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To Quell The Korengal
From the deployment that brought you In 2007, the U.S. 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 a war could love. Though equally appealing to combat-hardened readers, 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.
399 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 10, 2015
193 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 17, 2018
An absolute "Must read!"
This is a well written,if sometimes littered with American slang,and eye opening book. Leftards and libtards will hate it but patriots with open minds will see what life in Afghanistan was really like for troops. They were lambs led to slaughter but they never gave up and every single one was a hero. The book tells the truth about life in a primitive Muslim country. It pulls no punches and I'm pleased that I read it.
This is a well written,if sometimes littered with American slang,and eye opening book. Leftards and libtards will hate it but patriots with open minds will see what life in Afghanistan was really like for troops. They were lambs led to slaughter but they never gave up and every single one was a hero. The book tells the truth about life in a primitive Muslim country. It pulls no punches and I'm pleased that I read it.
December 6, 2016
Great anecdotal summary of life in action in one of the most dangerous valleys in the world. Very raw, captivating and also very humorous at times. If you're interested in the day-to-day life in heavy modern day combat, and if you enjoy documentaries such a Restrepo and Korengal, I highly recommend this book.
March 8, 2019
What a story!!!
Wow. The good Sgt. (I’m assuming he finally got his promotion paperwork) has an amazing story to tell and boy can he tell it. This man can WRITE! I have never read a first hand account of combat this well written. He really puts you there in the thick of it and it’s the most honest, politically incorrect, tell it like it is book I’ve read in a long time. Thank you Sir. I’ll buy and read anything else you write.
Wow. The good Sgt. (I’m assuming he finally got his promotion paperwork) has an amazing story to tell and boy can he tell it. This man can WRITE! I have never read a first hand account of combat this well written. He really puts you there in the thick of it and it’s the most honest, politically incorrect, tell it like it is book I’ve read in a long time. Thank you Sir. I’ll buy and read anything else you write.
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November 6, 2019The realities of war
I'm not sure if I've ever read a more eloquent description of what the frontline troops, the "Joes" as it were have to contend with on a daily basis while at war. It's a perspective that only a true combat veteren from the enlisted ranks who also happens to have a genuine knack for succinct writing could tell and in such a humorous, tragic,and gut-wrenching manner.
I'm not sure if I've ever read a more eloquent description of what the frontline troops, the "Joes" as it were have to contend with on a daily basis while at war. It's a perspective that only a true combat veteren from the enlisted ranks who also happens to have a genuine knack for succinct writing could tell and in such a humorous, tragic,and gut-wrenching manner.
July 20, 2021
The only reason for four instead of five stars is because this was hard to read coming from a non-military background. I was familiar with some of the terminology, and Shaddix did a wonderful job explaining it all, but it took a bit to digest. That said, this is arguably a must read. This book hit close to home, but I will be thinking about it long after I’ve finished it for many more reasons than that. The last two chapters especially stuck with me. Highly, highly, highly recommend.
September 8, 2022
Perfect rendition…read this book
Getting shot at everyday for a year certainly changed me….I wish I’d had this book before I came home.
Shadix is one of the best communicators to come out of the Afghanistan War.
I was lucky to have highly competent Officers in my chain of command.
Huey Gunships RVN 1969-70. SS, DFC
Getting shot at everyday for a year certainly changed me….I wish I’d had this book before I came home.
Shadix is one of the best communicators to come out of the Afghanistan War.
I was lucky to have highly competent Officers in my chain of command.
Huey Gunships RVN 1969-70. SS, DFC
March 29, 2019
Excellent
Readers beware; once you start reading this book you won’t be able too put it down. One of the best if not the best non fiction books I’ve read about the United States war in Afghanistan.
Readers beware; once you start reading this book you won’t be able too put it down. One of the best if not the best non fiction books I’ve read about the United States war in Afghanistan.
April 28, 2019
Outstanding Read
A true "Grunts eye view" of the war in Afghanistan. A MUST read by anyone interested in modern infantry combat against a determined insurgency. Darren Shadix is a Great American.
A true "Grunts eye view" of the war in Afghanistan. A MUST read by anyone interested in modern infantry combat against a determined insurgency. Darren Shadix is a Great American.
November 16, 2021
15 months of hell
Extremely well written and edited. I only found one spelling error! I finally think I have an inkling of what our war in Afghanistan is/was. Thank you for your service, Mr. Shadix.
Extremely well written and edited. I only found one spelling error! I finally think I have an inkling of what our war in Afghanistan is/was. Thank you for your service, Mr. Shadix.
February 25, 2026
Extremely well-written. A no-holds barred look at one of those overlong tours the Yanks put upon their men. Fifteen months away from home and firefights most days. Shows that special forces do not have the monopoly on resilience.
May 11, 2018
Great American Soldier
Everyone enlisting in the Army should read this book to get a real, no bullshit idea what combat arms is all about.
Everyone enlisting in the Army should read this book to get a real, no bullshit idea what combat arms is all about.
May 7, 2019
Great book
I really enjoyed reading this book. The author did a great job of summing up his experiences in the Korengal.
I really enjoyed reading this book. The author did a great job of summing up his experiences in the Korengal.
June 15, 2019
Raw, Direct, Emotional. These words describes the Author's personal description of infantry warfare in an unforgiving environment against a radical enemy.
June 15, 2019
A true tale of infantry
The down and dirty everyday life of an outpost in Afghanistan that served little purpose along with orders that match
The down and dirty everyday life of an outpost in Afghanistan that served little purpose along with orders that match
November 18, 2019
Great grunt point of view.
Insight to what the troops are really doing and thinking. Most war books are not written from the real fighters point of view
Insight to what the troops are really doing and thinking. Most war books are not written from the real fighters point of view
February 2, 2022
hands down best book real deal
Spadix nails the days for a grunt or joe and the mystery of military decision making. It was my experience exactly.
Spadix nails the days for a grunt or joe and the mystery of military decision making. It was my experience exactly.
October 31, 2024
Interesting. Vulgar. Guy hates officers. Guy becomes more mellow when he becomes a noncom. The description of the situation in Afghanistan is portrayed in stark detail.
March 20, 2017
Though The Eyes of a Soldier You would have to have been there. Or served elsewhere.
This 173rd Airborne Soldier tells his sorry as he seen it. It makes you feel like you would wanted to serve there with him with pride. Though there's a lot of people that couldn't handle it. My hats off to you friend.
This 173rd Airborne Soldier tells his sorry as he seen it. It makes you feel like you would wanted to serve there with him with pride. Though there's a lot of people that couldn't handle it. My hats off to you friend.
November 11, 2019
Every War has itˋs “greatest book about the .... War”. Classics like “Helmet for my pillow”, “A Bright Shining Lie” and many more.
This is my contender for the War in Afghanistan.
Raw, from the heart, direct, no Bullshit.
Whatˋs even more fascinating: those foot soldiers saw that this conflict is unwinable back in 2009.
Because the solution is not a military one, but a political problem.
Now in 2019 we can look back and see that even more clearly.
The Americans are having talks with the Taliban about basically handing them back the country.
All the fighting and bombing going on right now is just meant to improve the negotiating power of the party dropping the bombs.
Letˋs call it Vietnam II and end it.
This is my contender for the War in Afghanistan.
Raw, from the heart, direct, no Bullshit.
Whatˋs even more fascinating: those foot soldiers saw that this conflict is unwinable back in 2009.
Because the solution is not a military one, but a political problem.
Now in 2019 we can look back and see that even more clearly.
The Americans are having talks with the Taliban about basically handing them back the country.
All the fighting and bombing going on right now is just meant to improve the negotiating power of the party dropping the bombs.
Letˋs call it Vietnam II and end it.
February 23, 2016
Must read book for all Americans
I hope the author considers writing other books: children's books, mystery novels, history, no matter, because he has a great gift. The author wrote about his experience in Afghanistan and life in a very isolated base where showers came once a month, firefights were common, a hot meal was rare, a full nights sleep was rare, and morale was high.
His book illustrates what is wrong with today's army, with soldier's not wanting to go out on patrols and high ranking officer's putting the lives of their men in jeopardy. In one case, nine America's died , and all this while the authors unit were two weeks from having served their allotted time in country. What a waste? The author writes in the style of Michael Herr, "Dispatches", and Joseph Wambaugh, " the choirboys". I love dark humor and so I highly recommend this book. It should be required reading by every soldier going through OCS and every high school senior, as a reminder that we are a nation at war and America's are dying every day in combat.
I hope the author considers writing other books: children's books, mystery novels, history, no matter, because he has a great gift. The author wrote about his experience in Afghanistan and life in a very isolated base where showers came once a month, firefights were common, a hot meal was rare, a full nights sleep was rare, and morale was high.
His book illustrates what is wrong with today's army, with soldier's not wanting to go out on patrols and high ranking officer's putting the lives of their men in jeopardy. In one case, nine America's died , and all this while the authors unit were two weeks from having served their allotted time in country. What a waste? The author writes in the style of Michael Herr, "Dispatches", and Joseph Wambaugh, " the choirboys". I love dark humor and so I highly recommend this book. It should be required reading by every soldier going through OCS and every high school senior, as a reminder that we are a nation at war and America's are dying every day in combat.
April 22, 2020
I enjoyed reading this book but originally wanted give it only three stars. Book was a bit hard to get into based on the way it was broken up. To much detail some parts... not enough in others..hard to keep focused on the connection of events through out. My first read on actions in Afghan. Good from an infantryman point of view. Decided to give it four stars as I got to the end where he paid homage to the 173rd Abn Bde soldiers that served long before him. That was a fine thing to do.
This old soldier was one of them. Served in the 173rd on my third tour in Nam. First was MAAG in 63, second was MACV in 64-65, and third was with the Herd in 67-68. Went thru Battle of the Slopes, Dak To, TET, any more contacts of smaller nature. Proudly earned my CIB. Many thanks to this author for remembering us.
