What do you think?
Rate this book
No Way Out: A Story of Valor in the Mountains of...
It seemed like an impossible mission right from the start. A Special Forces team planned to land in an enemy-held valley, scale a steep mountain in Afghanistan to surprise and capture a terrorist leader. But before they found the target, the target found them... The team was caught in a deadly ambush that not only threatened their lives, but the entire mission. The elite soldiers fought for hours, huddled on a small rock ledge as rocket-propelled grenades and heavy machine gun fire rained down on them. With total disregard for their own safety, they tended to their wounded and kept fighting to stay alive. When the battle finally ended, ten soldiers had earned Silver Stars- the Army's third highest award for combat valor. It was the most Silver Stars awarded to any unit in one battle since Vietnam. Based on dozens of interviews with those who were there, No Way Out is a compelling narrative of an epic battle that not only tested the soldiers' mettle but serves as a cautionary Be careful what you ask a soldier to do because they will die trying to accomplish their mission.
Hardcover
First published March 6, 2012
90 people are currently reading
1035 people want to read
About the author
Unknown Author
4m books458 followersBooks with known authors are imported from Amazon to this profile. Please do not merge this profile into Unknown.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
August 8, 2012
Certainly a compelling story about overcoming tremendous failures in planning & BAMFs surviving the worst of conditions. Speaking plainly, though, it's a damn shame the book wasn't better written. Jumping from third to second person, putting words and phrases in quotes, and the constant repetition of the same scenes from differing perspectives (with little to nothing added) all weakened the book, from a reading perspective.
A suggestion that I wish was made, or followed, in the editing process would be to tell the story from the perspective of the investigator who was introduced at the very end of the book. Using a consistent voice while weaving in everyone's details and experiences would have made for a stronger text. These men deserve nothing less.
A suggestion that I wish was made, or followed, in the editing process would be to tell the story from the perspective of the investigator who was introduced at the very end of the book. Using a consistent voice while weaving in everyone's details and experiences would have made for a stronger text. These men deserve nothing less.
March 28, 2012
I was a bit unsure upon opening this book and seeing over 90 chapters listed for a book with a little over 330 pages. Any doubt was quickly pushed aside by the fast paced narrative. The mechanics of the book gives such a sense of the choas of battle the author is trying to convey. Upon finishing this book I have even greater respect for those who put others before themselves.
May 1, 2012
This book is described as a "Blackhawk Down" of the Afghanistan war. In some respects that's true - a screwed up mission attempted despite its many (and obvious) flaws, resulting in numerous deaths and casualties. I suppose the most disturbing part of this story is the aftermath when the spin doctors in the US Army declared it a success despite its actual failure to achieve its defined mission. This leads one to wonder if any lessons were learned at the *higher* command levels (there is no doubt they were learned at the tactical level).
The story of how these men fought despite their severe tactical disadvantage and continued to fight despite terrible wounds shows that the spirit that was present in earlier Special Forces soldiers runs deep in this generation's. It is sad, however, to see such valor squandered as was the case on this mission.
The story of how these men fought despite their severe tactical disadvantage and continued to fight despite terrible wounds shows that the spirit that was present in earlier Special Forces soldiers runs deep in this generation's. It is sad, however, to see such valor squandered as was the case on this mission.
May 9, 2012
Another badly flawed mission that resulted in the SF displaying heroism and amassing the most Silver Stars awarded for an engagement since the Vietnam War. I liked how the authors introduced us to the members of the team and the short chapters had a page turning intensity. Plenty of pictures but poor maps and sketches. I almost wanted to make a 3d diorama of the area. It was hard to picture the fight but you knew it was unbelievable. Somebody ought to have refused to do it. No medals for that. Same old story. A plan from higher up being foisted on the below folks who know the area and are trying to tell the up there people that ground truth contradicts the highers. This was a clusterfuck from the start-attacking up hills, mountains; no medevac plan. It's only a miracle we didn't lose any aircraft.
April 11, 2024
I read the book and the only reason I don't give it 5 stars is because I believe the follow up about each of the soldiers was lacking and likely because this book was published in 2012, only 4 years after this battle. I wish there were a new edition with an update on the soldiers, particularly those wounded, and how their journey with the VA has been.
This book gets straight to the point, the authors introduce us to the members of the main ODA team of there ODA teams involved in Commando Wrath, then the story begins in staccato chapters that are just 1-3 pages long making this an edge of your seat adrenaline rush all the way to the end.
This book goes into explicit detail of each team member and their challenges and injuries and in gory details at times and made me feel like I was there and my heart was racing.
There are a few common denominators with this book and other books I have read about The War in Afghanistan: 1) The Military Industrial Complex lied to the American people about the progress of the war and that the American military was winning when it wasn't and did so repeatedly 2) The Political Ruling Class did the same thing and 3) General John F. Mulholland who should have been replaced and repeatedly sent troops into battles where basic combat and Army and military principles were ignored.
I highly recommend this book, it is a great read.
This book gets straight to the point, the authors introduce us to the members of the main ODA team of there ODA teams involved in Commando Wrath, then the story begins in staccato chapters that are just 1-3 pages long making this an edge of your seat adrenaline rush all the way to the end.
This book goes into explicit detail of each team member and their challenges and injuries and in gory details at times and made me feel like I was there and my heart was racing.
There are a few common denominators with this book and other books I have read about The War in Afghanistan: 1) The Military Industrial Complex lied to the American people about the progress of the war and that the American military was winning when it wasn't and did so repeatedly 2) The Political Ruling Class did the same thing and 3) General John F. Mulholland who should have been replaced and repeatedly sent troops into battles where basic combat and Army and military principles were ignored.
I highly recommend this book, it is a great read.
April 3, 2016
This book has been languishing on my "to read" shelf since NYU and graduate school days. No longer! I am finally getting to the books I collected through school and this is one of the reads chosen from that stack.
The first thing that I will say, is: do not begin this book unless you have a block and chunk of a few hours to read it. You will not want to put it down. Although it is a work of non-fiction, it is comparable to reading a fast-paced fiction espionage/thriller. The chapters are written in short bursts of action and convey the thoughts of combatants on a failed (arguably, a suicidal) mission in Afghanistan.
It has been a while since I have given a book a five star rating, but this book deserves it on every level. The writing is flawless. The military men are portrayed with honesty, candor, and insight. For history students, there is a useful summary of Afghanistan's history contained on pages 89-92.
After completing grad work in diplomacy, I would recommend that this book be included as required reading. I'd also recommend it for the American public, as a whole. It describes the brutality of war in a way that explains in detail what the sacrifices are, when the military is called upon to execute a flawed battle plan in adverse circumstances. This book would place slamming brakes on the expression "boots on the ground" and cause many to consider the lives of the military personnel filling said boots.
The first thing that I will say, is: do not begin this book unless you have a block and chunk of a few hours to read it. You will not want to put it down. Although it is a work of non-fiction, it is comparable to reading a fast-paced fiction espionage/thriller. The chapters are written in short bursts of action and convey the thoughts of combatants on a failed (arguably, a suicidal) mission in Afghanistan.
It has been a while since I have given a book a five star rating, but this book deserves it on every level. The writing is flawless. The military men are portrayed with honesty, candor, and insight. For history students, there is a useful summary of Afghanistan's history contained on pages 89-92.
After completing grad work in diplomacy, I would recommend that this book be included as required reading. I'd also recommend it for the American public, as a whole. It describes the brutality of war in a way that explains in detail what the sacrifices are, when the military is called upon to execute a flawed battle plan in adverse circumstances. This book would place slamming brakes on the expression "boots on the ground" and cause many to consider the lives of the military personnel filling said boots.
February 17, 2013
It was pretty similar to black hawk down but on a smaller scale. BHD in Mogadishu was 20 years ago and was not nearly as screwed up as the planning was in this mission. The American and ANA soldiers all had a bad feeling about it and wanted the mission to be cancelled for various reasons. Their pleas were ignored. That did not prevent them from doing what they were told.
The men on this mission were absolute warriors and never stopped fighting despite being ambushed and pinned down on a tiny ledge. It is truly inspiring. The selfless acts for their brothers will pull at your heart strings.
I am a fan of books written by Kevin mauer. He writes in a way that is easy to visualize and comprehend. I loved how the book was written chronologically and with first hand accounts by the soldiers who survived. The only part that was annoying was that each chapter was only a page or two. It makes the book look longer than it really is. It's a quick read and will grab your attention and keep you flipping the pages.
The men on this mission were absolute warriors and never stopped fighting despite being ambushed and pinned down on a tiny ledge. It is truly inspiring. The selfless acts for their brothers will pull at your heart strings.
I am a fan of books written by Kevin mauer. He writes in a way that is easy to visualize and comprehend. I loved how the book was written chronologically and with first hand accounts by the soldiers who survived. The only part that was annoying was that each chapter was only a page or two. It makes the book look longer than it really is. It's a quick read and will grab your attention and keep you flipping the pages.
August 20, 2018
I'm not a book critic. Just a veteran who understands the bonds built by guys going through the same experience together, a second at a time. Very good read in very plain language. What I would expect from someone or a few who collaborated on documenting a life changing event they all went through together. It was very hard to put this book down and I'll be reading it again. You just wanted to know how it ended through their eyes.
This book underlying message is courage under fire. About applying what you have been trained to do drawing on past experiences, leveraging the skills of every team member to execute a seemingly impossible task under tremendous pressure and delivering the best possible outcome. These guys certainly deserved the metals they received. I sure hope that the final report of this incident is not forever buried and eventually used by top echelons to learn from the mistakes made in the planning of this mission. A uniform (meaning the same) is the most basic form of Command and Control camouflage on a battlefield.
This book underlying message is courage under fire. About applying what you have been trained to do drawing on past experiences, leveraging the skills of every team member to execute a seemingly impossible task under tremendous pressure and delivering the best possible outcome. These guys certainly deserved the metals they received. I sure hope that the final report of this incident is not forever buried and eventually used by top echelons to learn from the mistakes made in the planning of this mission. A uniform (meaning the same) is the most basic form of Command and Control camouflage on a battlefield.
November 29, 2013
No Way Out: A Story of Valor in the Mountains of Afghanistan, by Mitch Weiss and Kevin Maurer, is measured in tone, reportorial in its presentation. A story of one Special Forces team and its Afghan commando counterparts are airlifted into a valley to capture or kill a high-value target. The problem is the valley is surrounded by the enemy on cliffs surrounding the landing zone. Caught by automatic weapon fire and rocket-propelled grenades, the teams are asked to scale the cliffs and bring down the target. The fear and anger come through. It's a very powerful narrative.
This book demands that we question our approach to war. The men in question were without a doubt heroes, because they knew before they left their helicopters that this could be a suicide mission. Still, they went.
Worth reading because it says something important about the human psyche.
This book demands that we question our approach to war. The men in question were without a doubt heroes, because they knew before they left their helicopters that this could be a suicide mission. Still, they went.
Worth reading because it says something important about the human psyche.
November 28, 2017
This book infuriated me. Not because of anything that the authors did, or the actions of the ODA (Operational Detachment Alpha) that the book is about... but because of the sheer ineptness of the command that planned and approved this mission. Every Officer involved in planning and approving Operation Commando Wraith should have been relieved for gross incompetence. The actions of ODA 3336 are in the highest traditions of the US Army Special Forces and each of them should be proud of what they did. The men who sent them to that battle? They should hang their heads in shame.
The final two paragraphs of the book sum it up as well as it can be said:
"They won't fight and die just for the flag or the other lofty goals of freedom and democracy plastered over recruitment posters and commercials.
They fight and die for each other."
DOL, brothers.
The final two paragraphs of the book sum it up as well as it can be said:
"They won't fight and die just for the flag or the other lofty goals of freedom and democracy plastered over recruitment posters and commercials.
They fight and die for each other."
DOL, brothers.
April 4, 2012
Excellent story about the repercussions of not learning from history, add to that ego-centric leadership at the top and the mission they planned and handed to SOG without listening to their input, then this is what happens; young men pay a permanently high price. The shear magnitude of heroism described in this book, all the way down to the medic and the combat photographer, makes this a very worthwhile read. The Shok Valley has never fallen to a foreign foe, and that remains true even today, the Soviets and even Ghenghis Ghan couldn't do it!!!
April 16, 2013
This book takes a look at a mission that went downhill fast. It does an excellent job of articulating the realities of war by depicting the heroism of the SF soldiers midst a gritty, bloody fight. By the end of the book you will know how to use a tourniquet. This book will make you appreciate the sacrifices made by our military.
The author captures the story by cyclical interviews of several soldiers who were assigned to the mission. I liked the opportunity to see the thought processes of the leaders as they strove to regain control of mission.
The author captures the story by cyclical interviews of several soldiers who were assigned to the mission. I liked the opportunity to see the thought processes of the leaders as they strove to regain control of mission.
March 25, 2013
The men and women who make the ultimate decisions about war are usually too far away, by their own cowardly choice, to know the facts. The decision to run this mission, even though those who were sent into harm’s way warned of the absurdity, demonstrates the callous lack of concern of America’s politicians and politically tuned military leaders.
March 25, 2013
Excellent, disturbing and sad. Every character was well pictured, a few in more detail than others. It was like I was feeling every described emotion myself while reading this story (desperation, helplessness, fear, anger, pain, relief, sadness, exhaustion, hope,....)
I think if you been through this hell you'll never be able to forget all this bad stuff that happened there.
I think if you been through this hell you'll never be able to forget all this bad stuff that happened there.
January 23, 2020
What a great read, couldn’t put this down. Such a harrowing account of the courageous actions of a remarkable band of brothers. I liked how forthright & matter of fact it is, very well written. Doesn’t waste time being overly descriptive or poetic, gets straight to the facts. Will check out more work from these two authors.
June 10, 2013
This book started off fast paced and interesting, but over the course of the failed assault, became mired down in repetition and descriptions of events ad-nauseum. I haven't finished it and don't intend to anytime soon.
November 27, 2018
It is not a bad book, but it is not great either.
For me it was a little bit to many repeats, and a weak ending.
But interresting and well written about the people caught in a trap and their fight.
For me it was a little bit to many repeats, and a weak ending.
But interresting and well written about the people caught in a trap and their fight.
May 30, 2019
Infuriating to read how inept the leadership pushing this mission was, but a truly incredible tale of how the special forces found their way out. Got lost with a few of the characters early on, but you get used to it after a bit.
August 28, 2019
Bought this book by accident and read it anyways. And I absolutely loved it. Not normally what I go for but this one kept me reading page after page. The author does a great job at vulgarizing the military language without taking anything away from the Shok Valley battle. Would recommend!
March 7, 2013
A great book that fills me with pride for our Special Forces.
August 5, 2013
Very fast paced quick read. When I read about some of the things that these young men endured and the obstacles that they overcame I had to wonder if I was even a member of the same species as them.
September 16, 2013
I didn't actually read much to be honest because the four f-bombs in the very first chapter really put me off of it. Shame too, because it sounded like a good tale.
March 6, 2014
good stuff.
February 16, 2015
Powerful.
Great book about a group of soldiers who overcame great odds and bad planning. A must read for all who enjoy military books.
Great book about a group of soldiers who overcame great odds and bad planning. A must read for all who enjoy military books.
February 10, 2017
I loved this one! Goes without saying the story itself is 5 star worthy; I just wish the author had done slightly better organizing this book.
March 12, 2018
Amazing story!
Hell of a read!! It’s a story of how missions can go horribly wrong. All of them are hero’s and warriors!
Hell of a read!! It’s a story of how missions can go horribly wrong. All of them are hero’s and warriors!
December 13, 2019
Great story, cookie cutter book.
November 3, 2023
tldr: Disappointing book in a genre of combat stories and war memoirs that has many standouts. Don't waste your time.
I was very disappointed by this book. I am generally familiar with the story and was interested in learning more about the ODA and the mission.
As has been mentioned in other reviews, the format used by Mitch Weiss to tell this story was a mistake. It appears as though he wrote the full story of each character as a standalone piece, and then edited them all together in an attempt to have the story flow chronologically through different voices. The result was a disjointed and repetitive narrative that was incredibly frustrating to read. Information was repeated from chapter to chapter, with some details or anecdotes re-shared mere pages after it was first introduced.
This book would have benefitted greatly from pictures or maps included during the story as opposed to the epilogue. It was challenging to picture the scene aside from numerous repeated descriptions of a "sheer rock face."
Lastly, Mitch Weiss inexplicably misstates the role of the airman attached to the ODA, claiming he was a JTAC. Zach Rhyner was a CCT and this can be confirmed in 2 seconds from a Google search. These are two meaningfully different roles in the Air Force and was a sloppy oversight that his editor should have corrected.
I was very disappointed by this book. I am generally familiar with the story and was interested in learning more about the ODA and the mission.
As has been mentioned in other reviews, the format used by Mitch Weiss to tell this story was a mistake. It appears as though he wrote the full story of each character as a standalone piece, and then edited them all together in an attempt to have the story flow chronologically through different voices. The result was a disjointed and repetitive narrative that was incredibly frustrating to read. Information was repeated from chapter to chapter, with some details or anecdotes re-shared mere pages after it was first introduced.
This book would have benefitted greatly from pictures or maps included during the story as opposed to the epilogue. It was challenging to picture the scene aside from numerous repeated descriptions of a "sheer rock face."
Lastly, Mitch Weiss inexplicably misstates the role of the airman attached to the ODA, claiming he was a JTAC. Zach Rhyner was a CCT and this can be confirmed in 2 seconds from a Google search. These are two meaningfully different roles in the Air Force and was a sloppy oversight that his editor should have corrected.
December 6, 2021
If you like to read about specific battles in military history, then go read this book. You will not be disappointed.
I’ve read MANY books like this, and none have sucked me in the way this one did.
The stories of what these men endured, in an impossible situation, is nothing short of extraordinary.
A true testament to the fighting spirit , and brotherhood that exist within the ranks of our American soldiers, and even more so with in the Special Operations community.
I’ve read MANY books like this, and none have sucked me in the way this one did.
The stories of what these men endured, in an impossible situation, is nothing short of extraordinary.
A true testament to the fighting spirit , and brotherhood that exist within the ranks of our American soldiers, and even more so with in the Special Operations community.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews