Point Man

by Mark Townsend

The true story of a young British private in Afghanistan, who held the most dangerous job in the British Army for nearly two years.

Between 2007 and 2008, twenty-year-old Kenny Meighan was the longest-serving point man in Helmand province. An exceptionally skilful and brave private, he guided his unit through enemy territory, scanning the land for danger, responsible for the safety of the entire patrol. He was lucky to make it home alive.

But in his home town in Essex, prospects are bleak. Jobs are scarce and the civilian community is hostile. His father, still haunted by his own war experiences, is suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder, while the government does little to help. As Kenny begins to exhibit some of the symptoms himself, it becomes clear that his struggle is far from over.

Mark Townsend, Home Affairs editor of the Observer, tells Kenny's story, based on his own reportage from the war and extensive interviews with Kenny and his family. Shocking and hard-hitting, Point Man vividly conveys the terror and intensity of the life of an ordinary soldier and the heart-wrenching struggle to adjust to civilian life, while exposing the wider political implications of the war.

Genres: Nonfiction

304 pages, Hardcover

First published April 3, 2012

Reviews

[Rob Twinem · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing poignant read, it is not so much about the war in Afghanistan but rather the effect such a conflict has on the human mind and spirit. Kenny Meighan always wanted to be an infantryman, just like his dad John and his dad before him. John was an infantryman in Northern Ireland and the death of a close soldier/friend was one of the many scenes that were to haunt him when he left the services. One day on civi street a firework celebration sent him over the edge and he spiralled into depression and alcoholism attempting to take his life on no more than 9 occasions. Kenny loved his dad and knew that he could cope with war but as a Point Man in Helmand province, the pressure was to prove too much and when he finally returned back to England..his life also went out of control. As a Point Man he lead his men from the front, seeking out all hazards and assessing them before the patrol continued, and as Point Man he would naturally be the first man to be shot at by the waiting Taliban. There were two real turning points for Kenny whilst on active service; the first enemy he shot, had in his sights was nothing but a young man like him fighting for a cause, and the death of a close friend who stepped on a improvised explosive device (ied) his remains being collected in a body bag by Kenny....how can you return home to a normal life following exposure to war on this scale..the answer is you cannot and remain sane. Kenny returned to the love of his life,his girlfriend, and life spiralled downwards...how could he cope with no job (although finally getting a job as a bus driver)and a world that just did not understand the type of sacrifice an infantryman gave, people only concerned with their own paltry and greedy existence. In essence this book is a story about the human spirit and the failure of a system/government/people who cannot understand or have any idea of the effect on war on that spirit. It is a humbling but hugely important read and a memory that will stay with me for a very long time...to people like Kenny Meighan we all owe a great deal....

[R P Whitehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Politician should be made to read this book

I should have read this book earlier because there have been some changes. However Politicians still don't understand the consequences of their actions and are not brave enough to put things right once they have lied and messed up yet again.
I am not a peace monger but an Army Brat who grew up and lived with the challenges of military life and the political consequences . Please read and respect our soldiers just that little bit more

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bleak.

[Mireille · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing true story , that I couldn't put down

[Grahambootle · Rating 3 out of 5]

a somewhat sad tale of incredibly brave soldiers and the way they are treated by the society that they risked their lives to protect.
a bit disjointed in places but generally. a gripping read