Lost in Kandahar

by Alex Berenson

When novelist and former New York Times reporter Alex Berenson traveled to Afghanistan for an embed with the 101st Airborne Division, he found great soldiers – and a seemingly hopeless mission. The gripping non-fiction tale of how the United States is spending $100 billion a year on a war that even the men on the front lines can't explain.

Genres: Nonfiction, Military Fiction, History, Short Stories, War, Essays, Politics

21 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 14, 2011

Reviews

[Jack Dermody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Authentic, guy-wrenching portrayal of American soldiers' reality in Afghanistan

I would hope the soldiers' opinions of Afghan counterparts are wrong in the long run. So much courage and blood and commitment on the US side are all a 180 from the Vietnam cluster fuck. Alex Berenson is always riveting.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Berenson's description of KAF, Afghanistan and it's corruption resonates with my own cynicism. I remember.

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short story about a return visit the author made to Afghanistan; no longer a journalist but now a fiction author.
It is a really good look at the life and death days of soldiers.

[Jim A · Rating 3 out of 5]

As this Kindle Single relates: The only difference between what is going on in Afghanistan and what people of my generation experienced in Vietnam is the dates on the calendar. The same waste of money, personnel and resources. The average Afghan just wants to be left alone and live their life. They are friendly to whomever is standing in their yard, with a weapon. And, as stated in the text, the UN will eventually be gone and the Taliban will still be there. Pretty much the same with the average villager in 'Nam vis a vis the Viet Cong and NVA.

As another reviewer stated: This appears to be pretty much just a research trip for one of his novels. To Berenson's credit, he did get 'out and about' with the troops with whom he was embedded.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying the Berenson short books on COVID. He gives an honest, scientific, and understandable look at what is happening in our country r/t to it. I can't really tell what side of politics he lands on with those books.
And so when I saw this written by him, I had to read it. It didn't let me down. It was a quick but educating look at the war in Afghanistan. The waste of so much blood and treasure and the bravery of soldiers who are there fighting a war that they do not understand. Actually, I don't think there are many people who do. It reminded me a lot of the stories my brother told when returning from Vietnam.
I am glad I discovered Berenson.

[Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Balanced

This is an enlightening short read on the apparent absurdities of the Afghanistan war. Especially in regards to it’s affect on the Taliban and terror (none).

It doesn’t take away from the bravery or astounding nature of the soldiers and armies there, while highlighting the fact that the new goal of the mission to create a modern democratic state with western values is not only unlikely - but unwanted from the afghans entirely, and therefore untenable.

Very interesting read. I enjoyed it.

[Bill Conrad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been an Alex Berenson fan for many years. When I got around to reading this book, I was surprised. Alex wrote a very candid account about what was really going on in Afghanistan from his view point. There have been other similar attempts to capture this kind of reality, but Alex did a superior job. Overall, I learned a lot about the behind the scenes activities in Afghanistan. Some really great stories and good insight.

[Maia · Rating 1 out of 5]

like all kindle singles, about two minutes long, and i paid nada for it, but: nothing really happens. If it's hard for you to read and you're poor and you're interested in the topic, might be relevant. Read his longer books or someone else's or some journalism if you're into war

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended by my son -- he was there and personal friends. Excellent.

[Ron Dellaguardia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written account of' a brief trip to the front

The writing is excellent. The descriptions vivid. I feel like I was there and made the trip. The story begins with a brief description of the author's arrangements and preparation for the trip. Then he briefly paints a picture of a staging base housing over 7,000 and away from the fighting. Then moves quickly to the most interesting, and riveting, chapters describing parts of his experience on the front with the soldiers out on patrol and as they worked their way through a local village.

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very brief look at the situation (at the time) with very little understanding of the geopolitical situation evolving at that time. This was a well written and articulated work though, I do have to say that.

[Stefan · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of Amazon Singles books free through Prime.
Quite ridiculous that the US has spent 5x the GNP of Afghanistan on an annual basis to move rumble from one side to the other with a record amount of casulties.

[Mark Gulley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid Summary of the Folly of the Afghan War.

And Obama’s folly that, unlike Iraq, the Afghan War was somehow nobler?, and would eventually serve US interest interests. No wonder, US allies would not support us.

[Robert Curtin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The truth.

Excellent book that searched for and appeared to find the truth. Short concise and easy to read and to follow.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent enough for a brief overview of the experience of a reporter/novelist embedding with combat forces in Kandahar, Afghanistan but not a lot of content or insights.

[L Jerome Krovetz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

Great read about a depressing war. Not Vietnam but still.futile war. Descritiins are realistic and well written story typical of the new York times.

[Nyssy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short but informative though still no answer to billion dollar war that no one winning. Why not spend that money at home where it's needed?

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yeh, so what

[Robin Dix · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short story but worth every minute.

[Paulfrancis O'sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theater as Counterinsurgency

Going through the motions could not have beaten the Taliban, and as we now know, they were not beaten at all. Operatives were originally assigned in the 1950’s to be insurgents, not counterinsurgents, and as insurgents they were successful in the beginning of the Afghan War.

[Patricia Mariyah Ruiz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok, had negative bias

If this book.had not been part of kindle unlimited I would not have bothered with it. The author is lacking in understanding of the local culture he is encountering and definitely shows the bias and misjudgment of the vastly unlettered soldiers he is embedded with. Reminiscent of how a Vietnam veteran I was associated with in my youth who called all Vietnamese he encountered "gooks". Gives one the impression that the locals need to be dehumanized to be dealt with.

[Teri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Insightful. Alex Berenson's Lost In Kandahar details his time embedded with the 101st Airborne Division in Afghanistan. Berenson makes some interesting parallels between Vietnam and the war with Afghanistan, leaving the reader to question why we are really there. Are our efforts fruitful or worthless as he surmises.

[Susan Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Kindle Single made me very sad to realize how futile and horrible our wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are both in terms of moey spent, but more particularly in terms of American casualites and fatalities. We need to get the hell out of there with all due dispatch!!!

[Amie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Kindle "Single"--a short biographical account of being embedded with the 101st Airborne division. An interesting "peek" into the Kandahar Air Field (KAF)and brief accounts from soldiers and their combat experience.

[Petra Willemse · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short piece on the war in Afghanistan does not really contain any new information. Berenson is embedded with a unit and reports on the problems they face. For anyone up to date on the happenings, this covers familiar territory.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a powerful look into the situation of troops based in Afghanistan. It is very short, so much so that I suspect it was meant as the foundation for a much longer nonfiction book, and a quick read.

[Robin Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good but I was expected a more detailed and lengthy account.
But I guess it couldn't really be much longer as it is about and journalist's/writer's
account of his embed with the 101 Airborne in Afganistan. Good observations and
interaction with soldiers.

[Crista McCormick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit I cried while I read this. Very close to home for me. Leftist leanings but I really liked it.

[Carol]

Research-I want to understand this war.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the tone and found the story to be fascinating. I wanted more!