Lions of Kandahar: The Story of a Fight Against All Odds

Written by Major Rusty Bradley and Kevin Maurer

Narrated by Eric G. Dove

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.

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, laced through 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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: May 22, 2012
• ISBN: 9781455895250

Major Rusty Bradley

Major 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.

Reviews for Lions of Kandahar

[Dan Lopez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great listen, proud of our men and women who fearlessly take on the fight self-sacrificing. Intense!

[Gustav W. · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

God bless the warrior that answered the called and sacrificed so much for this country. The more I listen and learn about these soldiers’ stories and countless others the more angry I get for the debacle Biden did on Afghanistan, after all the blood, all the sweat and money. We have nothing but failure to show for.

As always Democrats destroy everything they touch.
They always have, and they always will. Some things never change.

[Scott Schapiro · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderfully written and enjoyable book about a modern warrior, his team, and the Afghan army’s fight against the Taliban. A must read and important reminder about the history and sacrifice of great Americans and the greatest nation.

[Diego · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've read this book about 3 times when I had the hard copy. Now I'm reading it again using scribd, I'm excited !

I've never served in the armed forces. But man this book will literally keep on edge. It talks about brotherhood and warfare, two completely different things that makes this book amazing. Raw, unfiltered, and from the point of view from a true American hero.

[Lee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great modern combat book. What heros! Great illustration of our soldiers' efforts to save the Afghanistan people from the evil Taliban. Being the father of two American soldiers, one of whom served in Afghanistan, it makes me proud of not only my boys but also for these absolute warrior heros described in this book. It makes me equally infuriated at our moron in chief, who threw it all away and abandonded our new allies whom undoubtedly face untold terrors.

[Jen Moss · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow! There’s a point in the book I found myself asking if these guy would get break to just relax, if even for a moment. This is an excellent book that records the heroism America expects of her warriors.

[Trey Simeone · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing book. The narrator couldn't have been more perfect, beautifully bringing the soldiers struggles to life.

[Rusty · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A chilling and extraordinary account of heroism and commitment to task, country, teammates, and the Afghan people.

[stbalbach_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lions of Kandahar is a first-person account of an 8-day battle in southern Afghanistan during 2006. It's notable because the battle centered on a small team of about 30 Green Berets (including the author) who ended up playing a decisive role in defeating an enemy nearly 50 times in number. This battle was part of a sea change in strategic thinking about the role of Special Forces, they are now one of the primary forces in Afghanistan. Through this book you get a first hand view of how they operate, which is an important perspective as the military changes from the monolithic Soviet threat to small and fast teams with lots of skills and firepower.