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Into the Fire: A Firsthand Account of the Most Extraordinary Battle in the Afghan War
“The story of what Dakota did . . . will be told for generations.” — President Barack Obama, from remarks given at Meyer’s Medal of Honor ceremony.
In the fall of 2009, Taliban insurgents ambushed a patrol of Afghan soldiers and Marine advisors in a mountain village called Ganjigal. Firing from entrenched positions, the enemy was positioned to wipe out one hundred men who were pinned down and were repeatedly refused artillery support. Ordered to remain behind with the vehicles, twenty-one year-old Marine corporal Dakota Meyer disobeyed orders and attacked to rescue his comrades.
With a brave driver at the wheel, Meyer stood in the gun turret exposed to withering fire, rallying Afghan troops to follow. Over the course of the five hours, he charged into the valley time and again. Employing a variety of machine guns, rifles, grenade launchers, and even a rock, Meyer repeatedly repulsed enemy attackers, carried wounded Afghan soldiers to safety, and provided cover for dozens of others to escape—supreme acts of valor and determination. In the end, Meyer and four stalwart comrades—an Army captain, an Afghan sergeant major, and two Marines—cleared the battlefield and came to grips with a tragedy they knew could have been avoided. For his actions on that day, Meyer became the first living Marine in three decades to be awarded the Medal of Honor.
Into the Fire tells the full story of the chaotic battle of Ganjigal for the first time, in a compelling, human way that reveals it as a microcosm of our recent wars. Meyer takes us from his upbringing on a farm in Kentucky, through his Marine and sniper training, onto the battlefield, and into the vexed aftermath of his harrowing exploits in a battle that has become the stuff of legend.
Investigations ensued, even as he was pitched back into battle alongside U.S. Army soldiers who embraced him as a fellow grunt. When it was over, he returned to the States to confront living with the loss of his closest friends. This is a tale of American values and upbringing, of stunning heroism, and of adjusting to loss and to civilian life.
We see it all through Meyer’s eyes, bullet by bullet, with raw honesty in telling of both the errors that resulted in tragedy and the resolve of American soldiers, U.S.Marines, and Afghan soldiers who’d been abandoned and faced certain death.
Meticulously researched and thrillingly told, with nonstop pace and vivid detail, Into the Fire is the true story of a modern American hero.
“Sergeant Meyer embodies all that is good about our nation’s Corps of Marines. . . . [His] heroic actions . . . will forever be etched in our Corps’ rich legacy of courage and valor.” —General James F. Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps
In the fall of 2009, Taliban insurgents ambushed a patrol of Afghan soldiers and Marine advisors in a mountain village called Ganjigal. Firing from entrenched positions, the enemy was positioned to wipe out one hundred men who were pinned down and were repeatedly refused artillery support. Ordered to remain behind with the vehicles, twenty-one year-old Marine corporal Dakota Meyer disobeyed orders and attacked to rescue his comrades.
With a brave driver at the wheel, Meyer stood in the gun turret exposed to withering fire, rallying Afghan troops to follow. Over the course of the five hours, he charged into the valley time and again. Employing a variety of machine guns, rifles, grenade launchers, and even a rock, Meyer repeatedly repulsed enemy attackers, carried wounded Afghan soldiers to safety, and provided cover for dozens of others to escape—supreme acts of valor and determination. In the end, Meyer and four stalwart comrades—an Army captain, an Afghan sergeant major, and two Marines—cleared the battlefield and came to grips with a tragedy they knew could have been avoided. For his actions on that day, Meyer became the first living Marine in three decades to be awarded the Medal of Honor.
Into the Fire tells the full story of the chaotic battle of Ganjigal for the first time, in a compelling, human way that reveals it as a microcosm of our recent wars. Meyer takes us from his upbringing on a farm in Kentucky, through his Marine and sniper training, onto the battlefield, and into the vexed aftermath of his harrowing exploits in a battle that has become the stuff of legend.
Investigations ensued, even as he was pitched back into battle alongside U.S. Army soldiers who embraced him as a fellow grunt. When it was over, he returned to the States to confront living with the loss of his closest friends. This is a tale of American values and upbringing, of stunning heroism, and of adjusting to loss and to civilian life.
We see it all through Meyer’s eyes, bullet by bullet, with raw honesty in telling of both the errors that resulted in tragedy and the resolve of American soldiers, U.S.Marines, and Afghan soldiers who’d been abandoned and faced certain death.
Meticulously researched and thrillingly told, with nonstop pace and vivid detail, Into the Fire is the true story of a modern American hero.
“Sergeant Meyer embodies all that is good about our nation’s Corps of Marines. . . . [His] heroic actions . . . will forever be etched in our Corps’ rich legacy of courage and valor.” —General James F. Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 379 reviews
March 6, 2022
For those who gave all.
Dakota Meyer, Medal of Honor recipient for the Battle of Ganjgal on September 8, 2009, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan.
A harrowing account of the battle at Ganjgal, near the border of Pakistan, where village elders asked Afghan soldiers to visit and money to build a mosque. Ninety Afghan troops and border police were accompanied by 13 Americans from Embedded Training Team (ETT 2-8) when they were ambushed by the Taliban. There was a lack of support by the chain of command when requests for air support were rejected repeatedly. My heart hurts reading these stories. Meyer defies order and goes back (five times) to save his brothers in arms while already wounded. Incredible commitment and bravery.
