The Devil's Playground

The Story of Two Charlie and the Arghandab River Valley

De: Andrew Bragg

Narrado por: Kevin P. Mullan

This book shares the story of the men of Two Charlie and their fight for survival in the Arghandab River Valley, the Devil’s Playground.

“The Devil’s Playground” was anything south of the second canal to the men of Charlie Company’s 2nd Platoon—Two Charlie—during their 2009–2010 deployment to the Arghandab River Valley in Afghanistan. The valley had been a notorious hot spot throughout history, with the Russians unable to maintain a foothold in the 80s and Coalition forces now facing the same problem during Operation Enduring Freedom.

The Two Charlie paratroopers deployed as part of the 2-508th PIR, Two Fury, of the 82nd Airborne Division, but always seemed to be on their own. They started their deployment attached to Canadian forces in Panjwai but were shortly moved into the Arghandab with one of the battalion’s biggest Areas of Operation. They inherited a bare-bones outpost that they worked hard to turn into the defendable position known as COP Tynes while patrolling the grape fields and orchards of the valley. Little did they know that when the leaves returned to the valley in the spring, so too would the fighting.

As the fighting picked up in the valley, the men of Two Charlie continued to sustain casualties as they fought day in and day out. There was never a dull moment in the Arghandab, and the fact that Two Charlie had to patrol, act as a quick reaction force, and secure their outpost on their own ensured that they never stopped. The men were constantly brought to their breaking point as their numbers dwindled and the fighting intensified. The men all started to believe that they weren’t going to make it out of the valley alive. The one rule of the valley would be proved time and time again: in the end, the valley always wins.

©2024 Andrew Bragg (P)2024 Dreamscape Media

The devils playground by Andrew Bragg

Excellent book to help understand what my college friend went through. Excellently written and powerful story.

Andrew Bragg wrote one hell of a book.

Buy the damn book already. It is absolutely fantastic and you shouldn't miss your chance to hear the story of 2 charlie.

The true cost of freedom: A captivating story

This book is, without a doubt, one of the best I have ever read. It left me in awe of the incredible courage and sacrifice of the men who fought in Afghanistan, shedding light on a part of history I knew little about. As someone who was previously ignorant of the wars in Afghanistan, this book opened my eyes to the harrowing realities these soldiers faced.

From the very first page, I was captivated. The author did a phenomenal job of making a complex and painful subject both accessible and gripping. Despite the chaos and sorrow that unfolds throughout the story, the narrative is clear and easy to follow. It never once lost my attention, and I found myself unwilling to put it down, completely immersed in the lives of these brave men.

What really struck me about this book was its portrayal of the cost of freedom — not just in terms of the sacrifices made on the battlefield, but also the emotional and psychological toll these soldiers endured. The book doesn't shy away from showing the trauma that stays with them long after the fighting ends. The way the author honors both the fallen and the living is deeply moving, reminding readers of the true price of war.

If you're on the fence about reading this book, let this review be your sign to pick it up. It’s a powerful and emotional story that not only informs but also resonates long after you turn the final page. This is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the true cost of war and the incredible men who fought for our freedom.

Support these heroes, learn their stories, and gain a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made for our country. Don’t hesitate — buy the book and experience it for yourself.

Incredibly powerful and well written

Great book. Highly recommend. Not for the faint of heart, but well worth the listen.

Heartfelt, Raw, and Real.

It’s a heartbreaking and heartfelt story about the all the boys of 2 Charlie. This book book was done with tremendous Care. And I think it shows.

Heart Wrenching

It sure helped me understand what my Son went through. It was extremely difficult to read/listen to.
God Bless our American Soldiers🙏🏼

Gritty and real

If authenticity is what you seek, look no further. Excellent book from the ground-view. Andrew is the real deal.

So great my 2F brothers are writing about the Valley

I was the 3D medic in the ARV, and love that the boys are getting these stories out there. These books bring a lot of feelings back thatve been pushed down for years. My only criticism is with the narrator. If you're going to cover a military book, know the terms and how they're said. "TOC" and "KAF", for instance, are spoken as words, not spelled each and every time.
AATW-FFTS

Tells Our Story

Though I was not in 2C, I was in the valley, and this is the best accounting I've read of our experience. Not the tactics, or the strategy, or the why, but what it actually felt like, smelled like, and what the nightmares still bring back in vivid detail. Thank you to Andrew for going through the intense pain it must've taken to get this out. You're an inspiration to us all, my friend. Bless the men of 2C, and never forget our fallen brothers.

Why?

Why? Why did they keep repeating the exact same thing in each patrol without significantly making change? Bravest group of soldiers I ever read about. You men are special for sure.