This book is about his service in the best Airborne Infantry Brigade ever formed in the US Army!
Enjoy the read....
This old soldier was one of them. Served in the 173rd on my third tour in Nam. First was MAAG in 63, second was MACV in 64-65, and third was with the Herd in 67-68. Went thru Battle of the Slopes, Dak To, TET, any more contacts of smaller nature. Proudly earned my CIB. Many thanks to this author for remembering us.
This book is about his service in the best Airborne Infantry Brigade ever formed in the US Army!
Enjoy the read....
May 10, 2019
A soldier in Korengal, Afghanistan's view of events in probably the most dangerous part of the 18+ year old conflict. Interesting watching his personal progression from from young soldier through grizzled veteran to competent junior leader, but the focus is really on the small-scale (individual, squad, and company) level actions. The elements of incompetent-Brigade-and-higher leadership decisions, amazing sacrifice by individuals, harsh environment, etc. are all there. The last 10% of the book is particularly good (going to Wanat to recover a position which had been nearly overrun by the enemy, followed by his reflections on returning to the Korengal, his unit's redeployment to Italy, and the subsequent US withdrawal from the Korengal).
March 23, 2016
Read this now, they make me proud to be American
What a great book , the way it was written, the small details of everyday life, living under the a lot of military b.s., the absolute dangerous patrols they did, I could continue this run on sentence forever and not do justice for the book. I was in the army from 1966 to 1969 so I know a little about the army, no combat though since they changed my orders to go to Korea from Vietnam. I wish nothing but good things for all those who went to combat anywhere but especially the ones that were stuck in Afghanistan and Iraq, a thankless cesspool of humanity.
What a great book , the way it was written, the small details of everyday life, living under the a lot of military b.s., the absolute dangerous patrols they did, I could continue this run on sentence forever and not do justice for the book. I was in the army from 1966 to 1969 so I know a little about the army, no combat though since they changed my orders to go to Korea from Vietnam. I wish nothing but good things for all those who went to combat anywhere but especially the ones that were stuck in Afghanistan and Iraq, a thankless cesspool of humanity.
January 27, 2016
The life and growth of a sky soldier.
At first I thought, what a whiner. I know this story as the parents of one of the people who was there with you. Than I noticed a Chang in your attitude. And I realized, I've been comparing my time in another theatre of action so you have awakened those feelings. I guess this is a side effect of your writing. Well done young son. I learned more than our son has ever shared. Thank you. I am guessing that you are out .I wish you well in your future. It gets better. y
At first I thought, what a whiner. I know this story as the parents of one of the people who was there with you. Than I noticed a Chang in your attitude. And I realized, I've been comparing my time in another theatre of action so you have awakened those feelings. I guess this is a side effect of your writing. Well done young son. I learned more than our son has ever shared. Thank you. I am guessing that you are out .I wish you well in your future. It gets better. y
February 22, 2016
Not pulling punches
I gave this 4 stars because I felt it was well written, and the author was very candid about his feelings. This book really connected me with the soldiers , they were a lot more human than some other books I have read. This is due in part to the author showing us the good and the bad, the truth of these men. Not a crew of manscaped one dimensional heroes, but a bunch of dirty, underpaid and overworked guys who stepped up and got it done.
I gave this 4 stars because I felt it was well written, and the author was very candid about his feelings. This book really connected me with the soldiers , they were a lot more human than some other books I have read. This is due in part to the author showing us the good and the bad, the truth of these men. Not a crew of manscaped one dimensional heroes, but a bunch of dirty, underpaid and overworked guys who stepped up and got it done.
March 7, 2019
Worth a read
Definitely worth the read! Thanks for allowing me to read and experience your journey. Thank you for your service from aus.
Definitely worth the read! Thanks for allowing me to read and experience your journey. Thank you for your service from aus.
March 24, 2016
Good Story
Didn't realize the efforts the American combat units went to in Afghanistan. The book is a good portrayal.
Makes you realize whatever veterans have been through
Didn't realize the efforts the American combat units went to in Afghanistan. The book is a good portrayal.
Makes you realize whatever veterans have been through
April 15, 2016
Vietnam Without The Jungle
REMINDS me of the Roung Roung Valley and the A Shaun Valley in Northern I Corp in 1968-69 without the jungle.
REMINDS me of the Roung Roung Valley and the A Shaun Valley in Northern I Corp in 1968-69 without the jungle.
April 19, 2016
Good book
Many typos, and incorrectly used words (palette instead of pallet for one example), but a heart-felt story of one mans experience all the same.
Many typos, and incorrectly used words (palette instead of pallet for one example), but a heart-felt story of one mans experience all the same.
August 12, 2016
Great book
Great book, very quick and easy read. Explicitly written from the eyes of the front line. Recommended reading for anyone with interest in military stories
Great book, very quick and easy read. Explicitly written from the eyes of the front line. Recommended reading for anyone with interest in military stories
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews