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Title: To Quell the Korengal

Author: Darren Shadix

Narrator: James Anderson Foster

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-12-17

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

In 2007, the US Army's 173rd Airborne Brigade posted to northeastern Afghanistan's Kunar Province. Battle Company, the best within the Brigade, was assigned the toughest Area of Operations. It was called the Korengal Valley. During their 15-month tour, Battle Company saw more combat than any unit since Vietnam. Raw and unapologetic, To Quell the Korengal is a first-hand account of life on the front lines. Written by a grunt on the ground, it is rife with gun fights, grueling foot patrols, a villainous company commander, the austere routines of the American soldier, and the kind of humor only found in war.

Though equally appealing to combat-hardened listeners, the story is told in a manner any civilian can comprehend. It was the author's wish that the book could serve as a bridge of understanding for a veteran's wife or mom, or anyone curious about the conflict and sacrifices of our nation's troops.

Members Reviews:

Brutal and honest. A grunt's tale.

This is a grunt's tale. Brutal and honest, you'll find no glorious BS here. Shadix is an excellent narrator and his straight forward no non-sense (but often humorous) prose draws you in and guides you through the violence and chaos of the Korengal Valley in a surprisingly enjoyable and disturbing manner. It is written in an episodic manner that forms a loosely chronological narrative interspersed with amusing interactions among an Airborne Infantry platoon. Shadix has written a hyper-engaging war memoir that will transplant you straight into the misery and camaraderie that is a grunt's life.

This is a book by a practitioner of violence that is written for those who want to understand what is going on in such a man's head. Shadix makes clear from the start that this is his solely from his perspective and makes no apologies for that. There are people he doesn't like and he vilifies them, but even the ones he does admire he is brutally honest in his opinions. He's unforgiving and bitter and cynical, and if you're looking for a book that uplifts the spirit and reaffirms American patriotism, this is not the book for you. This book will, however, give you a sometimes hilarious glimpse into the psyche of soldiers who were asked to endure more than their share. I highly recommend this book for all who have experienced their own share of suck on the front lines, and also for all of those who have a desire to understand or just to know "what it's like." Because Shadix nails it.

Sure to be a Classic!

"To Quell The Korengal" is sure to be a classic. Soldiers of the 173rd arrive at a remote Afghan outpost and are targeted from day one by the Taliban.

From constant patrols and engagements against a rarely-seen enemy, we experience the frustration and anger of our soldiers. But the hardships do not lead to gloom and sadness. On the contrary, these soldiers keep it together with the type of enviable style and dark humor that neither the Dos Equis Guy nor Chuck Norris could ever hope to achieve!

In one anecdote shared by the author, a weapons-laden Taliban donkey becomes a humorous metaphor of the US-Afghan war.