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Lions of Kandahar: The Story of a Fight Against All Odds
One of the most critical battles of the Afghan War is now revealed as never before. Lions of Kandahar is an inside account from the unique perspective of an active-duty U.S. Army Special Forces commander, an unparalled warrior with multiple deployments to the theater who has only recently returned from combat there.
Southern Afghanistan was slipping away. That was clear to then-Captain Rusty Bradley as he began his third tour of duty there in 2006. The Taliban and their allies were infiltrating everywhere, poised to reclaim Kandahar Province, their strategically vital onetime capital. To stop them, the NATO coalition launched Operation Medusa, the largest offensive in its history. The battlefield was the Panjwayi Valley, a densely packed warren of walled compounds that doubled neatly as enemy bunkers, lush orchards, and towering marijuana stands, all laced with treacherous irrigation ditches. A mass exodus of civilians heralded the carnage to come.
Dispatched as a diversionary force in support of the main coalition attack, Bradley’s Special Forces A-team and two others, along with their longtime Afghan Army allies, watched from across the valley as the NATO force was quickly engulfed in a vicious counterattack. Key to relieving it and calling in effective air strikes was possession of a modest patch of high ground called Sperwan Ghar. Bradley’s small detachment assaulted the hill and, in the midst of a savage and unforgettable firefight, soon learned they were facing nearly a thousand seasoned fighters—from whom they seized an impossible victory.
Now Bradley recounts the whole remarkable story as it actually happened. The blistering trek across Afghanistan’s infamous Red Desert. The eerie traces of the elusive Taliban. The close relations with the Afghan people and army, a primary mission focus. Sperwan Ghar itself: unremitting waves of fire from machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades; a targeted truck turned into an inferno; the death trap of a cut-off compound. Most important: the men, Americans and Afghans alike—the “shaky” medic with nerves of steel and a surgeon’s hands in battle; the tireless sergeant who seems to be everywhere at once; the soft-spoken intelligence officer with laser-sharp insight; the diminutive Afghan commander with a Goliath-sized heart; the cool maverick who risks all to rescue a grievously wounded comrade—each unique, all indelible in their everyday exercise of extraordinary heroism.
Praise for Lions of Kandahar
“A raw and authentic war story about untamed Green Berets in action.”—Dalton Fury, New York Times bestselling author of Kill Bin Laden
“A powerful and gripping account of a battle that helped shape the war in Afghanistan . . . With crisp writing and page-turning action, Lions of Kandahar is one of the best books written about the conflict.”—Mitch Weiss, Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative journalist and co-author of Tiger Force: A True Story of Men and War
“One of the most important documents to emerge from the war in Afghanistan.”—The Seattle Times
“Powerful . . . a riveting account of a strategic battle that doesn’t glorify war or focus on heroic deeds . . . Make room on your military bookshelf for Lions of Kandahar.”—San Antonio Express-News
“Bradley takes the reader into battle.” —Time
Southern Afghanistan was slipping away. That was clear to then-Captain Rusty Bradley as he began his third tour of duty there in 2006. The Taliban and their allies were infiltrating everywhere, poised to reclaim Kandahar Province, their strategically vital onetime capital. To stop them, the NATO coalition launched Operation Medusa, the largest offensive in its history. The battlefield was the Panjwayi Valley, a densely packed warren of walled compounds that doubled neatly as enemy bunkers, lush orchards, and towering marijuana stands, all laced with treacherous irrigation ditches. A mass exodus of civilians heralded the carnage to come.
Dispatched as a diversionary force in support of the main coalition attack, Bradley’s Special Forces A-team and two others, along with their longtime Afghan Army allies, watched from across the valley as the NATO force was quickly engulfed in a vicious counterattack. Key to relieving it and calling in effective air strikes was possession of a modest patch of high ground called Sperwan Ghar. Bradley’s small detachment assaulted the hill and, in the midst of a savage and unforgettable firefight, soon learned they were facing nearly a thousand seasoned fighters—from whom they seized an impossible victory.
Now Bradley recounts the whole remarkable story as it actually happened. The blistering trek across Afghanistan’s infamous Red Desert. The eerie traces of the elusive Taliban. The close relations with the Afghan people and army, a primary mission focus. Sperwan Ghar itself: unremitting waves of fire from machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades; a targeted truck turned into an inferno; the death trap of a cut-off compound. Most important: the men, Americans and Afghans alike—the “shaky” medic with nerves of steel and a surgeon’s hands in battle; the tireless sergeant who seems to be everywhere at once; the soft-spoken intelligence officer with laser-sharp insight; the diminutive Afghan commander with a Goliath-sized heart; the cool maverick who risks all to rescue a grievously wounded comrade—each unique, all indelible in their everyday exercise of extraordinary heroism.
Praise for Lions of Kandahar
“A raw and authentic war story about untamed Green Berets in action.”—Dalton Fury, New York Times bestselling author of Kill Bin Laden
“A powerful and gripping account of a battle that helped shape the war in Afghanistan . . . With crisp writing and page-turning action, Lions of Kandahar is one of the best books written about the conflict.”—Mitch Weiss, Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative journalist and co-author of Tiger Force: A True Story of Men and War
“One of the most important documents to emerge from the war in Afghanistan.”—The Seattle Times
“Powerful . . . a riveting account of a strategic battle that doesn’t glorify war or focus on heroic deeds . . . Make room on your military bookshelf for Lions of Kandahar.”—San Antonio Express-News
“Bradley takes the reader into battle.” —Time
280 pages, Hardcover
First published June 28, 2011
518 people are currently reading
6196 people want to read
About the author
Rusty Bradley
5 books20 followersMajor Rusty Bradley was wounded during the Battle of Sperwan Ghar in command of a Special Forces A-team, on his third combat tour as a Special Forces team leader. A native of North Carolina, he graduated from Mars Hill College and enlisted in the Army in 1993, serving as an infantryman for six years before earning his commission from Officer Candidate School in 1999.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 262 reviews
December 6, 2012
Fantastic! Breathtaking! Riveting! I loved this book because this story shows a side of combat and brotherhood often not seen, reported on, or even talked about. More closer to home for me, I was in Kandahar, at Kandahar air base, providing air control, coordinating aircraft, and close air support assets for the entire country during this time. The scariest calls we received were the "troops in contact" calls and this book helps illustrate why getting aircraft to our brother and sister soldiers on the ground, as fast as humanly possible, literally means life and death to those engaged in mortal combat with our enemies. I was also able to see, learn, and understand a bit more about Operation Medusa and the outstanding people involved with this vital operation. To Maj Rusty Bradley, to his Team, to the ANA, to the Special Operations community, and to all the other Solders, Sailors, Marines, Airman, military professionals and especially to the families, friends, and loved ones of our military members, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the sacrifices you have made, continue to make, and will always make.
