The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor

This book encapsulated the nature of the American effort in Afghanistan in the story of COP Keating. It was written at the soldier level and demonstrated both the flaws and the strength of American strategy tactics in a remote area of that country. More importantly, it made clear the valor and determination of soldiers in a remore outpost over a span of several years. One of the long term contributions of Trapper's work was the clear parallel he drew between the war in Afghanistan and previous guerrilla wars the United States has fought.
Trapper has provided both an account of infantry warfare in a current conflict and a link to past conflicts in one very readable book. If one is to understand the character of low intensity conflicts and the valor of American arms, this book is the perfect place to start.

The USA thinks it can conquer the hearts and minds of a people who defeated Russian forces who were not constrained by the much more humane rules of engagement forced upon US soldiers. Americans are forced to fight ruthless, devious, and unrestrained fanatics resulting in tragic loss of life and limb to the noncombatant Afghanistans as well as American soldiers and the Afghanistan troops trained by the US. My daughter wanted me to read this book because of the unbelievably indefensible place our troops were forced to make an outpost, Its location flies in the face of common sense let alone normal military doctrine. The author personalizes the tragedy and humanity of this conflict using personalized photos, email and letter written quotes as well as interviews with families who lost loved ones in this devastating war on terrorism.

This book reminded me of outlaw platoon but with even more detail. I read it in 2 days. I especially liked how the author discussed the families of each soldier who was KIA. Civilians need to realize the sacrifices endured by military members and their families alike. This book drives it home.

In act one you put a poorly designed, undermanned outpost in an impossible position, next to a river, surrounded by towering mountains. In the next four acts you watch successive small units get beat to pieces until they are driven out -- that is, until those who make the decisions decide that, while the base was a dandy idea in the first place, new realities require a new strategy that can do without the base. The story makes clear why following orders in the crucial quality of a soldier, for the soldiers in this story are under no illusions about the utility (none) and survivability (only a matter of time until disaster) of what they are doing. Their courage is unimaginable. The book tells this compelling story with clarity.

This book is very well-written. It explains the Afghanistan War objectives from both Presidents Obama and Bush and the generals fighting the war. The characters are well-fleshed out and one feels really bad when one of them dies or is hurt very badly. I found the book to be informative about the ins and outs of the Afghanistan War and would strongly recommend it to some who wants to understand the trials and tribulations of the war for U.S. soldiers.

Not only did this story reveal to true bravery of our young men and women serving then and today, but the inexplicable stubbornness of our leaders, military and civilian, to reverse bad decisions. I was so angry with them by the time I finished, I had to go outside and scream 'WHY?'

This book is well written. Unfortunately, the reader needs the history in the first part of the book, to better understand the last battle. That history and endless unfamiliar names (and places) were sometimes difficult to follow. I couldn't help but be sad for the brave soldiers put in this position. They were a tragedy waiting to happen.

Jake Tapper does everything possible to bring this unbelievable true story to life. You're along for the ride which includes a lot of war action which sounds realistic and scary. I learned a bit about why this war would be impossible to win, like Vietnam. He makes it clear that going to conflicts in many of the areas of the world aren't worth the sacrifice you pay. I recommend this book enthusiastically to all who want a good read mixed with heavy doses of pathos about the horrors of war.

This will be the worst book that absolutely everyone should read. You will gain greater insight into the lives of Soldiers in austere environments & honor their service. It tears your heart out, but we owe it to all military servicemen & women to see it through & read it to the end.

The Outpost is definitely one of finest counts of the war in Afghanistan, and in particular, the fighting in northeastern Afghanistan. It was interesting following the evolution and history of COP Keating and the various personnel/units that rotated through the base. Unfortunately, the book reveals the all too established fact that we are/were undermanned/under resourced to do the job properly in Afghanistan, and what our troops have accomplished has been amazing, despite the fact that political decisions far removed from the battlefield can have very real consequences on it. The only gripe I do have is the lack of detailed maps, but the one located behind the front/back cover is good enough. This book is a must read!

What our brave men and women truly experiences in this war rarely makes national news except on the cable networks like the Discovery network. This books honors their sacrifice. Thank you. Unless we as a nation understand what these warriors have gone through and are continuing to go through, we will turn a blind eye to them and permit the erosion of their support and care. This would be an inexcusable national shame. Oliver Stone should turn it into a movie.

Darryrl Johnson, Ed. D.
U.S. Air force veteran
American Legion

I'm a contractor in Central Asia living among troops and with 3 sons currently serving in the Army; one of whom is mentioned in this book. Jake Tapper has managed to throw open a window into the reality of military planning and day to day ops. There is no pumping a story for effect. No cutting corners with the truth and no sugar coating. This book will end up as a classic in the years ahead when stories are told of the young men who volunteered to serve in this most difficult age. It should be required reading at all military academies and schools. Well done Jake. Thank you for sharing these incredible stories about these incredible young men and women.

This book is extremely well written and tells the true life stories of our Soldiers and Marines futile attempts to make a difference in a country that has been at war for thousands of years. It also points out the incompetent top career commanders that send our troops on useless, dangerous missions so that the commanders can boost their records and win faster promotions. I see the same problems and mistakes that were prevalent during Vietnam repeated here.

Heart-gripping detailed account of the history, from beginning to end, of a remote and awkward outpost on the fringes of the Afghan warzone where many American heroes lost their lives, and many more had their lives physically, permanently altered due to the combat encountered supporting this piece of dirt.

Awesome book. As someone who was there I thought Jake Tapper did an amazing job of telling the storry. Reading it actually helped me see what was going on at surrounding areas at the same time. Im very thankful it was written.

I felt like I was part of the contingent assigned to that poorly conceived mission. I cried for those who died and I joined with them in cursing the leadership that kept them in that clearly untenable position.

I am embarrassed that, before reading this book, I was unaware of the precarious positions into which some American troops were placed by high ranking commanding officers who should have known better. Mr. Tapper has presented one such situation in "The Outpost". This should be required reading for anyone who puts others in harm's way.

If books are on your "Xmas reading list", and you have any interest in Bush's forgotten war: Afghanistan...I highly recommend Jake Tapper's latest book, "The Outpost". It's a pull no punches chronicle of a year (2006-2007) in the lives of a Company from the 10th Mountain Division, the first US troops permanently posted in the wildest, most mountainous and most remote of Afghanistan's provinces.
As a microcosm of the whole US effort there it's eye-opening.

Jake Tapper does an exceptional job of blending the battles and the events with what's happening with the families and what the soldiers' thoughts were on their mission and the operations in Afghanistan. He does an outstanding job telling the truth and keeping the book flowing without getting bogged down into politics or pro/anti-war statements. I feel this book is a "must read" if you want to really understand how soldiers in Afghanistan feel about the war there and about the Army. Thank you Mr Tapper for a solid accounting of these brave soldiers and their families.

Jake Tapper knocked this one out of the park. His tireless research, interviews, and fact-checking (over 2 years) provided one of the most gripping books about the war in Afghanistan. This book provides incredible details about the Soldiers who fight this war. Mr. Tapper seamlessly transitions from the establishment of a remote outpost, to the difficulties each of the 4 units faced while stationed there, to the closure of the base. While covering the unit mission and firefights that ensue, Jake also tells the audience details about the Soldiers. He writes of the qualities, character, and tom-foolery of the Soldiers assigned to this outpost - placed in an indefensible position at the bottom of a steep valley. Jake brings attention to the incredible acts of selflessness, bravery, and courage to the few hundred men who called this place home. The book does not mask the atrocities of war. There are detailed accounts of the wounds and death that are all to familiar in heavy combat. This book is a must read for everyone to understand the sacrifices that are made. The public must know of the incredible sacrifices the families of the Fallen Heroes have made. Great work Jake Tapper. Thank you for telling our story.

Thank you- for giving a real glimpse into what actual warfare is like, for putting humanity and names to our troops, for helping me to understand in a more concrete way what the war in Afghanistan was about in reality. My brother was there in a different province and your book helped me to open a dialogue with him and get the smallest look at why he was so changed by his time there.

Jake Tapper did a fantastic job! I was initially concerned that it would be a political bash; however, I was impressed that he provided a balanced perspective. He focused on the tremendous challenges our soldiers faced in Afghanistan, and described their incredible bravery without patronizing, lingering, or compromising the overall story. Jake takes the reader through the spectrum of emotions in a healthy, straight forward, and balanced way. I found his analysis of the various policies and procedures discreet, accurate, and thought provoking. I read it cover-to-cover and then bought additional copies to give to my three adult sons and a friend. This is a must-read to gain insight and inspiration from those who daily ensure our liberty. Buy your copy today...

I think this probably the best book about Afghanistan that I have read and I have read many! I say that because the author tells the whole story. He does not shy away from pointing out the numerous mistakes made at the senior levels of command starting at the very top of the food chain. He also tells the story of the troops from the LT's down to the privates, the ones who carry out the orders not the ones who give them.

This book was recommended to me by my brother. I moved it to the top of my reading list just to see what is was about.
Once I started it, I could not put it down! The way the author tells the story is riveting and makes you feel you're actually 'there'. He makes the war seem all to real and brutal. The sacrifice and dedication of the young men, especially to one another, becomes very real.
Without question one of the best booksIve ever read.

This is a very fine book that captures the "unseen" war in Afghanistan. The true grit of what our brave soldiers and Marines went through and what they continue to endure. This is a very different kind of "War Story". The sometimes insane politics are shown...as they should be but seldom are. Bad decisions, bad judgments, etc. It is all here...but most of all, the dedication of our troops in the very eye of overwhelming odds. True American guts and determination. A very good read if you want to know the "REAL" efforts in Afghanistan and how it all happens.

Jake Tapper does a superb job of writing about the sequential battles for a remote combat outpost that should never have been created. A readers we are transformed to become part of this history as we follow the various US Army units that staffed, defended, lived and died in this very remote area of Afghanistan.

Very well develop, investigated, and written saga of some of our bravest soldiers in a war far away, yet so important for all of us to know about.

This is probably the best description of the Afghan war in print today. The story is exceptional in its vivid description of the personnel involved and how and why the US decided to get involved in such a ill advised adventure.
The individual accounts of the firefights and personnel involved is truly excellent . If you want to feel the pulse of the troops in Afghanistan this is the book for you.
WELL DONE !

I think this probably the best book about Afghanistan that I have read and I have read many! I say that because the author tells the whole story. He does not shy away from pointing out the numerous mistakes made at the senior levels of command starting at the very top of the food chain. He also tells the story of the troops from the LT's down to the privates, the ones who carry out the orders not the ones who give them.

This book was recommended to me by my brother. I moved it to the top of my reading list just to see what is was about.
Once I started it, I could not put it down! The way the author tells the story is riveting and makes you feel you're actually 'there'. He makes the war seem all to real and brutal. The sacrifice and dedication of the young men, especially to one another, becomes very real.
Without question one of the best booksIve ever read.

This is a very fine book that captures the "unseen" war in Afghanistan. The true grit of what our brave soldiers and Marines went through and what they continue to endure. This is a very different kind of "War Story". The sometimes insane politics are shown...as they should be but seldom are. Bad decisions, bad judgments, etc. It is all here...but most of all, the dedication of our troops in the very eye of overwhelming odds. True American guts and determination. A very good read if you want to know the "REAL" efforts in Afghanistan and how it all happens.

Jake Tapper does a superb job of writing about the sequential battles for a remote combat outpost that should never have been created. A readers we are transformed to become part of this history as we follow the various US Army units that staffed, defended, lived and died in this very remote area of Afghanistan.

Very well develop, investigated, and written saga of some of our bravest soldiers in a war far away, yet so important for all of us to know about.

This is probably the best description of the Afghan war in print today. The story is exceptional in its vivid description of the personnel involved and how and why the US decided to get involved in such a ill advised adventure.
The individual accounts of the firefights and personnel involved is truly excellent . If you want to feel the pulse of the troops in Afghanistan this is the book for you.
WELL DONE !

Words can not describe the mountains when you actually see them. When I would go to these small outposts I would always ask leadership- why are you still here? Most of the time they had just not been told to pull out! Otherwise they would have been gone.
Thanks to all the men who served.

I enjoyed reading the background story of this outpost in Afghanistan and how the choices were made regarding its location and purpose. Ultimately though what makes the book valuable is the tales of heroism and courage for those tasked with defending an outpost that was flawed from the beginning. The individual stories of the leaders and soldiers of Camp Keating are worth telling and retelling for future generations that will produce the decision makers in our government and military.

This is a good, but somewhat difficult read. It's loaded with facts, dates, names, which I found a little hard to keep up with after a while. Some great stories throughout the book though, and helps shed some light on what these men/women deal with in the outer reaches of that war. Just didn't quite flow as well as some of the other modern war books I've read.

This is an outstanding account of events surrounding a remote outpost in Afghanistan where our soldiers were sent into a place that rendered them as sitting ducks in a deep valley surrounded by mountains. Attacks by Taliban were a piece of cake while our men were surrounded and easily picked. The place was indefensible and makes one wonder what our senior military officers were thinking! Outrageous! Jake Tapper did an excellent job documenting the bravery of our solders who had to rely on each other and air support to survive. Unfortunately, many did not and the survivors will forever be haunted by this.

Very well written and a stark picture of the reality of a forgotten war. So many people know so little of this war. They claim to support the troops but mostly it is all lip service. As a Vietnam era veteran I think my period was better. At least we didn't expect people to like or respect what we did and everyone knew something about the war. I frequent'y ask people to name the countries that border Afghanistan. So far I haven't found anyone that could.

This is a very well researched and written book. It held my interest and I read it much faster than similarly length books due to its readability. It is hard to believe that the powers that be would have put our brave fighting men in such an indefensible spot, and they should be held responsible for their choosing that spot. Thank you all of our armed forces members for your bravery and sacrifice for your country.

As a combat vet, my husband experienced many of the same challenges detailed in this book, though never to the degree these men and women did. However, one critical takeaway he feels needs more attention, particularly from the anti-military establishment, is how essentially helpless young, junior troops are in the face of military and political bureaucracy. People who've never served may feel these troops can or should simply disobey or ignore orders. But it doesn't work that way. And at the end of the day, no matter how ridiculous the orders, such as manning an outpost in such a vulnerable location, they don't do it because they're ordered to, but because if they don't and their friends get hurt they will never forgive themselves.

This a dynamite story, meaning it tells of the courage of the men who were sent into an area where the enemy had every advantage over the outpost. A grunts nightmare situation, and a place where the higher ups had their heads up their own higher. The men carried on in spite of this and some earned the MOH. Captivating story and extremely well written.

The writing and depictions are excellent while the terrifying part is the outcome of what appear to be flawed decisions. It almost reminded me of WW1 where many generals prosecuted the war without ever visiting the areas they were responsible for. In this situation they had visited the areas and still refused to recognize the shortcomings of their decisions.

well written,those people who are still over there and the ones who came home God Bless them.Lets hope lessons learned will be implemented and course of action thought out from all sides off the table before we subject our troops to such strategic disadvantage.
To win a war it would have to be total annilhation of the enemy and its people.All of them.Many countries in the world think of the U.S as weak because we restrain our forces from the berserka mentality.I don't know why they are there,they don't know why they are there,just don't forget that they are there and need all the support our government can supply and the support of the country while they are there.God Bless those men and theyre families.

Someone really had there head up there rectum to leave troops in a base were the troops were sitting ducks.there's were at the advantage from the height and they were boxed in.
It is a breach of leadership to put this troops in this position.all the top leaders did was to pass the failure to they subordinate s to cya.they should have been hung out to dry.
No further comment
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This novel of how thin and unprotected our troops are in Afghanistan!! It is told in direct to the point reports by the men who served in these outposts. The failure of our government to underman the troop strength and isolate our men in criminal. However the commanding officers kept saying they needed more troops went unheeded by the political leaders of our country. This is one of the best told stories of what our troops face in this corrupt and backward country.

This isn't a perfect book. There is, perhaps, overemphasis on telling the personal stories of individual soldiers and their families. In my mind, however, even this provides valuable insights, perhaps some that the author didn't intend. As Tapper tells it, a high percentage of the troopers joined the Army to escape downward spirals--alcohol, drugs, gangs etc. This is, perhaps the way it has always been in 'all volunteer' forces but it suggests that Army standards are low, indeed. One soldier is reported to have been a Marine, previously, but was kicked out of the Corps for 'fighting.' Recognizing that the Marine Corps won't consider him again he joins the Army. No problem.

Nevertheless--and as a testament to Army training and the basic qualities of these troops--when their backs are against the wall, they fight. Most fight well and many fight courageously. Deprived of their commanding officer, who is stuck at another outpost removed from the fight, the soldiers fall back on secondary leadership, obey orders and fight for their lives. The enemy has most of the advantages--superior numbers, terrain, local knowledge, secret stockpiles of men and weapons, some disloyal Afghan troops--but the U.S. forces have one major ace....Air Power. If the troops on the ground can manage to stay alive, it is inevitable that coalition aircraft will tear huge chunks out of the enemy.

Evidently, the Army has changed training methods since WW II. After the War, and studying troop effectiveness, it was recognized that the Germans had been doing some things very right, and we [the Americans] some things very wrong. Knock out the officers and top NCOs of a U.S. Army platoon during WW II, the remaining, leaderless men became combat ineffective. This wasn't true of the Germans. Knock out the German command structure and the remaining men would break up into smaller fighting units. If the entire platoon was virtually wiped out, individual soldiers were still dangerous. It looks like we've learned lessons from WW II. Our combat soldiers--no doubt because of training--are dangerous fighters down to the last man.

Still, it probably never had to be. The 'Outpost' is located in one of the most indefensible positions imaginable. It's in the bottom of a bowl surrounded by high mountains. There are literally thousands of locations from which attacks can be launched on the unfortunate U.S. and Afghan troopers. Inevitably, working with the locals and sometimes the locals, themselves--the enemy has a far more intimate knowledge of local terrain than we do--and most of that terrain is higher ground! Madness. Some of the initial command justifications for locating 'the outpost' in such an untenable place seems to be 1. We were trying to limit enemy activities in Nuristan 2. There was a nearby large Nuristani village [win their 'hearts and minds' etc.] 3. There was a nearby mountain road offering the possibility of resupply.

I'm sure many of us have traveled on narrow, windy, dangerous mountain roads. I'm reminded of one in Mexico between Durango and Mazatlan. It is called 'El Espinoso del Diablo' [The Devil's Backbone] for good reason. For most of the 60 mile distance there are sheer cliffs of thousands of feet both above and below it. It is narrow, in many places admitting only one vehicle. Meet another vehicle and somebody has to back up. It is also twisty with hairpin curves. At each curve, crosses are lined up like picket fences as mute testimony to those who have gone over the side and died. I can well imagine that the supply road for 'The Outpost' was worse than this. At least 'El Espinoso' is paved and is probably marginally wider. Also, and most importantly, enemy forces weren't trying to ambush you on 'El Espinoso'. [This might have changed now with the growing power of criminals and the drug cartels in Mexico].

In any event is was STUPID to envision supplying 'The Outpost' along such a supply road. A kid with a BB gun could stop a supply column, at least for awhile. Gradually, slowly Army Brass recognized the inevitable and decided to supply The Outpost by helicopter....but...The Outpost was in a hole. It was easy to shoot helicopters from the safety of the surrounding mountains. Therefore the resupply helicopters had to become increasingly nocturnal, which has its own problems.

The only salvation for The Outpost was U.S. combat aircraft and the overall poor quality of the enemy troops. Tapper goes into the life story of virtually every American soldier killed at Keating but, overall, given the incredible tactical situation and the fact that enemy attacks are numerous, relatively few coalition soldiers die. Why? The author never quite explains it. It is probable that most of the time, the enemy was firing from very long range. It is also probable that the bulk of the enemy troops are poorly trained as marksmen. A number of times Tapper mentions troops being shot at, and sometimes hit, by 'snipers'. The one time he mentions the direct observation of a 'sniper', the guy is standing up and firing. Some sniper.

Lessons learned? Afghanistan is the 'Wild East' and the multiple tribes are more akin to the tribal subdivisions of the American natives 250 years ago than to a cohesive nation. Just like some of our native Indian tribes, warfare is a masculine, honorable activity. This is probably especially true in societies in which women do most of the real labor [just like many of our American Indian tribes]. The men, with time on their hands, are free to engage in blood feud and vendetta. Anybody who tries to centralize/nationalize such people is in for some real disappointments. Probably few of them want or even understand 'nationhood'. Why should they want to be in a nation that includes the tribe over the next hill that they have fought since time immemorial?

Enter the 'organizers', be it the U.S., Soviets or even the Taliban. Many tribesmen will fight for or against them just to be fighting. Many tribesmen will lie to them just to be lying. Many tribesmen will take their 'gifts' because...why not? If your side seems to be winning, many tribesmen, feeling the direction of the wind, will support you. If your side seems to be losing many tribesmen, feeling the direction of the wind, will betray you. Why not? Islam? Sure Islam is important but few of these folks are radical fundamentalists. The Taliban will try to convert them to their form of Islam, in which case they will have achieved something like victory. If they try to back religious convension with a centralized fundamentalist Caliphate, they will likely fail, too.

Excellent. This books makes the reader realize the importance of how effective or inneffective a decision made by the leadership can turn into a nightmare in establishing an "Outpost" in a slope surrounded by high mountains. Yet, regardless of the decision to establish the different outpost the soldiers fullfilled their mission to the best of their ability.

Great reading that should be discussed at all levels within the Armed Forces.

Mr. V

The Outpost is an excellent example of the absurdity of the war in Afghanistan. It is well written and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in the behind the scenes happenings in Afghanistan. The first few chapters lays out the mismanagement by the commanders and the balance of the book describes the bravery and sacrifice of our soldiers.

I am trying to avoid cliches to describe the thorough un-emotional description of events leading up to and including the battle at COPKeating. I found this book riveting, making excuses to my family and friends, why I was ignoring them with my nose planted in this book(kindle).

Why did the Bush administration....? Fill in your own question. I fear for our Soldiers when the POTUS is politically driven, thinking only of his legacy in history and less of the boots on the ground.

This book really shows, in detail, just how splendid the members of our military are, and just how impossible was the task of making what has never been a country, into a functioning country. You will come to see how Afgnanistan was done on the cheap, while the Bush administration chose to fight in a non-necessary (at least at that time) war in Iraq.

GOD.... what can you say about these men and women ....they are incredible heros....read every single page and know what these brave men and women lived and died for......mistakes are made......make the movie....so "our too busy lives" see it now....NOT read about it 100 years from now.... Thank you Jake Tapper for all your hard work. It had to be a very painful journey...and GOD bless each of the souls that lived and died at "The Outpost".

I read this book and enjoyed the comradeship that the troops have for one another but if affirmed my belief that the Army doesn't support it's own. Putting someone at a remote location and nearly forgetting them for days and weeks on end is intolerable on the part of our military leaders who sit behind a desk and order more junior troops to go into enemy fire while the one behind the desk is simply trying to be promoted-notwithstanding he doesn't want to rile those a Headquarters. You have to read the book to see what our Afghan "Allies" do and how they at when the chips are down. Outstanding book!

The soldiers followed the orders knowing they were facing death in the face. They sacrificed their lives for the country even though they knew they are depending an untenable position. I salute these heroes, dead and wounded. My heart bleeds for the families of the dead and those physically and psychologically traumatized.

The author should have mentioned the names of these so-called military geniuses and demoted them for making this flawed strategy that resulted in uneccessary loss of lives .

I just can't get enough information on this conflict. It was so well written, well developed characters, and lots of action. These guys gave all they had, many gave their lives. They are so brave and honorable, I cannot believe how they lived and fought for each other, this is a great one, buy it...you won't be able to put it down. Thank you, you will never be forgotten.

One of the few stories of the Afghanistan war that portrays the difficulty in dealing with the terrain, logistics, and politics that face small units deployed to remote regions. A great commentary on the quality of the average grunt and the failure of senior leadership to support them. A must-read if you want to understand the challenge facing our troops.

The Outpost revealed the life and death struggle these young men go thru in Afghanistan's treacherous terrain. The military pecking order is such that the Colonels on up are out of touch with the actual topography and hidden agendas of the Afghans. Theses gents that are stationed in these fish bowls are beyond being gallant. I don't understand educated lieutenants and captains putting themselves and there people in positions of such danger and following orders that border on sheer stupidity. All I can gather out of this revealing, truthful book is that the Military and Pentagon have way too much money and power to be involving our young men in these conditions. Especially when they
are fighting and dying for those Karzai thugs in Kabul. Get our people of of there NOW!
Ray Pedersen
WWII South Pacific Veteran Leyte Gulf and Okinawa.