Horse Soldiers by Doug Stanton

Horse Soldiers is the exciting account of a small band of Special Forces soldiers who secretly enter Afghanistan following 9/11 and ride to war on horses against the Taliban. They are outnumbered forty to one but still pursue the enemy across the mountains of Afghanistan. After a series of intense battles, they capture the city of Mazar-i-Sharif and the weary American soldiers are welcomed as liberators.

Just when the soldiers expect their adventure to be over, things take an unexpected turn. During a surrender of six hundred Taliban troops, the Horse Soldiers are ambushed by the would-be POWs.

“This was Special Forces’ rule number one: let men experience failure so they never fail again. And by failing, they will learn how to be successful soldiers.”

Dangerously overpowered, they fight for their lives in the city’s immense fortress, Qala-i-Janghi, or the House of War. At risk are the military gains of the entire campaign: if the soldiers perish or are captured, then their effort to outmaneuver the Taliban is likely doomed.

This is not your usual historical military piece. Horse Soldiers reads more like a novel and Americans all over recognize this secret mission to be one of the US military’s greatest moment in what has since arguably been a muddled war

My Thoughts

Please don’t hate me, but I came across this book because I watched the movie first. I know, a crime in the lit world! I honestly thought it was a movie written by Hollywood and it surpirsed me to learn that it was based on a true story. When it comes to nonfiction, sometimes the way Hollywood interprets things to be much different than the book. This is why I picked up the book. I knew there would be missing details and I wanted to know more.

War and politics are not my thing. I hardly watch the news anymore, and when someone starts going down that nasty tunnel (left or right) I tune out. I believe there is too much hate in this world which is why I was drawn to this book. You would think otherwise because it is a story about war, but this isn’t your usual battle.

This is a story where Americans work with the Afghans in unison. As a team on the Afghans terms but under the order of the US army. You hear about soldiers getting blown up and shot at which makes you mad. But those in Afghanistan who want to be free from the Taliban were right next to those Americans getting killed.

I highly recommend picking up this book. It shows a different side of war that is hardly ever featured or debated in the news. It will shine a new light on things despite your political views.