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Blindsided by the Taliban: A Journalist’s Story of War, Trauma, Love, and Loss
I turn to see a rocket-propelled grenade screaming toward me. The ordinance strikes me in the side of the head, instantly blinding me in one eye and crushing the right side of my face.
On September 9, 2010, while embedded with an Army unit and talking with locals in a small village in eastern Afghanistan, journalist Carmen Gentile was struck in the face by a rocket-propelled grenade. Inexplicably, the grenade did not explode and Gentile survived, albeit with the right side of his face shattered and blinded in one eye. Making matters worse, his engagement was on the ropes and his fiancee absent from his bedside.
Kissed by the Taliban chronicles the author's numerous missteps and shortcomings while coming to terms with injury and a lost love. Inventive and unprecedented surgeries would ultimately save Gentile's face and eyesight, but the depression and trauma that followed his physical and emotional injuries proved a much harder recovery. Ultimately, Gentile would find that returning to the front lines and continuing the work he loved was the only way to become whole again.
Gentile recounts the physical and mental recovery which included a month of staring only at the ground on doctors' orders, a battle with opiate-induced constipation and a history of drug addiction, night terrors born of post-traumatic stress, the Jedi-like powers of General David Petraeus, and finding normalcy under falling mortars in an Afghan valley. The result is an unapologetic, self-deprecating, occasionally cringeworthy, and always candid account of loss and redemption.
Kissed by the Taliban also features the author's photos from the field that depict the realities of life in Afghanistan for soldiers and civilians alike.
On September 9, 2010, while embedded with an Army unit and talking with locals in a small village in eastern Afghanistan, journalist Carmen Gentile was struck in the face by a rocket-propelled grenade. Inexplicably, the grenade did not explode and Gentile survived, albeit with the right side of his face shattered and blinded in one eye. Making matters worse, his engagement was on the ropes and his fiancee absent from his bedside.
Kissed by the Taliban chronicles the author's numerous missteps and shortcomings while coming to terms with injury and a lost love. Inventive and unprecedented surgeries would ultimately save Gentile's face and eyesight, but the depression and trauma that followed his physical and emotional injuries proved a much harder recovery. Ultimately, Gentile would find that returning to the front lines and continuing the work he loved was the only way to become whole again.
Gentile recounts the physical and mental recovery which included a month of staring only at the ground on doctors' orders, a battle with opiate-induced constipation and a history of drug addiction, night terrors born of post-traumatic stress, the Jedi-like powers of General David Petraeus, and finding normalcy under falling mortars in an Afghan valley. The result is an unapologetic, self-deprecating, occasionally cringeworthy, and always candid account of loss and redemption.
Kissed by the Taliban also features the author's photos from the field that depict the realities of life in Afghanistan for soldiers and civilians alike.
- GenresNonfictionWarHistory
240 pages, Hardcover
First published March 6, 2018
46 people are currently reading
568 people want to read
About the author
Carmen Gentile
4 books30 followersMy new book "Blindsided by the Taliban" is a dark-humor retelling of my unusual injury while reporting in Afghanistan. I was shot in the side of the head with an rocket-propelled grenade that didn't detonate, though blinded me in one eye and crushed the side of my face.
As I reporter, my work has appeared in The New York Times, Esquire, USA Today and numerous other publications.
As I reporter, my work has appeared in The New York Times, Esquire, USA Today and numerous other publications.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 3, 2019
“I think my face might be broken”
While embedded in a US platoon in Sep-2010, Carmen Gentile, a freelance journalist, takes a rocket from an RPG to the face (yep, you read that correctly) while they were walking around a village in the Kunar province of Afghanistan. The rocket does not explode and he survives. Unreal. Carmen tells the story in all its gory detail. It is very gory indeed.
The story he tells is honest and raw. So honest that I am sure some reading this will not take an instant liking to Carmen. He does come over as a little brash and uncouth (British understatement). Whether you take to Carmen or not the story is absolutely incredible.
It whips back and forth in short sharp chapters of him being injured and receiving treatment to him meeting his federal agent girlfriend who would become his fiancée. I must admit that the relationship issues held no interest whatsoever for me. I understand that they were part of his life but they were tiresome. I much more enjoyed the scenes in Afghanistan when he gets back out there.
Even though I said the story is incredible I personally did not really take to the book. I was expecting a much more erudite piece from a journalist.
While embedded in a US platoon in Sep-2010, Carmen Gentile, a freelance journalist, takes a rocket from an RPG to the face (yep, you read that correctly) while they were walking around a village in the Kunar province of Afghanistan. The rocket does not explode and he survives. Unreal. Carmen tells the story in all its gory detail. It is very gory indeed.
The story he tells is honest and raw. So honest that I am sure some reading this will not take an instant liking to Carmen. He does come over as a little brash and uncouth (British understatement). Whether you take to Carmen or not the story is absolutely incredible.
It whips back and forth in short sharp chapters of him being injured and receiving treatment to him meeting his federal agent girlfriend who would become his fiancée. I must admit that the relationship issues held no interest whatsoever for me. I understand that they were part of his life but they were tiresome. I much more enjoyed the scenes in Afghanistan when he gets back out there.
Even though I said the story is incredible I personally did not really take to the book. I was expecting a much more erudite piece from a journalist.
July 29, 2019
Blindsided by the Taliban: A Journalist's Story of War, Trauma, Love, and Loss is Carmen Gentile's first novel. Blindsided will produce a wide range of feelings while reading this memoir; feelings of heartbreak, despair, but most importantly, a sense of hope. I have always held our brave fighting men and women in the highest esteem. After reading this story, I came away with a newfound respect for the journalists that are embedded with them in some of the worst situations imaginable.
Although Gentile is a seasoned, accomplished journalist, it does not make him automatically a good novelist. But, this book did surprise me; you might even say I was blindsided. Blindsided is not my typical go-to book and is totally out of my comfort range. I was pleasantly surprised by Gentile's no-nonsense, honest writing style. I am not a fan of the fluff that most journalists feed the American public. This book was far from said fluff, it was raw, honest, at times shocking, with a hefty dose of self-deprecating humor. Gentile takes the reader deep into his struggles and lays everything out there for all of us to read. From his heroin addiction, his many failures with women, (sorry Carmen) to his efforts with mentally and physically dealing with a life-changing event. Gentile was struck in the side of the head with an RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) while embedded with a US platoon in the Kunar Province, Eastern Afghanistan. I would say that he is one lucky f…..!
Gentile uses a "Dateline" style of writing, giving each chapter a time and place reference. Life is not static; we are always looking back on what has happened in our life- what we could have done better, done differently. I felt this format was an excellent way for Gentile to tell his story. But, it is not just his story that he is telling us. We get a sometimes horrific, sometimes hilarious glimpse of what it must be like for our troops in these war-torn countries. I found that Gentile has the utmost respect for the soldiers that he was embedded with, and portrayed them with the utmost reverence.
Blindsided by the Taliban is the type of book that will stay with you for many years. It's a book that makes you take a long hard look at your life. It helps you appreciate the enormous sacrifices that not only our troops make daily but also the journalists reporting from those same front lines. In my opinion, this book was not written to elicit pity, actually the complete opposite. Carmen says it perfectly.
"But here, among the Marines and soldiers I've spent much of the summer with, I've finally got it back.
Oddly, only in Afghanistan am I able to really laugh again."
I highly recommend this book. Carmen Gentile, you have put my faith back into journalism. Well done!
Although Gentile is a seasoned, accomplished journalist, it does not make him automatically a good novelist. But, this book did surprise me; you might even say I was blindsided. Blindsided is not my typical go-to book and is totally out of my comfort range. I was pleasantly surprised by Gentile's no-nonsense, honest writing style. I am not a fan of the fluff that most journalists feed the American public. This book was far from said fluff, it was raw, honest, at times shocking, with a hefty dose of self-deprecating humor. Gentile takes the reader deep into his struggles and lays everything out there for all of us to read. From his heroin addiction, his many failures with women, (sorry Carmen) to his efforts with mentally and physically dealing with a life-changing event. Gentile was struck in the side of the head with an RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) while embedded with a US platoon in the Kunar Province, Eastern Afghanistan. I would say that he is one lucky f…..!
Gentile uses a "Dateline" style of writing, giving each chapter a time and place reference. Life is not static; we are always looking back on what has happened in our life- what we could have done better, done differently. I felt this format was an excellent way for Gentile to tell his story. But, it is not just his story that he is telling us. We get a sometimes horrific, sometimes hilarious glimpse of what it must be like for our troops in these war-torn countries. I found that Gentile has the utmost respect for the soldiers that he was embedded with, and portrayed them with the utmost reverence.
Blindsided by the Taliban is the type of book that will stay with you for many years. It's a book that makes you take a long hard look at your life. It helps you appreciate the enormous sacrifices that not only our troops make daily but also the journalists reporting from those same front lines. In my opinion, this book was not written to elicit pity, actually the complete opposite. Carmen says it perfectly.
"But here, among the Marines and soldiers I've spent much of the summer with, I've finally got it back.
Oddly, only in Afghanistan am I able to really laugh again."
I highly recommend this book. Carmen Gentile, you have put my faith back into journalism. Well done!
May 29, 2018
Carmen Gentile is a man who embodies the duality of luck. On the one hand, he's staggeringly unlucky in the sense that he's surely one of few people who have been shot in the face with a rocket-propelled grenade. On the other, he's one of the luckiest in that he survived it.
In "Blindsided by the Taliban," Gentile's written an account of his experience as an embedded reporter working in Afghanistan, his injury, and his subsequent convalescence—both physical and psychological. It's a quick read—no wading through loads of masturbatory prose and self-indulgent contemplation about the meaning of life or the horrors of modern warfare.
It's also goddamn honest. Refreshingly so.
Gentile writes as though he's revealing a deeply personal experience to old friends around a bonfire after taking a few slugs off the bottle being passed around. His personality drips from every chapter. He's self-effacing, often blunt, occasionally contemplative. Although most authors writing their memoirs would go to great lengths to disguise the unsavory or embarassing parts of their past, Gentile doesn't omit even his most uncomfortably intimate moments—from urinary catheters to heroin addiction, hotel porn to vengeful emails from his ex-fiancee. This book wasn't written to aggrandize his self-image. Gentile guides the reader through a litany of his life's missteps, but one can't help but exculpate him if for no other reason than he owns it. All of it. No excuses.
A story like this could have easily devolved into a lachrymose, self-pitying account of the author's misfortune—or worse, a trite, proselytizing recital urging the reader to seize the day like some inspirational poster in a dentist's office. Instead, it's clever and humorous. It causes one to chuckle and shake one's head. Gentile never takes himself too seriously, even when dealing with some seriously heady topics.
Some books give you much-needed perspective, raising a mirror to your life and causing you to realize the triviality of most of your day-to-day issues. This is one such book. No matter how awful my day may be going, it's not I've-been-shot-in-the-head-with-an-anti-tank-weapon bad.
In "Blindsided by the Taliban," Gentile's written an account of his experience as an embedded reporter working in Afghanistan, his injury, and his subsequent convalescence—both physical and psychological. It's a quick read—no wading through loads of masturbatory prose and self-indulgent contemplation about the meaning of life or the horrors of modern warfare.
It's also goddamn honest. Refreshingly so.
Gentile writes as though he's revealing a deeply personal experience to old friends around a bonfire after taking a few slugs off the bottle being passed around. His personality drips from every chapter. He's self-effacing, often blunt, occasionally contemplative. Although most authors writing their memoirs would go to great lengths to disguise the unsavory or embarassing parts of their past, Gentile doesn't omit even his most uncomfortably intimate moments—from urinary catheters to heroin addiction, hotel porn to vengeful emails from his ex-fiancee. This book wasn't written to aggrandize his self-image. Gentile guides the reader through a litany of his life's missteps, but one can't help but exculpate him if for no other reason than he owns it. All of it. No excuses.
A story like this could have easily devolved into a lachrymose, self-pitying account of the author's misfortune—or worse, a trite, proselytizing recital urging the reader to seize the day like some inspirational poster in a dentist's office. Instead, it's clever and humorous. It causes one to chuckle and shake one's head. Gentile never takes himself too seriously, even when dealing with some seriously heady topics.
Some books give you much-needed perspective, raising a mirror to your life and causing you to realize the triviality of most of your day-to-day issues. This is one such book. No matter how awful my day may be going, it's not I've-been-shot-in-the-head-with-an-anti-tank-weapon bad.
June 24, 2020
The subject of war journalists is one that has become more appealing to me of the last year or so. I try and imagine what it is that drives such people to go into some of the most dangerous places on earth to bring back stories for the nightly news. What I am starting to discover is they are a special breed of men and women than go in search of such stories. I also suspect that they become addicted to the job. It drives them like nothing else this heady mix of adrenaline and danger. I'm not really sure how to describe such people, somehow brave does not seem the right word in this point of my exploration on the subject I think that if they were not doing this they would find something else to induce the same feelings in them.
Before coming across this book whilst scanning the biography section, I can safely say that I had never heard of Gentile before. This is not to say That I may have seen his work before without realizing it. For me at least whilst I read the articles and watch the footage, it is not often that I look to see who the report was. I can't say why this is, for the most part, I think maybe it is because the story is the interesting part for me. So for me, this book was just as much learning about the man as it was The places he went and the event that would come to shape the rest of his life. It strikes me that he is the sort of person that should you have the opportunity to sit down with him and a beer he could tell you a million stories and each would be fascinating in there own way. I found my self gripped by each chapter as I got to learn so much not only about him but also about the life of an embedded war correspondent.
The book shifts about to before during and after him coming to losing his eye due to an attack whilst out on patrol. And whilst it may seem a bit skittish, due to each chapter coming with a header and date I never found myself feeling confused as to where I was supposed to be. For me, I think this is as close to the action as I will ever get. This can only be a good thing for my own mortal self. But as I read I could feel the heat and dust and the raw emotions he went through. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that through this and other books on the subject I have come to have great respect for what they do. Putting themselves in harms way time and again to show is what we can not see for ourselves. For me, I also felt the mixing of professional and personal life made the book more whole. We get to see that, what they see and the life that happens to them affects them on every level. I suppose what I'm trying to say is that it lifts them off the page and makes them seem whole to me.
Blindsided by The Taliban is a book that held me right from the get-go. I only stopped to have to go to work and even then delved right back in on every break. We get to witness his passion and great desire to not only bring the news to us but also go to the place we would not dare. Als in some sort of irony or not the previous book on such a subject I read was about Marie Colvin another war corresponded who ended up losing an eye in the line of her job. Maybe the bosses back home should looking into giving the reporters some better eye protection.
Before coming across this book whilst scanning the biography section, I can safely say that I had never heard of Gentile before. This is not to say That I may have seen his work before without realizing it. For me at least whilst I read the articles and watch the footage, it is not often that I look to see who the report was. I can't say why this is, for the most part, I think maybe it is because the story is the interesting part for me. So for me, this book was just as much learning about the man as it was The places he went and the event that would come to shape the rest of his life. It strikes me that he is the sort of person that should you have the opportunity to sit down with him and a beer he could tell you a million stories and each would be fascinating in there own way. I found my self gripped by each chapter as I got to learn so much not only about him but also about the life of an embedded war correspondent.
The book shifts about to before during and after him coming to losing his eye due to an attack whilst out on patrol. And whilst it may seem a bit skittish, due to each chapter coming with a header and date I never found myself feeling confused as to where I was supposed to be. For me, I think this is as close to the action as I will ever get. This can only be a good thing for my own mortal self. But as I read I could feel the heat and dust and the raw emotions he went through. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that through this and other books on the subject I have come to have great respect for what they do. Putting themselves in harms way time and again to show is what we can not see for ourselves. For me, I also felt the mixing of professional and personal life made the book more whole. We get to see that, what they see and the life that happens to them affects them on every level. I suppose what I'm trying to say is that it lifts them off the page and makes them seem whole to me.
Blindsided by The Taliban is a book that held me right from the get-go. I only stopped to have to go to work and even then delved right back in on every break. We get to witness his passion and great desire to not only bring the news to us but also go to the place we would not dare. Als in some sort of irony or not the previous book on such a subject I read was about Marie Colvin another war corresponded who ended up losing an eye in the line of her job. Maybe the bosses back home should looking into giving the reporters some better eye protection.
April 3, 2018
Every generation needs a Hunter S. Thompson. Near death brings out the best in this author. After years of reporting on international collapse and conflict- he skillfully mines his own. His sense of humor, self and fortitude keeps this page turner from spinning into navel gazing. Not your everyday autobiography by any means- cannot recommend enough.
July 3, 2018
a surprising and powerful memoir of reporting in Afghanistan and dealing with the physical and mental impacts of the experience.
February 16, 2020
In September 2010, a freelance journalist accompanies soldiers on patrol in eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar Province. He’s scared – after all, this is Taliban territory – but showing that fear will just aggravate the tense situation. He’s well aware of the dangers, since he’s been embedded before, yet listeners of CBS Radio and readers of USA Today need to know what’s happening in a war zone, the dangers soldiers face, and the conditions they endure. His greatest fear? Surviving a bomb blast and losing his legs. On this particular day, however, it’s not a bomb he faces, but a man holding a rocket launcher aimed directly at him. The projectile slams into his face. He should be dead; instead, he sustains a ruptured eyeball and a shattered orbital socket.
This is Carmen Gentile’s firsthand account of his life, the attack, and the aftermath of that attack, as well as the psychological trauma it caused. In the preface, he mentions that his saving grace was the birth of his daughter. Although he shares many personal snapshots of his life, he remains relatively silent about her and her mother. The book is rather a gritty, no-holds-barred examination laced with candid honesty, dark humor, and explicit language. Be forewarned: Some readers will hate this book; others will admire it as a stunning, vivid, at times shocking, and insightful journey into how Gentile comes to terms with what happened and refinds purpose in his life.
This is Carmen Gentile’s firsthand account of his life, the attack, and the aftermath of that attack, as well as the psychological trauma it caused. In the preface, he mentions that his saving grace was the birth of his daughter. Although he shares many personal snapshots of his life, he remains relatively silent about her and her mother. The book is rather a gritty, no-holds-barred examination laced with candid honesty, dark humor, and explicit language. Be forewarned: Some readers will hate this book; others will admire it as a stunning, vivid, at times shocking, and insightful journey into how Gentile comes to terms with what happened and refinds purpose in his life.
September 5, 2021
A Real Look into the fight
A interested look at what it was like for our soldiers fighting in Afghanistan. Definitely not the picture that has been portrayed in the media. Although the book focuses on the authors injury and how he fights to a recovery of sorts it also gives you a feel of how bad out troops had it and how difficult it was to fight there. I felt this is an honest portrayal of what it is like.
A interested look at what it was like for our soldiers fighting in Afghanistan. Definitely not the picture that has been portrayed in the media. Although the book focuses on the authors injury and how he fights to a recovery of sorts it also gives you a feel of how bad out troops had it and how difficult it was to fight there. I felt this is an honest portrayal of what it is like.
February 4, 2020
REAL!!! Read it!
Curious about the title, bought this book & ENJOYED IT!
Sometimes brutal.language which will surely offend some, the honesty of Mr.Gentile 's writing g is what was most impressive! No soppy,covered up version of reality but a punch to the gut.....Yes, it really WAS LIKE THAT!! Hope you write another one soon!
Curious about the title, bought this book & ENJOYED IT!
Sometimes brutal.language which will surely offend some, the honesty of Mr.Gentile 's writing g is what was most impressive! No soppy,covered up version of reality but a punch to the gut.....Yes, it really WAS LIKE THAT!! Hope you write another one soon!
August 22, 2021
Great read.
When I first got this book, I really just thought that it was about a journalist embedded in Afghanistan; with history, politics ect. However, it’s really about the reporter’s experience there and his life back home. It’s a great read that I would recommend for sure.
When I first got this book, I really just thought that it was about a journalist embedded in Afghanistan; with history, politics ect. However, it’s really about the reporter’s experience there and his life back home. It’s a great read that I would recommend for sure.
July 12, 2022
A honed writing style from years of journalism allows the author to tell his story without an ounce of fat on it. The pacing is excellent and the prose is compelling. The story is also incredibly relatable to anyone that has experienced trauma or a compulsion towards recklessness.
June 15, 2018
Good read!
I never imagined I would enjoy this book as much as I did! It was funny, heartwarming and heart wrenching. I'm a huge fan Carmen!
I never imagined I would enjoy this book as much as I did! It was funny, heartwarming and heart wrenching. I'm a huge fan Carmen!
July 28, 2018
Often outrageously funny (a la "MASH") and appropriately irreverent, this is one of the most evocative books about war, covering war, and what it means to be a victim of war, I've ever read. Gentile pulls no punches here: if you aren't into reading about explosive diarrhea, having a catheter removed and frequent descriptions of male genitals, you might be tempted to turn away. But don't! Stick around and let Gentile's words have their way with you, which they will. As his story unfolds you'll come to realize that you're Gentile's best friend, you're his confidante, you're his therapist. You're listening to him bare his soul, hearing him open up about not just his horrific experience being badly injured on the battlefield, but opening up in a way that few men ever do about their love lives, their insecurities, their fears and admitting along the way that "yes, I've been an asshole to the women in my life more times than I can count." Yeah, men will love this book for its raw descriptions of what the surreal experience of war is like (Gentile's description of Marines, toward the end of the book, is a perfect depiction of those hardened warriors) but women will love it too: for his honesty and willingness to "let it all hang out", metaphorically-speaking. An excellent read all round.
July 5, 2019
5 stars
A Very Well Written & Fascinating story
July 1, 2019
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I actually wasn't sure I would like this memoir, but it ended up being one of the best I've ever read. Gentile was very honest about his thoughts & feelings, especially as they related to the women in his life.
What happened to him was horrible, but I think he was very courageous in dealing with it all. I stopped reading for a couple weeks toward the end because I didn't want the story to end!
I recommend this book to anyone interested in stories dealing with trauma.
Sherrie Miranda's historically based, coming of age, Adventure novel “Secrets & Lies in El Salvador” is about an American girl in war-torn El Salvador:
http://tinyurl.com/klxbt4y
Her husband made a video for her novel. He wrote the song too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P11Ch...
A Very Well Written & Fascinating story
July 1, 2019
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I actually wasn't sure I would like this memoir, but it ended up being one of the best I've ever read. Gentile was very honest about his thoughts & feelings, especially as they related to the women in his life.
What happened to him was horrible, but I think he was very courageous in dealing with it all. I stopped reading for a couple weeks toward the end because I didn't want the story to end!
I recommend this book to anyone interested in stories dealing with trauma.
Sherrie Miranda's historically based, coming of age, Adventure novel “Secrets & Lies in El Salvador” is about an American girl in war-torn El Salvador:
http://tinyurl.com/klxbt4y
Her husband made a video for her novel. He wrote the song too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P11Ch...
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews