Outlaw Platoon: Heroes, Renegades, Infidels, and the Brotherhood of War in Afghanistan by Sean Parnell

Jan 05, 2013 Jill rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Jill by: cEe beE

Shelves: non-fiction, 2013-4-5-5-stars

Sean Parnell at only twenty-four years of age was leader of Outlaw Platoon. The U.S. Army Airborne Ranger served for six years, retiring with two Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart. This is not just his story, but of the group of men who served with him in one of the most dangerous and inhospitable places on earth in the Bermel Valley, Afghanistan.

Written by Sean Parnell and co-authored by writer John Bruning, this is a riveting read. The descriptions of the country, the battles, the personalitie...more

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Dec 28, 2012 cEe beE rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: gory-and-violent, non-fiction, war-is-hell, 5-star-reads

As a woman and a civilian, I am totally unfamiliar with the almost all masculine world of the military and the wars of their making. Outlaw Platoon gave me a peek into the mindset of a soldier, and the intense brotherhood that form among the men during war. It's both fascinating and incomprehensible to me, to live for your fellow soldiers, and be willing to die for them. Running on adrenalin, these young men go and kill, get shot at, and survive another day to fight again. And they do this for m...more

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Jun 08, 2012 Patrick rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: military-history, favorites

I am sure Outlaw Platoon will go down as one of the greatest books on Operation Enduring Freedom, among Black Hawk Down, Lone Survivor, and Robert's Ridge. Parnell is a truly gifted writer, this book shows it, and Bruning has done a stellar job as usual. You aren't so much reading the platoon's story as experiencing it.

As I've mentioned before, the writing is incredible and the battles are intense and gritty. Parnell handles the large cast very well, not once, a rare occasion for me, was I confu...more

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Feb 26, 2013 Book Him Danno rated it 3 of 5 stars

If you want insight what is actually going on in Afghanistan and our troops you could not do better than Outlaw Platoon which follows a platoon from the Army’s 10th Mountain Division. Told from a first person point of view from the platoon’s leader Lieutenant Parnell it brings the war to life, especially all of the men (or boys in some cases) that served in 2006. You get to know these guys intimately and genuinely care about their well being and their futures.

Written in the tradition of David Ha...more If you want insight what is actually going on in Afghanistan and our troops you could not do better than Outlaw Platoon which follows a platoon from the Army’s 10th Mountain Division. Told from a first person point of view from the platoon’s leader Lieutenant Parnell it brings the war to life, especially all of the men (or boys in some cases) that served in 2006. You get to know these guys intimately and genuinely care about their well being and their futures.

Written in the tradition of David Hackworth’s great books about Vietnam, you follow these guys through their entire assignment in Bermel Afghanistan which is righton the Pakistan border. Without losing the flow of the story Parnell highlights the major battles and incidences his soldiers faced. He puts you right into the action letting you know what these guys both physically and mentally suffered for their mission.

What amazes me with all these accounts of modern war, the enemies America face generally follow the same plan. They make up for organization and firepower by sheer volume of troops. If you send enough guys forward with enough small arms, eventually you will hit someone. Much how I play Halo, just keep taking shots as fast as I can and eventually I will get lucky. Whereas America believes in a well-trained force who are well-equipped. This plays out with the Outlaw Platoon as they suffer very few casualties over their deployment, but do receive a lot of wounds. Yet they manage to kill a lot of the opposing force with much less men.

What is hard to read is the enemy’s treatment of the Afghani people they come across; they think nothing of the torture and murder of the citizenry. Plus it is shocking to see the treatment the Afghani’s will give the American troops at times. The enemy is killing them yet they will stand by and let bad things happen to the troops that could have been prevented. The loan death in the platoon is truly devastating because of this indifference; it could have easily been prevented.