May 11, 2016
From this book the reader will not only learn about the War in Afghanistan but also about the operation of the Special Forces. Bradley was a Captain in the Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha (SFODA) which is a group of twelve highly trained men. Little has been written about the Special Force Units until this book.
The book opens with the dramatic rendition of “Troops in Contact” engagement only to find themselves surrounded by hundreds of insurgents and running low on ammunition. The author uses flash backs to explain how he got to this point in 2006. Bradley’s unit was to support the Canadian led NATO offensive “Operation Medusa”, intended to clear the insurgents out the South. The battle of Sperwan Ghar was the most intense and sustained OSF combat operation to date.
The book is well written and fast paced. It is written in the first person narrative and provides a detailed day to day account of Bradley’s last tour in Afghanistan. The book reads more like a novel than a memoir. This is an action packed memoir. I read this in the audiobook format but the book format has maps and pictures which are helpful. Bradley tells the story of the battle in detail and also provides an in-depth view of the men involved. I found this book helpful in understanding the War in Afghanistan as well as learning more about the Special Forces. This was an exciting and informative memoir to read. Eric G. Dove did a good job narrating the book.
The book opens with the dramatic rendition of “Troops in Contact” engagement only to find themselves surrounded by hundreds of insurgents and running low on ammunition. The author uses flash backs to explain how he got to this point in 2006. Bradley’s unit was to support the Canadian led NATO offensive “Operation Medusa”, intended to clear the insurgents out the South. The battle of Sperwan Ghar was the most intense and sustained OSF combat operation to date.
The book is well written and fast paced. It is written in the first person narrative and provides a detailed day to day account of Bradley’s last tour in Afghanistan. The book reads more like a novel than a memoir. This is an action packed memoir. I read this in the audiobook format but the book format has maps and pictures which are helpful. Bradley tells the story of the battle in detail and also provides an in-depth view of the men involved. I found this book helpful in understanding the War in Afghanistan as well as learning more about the Special Forces. This was an exciting and informative memoir to read. Eric G. Dove did a good job narrating the book.
May 15, 2011
From the very first sentence you are thrown into a land and situation that very few of us will ever experience. Exhaustion, pain, responsibility, pride, vengeance and adrenaline bleed out of you. You find yourself experiencing the highs of battle and the lows of losing a brother. All in all something you will never forget.
The authors do an excellent job of showing you what it was like to be involved in an extremely important battle that would have very little if any publicity. Reading this book gives you a first hand account of what it was like to roll into enemy territory and deliver a hefty blow to the enemy by taking over a strategic land mark that would cause ripple effects in the War on Terror. Through this reading experience you get to know fellow soldiers so well that it makes sense they call each other brothers. The amazing selfless acts will leave you humbled and thankful that there are people capable of that willing to stand and protect our country and way of life.
So many details of what members of the United States Military have done for our country are brushed under the rug or watered down. If you are eager to see what has been left out of the history books this book will enlighten you more than you could have thought possible.
The authors do an excellent job of showing you what it was like to be involved in an extremely important battle that would have very little if any publicity. Reading this book gives you a first hand account of what it was like to roll into enemy territory and deliver a hefty blow to the enemy by taking over a strategic land mark that would cause ripple effects in the War on Terror. Through this reading experience you get to know fellow soldiers so well that it makes sense they call each other brothers. The amazing selfless acts will leave you humbled and thankful that there are people capable of that willing to stand and protect our country and way of life.
So many details of what members of the United States Military have done for our country are brushed under the rug or watered down. If you are eager to see what has been left out of the history books this book will enlighten you more than you could have thought possible.
May 27, 2018
Un thriller excelent, scris în stil jurnalistic, despre una dintre cele mai celebre campanii NATO din Afganistan - operațiunea Medusa. Excelent scris, controversat, te pune pe gânduri. Deși e relatarea ulterioară a misiunii beretelor verzi în război, scriitura e mai bună decât ai crede, depășind romanele de război clasice.
February 25, 2018
I cannot believe I've owned this book for so long and never read it before ,it is truly a masterpiece! The writing style is easy to read ,realistic and breathtaking!
August 27, 2023
Great telling of the fight for Sperwan Ghar in the Kandahar Provence of Afghanistan in 2006. Special Forces working with Afghan National Army units were supporting a Royal Canadian Battle Group in the Battle of Panjawaii as part of Operation Medusa fighting against the Taliban. While the Canadians directly engaged the Taliban, the combined Special Forces units with their Afghan Army allies objective was to cut off the Taliban from retreating. To achieve this, Special Forces heavily armored humvees and the Toyota Hiluxs of the Afghans had to cut through desert country. As the Canadians bogged down, Major Rusty Bradley determined that they needed to secure the high point of Sperwan Ghar to eliminate enemy fire from the position, as well as control the arrival of Taliban reinforcements. Heavily outnumbered the Special Forces/Afghan Army units with the help of air support captured Sperwan Ghar, and the Taliban retreated. Amazing that our troops didn't suffer more casualties than they did.
Major Rusty Bradley puts the reader in the middle of the action. An incredible story of sacrifice, grit and teamwork. Numerous resupplies of water, food and ammo had to be made before his soldiers even made it to the battle. If you like reading about boots on the ground battle, and strategy this book is for you.
Sad that US forces left Afghanistan last year in such a pathetic way, putting the Taliban back in charge. So many lives lost for no accomplishment.
Major Rusty Bradley puts the reader in the middle of the action. An incredible story of sacrifice, grit and teamwork. Numerous resupplies of water, food and ammo had to be made before his soldiers even made it to the battle. If you like reading about boots on the ground battle, and strategy this book is for you.
Sad that US forces left Afghanistan last year in such a pathetic way, putting the Taliban back in charge. So many lives lost for no accomplishment.
