and the missions they undertook, intelligence is a pre-requisite in addition to the awesome physical endurance

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Well read

It was really good! I definitely recommend giving it a try if you have seen the film, there is a lot that the film leaves out.

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Forget the film, this is the real deal!

I actually wish they had not used the film poster on the cover art as it does not hold up to the book at all! Great performance, this gives you a real insight to the early days following 9/11. American specials forces inserted into crazy conditions and world war 1 style fighting with cavalry charges, the book covers many battles and the delicate alliances with tribal leaders. Because of the nature of the book you do have to concentrate and be involved with the book, and finish it over a short period of time or you will forget names and places!

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great book

fabulous book would recommend this to anyone would happily listen to this over and over again

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The Brave 12

excellent true story told exceptional well. putting the history of this backward troubled country in context for once. I recommend this to anyone who wants to understand what courage is.

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Great when it finally got started

I enjoyed this book but a whole 3rd was taken up at the beginning with soldiers domestic arrangements. Love stories about their wives etc.

When it finally got going it was riveting. As an ex Soldier I was able to relate to a lot of the story.

Worth a read but buy the abridged if you can get it.

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Thrilling stuff

Takes it's time to get going but once it does its very exciting. I was very keen to hear the story behind the famous pictures of the guys on horseback and this book relates it in good detail in a very engaging way.

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How very American

Overall a very good account of how special forces soldiers interact with local forces to achieve a goal. For those interested in the military diplomatic psychological of soldiering it is a good account of obviousness learned by American forces.

The overall story was interesting with Americans learning how small wars are fought without a large supply train. I found it very interesting that the book at times stressed the fact that the Afghans did a lot of the fighting rather than claiming all the valour for the US troops.
The narrator was good though the hoarse throatiness during stressful times in the story made my eyes roll.


In the end it draws a very good contrast to the beginning of the Afghanistan campaign as opposed to the Iraq campaign.

Overall worth a read or listen.

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Very interesting, but too many details

Very interesting general story, but I was quite bored at times with the endless details

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