Then the major flaw of modern war is the desire to be civilized about it, especially when your enemy has no interest in that. When their operating base is being shelled nonstop by the enemy and you are not allowed to fire back. Why? Well the enemy is sitting right across the border in Pakistan; are supposed ally in this war, with Pakistani troops making themselves human shields for the enemy. According to the treaties we are teammates in this conflict, when the evidence on the ground is they are clearly not. Yet we obey the treaty and just let men get killed in order not to offend. It is this desire to fight a friendly war that is the largest cause of troop suffering.

My only dislike of this book is the macho posturing I see in all books of this type; that this platoon was the best and not only were they were the best everyone else were detrimental to the cause of the real soldiers. Especially noticeable was the description of the Fobbits, the term for the support staff that stay at the base of operations to maintain the troops who did go on patrol. These are the soldiers who cook the meals, maintain the vehicles, get in the supplies, and all the other tasks that are required to support the combat troops. While I do not doubt there are a lot of less desirable people in the mix, and the author describes several of them, a vast majority are there giving up their life for this deployment doing all they can to serve these combat troops and their country with honor. By only focusing on the jerks of the bunch he paints them all with a broad brushstroke of shame. Like their service was less than everyone else’s. Hackworth referred to these guys as REMF’s in his books.

This is a great book to get a frontline understanding of the Afghanistan war from the eyes of our combat troops. You will come away with a new view of the stories and politicking you see coming out of Washington and the mass media.(less)

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Apr 05, 2013 Zohar - ManOfLaBook.com rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Outlaw Platoon: Heroes, Renegades, Infidels, and the Brotherhood of War in Afghanistan by Sean Parnell and John Bruning is a non-fiction book about Mr. Parnell’s experience as a platoon leader (nicknamed Outlaw Platoon) for the U.S. Army Airborne Ranger in Afghanistan. Service for six years, Mr. Parnell retired with two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart.

Outlaw Platoon by Sean Parnell & John Bruning does not hold any punches. The descriptions of the horrors as well as the...more
Outlaw Platoon: Heroes, Renegades, Infidels, and the Brotherhood of War in Afghanistan by Sean Parnell and John Bruning is a non-fiction book about Mr. Parnell’s experience as a platoon leader (nicknamed Outlaw Platoon) for the U.S. Army Airborne Ranger in Afghanistan. Service for six years, Mr. Parnell retired with two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart.

Outlaw Platoon by Sean Parnell & John Bruning does not hold any punches. The descriptions of the horrors as well as the elation of battle are vivid and evocative. However, this is not only the story of Parnell, but the story of a platoon working and living together in a dangerous, inhospitable place.

This is a gritty book, not only with the vibrant descriptions of what the author has been through, but also of the enemy we are fighting. An enemy who’s goal was to decapitate the soldiers with dull knives and stick their heads on polls as warnings, or who seems to get their kicks kidnapping a six-year-old boy, gauging his eyes out, pulling his teeth and using him as their sexual plaything.

Mr. Parnell writes with honesty and clarity, eager to prove himself in battle, he soon gets plenty of opportunities to do so during his tour. The book revolves around several battles in which Parnell’s platoon came out victorious but not unhurt.

One of the aspects which I really appreciated in the book is that the author does not underestimate the enemy. While the propaganda we often hear about the “cave dwelling towel heads”, this misinformation is far from the truth. The enemy the Rangers encountered is a disciplined, well equipped, well trained, organized and experienced military force.

Unfortunately I have encountered the same attitude (usually from officers) during my military service. I remember telling my father about this issue when I was a 20 year old sergeant, how the misinformation is doing moral damage to the families at home, hurting the soldiers training (by being unprepared for what lays ahead) and, of course, underestimating the enemy has caused many superior forces to lost battles and wars. Twenty years later he remembered my words when that same group was stirring troubles again and everyone were surprised at the organization and ferocity… except those who faced them before.

The book also raises some disturbing issues which young officers on the front-lines have to deal with. These issues such as local, national and international politics, the complexities of the societies which they have to operate in, the complexities of combat, frustrations of front-lines soldiers with back-lines support personnel and more.

Outlaw Platoon raises some important questions which needed to be asked (preparedness, effectiveness, professionalism) but that are difficult to face. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in the current war, combat or military life.

For more reviews and bookish posts please visit: http://www.ManOfLaBook.com (less)

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Feb 14, 2013 Nancy rated it 5 of 5 stars

A really well written book forces a paradigm shift within me. This is such a book.

In a literary sense, it is not the most soundly written. There are repetitive snippits which leads me to believe the book was written one chapter at a time and not wholistically. It seemed to somewhat resemble a very well written journal. This is the way another book I loved was constructed, Little Princes, so this clearly did not bother me. I'm just giving fair warning if a reader is looking for something other t...more A really well written book forces a paradigm shift within me. This is such a book.

In a literary sense, it is not the most soundly written. There are repetitive snippits which leads me to believe the book was written one chapter at a time and not wholistically. It seemed to somewhat resemble a very well written journal. This is the way another book I loved was constructed, Little Princes, so this clearly did not bother me. I'm just giving fair warning if a reader is looking for something other than what this is. What it is is a very well written look at the life of a soldier in war in Afghanistan.

When history is recorded in a book, hindsight is used to summarize the events. This is much more difficult to do when history is being written as it is current events. This is why I have struggled to understand what is really happening in Afghanistan. Additionally, people who have had first hand experience are either unable to articulate it or are forbidden under threat of court marshal to discuss it. Parnell uses words that evoke all of the senses to express not only what he saw but also how he internalized it. Being a soldier in a war changes that person in ways that are completely foreign to the pre-soldiering days. This is what Parnell depicts.

Parnell writes without glorifying himself. He wishes he could change things. He feels rage at others in the company for not pulling their share. He also humbly admits at the end of the book that his perspective was erroneous when he judges those not in combat. What he details are events and descriptions of engagements that are completely out of my experience, thank goodness. The civilian becomes a warrior and ceases to be a single man but an integral part of a functioning body of war. He forgot his own birthday. He turned off the portion of his brain that registers horror at war atrocities and felt a strong bond for the men that had his back and he had theirs. He adds how he struggled transitioning from soldier to civilian. Also, and very touchingly, Parnell depicts how he stayed a soldier but resisted the temptation to become a murderer. There is a difference.

Although it is difficult to ascertain truth in current events, this is the first book I've read that has given a succinct depiction of who we are fighting. It is terrifying, frankly. It is a book about war so be prepared for a lot of language, a lot of blood and gore and violence, and the unimaginable. On the other hand, right at the root of all of it is the warmest of humanity.(less)

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Jan 24, 2013 Larry rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. It was riveting! Unfortunately, I feel that in rating a book about actual events in the actual war in Afghanistan, it immediately becomes enveloped in the political feelings of that war. That is too bad. For example, I just finished another book on Custer's Last Stand. Although that event in history is also filled with broader issues that mirror in many ways those found in a discussion about the war in Iraq or Afghanistan, I feel a reader of The Last Stand could not get lost i...more

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Dec 31, 2012 Andre Zollars rated it 5 of 5 stars

If there is one bond among veterans, even those who have only served a short-term commitment, it is an understanding of the deep bond that is formed among soldiers. For those of us who return to the civilian world, that bond is never discovered again. It is formed because of a singularity of purpose, that despite disparate backgrounds, pulls a unit together and focuses all their unique talents on one objective. This bond is different among units and that is often a reflection of the unit leaders...more