January 13, 2014
Great book; this is a very well written and a powerful account of the efforts in Afghanistan. Capt. Bradley and his team's efforts to develop relationships with the local Afghan fighters and the efforts to train the Afghans to fight for their own country cover the first half of the book...the second half is entirely the US Special Forces and Afghan battle during Operation Medusa. The battle is largely focused around the fight to take (and hold) the high-ground of Sperwan Ghar. Bradley and team's efforts and heroics make for an entertaining and consuming read. Highly recommend.
September 4, 2023
Best small unit account of combat I have ever read... seriously.
I read a lot of war memoirs, battle accounts and combat testimonials. Major Rusty Bradley's account of his Special Forces Detachment's participation in the Battle of Panjwaii is by far the best of them all. I mean it. From every conflict, every account, I have never read anything quite like Lions of Kandahar. As a former infantryman, Army Ranger, intelligence operator, voracious reader and occasional writer, I feel more than qualified to write this review... and to say that this is not only well-written, it is a compelling blow-by-blow combat account from an on-the-ground small-unit commander and operator that is detailed (without teasing the reader with "secret stuff"), honest (accurate, at least in what is verifiable), warts-and-all (transparent and personal almost to a fault), lacking in sentimental hyperbole (unlike the last 25 SEAL memoirs you read), and just plain fun to read. Bradley understood the deal when he wrote this: That the heroics, tactics, lessons-learned and true accounts of the war in Afghanistan were perishable and soon to be forgotten by a public and political establishment that treats 9-11 and the War on Terror as largely the imaginative fantasy of a previous generation's politically incorrect view of the New World Order. Yeah, that's true. Anyway, getting back to the book. Bradley was on his 3rd tour in-country when his ODA was tasked to advise an Afghan Army Battalion in setting up blocking positions in support of a Canadian/ISAF operation near Kandahar called Medusa. The mission morphed into an assault on a fortified hill called Sperwan Ghar. Bradley's extremely personal account is masterful and recommended. Highly.
I read a lot of war memoirs, battle accounts and combat testimonials. Major Rusty Bradley's account of his Special Forces Detachment's participation in the Battle of Panjwaii is by far the best of them all. I mean it. From every conflict, every account, I have never read anything quite like Lions of Kandahar. As a former infantryman, Army Ranger, intelligence operator, voracious reader and occasional writer, I feel more than qualified to write this review... and to say that this is not only well-written, it is a compelling blow-by-blow combat account from an on-the-ground small-unit commander and operator that is detailed (without teasing the reader with "secret stuff"), honest (accurate, at least in what is verifiable), warts-and-all (transparent and personal almost to a fault), lacking in sentimental hyperbole (unlike the last 25 SEAL memoirs you read), and just plain fun to read. Bradley understood the deal when he wrote this: That the heroics, tactics, lessons-learned and true accounts of the war in Afghanistan were perishable and soon to be forgotten by a public and political establishment that treats 9-11 and the War on Terror as largely the imaginative fantasy of a previous generation's politically incorrect view of the New World Order. Yeah, that's true. Anyway, getting back to the book. Bradley was on his 3rd tour in-country when his ODA was tasked to advise an Afghan Army Battalion in setting up blocking positions in support of a Canadian/ISAF operation near Kandahar called Medusa. The mission morphed into an assault on a fortified hill called Sperwan Ghar. Bradley's extremely personal account is masterful and recommended. Highly.
July 23, 2016
Не первая прочитанная книга про американский спецназ, но одна из самых интересных. Почти целиком посвящена одному из эпизодов войны в Афганистане - операции Медуза и битве за высоту Сперван Гхар, когда взвод американских спецназовцев и сотня приданных им афганских солдат столкнулись с большими силами талибов и несколько суток удерживали высоту. Детальное описание от первого лица современной войны, когда важна не столько меткость и выносливость, сколько умение ориентироваться на местности, координировать авиа- и артиллерийскую поддержку и обращаться с самым разным легким и тяжелым вооружением.
March 14, 2021
I recommend "Lions of Kandahar" by Rusty Bradley. It's an excellent story. Reading about the Afghanistan War is interesting because I actually served in the military and is now a veteran. I actually did some reading about the country back then so I could have a basic understanding of what the country has had to deal with both in ancient times ,and more recently with the Soviets, and later the Taliban. So there is a personal connection to the events being discussed and at times it is difficult because I can easily relate to what's happening in the books. Also for example the base where the SEAL Team 6 guys took off from when they went to take down bin Laden was only about 2km down the road from the base where a friend of mines was in during the war, and used to go to that base all the time so when the news spoke about it I knew exactly what they meant.
December 23, 2022
Genres: Nonfiction/Military
The author tells of his experience leading up to a particular battle in Afghanistan, as well as the battle itself and that of his men.
I liked this one, I just didn't love it. So 3 stars.
The author tells of his experience leading up to a particular battle in Afghanistan, as well as the battle itself and that of his men.
I liked this one, I just didn't love it. So 3 stars.
December 13, 2022
A well-paced account of a battle in Afghanistan from a soldier's first-hand perspective.
I appreciate books like this for helping me to better understand the experience and mentality of a soldier in a modern war.
(This book had very little swearing, which was nice and somewhat unusual for an account like this.)
I appreciate books like this for helping me to better understand the experience and mentality of a soldier in a modern war.
(This book had very little swearing, which was nice and somewhat unusual for an account like this.)
April 12, 2018
The back ramp door opens and the mixture of hot air and sunlight break through. It is 2006, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. Green Beret, Rusty Bradley, is on his third deployment to Afghanistan. Lions Of Kandahar by Major Rusty Bradley follows his and his teams experiences in the fight to take back the territories now claimed by an even larger insurgent force than before. The genre of Lions of Kandahar is military nonfiction.
Upon arrival, Rusty is greeted by one of his Afghan Army friends who he had been teamed up with the previous deployment. He soon learns that the Taliban have taken back almost all of the territory they had gained on their last deployment. With this situation, raids began to take place and relations with locals began to be built up again. NATO then authorized the launch of “Operation Medusa” in the Panjawi region. Bradley’s team was positioned elsewhere in the valley away from the main force. They soon saw that the NATO force was being overwhelmed by attackers and moved in to give assistance. To assist the main force the group and they’re Afghan allies assaulted a hill key to the enemy's advantage. After the long fight to take the hill, they then realized they were up against a force of nearly a thousand trained fighters in the largest offensive of the war. The actions of Bradley’s team played a crucial role in the Coalition’s victory.
