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Not a Good Day to Die: The Untold Story of Operation Anaconda
by Sean Naylor
Chaos and courage in Afghanistan
By the end of 2001 U.S. and Afghan forces had routed the Taliban regime and uprooted al Qaida in Afghanistan. Now the goal was to stop the fleeing enemy forces from slipping away into Pakistan.
In early 2002, the Taliban and al Qaida were pinpointed in eastern Afghanistan's Shahikot Valley, a rocky safe haven where they could ride out the harsh winter, plan a spring offensive and escape to Pakistan. The U.S. was determined to make it al Qaida's last stand. Only the U.S. didn't foresee a disaster caused by poor planning at every level from the Pentagon down and gross underestimation of al Qaida's capability.
Sean Naylor was at the Shahikot Valley as a reporter for the Army Times. His in-depth coverage and analysis of the events leading up to and during Operation Anaconda are remarkable, fascinating and disturbing. The actions of the soldiers on the ground and the special forces in the hills are inspiring, and the sacrifices they make are heart-breaking and sometimes shocking.
In Not a Good Day to Die, Naylor doesn't pull any punches. His admiration for the soldier is evident. But he also points out with a very sharp finger that a lot of the mistakes and casualties at the Shahikot could have - and should have - been avoided.
Not a Good Day to Die is one of those rare must-read books, whether you are a military history buff or not. It is one of the finest accounts of a major battle in a conflict that is dangerously close to becoming another Korea: forgotten.
Title: Not a Good Day to Die: The Untold Story of Operation Anaconda
Author: Sean Naylor
Publisher: Berkley Books
ISBN: 0425196097
Review written by: John Neal
Reviewer's Rating:10
Reader's Rating: 10.00
Reader's Votes: 1
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