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Dec 17, 2012 DAN rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was a great read, and one that I highly recommend, particularly if you want to become more educated about the war in Afghanistan. This book does not hold back when it comes to describing the violence of war, nor the feelings of anger that many soldiers feel at having to risk their lives for a country whose countrymen are unwilling to risk themselves. (The book explains how much the Afghan national guard, even under the leadership of our skilled marines, are generally a useless lot, wholly u...more This was a great read, and one that I highly recommend, particularly if you want to become more educated about the war in Afghanistan. This book does not hold back when it comes to describing the violence of war, nor the feelings of anger that many soldiers feel at having to risk their lives for a country whose countrymen are unwilling to risk themselves. (The book explains how much the Afghan national guard, even under the leadership of our skilled marines, are generally a useless lot, wholly uninspired with regard to saving their country from the horrors of Taliban or Haqqani rule.) Also, this book clearly explains why we have had a hard time over there: our soldiers are facing the greatest light infantry unit in the world: they are well-funded, trained, and experienced after almost three decades of war.

But the highlights of the book don't stop there: Sean Parnell gives insight into what it feels like to be in the heat of battle, and how it can strain members of units as well as their families back home. In addition, he talks about what it is like to kill people, and the feelings that often accompany seeing the vivid carnage of war (intestines/legs, hanging from trees, the smell of blood/incinerated bodies, etc.) Finally, he discusses the bond that the men in his platoon develop after living , fighting, and dying for each other over successive deployments.

I actually only have one criticism to offer this book: the ending was not satisfactory. It cuts off as Sean is told that his leave has been extended (and he had been desperately looking forward to going home. Then it jumps forward to after he has finished this extended leave, and he talks about how other men in his platoon were either injured or killed in their last deployment, but we don't know who they are or how they were killed (save one).

I wish the book had continued through the extended leave, and then had another chapter that gave more detail regarding what happened to the men after he left the platoon.

All in all, however, I highly recommend this book.(less)

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Jul 29, 2012 Sweetwilliam rated it 5 of 5 stars

I just finished reading Sean Parnell’s Outlaw Platoon. What an education this book is. Sean Parnell is a young platoon leader who is assigned to a 10th Mountain division infantry platoon deployed in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan. Prior to his deployment, Lieutenant Parnell thinks he will be facing a rag-tag group of Taliban. Instead he is facing an experienced, elite group of insurgents whose leaders were fighting the Soviets when Parnell was in diapers. The Taliban are given sanctuary an...more I just finished reading Sean Parnell’s Outlaw Platoon. What an education this book is. Sean Parnell is a young platoon leader who is assigned to a 10th Mountain division infantry platoon deployed in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan. Prior to his deployment, Lieutenant Parnell thinks he will be facing a rag-tag group of Taliban. Instead he is facing an experienced, elite group of insurgents whose leaders were fighting the Soviets when Parnell was in diapers. The Taliban are given sanctuary and direct support from our so-called Pakistan allies. They recruit willing jihadists from all over the Muslim world who can’t wait to make a suicide charge at that Americans. Taliban ambushes are a common everyday occurrence. The Outlaws are cut off and almost overrun on more than one occasion. Meanwhile the Outlaw’s are aided by an Afghanistan Police force whose corrupt leader sells their US supplied weapons on the black market for extra cash, an interpreter that is tipping off the enemy, and Afghan civilians that will accept American medical aid and food but will not tell the Outlaws that the insurgents planted road side bombs nearby. Meanwhile, their fellow Americans- safely inside the wire - play petty politics. The Outlaws receive poor medical attention. There is a Mail lady referred to as the mail bitch that has the Outlaw’s contraband pet dogs shot while the Outlaws are on patrol. There is also a fellow platoon that will not risk venturing too far outside the wire to help the Outlaws when they are engaged with the enemy.

I had no idea that Americans were involved in combat this intense anywhere in the world. I was in shock and total disbelief. I had no idea that things were that awful over there. Parnell talks about Afghan fathers that would demand their sons receive emergency medical treatment before their daughters. He tells how the Taliban would be so brutal to civilians including children and that Americans would be so politically correct that we would not return Taliban 107MM rocket fire into Pakistan. The Pakistanis were not only giving safe haven to the terrorists, in the final chapter, they were caught assisting them during an actual assault! I kept asking myself “can this really be happening?” To be fair, the ANA fought alongside their Marine cadre bravely and Abdul the interpreter gave his life for the cause. Also, there was an instance of a tribal elder who risked his life to give the Outlaws advance warning of a Taliban offensive. But still, it sounds a lot like Vietnam with less vegetation and Allah. Read Outlaw Platoon. I finished it in week. It was hard to put down.
(less)

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Jun 18, 2012 Alison rated it 5 of 5 stars

What a moving first hand account of what it's really like to be fighting the war in Afghanistan. This true life story hooked me from page one. It was difficult reading what our young soldiers are going through in Afghanistan. The heat, the cold, the lack of supplies (how dare we send troops to foreign soil without proper equipment, armament, housing etc), the living conditions, the faceless enemy. It was truly amazing, in spite of the lack of support our troops receive from our own government, h...more

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May 08, 2012 karl rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is written from the platoon (30 guys) Lt's recall of his unit's stay in very Eastern Afganistan in 2006-7. There are a number of fairly major battles with the Taliban, and your heart is beating because you begin to realize the enemy is well trained, well equipped, and motivated. The American's access to air support and overwhelming precise rocket/bombing strikes is a huge advantage. The sense one gets in reading this book is how much Parnell wants to be perceived as a good, fair, level-head...more

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Mar 12, 2012 Theri Grevelis rated it 5 of 5 stars

I finished this book about 10 minutes ago; I had to take a few deep breaths and pull myself together. Sean Parnell writes a gripping and detailed account of his thoughts, his men, his sadness and his joy while on deployment in Afghanistan in the Hindu Kush. This book is extremely well written and flows smoothly. I started and ended this book in less than two days. I have recently read several really good books about the Iraq and Afghanistan wars from the writers first hand POV and this one thoug...more I finished this book about 10 minutes ago; I had to take a few deep breaths and pull myself together. Sean Parnell writes a gripping and detailed account of his thoughts, his men, his sadness and his joy while on deployment in Afghanistan in the Hindu Kush. This book is extremely well written and flows smoothly. I started and ended this book in less than two days. I have recently read several really good books about the Iraq and Afghanistan wars from the writers first hand POV and this one though from a different perspective easily stands with them. This book exposes things about the war that on some level I am sure had heard about at one time or another but truly had no true understanding of. I cannot tell you how many times my heart broke and tears poured down my cheeks. I feel like I got to know Outlaw Platoon personally and with every battle I could feel my chest get tight in fear for all the guys that I felt like I knew intimately. I feel like I laughed with them, cried with them, was frustrated with them, was heart sick and injured with them, each time Sean would describe the scenes around him I felt actual fear or joy, or frustration or gut wrenching sadness. I was completely drawn in to the book and in to Sean's leadership. I am so glad these guys and many like them have each other in a time that was so horrific I doubt the average person (myself) could endure it. I cried so hard for the fallen men my family thought I had lost a dear friend.
I find myself wondering how everyone is doing now and pray that they are all healthy and living happy and full lives. To Sean and all of Outlaw Platoon Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for your sacrifices. Thank you for standing and fighting for a belief in freedom that many have taken for granted. You will always be in my heart and will be held in my utmost of gratitude.
If you have any desire to know what these brave men go through READ this book. Even if you don't have any desire to know, READ this book anyway. It is an eye and heart opener.(less)

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Theri Grevelis I finished this book about 10 minutes ago; I had to take a few deep breaths and pull myself together. Sean Parnell writes a gripping and detailed acco...more I finished this book about 10 minutes ago; I had to take a few deep breaths and pull myself together. Sean Parnell writes a gripping and detailed account of his thoughts, his men, his sadness and his joy while on deployment in Afghanistan in the Hindu Kush. This book is extremely well written and flows smoothly. I started and ended this book in less than two days. I have recently read several really good books about the Iraq and Afghanistan wars from the writers first hand POV and this one though from a different perspective easily stands with them. This book exposes things about the war that on some level I am sure had heard about at one time or another but truly had no true understanding of. I cannot tell you how many time s my heart broke and tears poured down my cheeks. I feel like I got to know Outlaw Platoon personally and with every battle I could feel my chest get tight in fear for all the guys that I felt like I knew intimately. I feel like I laughed with them, cried with them, was frustrated with them, was heart sick and injured with them, each time Sean would describe the scenes around him I felt actual fear or joy, or frustration or gut wrenching sadness. I was completely drawn in to the book and in to Sean’s leadership. I am so glad these guys and many like them have each other in a time that was so horrific I doubt the average person (myself) could endure it. I cried so hard for the fallen men my family thought I had lost a dear friend.
I find myself wondering how everyone is doing now and pray that they are all healthy and living happy and full lives. To Sean and all of Outlaw Platoon Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for your sacrifices. Thank you for standing and fighting for a belief in freedom that many have taken for granted. You will always be in my heart and will be held in my utmost of gratitude.
If you have any desire to know what these brave men go through READ this book. Even if you don’t have any desire to know, READ this book anyway. It is an eye and heart opener.(less)
Mar 12, 2012 11:43am

Feb 11, 2013 Anne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wow. This is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time. Sean Parnell takes you right into the heart of the battles he and his men fought and it makes for a riveting read. There were times I could not put the book down, I had to find out what happened to these brave men who went through hell for our country.

What impressed me the most about the book was Parnell's descriptions of all of the different men who made up his platoon. They are a fascinating group of personalities and I ca...more

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Jan 21, 2013 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: biography-memoir, ebook, gulf-war, history, military-or-war

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I'm a Veterans History Project (VHP) Official Founding Partner and highly recommend this well-written, searingly vivid memoir. The VHP's mission is to capture and share the stories of America's military veterans (and of their families and civilian contributors to America's military and defense efforts) in their own words. In "Outlaw Platoon", Sean Parnell, with help from the excellent military writer John R. Bruning and Parnell's platoon brothers, did this in spades, aptly documenting the words,...more

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Apr 09, 2013 Sarah Eiseman rated it 4 of 5 stars

Originally posted on Sarahsbookshelf.com:

These past few months I’ve been making an effort to better understand many of the challenges that our service men and women face, both in training and on the battlefield. This book was written by Sean Parnell, with John R. Bruning, and recounts Parnell’s time as the LT for the Outlaw Platoon while serving in Afghanistan following September 11.

This book was excellent, and I truly don’t want to diminish any of the stories within, but I found myself on more...more Originally posted on Sarahsbookshelf.com:

These past few months I’ve been making an effort to better understand many of the challenges that our service men and women face, both in training and on the battlefield. This book was written by Sean Parnell, with John R. Bruning, and recounts Parnell’s time as the LT for the Outlaw Platoon while serving in Afghanistan following September 11.

This book was excellent, and I truly don’t want to diminish any of the stories within, but I found myself on more than one occasion scratching my head about the actions of our military at large. Parnell does an excellent job of explaining many of the reasons that those in charge either did, or did not, do something, whether for political or other reasons. I sometimes wonder too about the training that leaders get when they move up the ranks within the military. From Parnell's perspective, it seems in many ways to be very similar to the crap shoot that the rest of the working world faces with regard to bosses either being really good or really bad. Unfortunately, those in charge in the military have lives on the line, which troubles me personally.

Parnell details the day-to-day struggles this platoon dealt with and the challenges of dealing with an enemy that followed no rules. What I’ve found interesting in reading books such as this is that we really take for granted the concept of service, loyalty, and country. These are not universal concepts, which unfortunately becomes apparent in war situations like Afghanistan. There were also a few times in the book that I cringed about Parnell’s experiences. Not just the gory details of war, but of the interpersonal conflicts associated with military work, the politics, and the cultural differences.

This book was an excellent look at the challenges our service members face. Parnell’s mentality of leading by example I felt was refreshing to read about, and it also gives non-military folk some ideas to use in their own lives. Solid read.(less)

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Feb 20, 2013 Jeff rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Sean Parnell's account of his platoon's deployment to Afghanistan is one of the best (if not the best) of all of the modern war memoir's I've read (and there have been many). Parnell successfully takes you inside the mind of the U.S. Infantry solider while also providing a nail-biting account of the many incredibly violent firefights their platoon went through. There are some pretty grisly situations that come up that aren't for the faint of heart, but after finishing the book I think it should...more

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Jul 22, 2012 Brad H rated it 5 of 5 stars

I first became aware of this book through his interview on the Opie and Anthony show on XM radio. After listening to his candid interview and his self-deprecating attitude I was drawn to this book.

As a vetran of Desert Storm and desert Shield, I have a "slight" insight into how are men and women do their job. I can hold no candle to what I did versus what they have done and continue to do. I continus to support and cherish them in my heart and mind and hold them all with utmost respect and honor...more

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Sep 02, 2012 Samuel Anderson rated it 5 of 5 stars

I thought that this was a very moving and eye openning book. It is well written and pulls the reader in to the life of the author. It reminded me that no one should be subjected to the horrors of warfare. It also openned my eyes to the degree of sacrifice those who are subjected to warfare give selflessly to others. The men and women of the military are worthy of our utmost thanks and respect. The book also sheds light on the insanity of circumstances that led our young men and women to be place...more

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Jun 18, 2012 Jim rated it 5 of 5 stars

The title made me first think the book would be about a bunch of rouge soldiers doing bad things in Afghanistan. Outlaw platoon was actually the name the soldiers gave to themselves: 1st platoon within a regiment of the Army's 10th Mountain Division. The book is narrated by their new CO, Lt Sean Parnell describing their time in eastern Afghanistan during the time in 2007-08 when the Taliban was making a big resurgence in the area of Hindu Kush. This book offers a much different perspective than...more

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Apr 02, 2012 Ethan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 4th-quarter-ind-rdg

This book was a great read. It tells the story of an Army Ranger captain leading 40 elite soldiers near the Afghanistan/Pakistan border during the middle of the War on Terror. Part of what made this story so interesting is the fact that the author reported that his base was constantly attacked from positions in Pakistan, showing that allies aren't always doing what they say they are. Another way the book captures such a strong sense of rawness and authenticity is the fact that the author is an a...more

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Mar 10, 2012 Donna rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

Recommended to Donna by: I saw it in an airport bookstore

How do you write a review for such a book, I struggle to find the words. As the mother of an infantryman who will be back in Afghanistan within a matter of days, the book frightened me, it broke my heart, and I wept a time or two in the reading of it. Yet it gave me a glimpse into the life of the Infantry, helped me to understand why it is difficult for these men we love to share their experiences. It made me proud and grateful that such men live, and it made me yearn for peace. The story of Out...more

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Dec 30, 2012 Vince rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, military, non-fiction

It is the seamless window into Parnell's mind that captures you and does not let you go. From wicked terror in the first person to a dream flashback of family outings, or remembrances of a dinner that put you INTO his head and creates a roller-coaster anxiety for the reader. You can sense his desperation NOT to remember such things, because they can distract you to your death bead. You can almost smell the acrid sweat and cordite, feel the explosions, and pull you arm away when the shrapnel hits...more

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Jul 09, 2012 Franz rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is destined to be a combat classic. Parnell was the leader of an army platoon that patrolled the mountains and valleys of eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistani border in 2006. Incredibly well-written, the book describes both the gradual scouring of his basic humanity and the intense emotional bond formed among the men he led. As gripping as any novel, Parnell describes the battles in extraordinary detail. His portraits of some his men paint them in bright and memorable hues. Each has...more

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Feb 07, 2012 Justin Yan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction, biographies-autobiographies-memoi, arc

Well I won't be giving many more books 5 stars from now on, but this book actually deserved a full rating. Everything else that I like will reach a maximum of 4 stars, and only those books that really please me will get 5 stars. This book is truly a special pick, even among the many military related personal narratives I have read. I have to say that this really urged me to keep reading farther and farther instead of trying to finish it so I can read the next book, write a review, and win more b

...more

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Jun 11, 2012 Keith Johnson rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'll start with the good, of which there is much to talk about. A few notes: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Parnell's recollection and story-telling is outstanding. I felt as though I was fighting alongside those brave men, immersed in Parnell's world. Letting us inside his head is a rare thing, and I appreciated that. This book is so much better written than the more widely known Seal Team Six and conveys more emotion and understanding.

Now, on to the negative. Certain metaphors were amateuris...more

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Feb 21, 2013 Dick rated it 3 of 5 stars

iPad Read: This is the story of a platoon leader of an infantry unit in Afghanistan - his tour was close to a year and a half. It is well written - moves along nicely - is pretty graphic and tells some of the story of the poor civilians who are mere pawns in this unending war. The enemy does not come across very well - pretty brutal and uncivilized. As you read this book it seems like it is less than subtle with regard to the leadership in the civilian government and specificallly the president...more

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Nov 06, 2012 Mike Veliky rated it 5 of 5 stars

For anyone who really wants to know what our military is going through in Afghanistan should really read this book. Warning the writing is very graphic but needs to be to tell this story. With each chapter you got to learn more about the men of this special platoon. It was a book I could not put down. I felt like I was with them on the patrols and missions. A true band of brothers in a land of so much hatred and danger this platoons goal was to defeat the enemy and never leave a man behind. With...more

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Jan 19, 2013 Wayne rated it 3 of 5 stars

In a democratic society it is important to understand the people who are affected by our decisions, especially those who we send to die for our causes.

Outlaw platoon is a matter of fact recounting of one goups deployment into afghanistan. It reveals the dangers they face, not just against Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters, but from our supposed allies, and Crocodiles posing as interpreters; and even the so called "Fobbits" who can destroy Morale with one careless action. This story show's all the p...more

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Dec 27, 2012 Michael rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: hookah

هذا هو كتاب الحرب جيدة، ولكن أنا دونو إذا كان يستحق goodreads 4،46 تعطي حاليا. بعض من ذكريات الحرب العالمية الثانية التي لا معدل للغاية، وأنهم الكلاسيكية التي لا تزال الناس قراءة 70 عاما بعد الحرب. و"الخارجة عن القانون فصيلة" لا تزال تقرأ في 2082؟ هيا الناس ... لا تخلط بين "خمس نجوم" مع الفرد "خمس نجوم" الكتاب - وهذه هي شيئين مختلفين. لا يجوز لأي شخص التسرع في بيت الأطفال والإنقاذ حرق، ولكن هذا لا يعني بالضرورة أنها كاتبة الرائعة والخالدة.

لا أستطيع تحديد بالفعل عيب واحد: بارنيل يحتفظ مهاجمة 'fob...more

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title link	preview: Outlaw Platoon: Heroes, Renegades, Infidels, and the Brotherhood of War in Afghanistan
avg rating	preview: Outlaw Platoon: Heroes, Renegades, Infidels, and the Brotherhood of War in Afghanistan Goodreads rating: 4.41 (934 ratings)
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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12990404-outlaw-platoon?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1353154399l/12990404.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12990404-outlaw-platoon?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Outlaw Platoon: Heroes, Renegades, Infidels, and the Brotherhood of War in Afghanistan by Sean Parnell[/url]

Outlaw Platoon: Heroes, Renegades, Infidels, and the Brotherhood of War in Afghanistan

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