I rate Lions Of Kandahar four out of five stars. The story was told very well from Bradley’s point of view. The story went in depth with the details on the fighting and the comradery among the team. I feel the book really showed how a small group of well trained soldiers, who communicate and fight well, can change the course of battle like in Operation Medusa.
Upon arrival, Rusty is greeted by one of his Afghan Army friends who he had been teamed up with the previous deployment. He soon learns that the Taliban have taken back almost all of the territory they had gained on their last deployment. With this situation, raids began to take place and relations with locals began to be built up again. NATO then authorized the launch of “Operation Medusa” in the Panjawi region. Bradley’s team was positioned elsewhere in the valley away from the main force. They soon saw that the NATO force was being overwhelmed by attackers and moved in to give assistance. To assist the main force the group and they’re Afghan allies assaulted a hill key to the enemy's advantage. After the long fight to take the hill, they then realized they were up against a force of nearly a thousand trained fighters in the largest offensive of the war. The actions of Bradley’s team played a crucial role in the Coalition’s victory.
I rate Lions Of Kandahar four out of five stars. The story was told very well from Bradley’s point of view. The story went in depth with the details on the fighting and the comradery among the team. I feel the book really showed how a small group of well trained soldiers, who communicate and fight well, can change the course of battle like in Operation Medusa.
May 20, 2018
This is the account of an ISAF, ANA, and Army Special Forces action at the Battle of Sperwan Ghar in Kandahar, Afghanistan in September 2006 (Operation Medusa), as told by MAJ Bradley, commander of ODA 331.
By focusing on a single battle and using it to tell the overall story of Army SF, the war in Afghanistan, and the tactics involved. This avoids the trap of many biographies, especially military ones, including lots of perfunctory information about schools, a confusing mix of events around the world, etc. The book was coauthored by a journalist, and where there are a few minor technical and nomenclature errors I assume those were the fault of miscommunication.
The battle shows the quality of individual Special Forces soldiers, their leadership, challenges in interoperation with indigenous and foreign allied forces, and the value of exceptional commanders at both the A team and task force level.
For me, the tragic part of this book is that the battle, while bravely fought, didn’t need to be fought at all. A brave battle in a war without a clear and reasonable strategy isn’t going to win that war. SF and CIA actions in late 2001 largely attained all of the reasonably attainable war aims post 9/11; essentially all forces committed since then have been put at risk for no clear goals.
By focusing on a single battle and using it to tell the overall story of Army SF, the war in Afghanistan, and the tactics involved. This avoids the trap of many biographies, especially military ones, including lots of perfunctory information about schools, a confusing mix of events around the world, etc. The book was coauthored by a journalist, and where there are a few minor technical and nomenclature errors I assume those were the fault of miscommunication.
The battle shows the quality of individual Special Forces soldiers, their leadership, challenges in interoperation with indigenous and foreign allied forces, and the value of exceptional commanders at both the A team and task force level.
For me, the tragic part of this book is that the battle, while bravely fought, didn’t need to be fought at all. A brave battle in a war without a clear and reasonable strategy isn’t going to win that war. SF and CIA actions in late 2001 largely attained all of the reasonably attainable war aims post 9/11; essentially all forces committed since then have been put at risk for no clear goals.
May 30, 2018
Yes, it’s a good book on combat. But what was unique is that this book was ripe with comedic anecdotes. I found myself laughing out loud several times at the humor the author put in while telling a story about serious combat.
December 13, 2021
Unfortunately, Amazon deleted all the book reviews I'd written prior to the creation of GoodReads.
Having just read & reviewed the best autobiographical account of deployment, battle and nearly being overrun by Taliban/al-Qaeda in the bowls of southern Afghanistan; OUTLAW PLATOON... it made me search for my review on Amazon for LIONS OF KANDAHAR because they're both autobiographies, both written by officers (Cpt. Sean Pernell an Army Ranger) and Captain Rusty Bradley Army Special Forces.
When I read LIONS it was the best depiction of battle in either the Afghanistan or Iraq wars. It was thrilling, frightening, so intense that I had to put the book down a few times because my heart was pounding.
Rusty Bradley had done multiple deployments to Afghanistan and began his 3rd tour in 2006 (the same year that Captain, then Lieutenant Pernell deployed on his 1st tour to FOB Bermel). Bradley's Special Forces team was also used as a 'diversionary force'. Similar to OUTLAW PLATOON, Lions of Kandahar is about how US troops were used as bait; placed in a FOB that is IMPOSSIBLE to defend because of the geographic location (at the bottom of a ravine surrounded by 12,000' sheer clifts).
Lions of Kandahar is the true story, written by the man who commanded the battle against impossible odds; they faced "thousands of seasoned fighters". Lions is less graphic but a compelling, page-turning story of one of the scariest battles I've ever read.
Note: in addition to travel adventure, I love reading biographies and autobiographies about the Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan wars. I read dozens, all of my reviews lost on Amazon. :-(
Here's a brief review from the publisher:
"Southern Afghanistan was slipping away. That was clear to then-Captain Rusty Bradley as he began his third tour of duty there in 2006. The Taliban and their allies were infiltrating everywhere, poised to reclaim Kandahar Province, their strategically vital onetime capital. To stop them, the NATO coalition launched Operation Medusa, the largest offensive in its history. Dispatched as a diversionary force in support of the main coalition attack, Bradley’s Special Forces A-team watched as the NATO force was quickly engulfed in a vicious counterattack. Key to relieving it was possession of Sperwan Ghar, a modest patch of high ground. Bradley’s small detachment assaulted the hill and, in the midst of a savage and unforgettable firefight, soon learned they were facing nearly a thousand seasoned fighters. Now Bradley recounts the whole remarkable story as it actually happened and brings to life the men who impossibly won the day—Americans and Afghans alike—each unique, all indelible in their everyday exercise of extraordinary heroism."
Highly recommend if you like true life stories of battle.
Having just read & reviewed the best autobiographical account of deployment, battle and nearly being overrun by Taliban/al-Qaeda in the bowls of southern Afghanistan; OUTLAW PLATOON... it made me search for my review on Amazon for LIONS OF KANDAHAR because they're both autobiographies, both written by officers (Cpt. Sean Pernell an Army Ranger) and Captain Rusty Bradley Army Special Forces.
