Bravo Company

An Afghanistan Deployment and Its Aftermath

By: Ben Kesling

Narrated by: Ben Kesling

A timely and searing account of the American war in Afghanistan

In Bravo Company, journalist and combat veteran Ben Kesling tells the story of the war in Afghanistan through the eyes of the men of one unit, part of a combat-hardened parachute infantry regiment in the US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division.

A decade ago, the soldiers of Bravo Company deployed to Afghanistan for a tour in Kandahar’s notorious Arghandab Valley. By the time they made it home, three soldiers had been killed in action, a dozen more had lost limbs, and an astonishing half of the company had earned Purple Hearts.

In the decade since, two of the soldiers have died by suicide, more than a dozen have tried, and others admit they’ve considered it. Declared at “extraordinary risk” by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Bravo Company was chosen as test subjects for a new approach to the veteran crisis, focusing less on isolated individuals and more on the group.

Written with an insider’s eye and ear and drawing on extensive interviews and original reporting, Bravo Company follows the men from their initial enlistment and training, through their deployment and a major shift in their mission, and then on to what has happened in the decade since, as they returned to combat in other units or moved on with their lives as civilians, or struggled to.

This is a powerful, insightful, and memorable account of a war that didn’t end for these soldiers just because Bravo Company came home.

©2022 Ben Kesling. Published in 2022 by Abrams Press, an imprint of ABRAMS, New York. All rights reserved (P)2022 by Blackstone Publishing

Absolutely jaw dropping

This book was my breakout into books about the modern conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and I’m never looking back from it. It made me think and sometimes work through a lot of my memories with my guys overseas both good and bad. The author really knows what he’s talking about because he has walked the walk. 10/10 would recommend.

Honest and raw

Ben does an amazing job of taking off his rose colored glasses for A-war that was and still somehow manages to make sure that we see the men of Bravo company As flawed But caring men with lives not so Dissimilar to our own.

Outstanding story and narration

It takes a few minutes to really warm up, but once things get going, it is a tremendously articulate, relatable, and piercing story. The author is also the narrator, and the way that he reads it really brings it to life. Highly recommended.

Content

Real soldiers stories - considered thought on men who served- honored each man with respect and depth

evocative, nostalgic, heart breaking

My three man team joined B-2/508 for their summer in the Arghandab, and then remained in place as they rotated out, to work with their replacements, B 1/66.

1SG Mac's first words to me were to begrudgingly accept my beard in his AO, but to insist I at least tuck in my shirt. CPT Armstrong took us under his wing and insulated from the out-of-touch brass we reported to. SFC Fox, a man built to kill, waxed philisophical about the inevitability and futility of war.

I wasn't part of B 2/508, but they kept my team secure on patrols, and we worked to reduce their casualty rates, disrupting enemy operations, chasing ghosts while hopscotching through Taliban mine fields.

Memories I thought I had forgotten were unlocked and came flooding back.

Several other books about the Arghandab have since been written. Damn the Valley is next on my list.

A story that needed to be told

Let me start off by saying, I loved this book. It was extremely hard to get through, but I am so glad I did.

I am not a military man. I didn’t come from a military family. This book sheds so much light on the motivations and experiences of those that served our country in a strange war. I don’t know that I understand any more about why the US was in Afghanistan, but I did learn about the experiences many men had there, and continue to have at home. For that I think I am a better person.

I was there

Best Afghanistan book to date. He explains so much that I can’t. Fantastic read and excellent listen.

Inspiring and well written

I loved how this book is basically three mini books within one solid book: before war, during war, and then the aftermath of war. Ben did an amazing job researching and telling the story of the men of Bravo company. You sometimes forget these are real stories because it reads like a compelling novel. Which is what makes it so unique.

Great book, fantastic narration.

Fascinating long-form telling of a story that Ben Kesling wrote about in shorter form for the Wall Street Journal. Great job of getting into the sometimes gnarly details of a challenging topic, while still keeping the story approachable for the non-military reader. I was very pleased by the author's narration, which was engaging and gave an authentic feel to the storytelling. This was a huge relief for me, as nothing bums me out like great book with poor narration.

This Is An Important Book

I am only halfway finished with this title. While listening to the author describe the infantry experience in combat, I find myself often overwhelmed with grief to the point of stopping the playback for awhile. I never served in the military, but have several family members who did serve, including a son. While vaguely aware of the themes involved in the combat experience, I really never understood why so many young men were motivated to assume the sacrifice. Listening to this book brings me closer to understanding how the decision is reached to join the Army, but it seems the recruits join without being fully aware of all the facts and possibilities. Perhaps there is no good method of educating the recruits until an explosive is staring them in the face. At this point I’m not too far into the consequences after the direct fighting is over. I get the feeing it will generally not be good.

The content in this book is enlightening, and the narration is spot on. The language is blunt, but I believe the story is told at the infantryman’s (and his family’s) level of understanding.

While reading this book, I find myself thankful that I never had to first person experience combat in my life. Placing my hand over my heart during the playing of the Star Spangled Banner and thanking military personnel and veterans for their service will no longer be quite so hollow for me from this point.

This should be required reading for every person considering a military career. It’s their decision which way to turn at that intersection in life.