by Sean Parnell
First published 2012
Former Army officer Sean Parnell recounts his 16 months commanding an infantry platoon in Afghanistan's dangerous Bermel Valley along the Pakistani border. Parnell and his 10th Mountain Division unit, calling themselves the Outlaws, deployed in 2006 with orders to stop enemy forces and supplies from crossing into Afghanistan. His 30-man platoon, operating from six Humvees, faced constant combat while building unbreakable bonds with each other. Parnell brings readers into the chaos of battle through vivid descriptions of combat's sounds, sights, and smells. He explores the deep trust that kept his men alive, writing that selflessness became their most powerful weapon. The Outlaws earned distinction as one of the war's most decorated units, collecting 32 Purple Hearts, seven Bronze Stars, and 12 Army Commendations for Valor. Parnell examines the larger war through his platoon's experiences, questioning Afghan President Hamid Karzai's reliability, the effectiveness of Afghan police, and Pakistan's true commitment as an ally. This memoir captures both the brotherhood forged in battle and the complex realities of fighting in Afghanistan.
Genres: military-fiction, adventure, action, non-fiction, biography-memoir, 21st-century, military-history, american-history
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: brotherhood, found-family
Setting: Afghanistan, Bermel Valley, Pakistan
Period: 2006
374 pages · Hardcover · Harper Collins
Content warnings: death, graphic-violence, war