October 10, 2012
There is nothing poet-warrior about this book. It is written in a straight-forward and clear, almost staccato, style.
There are vague implications from McClatchy news that some of this story is fabricated or exaggerated. I wonder if they read the same book as I did?
Meyer's tale is never one of self-aggrandizement. It is one of regret, one of a world with little nuance ruled by people who see nuance in every situation. It's about how we treat our heroes--how we make them into machines, place them into impossible situations, give them conflicting orders, and then wait outside. Judging them as they complete the task. Maybe they die. Maybe they succeed. Maybe they disobey orders and we crucify them--even if they succeed.
If you want to know who Dakota Meyer is, he is the guy who was working as a concrete pourer when he received a call from President Obama informing him that he would be awarded the Medal of Honor--the highest honor a Marine can achieve. He thanked the President and then went back and finished his day of back-breaking labor.
I'm glad to have people like Dakota Meyer and Captain Will Swenson in it. I couldn't do what they did. I'm also sad that we still live in a world that needs such men--but we do need them.
There are vague implications from McClatchy news that some of this story is fabricated or exaggerated. I wonder if they read the same book as I did?
Meyer's tale is never one of self-aggrandizement. It is one of regret, one of a world with little nuance ruled by people who see nuance in every situation. It's about how we treat our heroes--how we make them into machines, place them into impossible situations, give them conflicting orders, and then wait outside. Judging them as they complete the task. Maybe they die. Maybe they succeed. Maybe they disobey orders and we crucify them--even if they succeed.
If you want to know who Dakota Meyer is, he is the guy who was working as a concrete pourer when he received a call from President Obama informing him that he would be awarded the Medal of Honor--the highest honor a Marine can achieve. He thanked the President and then went back and finished his day of back-breaking labor.
I'm glad to have people like Dakota Meyer and Captain Will Swenson in it. I couldn't do what they did. I'm also sad that we still live in a world that needs such men--but we do need them.
October 8, 2012
Meyer's honesty is unnerving. His account of what happened is heroic, he does not "pretty up" his actions or what he was thinking before, during or after the battle.
What sticks with me is that we send guys like Dakota Meyer, Pat Tillman and thousands of other Americans to Iraq and Afghanistan where they face hell for us.....but the nation is not in these wars with them.
The work falls to people who go and we don't think about them until CNN flashes a story of American casualties...then we go back to doing what ever it was we were doing.
I was reading the chapters on the Battle of Ganjgal one Sunday when my son had an NFL game on TV and a baseball game on the radio and a tremendous guilt overcame me - guilt for not doing more to support our troops, guilt for our professional athletes who make millions while our troops are patrolling valleys in Asia, guilt for letting petty problems consume me.
Meyer and his comrades, alive and dead, deserve our gratitude and respect.
What sticks with me is that we send guys like Dakota Meyer, Pat Tillman and thousands of other Americans to Iraq and Afghanistan where they face hell for us.....but the nation is not in these wars with them.
The work falls to people who go and we don't think about them until CNN flashes a story of American casualties...then we go back to doing what ever it was we were doing.
I was reading the chapters on the Battle of Ganjgal one Sunday when my son had an NFL game on TV and a baseball game on the radio and a tremendous guilt overcame me - guilt for not doing more to support our troops, guilt for our professional athletes who make millions while our troops are patrolling valleys in Asia, guilt for letting petty problems consume me.
Meyer and his comrades, alive and dead, deserve our gratitude and respect.
March 4, 2016
Into the Fire: A Firsthand Account of the Most Extraordinary Battle in the Afghan War is a pretty fast read about a 6 hour battle. There was just no quit in Dakota Meyer. Here is one part of one of his five attempts to get to his trapped team, where he is being swarmed by a group of Taliban fighters:
Meyer was not your ideal Marine until it was time for battle. Tough guy to command in peacetime, absolutely the guy you want on your team in a fight. The book will demonstrate how Rules of Engagement (ROE) can help or can get your guys killed. The ROE here did not support the mission and the higher HQ’s did not support the troops once the battle was joined. Read the book to see just how FUBAR’d things were from the start.
Meyer “went up the hill” five times that morning (along with several others). He rescued his Afghan allies (Askars) as well as fellow US soldiers. He was not successful in rescuing his teammates (He had been replaced on the team for the day by another NCO). This is a terrible burden for him and the book deals with his struggles afterwards.
Should we be there, 15 years after 9/11? Don’t know but we sure as hell don’t appreciate the sacrifice these men and women make. We don’t support them fully either.
Meyer was not your ideal Marine until it was time for battle. Tough guy to command in peacetime, absolutely the guy you want on your team in a fight. The book will demonstrate how Rules of Engagement (ROE) can help or can get your guys killed. The ROE here did not support the mission and the higher HQ’s did not support the troops once the battle was joined. Read the book to see just how FUBAR’d things were from the start.
Meyer “went up the hill” five times that morning (along with several others). He rescued his Afghan allies (Askars) as well as fellow US soldiers. He was not successful in rescuing his teammates (He had been replaced on the team for the day by another NCO). This is a terrible burden for him and the book deals with his struggles afterwards.
Should we be there, 15 years after 9/11? Don’t know but we sure as hell don’t appreciate the sacrifice these men and women make. We don’t support them fully either.
