Desert of Death

by Leo Docherty

This is a devastating first-hand account of the current war in Afghanistan. "Desert of Death" is a brilliantly vivid on-the-ground report of the events which led to the fiercest fighting faced by UK troops since the Korean War. It is a story of bravery and making-do, of farce and misadventure, and above all it is an unforgettable story of war in the twenty-first century.

Genres: War, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 3, 2008

Reviews

[Tim Corke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leo Docherty's honest portrayal as a British serviceman on duty presents another view of the distant campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq - a side that is often overlooked in mainstream media. Docherty's position as an infantry Captain normally would prevent him from speaking out against the Army's strategic aims and operations overseas but his personal frustration and worry about the decisions and orders that are given to him, override his military training and prompted this book.

As with any individual perspective it has to be given some context yet Docherty's story stands out as he tries to balance his own views with that of others around him. His emotions are conflicting with senior leaders wanting to achieve quick wins, some of his colleagues just want to do their job, whilst his Afghani colleagues simply disappear back to their homes and families.

It's a controversial book, yet it will ring true to the views of many British people wondering what the value and purpose of distant military campaigns is. Personally, I'd need to read other books from the campaign to really understand this perspective, but ultimately the book is well written, brutally honest and gives an original perspective that can only help others to make their own minds up.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by a guy who obviously has a lot of interest in the region and the well being of the people. We see how very quickly he realises that he (and of course all the British people) were sold a pup. The high and mighty talk of going to Afghanistan and Iraq and bringing about change for the better by the British and American governments is what we the people always knew, a load of bullshit. What we actually have are brave British soldiers in the middle of the shit with clueless leaders being led by clueless governments. The Afghans will never give up opium and frankly what the f**k is it to do with us? Without a viable alternative the whole plan is a joke. Then to misunderstand how the country works, and that they were being used to sort out local power struggles for often corrupt violent local government officials. This isn't the first world, far from it. To gain power in places like Afghanistan you have to be more violent and more evil than the rest and they also have no morals swapping sides as it suits them. Leo Docherty did something that the majority of British soldiers I am sure would have loved to do. He stood up, and said enough this is bullshit, stop the roundabout I want to get off. And still the establishment think they have a right to involve innocent civilians in the power struggles of people who where doing much better until we turned up.