Customer Reviews

The Only Thing Worth Dying For: How Eleven Green Berets Forged a New Afghanistan

5 star:		(68)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've read a lot of books in this particular genre, and this is the first time I've been compelled to post a review--the book was THAT good. While sticking to the historical facts as to the events which transpired in the build up to and initial invasion of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Eric Blehm presents a fascinating page-turner. I absolutely couldn't put the book down, and at times had to remind myself I was reading a non-fiction book. If you're interested in how low-level, tactical leaders in our armed forces truly influence the nations of the world, this is a must-read. Blehm clearly did his homework and must've conducted hours of interviews with the surviving members of ODA-574, as his insight and account of the harrowing ordeal read as if I was there with them. Read this book--you won't be disappointed.

This is the first book I've read by author Eric Blehm. I was absolutely impressed by his ability to spin war history into a story you can't put down. In my opinion everyone should read this book to gain a better understanding of the war in Afghanistan. More importantly; with the current state of conflict it reminds us of how it all began.

I found the story insightful both politically and humanistically; the type of novel that is discussed in history class or thoroughly enjoyed at home. Mapping the big picture area of operations following 911 down to small team tactical decisions and finally the personal stories/relationships of the Special Forces Team ODA 574. The team members are developed to an extent that I internalized their experiences, family and know them by first name. The book also gives an interesting, candid first hand understanding of Hamid Karzai's journey to the presidency, focusing on his faithful deep connection with Afghanistan.

This book is very real, I laughed and cried. As a brutally, touchingly honest story of men at war, I cannot recommend this book too highly.

As a reader addicted to military history and accounts of warriors who have actually fought the battles, I am blown away by this book. The author has done exhaustive research and portrays the events that took place with this SF team with very detailed descriptions of technology, tactics, mission planning all as if these men were friends of yours. Eric Blehm takes you inside their lives, their personal conflicts and triumphs, and let's you understand how men can do exceptional things with exceptional commitment to their mission and themselves! The men under Captain Jason Amerine depict why the Green Berets and their other SF brothers are capable of overcoming adversity that couldn't be planned for through constant preparation and unwavering committment. Given the ability to think on their feet and to take action as required when required time after time. I couldn't put this book down. I encourage you to pick this book up, strap yourself in, and be prepared to feel tired, dirty, sweaty, and completely exhausted as SF Team ODA 574 accomplish great things under the leadership of a young captain who believes in his men and trusts them to protect each other...and Hamid Karzai, from the Taliban and the 11th century tribal system inside of Afghanistan that could become a civil war destroying everything.
My heart felt thanks to the men and women of our armed forces and to those capable of earning selection into the special forces. You truly stand above the average man...and I'm glad you do!
Now it's time to pick up more Eric Blehm...he is a wonderful author.

I have just finished this book and must say that I am still stunned and appalled by the behavior of the senior
officers who forced their way into the mission of ODA 594. This is the story of how our brave Special Forces
soldiers were caused to agree to the whimsy of those who thought they knew better just because they were senior
in rank to Capt Amerine and his team. Due to their need to play with what they saw as toys for field grade officers to use, members of ODA 594 and uncountable friendly Afghan soldiers were killed by "friendly fire", many others wounded,and to the disgust of a combat veteran like me, the senior officers tried to blame the authorization on
Karzai. I guess they thought they could get away with that lie. I hope they rot in a very hot place for this behavior.

I am an ex-officer and Vietnam Combat Veteran.

Eric Blehm is a marvelous and immensely talented writer. He lays out the background story of The Only thing Worth Dying For in the beginning chapters, quickly running through a huge number of people's names and military jargon.

Blehm's talents are many and difficult to describe in a review - much better to read in person. But #1 amongst his talent is Blehm's ability to concisely interpret interviews and reports into a coherent whole. His depiction of events involving evaluation of wounded soldiers is graphic and real. Blehm is a researcher who digs deeply into his subject, reading and interviewing and tracking every bit of information to its source.

Another of Blehm's talents for those of us without a military background is the way he takes military jargon and reduces it to just the important concepts. He also succeeds in helping readers follow the ever-expanding cast of characters.

Nothing in Blehm's writing is extraneous. Nothing is wasted.

The best part of The Only Thing Worth Fighting For is that, though written in the genre of creative non-fiction, Blehm is scrupulous in keeping himself out of the story. He lets the ODA team, and what happened to them in Southern Afganistan, stay front and center throughout the book.

Eric Blehm is writer we should keep an eye on. He is young, though experienced. He is talented. His next project will be greeted with much anticipation. I'm sure it will be as great as The Last Season and The Only Thing Worth Fighting For.

Firstly, I am a recently retired 20+ year SF combat vet, enlisted and officer.
Eric did a great service to the heroic men of this story by simply telling what they said, saw, thought and did.
I have lived these ups and downs myself and know the amazing men who fought and served
a well as the amazingly unbelievable politics that often cause more harm than good.
I will leave it ambiguous so as to not point fingers or detract in anyway,
from this true story of some of America's elite sons.

This book made me cheer and brought me to tears.
Not since an old non-fiction book I read on SF in Nam, called 'sympathy for the devil'
has any read on S.F. moved me so deeply, and this one, a non-fiction, did just that.
I can not say enough, if you want to know what is great in our people and cause- read this book.
Respects to the men and a salute to the author!

"I believe that no one can win a war in Afghanistan," is a paraphrased version of the opinion rendered by a Kazakh Colonel who served in the Soviet Army in Afghanistan in the 1980's. His tag line to Captain Jason Amerine in the same conversation is: "Just try to bring your men home alive."

Eric Blehm, whose prior book "The Last Season" was a major critical success has gone on to create a worthy successor in "The Only Thing Worth Dying For." Written from the perspective of Captain Jason Amerine, a West Point graduate and leader of a Special Forces team, Blehm has a knack for making the reader feel as if he is along on the mission.

This Special Forces mission occurs early in the War in Afghanistan shortly after the 9-11 attack and before the Bush Administration chose to refocus its efforts in Iraq. Hamid Karzai, a mostly still unknown mujahadeen of Pashtun origin, is a rising leader and plays a central role in this tale. Karzai and Amerine are comrades-at-arms, mission partners and close confidants during this time. As events unfold, Karzai is "discovered" and big-shot military brass worm their way in.

Blehm has done considerable research in putting this narrative together. His narrative rings true. Important and subtle details are not overlooked. My main reservation in making a four-star rather than five-star recommendation is that the dialog presented and presumed to have occured among the lead characters is occasionally too convenient. Nevertheless, Blehm succeeds in moving the story line forward, creating a compelling narrative for the arm-chair warrior.

The Only Thing Worth Dying For by Author Eric Blehm is a riveting story about a team of 11 green berets that were dropped behind enemy lines in southern Afghanistan shortly after 9/11 (2001). The green beret mission was to hook up with Hamid Karsai and destroy the Taliban from within. At the time, Hamid Karzai was a little known Pashtun statesman. As I read the book, I found myself getting to "know" the green beret team members. Their fate had already already determined, but the book enabled me to make an emotional connection. It's a story that most of us have never heard. In 2008, the author interviewed President Hamid Karsai to confirm a few crucial details of the story. During the interview, President Karzai held up a photo to his staff and pointed to an American (green beret) soldier and stated, "Had there been anybody else, things would have gone terribly wrong." This is a tribute to the men and women that serve in the armed forces. A MUST READ.

I'm not a huge reader, but I have a personal connection to one of these soldiers. This is an amazing story about the bravery, stength and courage of our soldiers and the danger (and stupidity) that they face everyday. It's not a "war" story or "political" novel, but a story men making sacrifices for the greater good. While I already know my friend's an amazing person, it was comforting to see that this story re-affirmed that. Thank you to the brave soldiers of the ODA574.

My respect, admiration and thanks to Capt. (now Lt. Col.?) Jason Amerine and the men from ODA 574. Too bad that ODA 574 had road blocks put in their way by those that should have helped. God bless those that lost their lives, those wounded, and for the rest of the fighting men and women both in the field and those behind the scenes.
I also have a better understanding and respect for Hamid Karzai. By reading this book, someone that is not familiar with the military and with Karzai will get a better understanding of both. As a Vietnam Army Infantry "grunt", much of the book reinforces my views of the military and how the "upper brass" acts. This book should be a must read for military officers so mistakes are not repeated. The officers could learn a lot, I hope.