October 8, 2012
An unusual memoir. First, Dakota Meyer is the only living soldier to have received the Medal of Honor in over thirty years. The Medal is usually awarded posthumously. I'm very pleased that Congress and the President found his incredible courage as well as actions deserving of such a high award.
Dakota's story is not a happy one. In fact, it is a very sad one that ends in the death of his "brothers" in his small unit of advisers in Afghanistan. To an extent I was lost in the action of the retelling of his story. When suddenly he discovers all of his dead comrades I was shocked back into the reality that this wasn't a Hollywood production, but in fact a true story.
Once again, the writing, although clear, will not receive any awards. However, for the purposes of telling the story of his life, his education and training, his years of service in the Marines and the telling of the battle at Ganjigal, it is more than adequate.
Much like Dakota, I don't have a lot more to say. It's a somber story of a man that did his best to save the lives of his best friends and failed. But, he was not a failure as a man. I very much hope that in the coming years he will be able to forgive himself and enjoy a well-deserved happy life. It won't be easy and there is no guarantee that he will be successful in his personal efforts to overcome the sense of failure and the ghosts which keep him from even one night of rest. He exemplifies the strength and values of warriors since the time of Alexander the Great.
Dakota's story is not a happy one. In fact, it is a very sad one that ends in the death of his "brothers" in his small unit of advisers in Afghanistan. To an extent I was lost in the action of the retelling of his story. When suddenly he discovers all of his dead comrades I was shocked back into the reality that this wasn't a Hollywood production, but in fact a true story.
Once again, the writing, although clear, will not receive any awards. However, for the purposes of telling the story of his life, his education and training, his years of service in the Marines and the telling of the battle at Ganjigal, it is more than adequate.
Much like Dakota, I don't have a lot more to say. It's a somber story of a man that did his best to save the lives of his best friends and failed. But, he was not a failure as a man. I very much hope that in the coming years he will be able to forgive himself and enjoy a well-deserved happy life. It won't be easy and there is no guarantee that he will be successful in his personal efforts to overcome the sense of failure and the ghosts which keep him from even one night of rest. He exemplifies the strength and values of warriors since the time of Alexander the Great.
November 5, 2021
A 6 hour unabridged audiobook.
This rating is not related to the event. Dakota is absolutely a hero and deserving of the Medal of Honor. But rather the rating is focused on the book itself, it's structure. It felt poorly edited. It was released a year after he was awarded the medal, but I'm curious as to whether Bing West rushed to put together the account. I've read better written books by him in the past.
This rating is not related to the event. Dakota is absolutely a hero and deserving of the Medal of Honor. But rather the rating is focused on the book itself, it's structure. It felt poorly edited. It was released a year after he was awarded the medal, but I'm curious as to whether Bing West rushed to put together the account. I've read better written books by him in the past.
October 7, 2012
This was a GoodReads giveaway. What a great tale.
A humble and honorable American Warrior. Such an epic story of bravery and heroism.
The detailed setting put you into the thick of battle. I wonder if under the same circumstances just how early in the fire fight I would have frozen into inaction, waiting for a hero like Dakota to come to my rescue? I hope Dakota finds peace with knowing that he did right by his fellow combatants and for his fellow Americans. His actions make me proud to be an American.
A humble and honorable American Warrior. Such an epic story of bravery and heroism.
The detailed setting put you into the thick of battle. I wonder if under the same circumstances just how early in the fire fight I would have frozen into inaction, waiting for a hero like Dakota to come to my rescue? I hope Dakota finds peace with knowing that he did right by his fellow combatants and for his fellow Americans. His actions make me proud to be an American.
June 26, 2016
I have always tried to read the memoirs or biographies of Medal of Honor recipients. This is the memoir of the only “living” Marine recipient of the Medal of Honor in over 40 years.
Sgt. Dakota Meyer begins by telling about some of the missions he had just prior to the Ganjigal episode. Then he proceeds to September 8, 2009 with ninety Afghan Soldiers and fifteen U.S. Military advisers moving into Ganjigal in the Kunar Province to meet with the village elders. The meeting was a trap. Sergeant Meyer was not with the team that day; he had been ordered to stay with the Afghan reinforcement troops at the entrance to the box canyon.
The team reported the ambush and asked for help; which was refused. They asked for artillery barrage, which was refused. They asked for close air support and that also was refused. The reason for the refusal was the “rules of engagement”. Sgt. Meyer asked to go help his team and was refused. He disobeyed a direct order and went to help. Staff Sgt Juan Rodriquez-Chavez was driving the armored Humvee and Sgt. Meyer was on the gun. They headed straight into the shooting. The Taliban held the high ground. Over the next few hours they made five trips into the kill-zone to rescue wounded and dead Afghan and U.S. soldiers and marines. Sometimes Sgt Meyer was in hand to hand combat. Thirteen U.S. and Afghan soldiers died and most were wounded; they all might have died if not for Sgts Chavez and Meyer. Meyer feels he is a failure because he failed to save his team who all died that day. SSgt Chavez received the Navy Cross but because Sgt Meyer repeatedly left the protection of the vehicle he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Sgt Meyer reports these men died or were wounded because the chain of command failed them. Sgt Meyer tells the story of Army officer, Captain Swenson, who also was nominated for the Medal of Honor that fateful day, but the Army has lost or held up the paperwork even though the high ranking field officers keep pushing for the Award. It is reported the investigation whitewashed the whole event.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Zach McLarty does a good job narrating the story. McLarty is an actor and writer who is making a name narrating audiobooks.
