The Outpost cover art

The Outpost

The Most Heroic Battle of the Afghanistan War

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The Outpost

By: Jake Tapper
Narrated by: Rob Shapiro
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About this listen

NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE

The heartbreaking and inspiring story of one of the deadliest battles of the Afghanistan war, acclaimed by critics as a classic.

At 5:58 AM on October 3rd, 2009, Combat Outpost Keating, located in frighteningly vulnerable terrain in Afghanistan just 14 miles from the Pakistani border, was viciously attacked. Though the 53 soldiers stationed there prevailed against nearly 400 Taliban fighters, their casualties made it the deadliest fight of the war that year. Four months after the battle, a review revealed that there was no reason for the troops at Keating to have been there in the first place.

In The Outpost, Jake Tapper gives us the powerful saga of COP Keating, from its establishment to eventual destruction, introducing us to an unforgettable cast of soldiers and their families. This modern classic of military history is an indictment of the management of the war in Afghanistan, and a thrilling tale of true courage in the face of impossible odds.

©2019 Jake Tapper (P)2019 Quercus Editions Limited Afghan & Iraq Wars Americas Military Military & War United States War Solider Middle East

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Critic reviews

"A mind-boggling, all-too-true story of heroism, hubris, failed strategy, and heartbreaking sacrifice." (Jon Krakauer, author of Into the Wild)

"For those wishing to understand the middle years of the war, they could do no better than to read The Outpost." (Time)

"Tapper lays bare the poor decision-making that shattered dozens of American lives in the pursuit of an ill-conceived goal." (Wall Street Journal)
All stars
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A truly amazing book, with the most heartbreaking truths of what all these men and women do on a daily basis to protect this world and everyone in it. At times so so emotional and thought provoking. I wanted to stop but couldn’t. A must listen.

Amazing

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loved it .. there all heroes fight against them odds as they did . why they had the kop at bottom is mind boggling tho

Great

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A well presented history of a vase that should never have been there which resulted in many deaths.

The research is first class

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Even with my 30years in the British army we never new much about this unit. To get an invite to such a specialised unit made me wish to have tried out for these myself. I find that books narrated by the author much more intense as you can hear the emotions in their voice while telling their story. it's an A +++ from me.

Gripping

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thoroughly enjoyed this book. it gave a great insight into the failings of camp Keating

Great Insight

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Listened to the full 25 hours over 10 days. Normally it takes me a month and half of listening. A very detailed story of what went on in Afghanistan. I was very luck there compared to these guys.

Gripping

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Superbly narrated and written with a honesty unrivalled in other accounts of this war. Lone Survivor is an amazing account of four mens plight, this, in contrast, is the account of one place, which should never have been, much like the conflict it gives account of.

lest we forget, it is our sons and daughters who pay the price for the decisions made by politicians fighting for votes, while they fight for their lives, fighting for your freedom.

Frighteningly honest account of hell

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