When I read LIONS it was the best depiction of battle in either the Afghanistan or Iraq wars. It was thrilling, frightening, so intense that I had to put the book down a few times because my heart was pounding.
Rusty Bradley had done multiple deployments to Afghanistan and began his 3rd tour in 2006 (the same year that Captain, then Lieutenant Pernell deployed on his 1st tour to FOB Bermel). Bradley's Special Forces team was also used as a 'diversionary force'. Similar to OUTLAW PLATOON, Lions of Kandahar is about how US troops were used as bait; placed in a FOB that is IMPOSSIBLE to defend because of the geographic location (at the bottom of a ravine surrounded by 12,000' sheer clifts).
Lions of Kandahar is the true story, written by the man who commanded the battle against impossible odds; they faced "thousands of seasoned fighters". Lions is less graphic but a compelling, page-turning story of one of the scariest battles I've ever read.
Note: in addition to travel adventure, I love reading biographies and autobiographies about the Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan wars. I read dozens, all of my reviews lost on Amazon. :-(
Here's a brief review from the publisher:
"Southern Afghanistan was slipping away. That was clear to then-Captain Rusty Bradley as he began his third tour of duty there in 2006. The Taliban and their allies were infiltrating everywhere, poised to reclaim Kandahar Province, their strategically vital onetime capital. To stop them, the NATO coalition launched Operation Medusa, the largest offensive in its history. Dispatched as a diversionary force in support of the main coalition attack, Bradley’s Special Forces A-team watched as the NATO force was quickly engulfed in a vicious counterattack. Key to relieving it was possession of Sperwan Ghar, a modest patch of high ground. Bradley’s small detachment assaulted the hill and, in the midst of a savage and unforgettable firefight, soon learned they were facing nearly a thousand seasoned fighters. Now Bradley recounts the whole remarkable story as it actually happened and brings to life the men who impossibly won the day—Americans and Afghans alike—each unique, all indelible in their everyday exercise of extraordinary heroism."
Highly recommend if you like true life stories of battle.
September 1, 2019
I thought this book was well-written and powerful. It is about the author's experiences during his third tour in Afghanistan prior to and during Operation Medusa. He does not hold back but discusses how the ISAF failed to capitalize on moments on building bridges with the Afghanistan civilians when the Taliban had been pushed back from a key area, be it a city or village or region of the country. He also speaks highly of his men, of the mission of the Special Forces teams [going into an area and building relationships with the locals by living with them and teaching them how to better care for themselves and protect themselves, et al], and of the Afghanistan soldiers serving under his command. He obviously cared for his men and had developed strong relationships with them after having served with them for some time; he also cared about the Afghanistan soldiers and continually sought to improve their performance on the battlefield to increase their chances of survival.
He and his men were involved in a key mission to (re)take Kandahar and prevent it from becoming an even stronger bastion for the Taliban. For whatever reason, the ISAF had relinquished Kandahar to the Taliban, and the Canadians were sent in with some U.S. Army special forces units to retake Kandahar. The assumption was that it was going to be a 'simple mission' proved to be false, and a veritable hornet's nest was stirred up by the allied forces' incursion into Taliban territory. In order to better protect the Canadians, the author recognized a strategic hill overlooking the city had to be taken, which is what a good chunk of the book is about [about how the Afghanistan and American soldiers took the hill and then held it against Taliban counterattacks].
In the beginning of the book, he says he is going to be brutally honest and not gloss over the book to make it look like some kind of 'Hollywood production." It is nitty and gritty and I think does justice to helping readers better understand what the soldiers experienced while in Afghanistan. I realize it is impossible for a civilian to ever fully understand what soldiers have experienced in battle, but I felt the author did a good job helping the reader understand better what the soldiers went through. I think he also does a good job in trying to explain, trying to describe, the 'brotherhood of soldiers' that occurs between men who have been in battle together, who have fought for each other and defended each other.
There were some heroic moments shared in the book, especially during Operation Medusa, and it seems the soldiers involved where short-changed afterwards [not that soldiers go looking for medals, but it seems like some of them should have 'earned' 'higher medals' than they did].
It starts off with his return to Afghanistan, then follows the movement of his unit across a desert to reach their 'final objective' just prior to the start of Operation Medusa. He describes some interesting encounters along the way with both civilians and enemy forces. It is shortly after he reaches Kandahar and the Operation quickly stalls that he realizes the need to take a hill called Sperwan Ghar that overlooks the city. It was anticipated that maybe several hundred [if that] Taliban soldiers occupied the city; it turns out the number was significantly higher and that the intelligence estimates were horrifically incorrect. The high numbers of casualties suffered by the Canadians spurred Bradley and his men to action in terms of taking the high ground from the Taliban and providing a form of operational security as a result.
While the author sought to minimize the number of civilian casualties inflicted during the battle, he points out that right now it is virtually impossible to prevent any civilian casualties. It is a wonderful goal to have, but it is currently too lofty to achieve it. Things happen; people make mistakes [which are always easy to second-guess later when there is no pressure, no life-or-death situations being faced, and those second-guessing can nitpick to their hearts' content]; intelligence can be faulty [to an enormous degree, as exemplified during the opening moments of this Operation]; people can be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
He is especially critical of those who want to punish soldiers for civilian casualties and cry against soldiers publicly while keeping quiet about how the Taliban uses innocent civilians as human shields to hide behind while striking at allied soldiers. Where is the outcry about the inhumanity of using human shields as protection? Where is the outcry against either putting innocent civilians in harm's way or killing them if they do not cooperate? It does seem pretty hypocritical that certain elements of the civilian population are so quick to demonize soldiers for the accidental deaths of civilians while remaining quiet about the atrocities committed by the Taliban against the civilian population.
The 'end' of the author's tale was a bit of a shock to me. I did not see it coming. I mean, the way he started sharing showed something must be up, but I did not expect or anticipate what was actually occurring.
This book and the prior book [Level Zero Heroes] describe the Afghanistan forces working with the U.S. forces in a more positive light than other books about the war in Afghanistan. Granted, this book is a bit more positive in its outlook than Level Zero Heroes as the Special Forces operators trusted the ANA forces working with them in this book more than the Marines did in Level Zero Heroes. The author felt that with the right training and motivation the ANA could become a more potent force than it had previously been and more capable of protecting the country against insurgent groups like the Taliban.
One part of the book made me laugh. The author was talking about how he hated the term PUC [Persons Under Confinement] as he saw it as a politically correct pussy way of saying "prisoners." It was pretty hilarious.
It was a good book; it was a powerful book. It obviously supports U.S. Army Special Forces and their mission, to cultivate and develop relationships with indigenous people so that terrorist organizations like the Taliban no longer have such a strong foothold in the area or control of the lives of those living in the area. Special Forces operators are committed to the people with whom they interact and the relationships they develop can go a long way to countering the affects of terrorist groups.
He and his men were involved in a key mission to (re)take Kandahar and prevent it from becoming an even stronger bastion for the Taliban. For whatever reason, the ISAF had relinquished Kandahar to the Taliban, and the Canadians were sent in with some U.S. Army special forces units to retake Kandahar. The assumption was that it was going to be a 'simple mission' proved to be false, and a veritable hornet's nest was stirred up by the allied forces' incursion into Taliban territory. In order to better protect the Canadians, the author recognized a strategic hill overlooking the city had to be taken, which is what a good chunk of the book is about [about how the Afghanistan and American soldiers took the hill and then held it against Taliban counterattacks].
In the beginning of the book, he says he is going to be brutally honest and not gloss over the book to make it look like some kind of 'Hollywood production." It is nitty and gritty and I think does justice to helping readers better understand what the soldiers experienced while in Afghanistan. I realize it is impossible for a civilian to ever fully understand what soldiers have experienced in battle, but I felt the author did a good job helping the reader understand better what the soldiers went through. I think he also does a good job in trying to explain, trying to describe, the 'brotherhood of soldiers' that occurs between men who have been in battle together, who have fought for each other and defended each other.
There were some heroic moments shared in the book, especially during Operation Medusa, and it seems the soldiers involved where short-changed afterwards [not that soldiers go looking for medals, but it seems like some of them should have 'earned' 'higher medals' than they did].
It starts off with his return to Afghanistan, then follows the movement of his unit across a desert to reach their 'final objective' just prior to the start of Operation Medusa. He describes some interesting encounters along the way with both civilians and enemy forces. It is shortly after he reaches Kandahar and the Operation quickly stalls that he realizes the need to take a hill called Sperwan Ghar that overlooks the city. It was anticipated that maybe several hundred [if that] Taliban soldiers occupied the city; it turns out the number was significantly higher and that the intelligence estimates were horrifically incorrect. The high numbers of casualties suffered by the Canadians spurred Bradley and his men to action in terms of taking the high ground from the Taliban and providing a form of operational security as a result.
While the author sought to minimize the number of civilian casualties inflicted during the battle, he points out that right now it is virtually impossible to prevent any civilian casualties. It is a wonderful goal to have, but it is currently too lofty to achieve it. Things happen; people make mistakes [which are always easy to second-guess later when there is no pressure, no life-or-death situations being faced, and those second-guessing can nitpick to their hearts' content]; intelligence can be faulty [to an enormous degree, as exemplified during the opening moments of this Operation]; people can be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
He is especially critical of those who want to punish soldiers for civilian casualties and cry against soldiers publicly while keeping quiet about how the Taliban uses innocent civilians as human shields to hide behind while striking at allied soldiers. Where is the outcry about the inhumanity of using human shields as protection? Where is the outcry against either putting innocent civilians in harm's way or killing them if they do not cooperate? It does seem pretty hypocritical that certain elements of the civilian population are so quick to demonize soldiers for the accidental deaths of civilians while remaining quiet about the atrocities committed by the Taliban against the civilian population.
The 'end' of the author's tale was a bit of a shock to me. I did not see it coming. I mean, the way he started sharing showed something must be up, but I did not expect or anticipate what was actually occurring.
This book and the prior book [Level Zero Heroes] describe the Afghanistan forces working with the U.S. forces in a more positive light than other books about the war in Afghanistan. Granted, this book is a bit more positive in its outlook than Level Zero Heroes as the Special Forces operators trusted the ANA forces working with them in this book more than the Marines did in Level Zero Heroes. The author felt that with the right training and motivation the ANA could become a more potent force than it had previously been and more capable of protecting the country against insurgent groups like the Taliban.
One part of the book made me laugh. The author was talking about how he hated the term PUC [Persons Under Confinement] as he saw it as a politically correct pussy way of saying "prisoners." It was pretty hilarious.
It was a good book; it was a powerful book. It obviously supports U.S. Army Special Forces and their mission, to cultivate and develop relationships with indigenous people so that terrorist organizations like the Taliban no longer have such a strong foothold in the area or control of the lives of those living in the area. Special Forces operators are committed to the people with whom they interact and the relationships they develop can go a long way to countering the affects of terrorist groups.
February 8, 2025
Borrow.
Excellent riveting battle account from someone with their boots on the actual ground. (Just ignore all the god and ‘merica stuff.)
Excellent riveting battle account from someone with their boots on the actual ground. (Just ignore all the god and ‘merica stuff.)
March 22, 2012
Impressive Account of Calm, Confidence and Competence amid Chaos ...
This book was reviewed as part of Amazon's Vine Program.
Now that the War on Terror is approaching the 10 year anniversary, first-hand accounts of combat in Afghanistan (and Iraq) are becoming common fare in the world of books. While some of the stories are interesting, I have found that very few have been powerful enough to "put me on the ground" and give me an actual glimpse of modern combat like Major Rusty Bradley's LIONS OF KANDAHAR.
Maybe it is because the ingredients used by the 24/7 news machines covering the war in Afghanistan include a rather unhealthy dose of politics and opinion, or maybe it's simply due to the war's nebulous parameters that some (many?) of us at home do not feel we get an adequate picture of what is really going on in Afghanistan. All we hear about are reports of growing list of casualties (physical and mental) and waning American support for a mission that was never intended to be a "cakewalk" (as history dictates). While most of us sitting here on the sidelines are left to sift through the sporadic and overwhelmingly negative reporting of the 10 year conflict, it is refreshing that Major Bradley's voice from the front lines counters the pessimism with such an account of courage, confidence, competence and compassion. LIONS OF KANDAHAR puts readers at the tip of the spear in Afghanistan by allowing us to accompany a small, but highly elite (and lethal) Special Forces unit battle numerically superior Taliban forces for an unimpressive, but strategically prized piece of real estate in Southern Afghanistan ... Sperwan Ghar. Major Bradley's story of this particular action (part of a much larger operation called "Medusa") gives us a glimpse of the quality of the American soldier, a sense of purpose to their mission as well as the nature of fighting such a determined and effective enemy.
From the book's start, there is a sense that the reader is embedded in this Special Forces unit, with Major Bradley serving as our guide. Bradley introduces each member of his unit in a highly reverential manner; the cohesive nature of this band of brothers is immediately evident. Although such elite units are renowned for their combat proficiency, I was impressed to the degree each member complemented the unit with his own expertise (such as the unit's medic, whose capabilities encompassed surgery, dental and veterinary work). In addition to his own unit are the sixty-or-so members of the ANA (Afghan National Army) that Special Forces both train and conduct combat operations with. While the confidence and capability of the Afghan forces are somewhat shaky, there is a mutual respect between the forces and a commitment to eliminate the Taliban from Afghanistan. Bradley spends a great deal of his book (about half) acclimating the reader to his unit, the military situation, the Afghans, the terrain, the equipment, etc. in a methodical manner that culminates in the crucial operation to take Sperwan Ghar. I admittedly did not fully appreciate the slow-grind of the book until the combat action began and I finally realized how all the prior details fully prepped me for a much clearer picture of the battle taking place. When the action finally starts, the fast and furious pace remains until the battle is over. All the background information allows the reader to observe minute details of battle as it happened without the author needing to pause for contextual references or introductions of the men participating ... and the see-saw combat is gripping from beginning to end. Outnumbered and outgunned, yes, but outclassed, never. We get a clearer picture of how special the Special Forces truly are; the aptitude, cool-headed leadership and display of courage-under-fire is truly impressive. It almost seems unimaginable that such a small unit could survive, let alone control the battlefield (with unparalleled cooperation of air power). Equally impressive is the coordination between the Americans and Afghan soldiers that allowed them to mesh so effectively in fighting an enemy that Bradley describes as tenacious, yet competent.
LIONS OF KANDAHAR is one of the better modern combat memoirs I have read. With all the negative reporting of the war in Afghanistan, it is refreshing to finally read a story that reflects the successful efforts of those fighting the Taliban, which includes the Afghans themselves. Lt. Bradley does a magnificent job of painting a vivid picture of such a seemingly remote war and the spectacular talent that comprises our armed forces.
This book was reviewed as part of Amazon's Vine Program.
Now that the War on Terror is approaching the 10 year anniversary, first-hand accounts of combat in Afghanistan (and Iraq) are becoming common fare in the world of books. While some of the stories are interesting, I have found that very few have been powerful enough to "put me on the ground" and give me an actual glimpse of modern combat like Major Rusty Bradley's LIONS OF KANDAHAR.
Maybe it is because the ingredients used by the 24/7 news machines covering the war in Afghanistan include a rather unhealthy dose of politics and opinion, or maybe it's simply due to the war's nebulous parameters that some (many?) of us at home do not feel we get an adequate picture of what is really going on in Afghanistan. All we hear about are reports of growing list of casualties (physical and mental) and waning American support for a mission that was never intended to be a "cakewalk" (as history dictates). While most of us sitting here on the sidelines are left to sift through the sporadic and overwhelmingly negative reporting of the 10 year conflict, it is refreshing that Major Bradley's voice from the front lines counters the pessimism with such an account of courage, confidence, competence and compassion. LIONS OF KANDAHAR puts readers at the tip of the spear in Afghanistan by allowing us to accompany a small, but highly elite (and lethal) Special Forces unit battle numerically superior Taliban forces for an unimpressive, but strategically prized piece of real estate in Southern Afghanistan ... Sperwan Ghar. Major Bradley's story of this particular action (part of a much larger operation called "Medusa") gives us a glimpse of the quality of the American soldier, a sense of purpose to their mission as well as the nature of fighting such a determined and effective enemy.
From the book's start, there is a sense that the reader is embedded in this Special Forces unit, with Major Bradley serving as our guide. Bradley introduces each member of his unit in a highly reverential manner; the cohesive nature of this band of brothers is immediately evident. Although such elite units are renowned for their combat proficiency, I was impressed to the degree each member complemented the unit with his own expertise (such as the unit's medic, whose capabilities encompassed surgery, dental and veterinary work). In addition to his own unit are the sixty-or-so members of the ANA (Afghan National Army) that Special Forces both train and conduct combat operations with. While the confidence and capability of the Afghan forces are somewhat shaky, there is a mutual respect between the forces and a commitment to eliminate the Taliban from Afghanistan. Bradley spends a great deal of his book (about half) acclimating the reader to his unit, the military situation, the Afghans, the terrain, the equipment, etc. in a methodical manner that culminates in the crucial operation to take Sperwan Ghar. I admittedly did not fully appreciate the slow-grind of the book until the combat action began and I finally realized how all the prior details fully prepped me for a much clearer picture of the battle taking place. When the action finally starts, the fast and furious pace remains until the battle is over. All the background information allows the reader to observe minute details of battle as it happened without the author needing to pause for contextual references or introductions of the men participating ... and the see-saw combat is gripping from beginning to end. Outnumbered and outgunned, yes, but outclassed, never. We get a clearer picture of how special the Special Forces truly are; the aptitude, cool-headed leadership and display of courage-under-fire is truly impressive. It almost seems unimaginable that such a small unit could survive, let alone control the battlefield (with unparalleled cooperation of air power). Equally impressive is the coordination between the Americans and Afghan soldiers that allowed them to mesh so effectively in fighting an enemy that Bradley describes as tenacious, yet competent.
LIONS OF KANDAHAR is one of the better modern combat memoirs I have read. With all the negative reporting of the war in Afghanistan, it is refreshing to finally read a story that reflects the successful efforts of those fighting the Taliban, which includes the Afghans themselves. Lt. Bradley does a magnificent job of painting a vivid picture of such a seemingly remote war and the spectacular talent that comprises our armed forces.
May 8, 2020
Major Bradley did a phenomenal job in the telling of Operation Medusa. This is an absolute must read.
August 31, 2012
This is the story of the epic struggle during Operation Medusa by a small group of American Special Forces soldiers and their associated Afghan Army units to seize the heights of Sperwan Ghar in Afghanistan. I call it “epic” because it is one of those rare but inspiring stories of a small number of men who attempt to carry out what seems to be an audacious mission in which they are greatly outnumbered and, if things had gone wrong, should have been all killed.