Sgt. Dakota Meyer begins by telling about some of the missions he had just prior to the Ganjigal episode. Then he proceeds to September 8, 2009 with ninety Afghan Soldiers and fifteen U.S. Military advisers moving into Ganjigal in the Kunar Province to meet with the village elders. The meeting was a trap. Sergeant Meyer was not with the team that day; he had been ordered to stay with the Afghan reinforcement troops at the entrance to the box canyon.
The team reported the ambush and asked for help; which was refused. They asked for artillery barrage, which was refused. They asked for close air support and that also was refused. The reason for the refusal was the “rules of engagement”. Sgt. Meyer asked to go help his team and was refused. He disobeyed a direct order and went to help. Staff Sgt Juan Rodriquez-Chavez was driving the armored Humvee and Sgt. Meyer was on the gun. They headed straight into the shooting. The Taliban held the high ground. Over the next few hours they made five trips into the kill-zone to rescue wounded and dead Afghan and U.S. soldiers and marines. Sometimes Sgt Meyer was in hand to hand combat. Thirteen U.S. and Afghan soldiers died and most were wounded; they all might have died if not for Sgts Chavez and Meyer. Meyer feels he is a failure because he failed to save his team who all died that day. SSgt Chavez received the Navy Cross but because Sgt Meyer repeatedly left the protection of the vehicle he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Sgt Meyer reports these men died or were wounded because the chain of command failed them. Sgt Meyer tells the story of Army officer, Captain Swenson, who also was nominated for the Medal of Honor that fateful day, but the Army has lost or held up the paperwork even though the high ranking field officers keep pushing for the Award. It is reported the investigation whitewashed the whole event.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Zach McLarty does a good job narrating the story. McLarty is an actor and writer who is making a name narrating audiobooks.
September 27, 2012
This is a heart-wrenching account of one Marine's mission to rescue his team in Ganjigal, and his battle to regain a life after returning to the U.S. I finished this book inside of a day - unable to put it down. Beginning with a brief history of Dakota's life, then the forming of Team Monti and the interpersonal relationships that developed, much of the book is devoted to the ambush at Ganjigal. The story is told exactly as Dakota remembers it.
I received this book as a First Read from Random House on Goodreads and highly recommend this book to every U.S. citizen.
I received this book as a First Read from Random House on Goodreads and highly recommend this book to every U.S. citizen.
November 8, 2012
This was the story of the battle of Ganjgal in Afghanistan, which earned the author, a former Marine corporal, the Congressional Medal of Honor. The battle occupies the central portion of the book, while the beginning gives the background to Meyer's life and his prior career and training as a Marine sniper. The story is a really good one, and I was left Meyer's bravery and aggressiveness in situations that would terrify the vast majority of regular people. This book was more interesting to me for being the story of a regular solder rather than a member of elite special forces, such as are featured in books like "Horse Soldiers" or "No Easy Day". What I found most memorable about the book was the clear "fog of battle" during the crucial combat. Once can only wonder how this recollection was created in such a chaotic battle scene, although it has been thoroughly scrutinized during the subsequent investigations and the review process for the Congressional award. The other memorable aspect of the account was the description of Meyer's reentry into civilian life after his return. It is stark and troubling, but comes across as very honest.
The book was written with the assistance of Bing West, who is a distinguished and prolific author on military affairs, especially during the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan after 2003. West is a very thoughtful writer and a skillful critic of common wisdom, bureaucratic routines, and bad strategies. Meyer has a strong voice in the book but one that is not overdone. Some of this accounts by former soldiers - or bios of them -- sometimes start grinding a political ax, but that does not occur here and the political positions of Meyer or his comrades are not crucial to the story.
Overall, this was an exciting read that illuminated an important story well and provided needed context for any discussions of how the Afghan war has turned out for the US.
The book was written with the assistance of Bing West, who is a distinguished and prolific author on military affairs, especially during the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan after 2003. West is a very thoughtful writer and a skillful critic of common wisdom, bureaucratic routines, and bad strategies. Meyer has a strong voice in the book but one that is not overdone. Some of this accounts by former soldiers - or bios of them -- sometimes start grinding a political ax, but that does not occur here and the political positions of Meyer or his comrades are not crucial to the story.
Overall, this was an exciting read that illuminated an important story well and provided needed context for any discussions of how the Afghan war has turned out for the US.
November 5, 2015
Dakota Meyer is a hero! Plain and simple. Fearless, brave, courageous....one cannot find enough adjectives to describe this Medal of Honor recipient. A hero I hope that I could be in the same circumstances, but knowing that I would fall short. On the other hand, the book itself is just average if you compare it to the spell binding and riveting Lone Survivor and House to House...other books on heroes of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Into The Fire lacked emotion or passion. The book almost had the feel of a documentary....telling the facts without the intimate emotion and attachment to the intensity of the battle. Maybe that is the best description....it lacked intensity. The authors tried, but it just didn't happen. By contrast, I could not put down Lone Survivor once I started. I was shaken by its overwhelming intensity. Into The Fire did not have the same impact. Yet, I have encouraged everyone I know to read Into The Fire to support Dakota Meyer. A true American hero!!! Bravo!
January 5, 2021
This book was deeply moving and interesting. I need to sit with it a bit more before I write more.
