The Only Thing Worth Dying for: How Eleven Green Berets Fought for a New Afghanistan

If you want to read a good book about this subject ,with people that were there day in and day out, this is the one. First hand frontline with some of the most respected people in the area. It shows the importance of those little mentioned specialists , the Forward Air Controllers and the devastating harvest they can inflict on the battle field.

I have just finished this book and must say that I am still stunned and appalled by the behavior of the senior officers who forced their way into the mission of ODA 594. This is the story of how our brave Special Forces soldiers were caused to agree to the whimsy of those who thought they knew better just because they were senior in rank to Capt Amerine and his team. Due to their need to play with what they saw as toys for field grade officers to use, members of ODA 594 and uncountable friendly Afghan soldiers were killed by "friendly fire", many others wounded,and to the disgust of a combat veteran like me, the senior officers tried to blame the authorization on Karzai. I guess they thought they could get away with that lie. I hope they rot in a very hot place for this behavior. I am an ex-officer and Vietnam Combat Veteran.

As a reader addicted to military history and accounts of warriors who have actually fought the battles, I am blown away by this book. The author has done exhaustive research and portrays the events that took place with this SF team with very detailed descriptions of technology, tactics, mission planning all as if these men were friends of yours. Eric Blehm takes you inside their lives, their personal conflicts and triumphs, and let's you understand how men can do exceptional things with exceptional commitment to their mission and themselves! The men under Captain Jason Amerine depict why the Green Berets and their other SF brothers are capable of overcoming adversity that couldn't be planned for through constant preparation and unwavering committment. Given the ability to think on their feet and to take action as required when required time after time. I couldn't put this book down. I encourage you to pick this book up, strap yourself in, and be prepared to feel tired, dirty, sweaty, and completely exhausted as SF Team ODA 574 accomplish great things under the leadership of a young captain who believes in his men and trusts them to protect each other...and Hamid Karzai, from the Taliban and the 11th century tribal system inside of Afghanistan that could become a civil war destroying everything. My heart felt thanks to the men and women of our armed forces and to those capable of earning selection into the special forces. You truly stand above the average man...and I'm glad you do! Now it's time to pick up more Eric Blehm...he is a wonderful author.

I don't normally read books of this genre, but I'm a policy junkie and was curious to see what the book would say about Hamid Karzai before his ascendancy to the Afghan presidency. What surprised me most about the book, however, was how quickly Blehm's writing drew me into the personal narratives of the ODA-574 team. Blehm has crafted a captivating narrative of the early part of the war in Afghanistan and the personal costs born by the brave individuals serving in our military. This is a must read book for those who want to read an incredible war story filled with action and adventure but also a lot of depth and insight into the role Special Forces teams play within the US military.

I've read a lot of books in this particular genre, and this is the first time I've been compelled to post a review--the book was THAT good. While sticking to the historical facts as to the events which transpired in the build up to and initial invasion of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Eric Blehm presents a fascinating page-turner. I absolutely couldn't put the book down, and at times had to remind myself I was reading a non-fiction book. If you're interested in how low-level, tactical leaders in our armed forces truly influence the nations of the world, this is a must-read. Blehm clearly did his homework and must've conducted hours of interviews with the surviving members of ODA-574, as his insight and account of the harrowing ordeal read as if I was there with them. Read this book--you won't be disappointed.

This is the first book I've read by author Eric Blehm. I was absolutely impressed by his ability to spin war history into a story you can't put down. In my opinion everyone should read this book to gain a better understanding of the war in Afghanistan. More importantly; with the current state of conflict it reminds us of how it all began. I found the story insightful both politically and humanistically; the type of novel that is discussed in history class or thoroughly enjoyed at home. Mapping the big picture area of operations following 911 down to small team tactical decisions and finally the personal stories/relationships of the Special Forces Team ODA 574. The team members are developed to an extent that I internalized their experiences, family and know them by first name. The book also gives an interesting, candid first hand understanding of Hamid Karzai's journey to the presidency, focusing on his faithful deep connection with Afghanistan. This book is very real, I laughed and cried. As a brutally, touchingly honest story of men at war, I cannot recommend this book too highly.