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The Degüello The A-Team that started a War [Kindle Edition]

Scott Zastrow
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (90 customer reviews)

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Book Description

The A-Team that started a War

Based on an incredible true story

We simply call it 9/11 now. That day means something different to so many people, but for ten Green Berets, it means even more. Just days after the horrific attacks in New York, a handful of Green Berets from the decorated 5th Special Forces Group were secretly inserted deep behind enemy lines in Northern Afghanistan to set the stage for the upcoming War on Terror. Their mission was to seek out and kill as many Taliban and Al Qaida forces as they could find. Go inside the legend of one of Americas most elite units in this exciting and sometimes humorous account of their avenging the most horrific terrorist attack we have ever experienced.
Written as a fictional story and firsthand account of the actual events that transpired for the first Special Forces A-Team into Afghanistan after 9/11, The Deguello pulls the reader into the actual Team. You get the feeling you are right there with them as they infiltrate Afghanistan, attack enemy forces, get ambushed, train the Northern Alliance and move on the capitol city of Kabul. You get a sense of the camaraderie and brotherhood of being on a Special Forces A-Team and how these men train and fight.
Not written like a typical military historical book, this is a story based on the actual events that occurred to start the War on Terror. The reader is brought along from the very beginning and watches the entire story unfold before their eyes from the attacks of September 11th all the way through the dramatic and exciting conclusion of the assault on Kabul.
“This book is for Joe,” says the author, Scott A. Zastrow, a former Green Beret with more than 20-years in the Army. “With all the books out there by military historians written for the small group of intellectuals who enjoy them, Joe is kind of left out in the cold. He’s bored by statistics, random facts of supposed historical significance, and overblown dramatics that they will easily call bullsh*t on. When reading the Deguello, Joe will say ‘I can see that happening; I’ve done that; I’ve said that; I want to do that.”
When asked why this book is different than other historical military books about Afghanistan, Zastrow says, “It’s not your typical hubristic story of ‘look how cool I am’. It’s a real story about real men doing what they get paid to do. A bunch of jackasses who are good at their jobs and who made the best of the situations they were put in. It just so happens these jackasses were called to do their jobs at a pretty significant time in American history, and they did it very well.”
Nothing we know of the War in Afghanistan would be possible had it not been for what these men did. Bagrahm Air Base is now the largest Coalition Base in Theater and was held by the enemy when this Team arrived. Read how it all began in this exciting, action packed and sometimes humorous account of one our Nation’s most elite Special Operations units.
They accomplished what no unit or larger force has ever done before…….. or ever will again.

(De-gwail-yo)

Music played by the Mexican army bands on the morning of March 6th, 1836, was the signal for Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna's attack on the Alamo. The word Degüello signifies the act of beheading or throatcutting and in Spanish history became associated with the battle music, which, in different versions, meant complete destruction of the enemy without mercy.


Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Mission of a Lifetime!"
                                       --AirForce Times


A incredible history of Green Beret's waging Unconventional Warfare during the opening salvo of Operation Enduring Freedom.   
                                                                                                    --SOFREP.com

Zastrow recounts Triple Nickel's exploits and experiences, from 9/11 to the capture of Kabul, in the fast-paced and personal style of a writer who personally experienced the events he is writing about.
    
                                                                                                 --Goodreads.com


The Degüello is a must-read  for anybody who is interested in Special Forces, the war in Afghanistan, or the events immediately following the 9/11 attacks on America.
                                                                                                 --RedState.com

From the Author

The Deguello is a Gold Star Finalist at the 2012 Next Generation Indie Book Awards!! Award to be presented in NYC and at the Book Expo America (BEA) in June of 2012

Product Details

  • File Size: 435 KB
  • Print Length: 248 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1257058266
  • Publisher: Scott A. Zastrow (December 3, 2011)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B006HU166O
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray: Not Enabled
  • Lending: Enabled
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,348 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
JUST WEEKS AFTER the attacks of September 11, 2001, a small number of elite special were inserted into northern Afghanistan. The Degüello, by Special Forces veteran Scott Zastrow, tells the story of the first unit to deploy: ODA 555, or `Triple Nickel,' an A-Team from Ft. Campbell, Kentucky's 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). Accompanied by an Air Force combat controller, the ten-man team infiltrated northern Afghanistan's Panjshir Valley by helicopter. Their mission was to link up with Northern Alliance fighters, train and prepare them for an eventual advance on Kabul, and prep the battlespace for a follow-on invasion of coalition forces.

Though titularly a work of historical military fiction, The Degüello`s content is made up almost entirely of truth hidden behind a paper-thin veneer of slightly altered events and identities (a necessity for operational security reasons). Within the relatively short (238 pp.) text, Zastrow recounts Triple Nickel's exploits and experiences, from 9/11 to the capture of Kabul, in the fast-paced and personal style of a writer who personally experienced the events he is writing about.

THE TEXT IS broken up into two parts, each of which is made up of several short, highly-readable chapters, and which primarily take place in two geographic locations. The majority of the first 89 pages takes place on Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and encompasses the events of 9/11 and the team's isolation and preparation for deployment. Zastrow delivers a detailed recounting of team members' reactions as they learned of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, as well as of the rampant speculation that resulted from a handful of A-Teams, Triple Nickel among them, being sequestered in 5th Group's Isolation Facility (ISOFAC) in preparation for mission briefing and deployment. In addition, the departure scenes he includes - one of a single soldier, and one poignant scene of a soldier who is leaving behind a young family - afford the reader a brief look inside the personal lives of the men who make up the ranks of this elite career field.

Part 1 concludes with the team's departure from Karshi-Khanabad (K2) air base in Uzbekistan in MH-47 helicopters bound for Afghanistan, where the remainder of The Degüello takes place. Triple Nickel's struggle to communicate with and train Northern Alliance fighters is realistically and often humorously portrayed, as are the team's efforts to eliminate key Taliban targets and personnel in the vicinity of Bagram air base - efforts that include everything from air strikes and small arms to a cleverly-implemented improvised explosive device (IED). Zastrow vividly describes several combat scenes, recounting everything from the sights and smells of close quarters combat, to the risk of friendly-fire casualties, to calls for emergency close air support. Part 2 culminates in the assault on Kabul, the rescue of foreign missionaries who had been taken captive by the Taliban, and the retaking of the long-abandoned U.S. Embassy compound.

THOUGH THIS SUBJECT matter has been covered in differing depth by other writers, the first-person knowledge and passion Zastrow brings to the narrative makes this portrayal of Triple Nickel's exploits unique. One particular area where the author excels is his depiction of Special Forces soldiers as people - incredibly competent and deadly people, but people all the same. In an interview with Digital Book Today, Zastrow characterized the team's members as "a group of guys from the `Isle of Misfit Toys' who can go from Jackass to Professional at the drop of a hat when the situation calls for it." By not shying away from his characters' relationships, interactions, strengths, and frailties, he successfully demonstrates the range of roles and behaviors that Triple Nickel's members were capable of. The end result is a portrayal of these elite soldiers that almost any reader will be able to relate to in some form.

FAST-PACED AND engaging, The Degüello is a must-read for anybody who is interested in Special Forces, the war in Afghanistan, or the events immediately following the 9/11 attacks on America. It is available in both hard copy and Kindle formats, and is the kind of once-in-a-lifetime war story that readers will not be able to put down until the last page has been turned.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Simple February 7, 2012
By kdubbs
Format:Hardcover
While many books based on the events in Iraq & Afghanistan are severely touted with political views and ideologies, this author has managed to bring simplicity to an otherwise complex mission. The read itself is engaging, yet surprisingly easy to follow. On top of that, the humor showcased throughout the pages leaves you with a very personal affection towards the men in the book. Dozens of books have tried to provide a first-hand account of the life and missions of said "A-Teams" but fall short....Scott Zastrow does not.

If you read one military based book this year, let The Deguello be it. Bravo.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Read May 31, 2012
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Scott,
This is one of the most amazing stories I have ever read. I could not put it down. The way that the story keeps moving definitely keeps the pages turning . I really enjoyed how in depth you get with all the characters. If anyone wants to know whats on my defininte must read list, this is one of them. Seriously, pick it up and let yourself get involved with the whole thing. I promise you, it will not disappoint. Scott, I thank you for giving us this wonderful book and allowing us a glimpse into the life of a deployed ODA and operators.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Good book
Great look inside the life of a team at war time. Well written and easy to read. If you are proud te an American this book will put you in a patriotic mood.
Published 1 month ago by Chris Maushardt
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
Tells you the true story of the begining of the war from an spec ops soldier. Entertainng and informative. Highlt recomend
Published 1 month ago by Jeffrey Dalton
5.0 out of 5 stars Gotta read this one
This is one of those books that is fiction but real enough to feel real. Anyone who has served can relate.
Published 2 months ago by Noncenx
5.0 out of 5 stars Awsome!!
First of all, if you are not into war, killing bad guys, patriotism, and GUNS then you probably will not care for this story. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Chris D. Beard
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read
Great insight into the ODAs and early conflict in Afghanistan. Great rundown on the tactics the ODAs used early in the war.
Published 3 months ago by Kittrick R Du Bois
5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING - MUST READ
AMAZING book for those of us who are want a better understanding of our SPEC OPS & what they do. This book gives insight into what our men go through on missions, their day to day... Read more
Published 3 months ago by NRA JENN
4.0 out of 5 stars Really Good
This book was very exciting and well written. Seemed the writing was a little rushed in points, but it did not take away from the story. With buying. I loved it.
Published 3 months ago by E. A. Springer
3.0 out of 5 stars Ok read
Midly interesting. Especially given that it was fictionailzed. I would have been more interested in reading what really happened. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Tom
4.0 out of 5 stars Team Work as One
A great book that makes the reader feel as thogh he is part of the team. I understand the importance of working as a team and understanding the role of the "leadership"... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mr.V
2.0 out of 5 stars Poorly written and hard to follow.
I've never left a bad review on a book before but I truly feel like I did not get my money's worth out of this book. Do not read if you are looking for a military history book.
Published 4 months ago by bristercat
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More About the Author

Scott Zastrow was born in Wisconsin and grew up in the Milwaukee area; he is an Army Veteran with more than 23 years of service. Most of his career was spent in Special Forces with an incredible operational tempo which has taken him to more than 25 countries around the World. He has numerous combat depolyments as well as both humanitarian and non-combat missions. After leaving Special Forces in 2007, he went on to finish his Masters Degree as a Physician Assistant at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and now works as a PA full time in the Nashville area. His book, "The Deguello" has been touted as one of the most personable first-hand accounts of the inital response to the attacks of 9/11. The book was self-published through Lulu.com and is being considered for several Indie book awards in both the fiction and Military categories.


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