November 12, 2012
I almost have nothing to say about this, because nothing I say can express how I feel. I can't encompass the drama, the pain and the epic sweep of this book, and about the only coherent reaction I have is "drop everything and read it now." Incoherent reactions have included nausea, weeping, rage and awe. It's a smoother, more polished style than Lone Survivor, but smoother doesn't mean less gut-wrenching. Someday this will probably be made into a movie that buffs out the raw edges and features lots of shots of famous-for-the-moment actors screaming and running in slow motion. Don't wait for the Hollywood version--read the story that Hollywood couldn't make up now, before it gets glossed over into oblivion.
August 31, 2012
Meyer is a Marine, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, and a recipent of the Congressional Medal of Honor. INTO THE FIRE is the story of how he achieved this distinction. Military Historianm Bing West said of Meyer's actions; "most acts of bravery occur at a single point in time; Dakota rushed death, not once, not twice, but five times". But this is a story with plenty of contoversy, Meyer was refused backup, disobeyed orders and risked all to find his team. This book is an eye opener. Ultimately it is about what one individual is capable of achieving and the costs of such brave actions. I'm not sure I have ever read anthing like INTO THE FIRE.
October 14, 2012
Pretty decent read about a young mans trials in combat, and like most CMOH awardees, being a hero is not something he planned. He did what he did to save his brother's and others on the field of battle. He also shows how often times, leadership fails to listen to what "the troops know" and yet, fail to listen and accept counsel from those more combat experienced; it also shows that sometimes, a leaders objectives may not be what they think best! Yet, combat leaders must often follow orders they know may end in tragedy. A good insightful book about combat from the level of combat soldier.
July 20, 2021
Into the Fire is another book that I learned about through Joe Rogan's podcast. Rather than listening to the podcast and potentially ruining the book, I thought it would be worth it to just listen to the book first. In retrospect, I am sure that a good podcast on Mr. Meyer's experiences in Afghanistan would have been just as informative as this book. Although there is nothing inherently wrong with Into the Fire, it does echo other accounts of the Afghan War at the time.
Like a lot of people, by the time Obama was elected in 2008, I kind of tuned out of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The wars weighed heavy on me in the earlier years and I was tired of reading all the bad news. So eventually, I just stopped paying attention. I vaguely remember hearing about different soldiers winning the Medal of Honor and also about the bureaucratic nightmare that was the rules of engagement. But again, I never delved into too many details because my life was busy and I had enough things to worry about.
In retrospect, I wish I had paid more attention. Books like Into the Fire and The Outpost, both of which were published in late 2012, tell a very clear and similar story: Afghanistan is a mess, and there is no path to victory. By the time this book was published, we were already ten years into the war and it took ten additional years for us to finally leave. It is very frustrating and this book will not make you feel good about anything. It is unfortunate, because it isn't the author's fault that the Afghan War was bullshit and I think he does a great job conveying his experience in a personal way that still clearly illustrates the big picture nonsense from the US military and American government.
What I love about this book is that this was all put on the record in real time. No one can say this account was written too long after the fact and with hindsight. And the fact that other accounts by soldiers at the time say similar things makes Mr. Meyer's account undeniable. Into the Fire describes a 2009 ambush of Afghan forces and their American advisors near the mountain town of Ganjgal in rural Afghanistan. Over the next several hours, Mr. Meyer and the men he was fighting with dealt with a military bureaucracy that didn't allow for artillery or air support during the engagement. The end result was several dead Afghans and Americans, and for Meyer, bad case of survivor's guilt and PTSD. The story culminates with Mr. Meyer winning the Medal of Honor a couple years later for his actions on that day while still trying to deal with the trauma of war.
Meyer really undersells his actions, in my opinion. That became clear to me in the epilogue, written from the perspective of Bing West, who helped coauthor the book. The fact is he put himself at huge risk in a way that helped keep Ganjgal a disaster rather than a total massacre.
This book is for history buffs, anyone interested in the Afghan War, or people into biographies of American soldiers. Although Meyer does a good job discussing the battle and his resulting PTSD, I did feel that some details were missing that could have given his account a more rich feel. As an example, Meyer mentions off hand that the Afghans that he spoke to knew a lot about Christianity and asked a lot about sex. He, however, declined to get into specifics. I can kind of understand this and I don't think it was bad that he didn't include those details. But I wish, in general, that he had spoken more about the details of his interactions with the locals. I give this book three stars.
Like a lot of people, by the time Obama was elected in 2008, I kind of tuned out of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The wars weighed heavy on me in the earlier years and I was tired of reading all the bad news. So eventually, I just stopped paying attention. I vaguely remember hearing about different soldiers winning the Medal of Honor and also about the bureaucratic nightmare that was the rules of engagement. But again, I never delved into too many details because my life was busy and I had enough things to worry about.
In retrospect, I wish I had paid more attention. Books like Into the Fire and The Outpost, both of which were published in late 2012, tell a very clear and similar story: Afghanistan is a mess, and there is no path to victory. By the time this book was published, we were already ten years into the war and it took ten additional years for us to finally leave. It is very frustrating and this book will not make you feel good about anything. It is unfortunate, because it isn't the author's fault that the Afghan War was bullshit and I think he does a great job conveying his experience in a personal way that still clearly illustrates the big picture nonsense from the US military and American government.
What I love about this book is that this was all put on the record in real time. No one can say this account was written too long after the fact and with hindsight. And the fact that other accounts by soldiers at the time say similar things makes Mr. Meyer's account undeniable. Into the Fire describes a 2009 ambush of Afghan forces and their American advisors near the mountain town of Ganjgal in rural Afghanistan. Over the next several hours, Mr. Meyer and the men he was fighting with dealt with a military bureaucracy that didn't allow for artillery or air support during the engagement. The end result was several dead Afghans and Americans, and for Meyer, bad case of survivor's guilt and PTSD. The story culminates with Mr. Meyer winning the Medal of Honor a couple years later for his actions on that day while still trying to deal with the trauma of war.
Meyer really undersells his actions, in my opinion. That became clear to me in the epilogue, written from the perspective of Bing West, who helped coauthor the book. The fact is he put himself at huge risk in a way that helped keep Ganjgal a disaster rather than a total massacre.
This book is for history buffs, anyone interested in the Afghan War, or people into biographies of American soldiers. Although Meyer does a good job discussing the battle and his resulting PTSD, I did feel that some details were missing that could have given his account a more rich feel. As an example, Meyer mentions off hand that the Afghans that he spoke to knew a lot about Christianity and asked a lot about sex. He, however, declined to get into specifics. I can kind of understand this and I don't think it was bad that he didn't include those details. But I wish, in general, that he had spoken more about the details of his interactions with the locals. I give this book three stars.
November 14, 2021
This was a fascinating book for me; it held my interest all the way through. It is a powerful story that is not just specifically about one young man who acted valiantly in a terrible situation but a group of men who worked together to save as many fellow soldiers as they could during six-plus hours of hard fighting. I know it is mostly about Dakota Meyer and "his story," but his story cannot be told without telling about the other men with whom he served, some how lived and some who died. It is hard to read because of the "unnecessary deaths" experienced by the men onsite at the battlefield because of the new ROEs that limited the ability of those on the ground to call for the support they needed when in pitched battle.
The book talks about Dakota's life growing up and then how he went about joining the Marines. He excelled at what he put his mind to and he would go on to become a sniper. He volunteered to go to Afghanistan as an advisor and was teamed up with three strangers who would eventually become family for him over the course of his tour in Afghanistan. It ends with his leaving the Marines and trying to make a new life for himself in the civilian world.
He might not have been the most respectful Marine or PC Marine in the barracks. He might have been outspoken and a little rough around the edges, but he was definitely the man you wanted by your side and supporting you during a battle. He did not quit; he did not give up trying to save lives and continually put himself into harms way trying to save American and Afghan soldiers during this crazy battle.
Any "mistakes" or "problems" I may or may not have had with the book had nothing to do with the author's story and experiences; they would have to do more with how the book was put together. I would have expected more emotion in the book (especially in the big battle at the end), but there was not that much in terms of emotional descriptions or emotional responses to what was being experienced on the battlefield. I am sure there are reasons for that, but I still kinda expected a bit more of an emotional response while reading the book. Granted, the anger and frustration over the "higher-ups" and their refusal to support the troops on the ground was pretty clearly felt by me.
All in all, though, I felt it was a powerful and masterful story about a young man who dared to rise above the odds and with a group of fellow soldiers attempted to save as many soldiers as he was able to do during this crazy, chaotic battle. I am glad that I took a chance and picked this book up to read.
The book talks about Dakota's life growing up and then how he went about joining the Marines. He excelled at what he put his mind to and he would go on to become a sniper. He volunteered to go to Afghanistan as an advisor and was teamed up with three strangers who would eventually become family for him over the course of his tour in Afghanistan. It ends with his leaving the Marines and trying to make a new life for himself in the civilian world.
He might not have been the most respectful Marine or PC Marine in the barracks. He might have been outspoken and a little rough around the edges, but he was definitely the man you wanted by your side and supporting you during a battle. He did not quit; he did not give up trying to save lives and continually put himself into harms way trying to save American and Afghan soldiers during this crazy battle.
Any "mistakes" or "problems" I may or may not have had with the book had nothing to do with the author's story and experiences; they would have to do more with how the book was put together. I would have expected more emotion in the book (especially in the big battle at the end), but there was not that much in terms of emotional descriptions or emotional responses to what was being experienced on the battlefield. I am sure there are reasons for that, but I still kinda expected a bit more of an emotional response while reading the book. Granted, the anger and frustration over the "higher-ups" and their refusal to support the troops on the ground was pretty clearly felt by me.
All in all, though, I felt it was a powerful and masterful story about a young man who dared to rise above the odds and with a group of fellow soldiers attempted to save as many soldiers as he was able to do during this crazy, chaotic battle. I am glad that I took a chance and picked this book up to read.
March 30, 2013
Born and raised in Columbia, Kentucky, Dakota Meyer had no idea he would follow in his father's footsteps. As a child, he was constantly on the move with his mother, who later left him with his stepfather, Big Mike, who adopted him. Dakota grew up on a 300-acre farm where he learned to cut down Tobacco and actually rode around on his cow, Tinker Bell. In high school, he earned a spot on the football team, and was quite good. Although his dream of playing college ball were dashed after several knee injuries, Meyer changed his fate; after speaking with a Marine recruiter, who said he wouldn't last, he decided to prove this man wrong. What most don't realize is that Dakota grew up with guns and his ability to shoot one was uncanny. After boot camp, in Paris Island, South Carolina, Meyer spent several months in the School of Infantry (SOI) and later finally got his position in the Marine rifle battalion. Despite his amazing ability with his weapon, Meyer had a knack for upsetting his superiors For example, while training in the California Mountain, he ended spending the night on the Deck, in the dead of winter, and getting kicked out of the program, which he was later re-instated after his CO calmed down. Nevertheless, Meyer continued to excel and later earned his position as a rifle man. After being deployed to Iraq, he almost lost his hand to a spider bite, of all things, and spent several months drowning in Kentucky Bourbon until he was told to get it together. When he rejoined his regimen in Hawaii, and with a new rank of Corporal, Meyer was given the opportunity to train and advise Afghani forces. He saw this as his opportunity to see action and gladly accepted the offer. While in Afghanistan, stationed at Combat Outpost Monti, he definitely saw action that not only opened his eyes, but in a way, made him more eager to get into battle. When he was not fighting Taliban insurgents (aka. The Dushmen) he was bonding with his brothers (The Monti 4) and the Afghan troops. He leaned about their customs, had countless conversations about everything, and what to expect from the surrounding villages. Sadly, in the fight for survival, people will do some very backward things just to stay alive. However, Meyer's life changed at the Battle of Ganjigal. After being told that he, and his fellow soldiers, were only in Afghanistan to server as advisers and not fight, Meyer constantly questioned his CO, which resulted in him staying behind to watch the Humvees. In other words, he was told to stay behind (to prove a point that he was to advise), and he was extremely angry and frustrated with this call. However, when the call for weapons support was going unanswered, and his unit was in danger, Meyer makes a decision that could cost him his life and. The rest, they say, is history.
I usually don't read a whole lot of Adult Non-Fiction, but WOW! When I heard about this extraordinary soldier, and what he did, I wanted to learn about the situation from his perspective. Unlike most nonfiction accounts, which are generally based on research and interviews, there is something about the first-hand account that includes information that no one could know other than then person. Bing West, the man who helped Dakota mEyer write this book, is a Marine Veteran who has been writing military nonfiction for quite some time and I have to hand it to him: he is one heck of a storyteller. Putting aside politics, readers will be engrossed in this story about an every day American boy who chose to join the military to make a difference and do something worthwhile in his life. I think its pointless to argue the fact that having a career is hopeless if you don't go to college. The U.S. Military is an option that young men and woman can pursue, especially if they are looking for structure and discipline. Also, the GI Bill is pretty neat incentive if he or she wants to go to college. For Meyer, his adolescence got the best of him (i.e., skipping school) so rather than whining about it, he became a Marine because he had a set of skills that would help him to become successful. However, what is awesome about this account is that is documents the hard cold truth about war and what these young men and women are willing to do to make sure that our country, and his fellow troops, are safe and secure. I was just blown away by the honesty and candidness about life as a sniper; snipers cannot hesitate nor can they take the time to battle with their conscience and morals. Being sniper is about doing a job without thinking twice and being precise and focused. One thing I did learn is that you never ask a sniper about how many kills he has made. Snipers do not glorify or advertise their kills because a sniper is there to protect his squad and provide coverage. I thought all military men and women were humble, but the most humble of all are the snipers. I will confess that I am an NCIS junkie and that Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, a former Marine sniper, also inspired me to pick up this book. All in all, I know have a new respect for anyone who want to put their life on the line to provide their fellow Americans with security and freedom that many countries are still fighting for. More importantly, this book spark a serious conversation about the way the military conducts its operations and if serious changes need to be made. I am so tempted to speak with Veterans about this whole situation because it really forces one to think the whole idea: in battle, do "we shoot first, then ask questions" or vice versa. Furthermore, have the rules of engagement evolved into a bureaucratic handbook that can cost hundreds of lives? Bring on the conversations!
I usually don't read a whole lot of Adult Non-Fiction, but WOW! When I heard about this extraordinary soldier, and what he did, I wanted to learn about the situation from his perspective. Unlike most nonfiction accounts, which are generally based on research and interviews, there is something about the first-hand account that includes information that no one could know other than then person. Bing West, the man who helped Dakota mEyer write this book, is a Marine Veteran who has been writing military nonfiction for quite some time and I have to hand it to him: he is one heck of a storyteller. Putting aside politics, readers will be engrossed in this story about an every day American boy who chose to join the military to make a difference and do something worthwhile in his life. I think its pointless to argue the fact that having a career is hopeless if you don't go to college. The U.S. Military is an option that young men and woman can pursue, especially if they are looking for structure and discipline. Also, the GI Bill is pretty neat incentive if he or she wants to go to college. For Meyer, his adolescence got the best of him (i.e., skipping school) so rather than whining about it, he became a Marine because he had a set of skills that would help him to become successful. However, what is awesome about this account is that is documents the hard cold truth about war and what these young men and women are willing to do to make sure that our country, and his fellow troops, are safe and secure. I was just blown away by the honesty and candidness about life as a sniper; snipers cannot hesitate nor can they take the time to battle with their conscience and morals. Being sniper is about doing a job without thinking twice and being precise and focused. One thing I did learn is that you never ask a sniper about how many kills he has made. Snipers do not glorify or advertise their kills because a sniper is there to protect his squad and provide coverage. I thought all military men and women were humble, but the most humble of all are the snipers. I will confess that I am an NCIS junkie and that Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, a former Marine sniper, also inspired me to pick up this book. All in all, I know have a new respect for anyone who want to put their life on the line to provide their fellow Americans with security and freedom that many countries are still fighting for. More importantly, this book spark a serious conversation about the way the military conducts its operations and if serious changes need to be made. I am so tempted to speak with Veterans about this whole situation because it really forces one to think the whole idea: in battle, do "we shoot first, then ask questions" or vice versa. Furthermore, have the rules of engagement evolved into a bureaucratic handbook that can cost hundreds of lives? Bring on the conversations!