It is told in the first person tense by Rusty Bradley who commanded a detachment within Special Forces Task Force 31 when they headed south of Kandahar City on August 24, 2006 to surreptitiously cross over 1200-miles of the Registan Desert. Eight days later they arrive at a blocking position on the edge of the Arghandab River’s green zone where the Canadian battle group was going to open an offensive to seize the area around Pashmul which the Taliban had turned into a stronghold to threaten Kandahar City. As they scout out their blocking position, however, Bradley finds that they actually have stumbled into an insurgent stronghold, and he comes to conclusion that the hill called Sperwan Ghar is strategically important to the success of Medusa. They get permission to take the hill and, on doing so, draw Taliban fighters from all over the district. They are soon fighting for their lives, saved only by the arrival of powerful close air support. By the end of the three-day battle, Bradley claims that over eight hundred Taliban fighters had been killed by their efforts and a major Taliban command node destroyed, contributing substantially to the success of the main effort of Operation Medusa.
The battle for Sperwan Ghar is mentioned in other records of Operation Medusa, but it is only in Bradley’s personal account that we get a sense of the intensity of the battle and its strategic importance. Certainly, it drew Taliban strength away from the main advance on the Canadian battle group’s front. I would look forward to a final historical account of Operational Medusa as a whole, which put all these accounts into proper perspective. I hope that will come with time.
It is told in the first person tense by Rusty Bradley who commanded a detachment within Special Forces Task Force 31 when they headed south of Kandahar City on August 24, 2006 to surreptitiously cross over 1200-miles of the Registan Desert. Eight days later they arrive at a blocking position on the edge of the Arghandab River’s green zone where the Canadian battle group was going to open an offensive to seize the area around Pashmul which the Taliban had turned into a stronghold to threaten Kandahar City. As they scout out their blocking position, however, Bradley finds that they actually have stumbled into an insurgent stronghold, and he comes to conclusion that the hill called Sperwan Ghar is strategically important to the success of Medusa. They get permission to take the hill and, on doing so, draw Taliban fighters from all over the district. They are soon fighting for their lives, saved only by the arrival of powerful close air support. By the end of the three-day battle, Bradley claims that over eight hundred Taliban fighters had been killed by their efforts and a major Taliban command node destroyed, contributing substantially to the success of the main effort of Operation Medusa.
The battle for Sperwan Ghar is mentioned in other records of Operation Medusa, but it is only in Bradley’s personal account that we get a sense of the intensity of the battle and its strategic importance. Certainly, it drew Taliban strength away from the main advance on the Canadian battle group’s front. I would look forward to a final historical account of Operational Medusa as a whole, which put all these accounts into proper perspective. I hope that will come with time.
August 19, 2018
This is a re-read for me, and it's a little different on the second go-round than it was on the first. I've read many war memoirs from the post-9/11 wars by now, so I have a greater context for Bradley's story and a better sense, I think, of perspective. His prose is vivid and real, but sometimes his language seems artificially war-movie-esque, which isn't to say that he's dramatizing events; the events he describes are dramatic enough without embellishment. No, rather say that he sometimes seems to indulge in the machoization of war, which may have the pernicious effect of influencing certain types of young people into wanting to experience combat for themselves. That said, his descriptions of what it feels like to experience combat are not in any way romanticized, and he is also very fair to the Afghan people, both the soldiers of the ANA and the civilians of Afghanistan.
November 15, 2012
Easy to read style with a view into the lives and minds of men who are soldiers to the core. It makes you wonder what they do for an adrenaline fix when the battles are over. He quotes Churchill "nothing is more exhilarating than to be shot out without effect". What other common experience in life can hold a candle to that?
The writer also tells of the frustration of retaking the same ground again and again due to diplomatic and bureaucratic ineptitude. Why do we do these things to ourselves and the poor farmers that live in those valleys.
Ordered democracy is not meant for everyone and may not be meant for America much longer.
Dr Don H. Lowrance
The writer also tells of the frustration of retaking the same ground again and again due to diplomatic and bureaucratic ineptitude. Why do we do these things to ourselves and the poor farmers that live in those valleys.
Ordered democracy is not meant for everyone and may not be meant for America much longer.
Dr Don H. Lowrance
September 14, 2017
Interesting first hand account of a Special Forces Captain during one of his tours in Afghanistan fighting the Taliban. Interesting insight into modern warfare from the perspective of the Army Rangers. Major Bradley is an intelligent, patriotic, and experienced soldier who I found to be easy to like. His story is incredibly detailed and it is obvious that much effort went in to the research to recreate the hell that is war detail by detail. Solid 4.5 Stars!
July 15, 2018
This book is great! Definitely overshadows the more popular American Sniper, not to take anything away from Chris Kyle, this was written in a way that made you feel like you were there. Words flowed and it was really hard to put down and when it was over I wanted so much more.
This should be a movie, but after seeing what happened to Lone Survivor, Black Hawk Down and American Sniper by Hollywood, this may be best left as is.
This should be a movie, but after seeing what happened to Lone Survivor, Black Hawk Down and American Sniper by Hollywood, this may be best left as is.
January 30, 2019
A page turner of a personal, historical account of what sounds like was a significant battle in Afghanistan. It reminded me how stark the world can be at times. Unlike similar special forces books it did not spend needless time recounting the training program—plenty of other places to read about that.
September 29, 2020
4.25 stars. Recommended as a well written study of an important battle in the GWOT. Despite the modern, GPS-assisted technologies and ordnance, one is struck at the similarities with small unit counter insurgency actions in other wars, especially Vietnam. This author keeps the religious claptrap and political chest pounding under better control than many, and it’s definitely a worthy read.
March 9, 2012
30 Special Forces Green Berets and 50 Afghan soldiers take part in Operation Medusa, "the greatest battle no one ever heard of" against 800 plus Taliban fighters in the Kandahar province, Afghanistan... Awe inspiring!
January 13, 2016
this is an amazing book about a story that isn't as well told or discussed like Lone survivor. it's a must read especially for anyone who's been to Afghanistan or enjoys military books.
May 20, 2018
great read! first hand account of the war in Afghanistan through the eyes of an SF team captain.
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