December 28, 2023
This book gave me chills countless times. Dakota Meyer is the epitome of a warrior. As a 21 year old Marine Infantry grunt, Meyer was able to save the lives of dozens of Afghan soldiers and also multiple American advisors. He is the second youngest Medal of Honor recipient, and I now know exactly why. On the battlefield of Ganjigal, Afghanistan (hell on earth), he was able to be a tactical fighter in times of extreme pressure. But he wasn’t just that. He knew that the lives of his four greatest comrades were on the line, and he turned himself into a primal warrior. From sending off thousands of 50 cal rounds at many Taliban fighters to beating a Taliban soldier to death with a f****** rock, Dakota proved why the American soldier is the most lethal weapon to ever traverse this planet.
I am eager to look into whether or not his comrade in battle, Capt. William Swenson was awarded the Medal of Honor or not. But any reader of this story knows it’s utter nonsense if he is not awarded this medal. Enough said.
I am eager to look into whether or not his comrade in battle, Capt. William Swenson was awarded the Medal of Honor or not. But any reader of this story knows it’s utter nonsense if he is not awarded this medal. Enough said.
December 4, 2017
Tough, brutally honest account by a young Medal of Honor winner of what combat in Afghanistan is really like -- and a savage indictment of the hypocrisy, cowardice, and callousness of both the military chain of command and the spineless politicians of both parties who have prolonged this war for so many years.
December 23, 2020
Excellent little book about the bravery of a CMH winning Marine corporal and his brothers in arms, some Army, some Afghan, in combat in Afghanistan. Another tale of tactical bravery and operational / strategic failures which seem, unfortunately, to typify the United States involvement in the later stages of the War in Afghanistan. Worthy of your time.
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October 28, 2019Do you live for a fight? Dakota Meyer lived for the fight. Dakota grew up as a Kentucky farm boy in a small town. He was challenged to become a marine by a marine recruiter and he accepted the challenge. He completed basic training and did his specialized training as a sniper. He went then went to Afghanistan as an advisor for the Afghan warriors. While in an area called, Ganjigal, he and his squad got into a firefight where he and another soldier would receive the Medal of Honor but also would be a firefight that would cost soldiers their lives. NO SPOILERS. My first like is it was about a marine and I just like that it was about a Marine. My second like is it was about an American who went beyond the call of duty to try to save his fellow soldiers. And the third thing I like about the book is it is about who I believe is an American hero who again went beyond the call of duty. The theme I believe is that war is a place that brings a lot of demons into people's lives and can also take a lot of lives. Overall I believe that this was a good book. I'm definitely not a reader but this book was one I really was interested in and engaged in. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in war books or autobiographies.
October 8, 2025
American Heroism at its finest.
June 28, 2021
Incredible story! Heard about Dakota on the Jocko or Joe Rogan podcast. Recommend listening to that and reading the book!
December 11, 2025
In no way does my rating reflect what I think of Dakota or what he accomplished as a soldier. 5 stars for his bravery and commitment to his team and country. That said, the book was ok.
March 31, 2020
An American hero that I'll fight anyone that says otherwise. Truly selfless and someone to honor and respect. The book however reeks of a quick project by the author and lacks any connection on a personal or emotional level by the reader. It reads like it was written in a hurry.
September 8, 2020
Cpl. Meyer's book is tremendous. I served in the Army as an officer. I wish that I could be more like him, a true hero. I picked up Cpl. Meyer's book yesterday afternoon and was shocked to discover that I was going to finish it today, September 8th, 2020, exactly nine years after his heroic fight at Ganjigal, Afganistan. May God Bless Dakota Meyer and his family.
November 22, 2020
A great book about how Dakota Meyer became one of the living Medal of Honor recipients of our generation.
I highly recommend this book.
I highly recommend this book.
December 12, 2013
This is a first-person account, as related by a young Marine using the language of young Marines from the perspective of young Marines… it is not great literature or great writing. It is a compelling and engrossing story of a young man’s development into a combat Marine, and its culmination in the day-long battle in Afghanistan resulting in his award of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Meyer’s heroism, courage and determination under fire (he returned into the battle five times, fighting his way in and out to rescue wounded and retrieve dead) are simply astounding. The failures of command and the abysmal rules of engagement that prevented available support from being provided to Meyer and his comrades in the battle are inexplicable, inexcusable and ultimately responsible for the high casualty rate among US and Afghan troops, and the deaths of Meyer’s four fellow Marines. War cannot be fought from desks and with application of politically correct sympathies that simply ignore very real concerns of life and death among ones own troops and allies. It is beyond comprehension - beyond forgiveness. That said, this is Dakota Meyer’s story - and one can only reflect upon and repeat the sentiments embodied in the great Korean War movie “The Bridges at Toko-Ri”: “Where do we find such men?”
So long as we continue to find them among us, the Republic is and will be safe.
So long as we continue to find them among us, the Republic is and will be safe.
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