Roberts Ridge

A True Story of Courage and Sacrifice on Takur Ghar Mountain, Afghanistan

By: Malcolm MacPherson

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

For the U.S. Navy's elite team of SEALs, the mission seemed straightforward enough: to take control of a towering, 10,240-foot mountain peak called Takur Ghar, a key post in their plan to smash Taliban al Qaeda in eastern Afghanistan. But the enemy was waiting, and when the Special Forces chopper was shredded by enemy fire, a red-haired SEAL named Neil Roberts was thrown from the aircraft. Roberts's fellow SEALs were determined to bring him out - no matter what the cost.

This harrowing true account based on stunning eyewitness testimony and painstaking research captures in dramatic detail the 17-hour battle fought by a few dozen warriors against near impossible odds to save one of their own.

©2005 Malcolm MacPherson (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Well told and frightening as well as true, this is a book that bridges the breach between the increasingly professional American military and a civilian culture possessing little knowledge or experience of the military." ( Booklist)

FOG OF WAR

This book, with a brilliant combination of writing and reading, conveyed (to me at least) the fog of war and confusion of battle more vividly than I've ever experienced before. So compelling, I listened to the whole thing in 2 days (a long plane and car journey helped) not bad for a 24 hour book. I ended up proud of our guys, our military capability, and out determination to leave no one behind. But also hoping we can figure out better communication devices in the near future. A great read (listen) that I heartily recommend to anyone with the stomach for it.

Readers performance was disappointing

Horrible and offensive southern accents for soldiers. Can't pronounce bases or acronyms correctly either. Just buy the book and read it yourself to avoid the frustrations

Amazing

This isn't in an amazing recount of what happened!

The narrator needs to learn proper pronunciation of military acronyms, abbreviations, and city names. it's very irritating hearing everything pronounced incorrectly. Especially when I was there.

Powerful story from various on the ground perspectives

The events were well described and easy to visualize. While the story’s events were well recounted, my personal opinion (take it for what it’s worth) is that the readers voice and “accents” didn’t work with this particular topic.

A new fact every listen

Where does Roberts Ridge rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Over a year after purchase....I still come back to this book. A very powerful and unnerving account of what it means to be on the front line and a member of the elite in war. A very fast paced account of just what can go wrong at the highest levels when needing support when you are an elite unit sent out to do what you see as your duty. For the members involved and their families, this is a very human story. A story of guys that wanted to be the best , achieved that , sometimes at great personal cost, at other times at soaring personal achievement and then found when it came to "brass tacks" that they are let down. Flaws in the technology that they depend on to work and personal hubris of command, ultimately lead to an absolute disaster that should never have been. For men that don't comprehend the meaning of "give up" or "leave them behind" , this was their ultimate challenge. One they chose to respond to with what they had at hand. On a small mountain top in the middle of nowhere. They made their mark at great cost.

What does Joe Barrett bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The human touch of this is jarring

Pronunciation errors galore.

The narrator did a good job being theatrical. They should have had somebody in the military listen to it before releasing it. JOC is pronounced jock. Bagram is pronounced Bawgrum. Several other words were repeatedly mispronounced.

Leave No One Behind

Would you consider the audio edition of Roberts Ridge to be better than the print version?

The audio edition of Roberts Ridge was okay. I've never read, Roberts Ridge, before. Therefore, I can't provide a creditable answer.

The narrator, Joe Barrett, wasn't the easiest narrator to listen to. I can't say that he was a monotone but was close to being one. He pronounced the words clearly but if his voice had had more emotion, the listen would have been much better. His voice didn't vary too much, he just plodded along.

The narrator can make or break a book. They are important to audible customers.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The head of the recon mission, member of SEAL Team Six, code name, Slab. His determination, energy, caring, a don't quit attitude, his ability to shelve his fear, his code of honor; Leave No Man Behind and his leadership skills, served him well and what the other men needed, in order to successfully gain the acquistion of Takur Ghar Mountain. Slab did not have control over the men, all of the soldier's were able to voice an opinion, whereby an action could be done.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, the narration made the listen difficult but the true story and 17 hour fight, kept me coming back.

Any additional comments?

Listening and learning about the mission, Anaconda, was something new that I now know about the war in Afghanistan. This genre of book has never been a favorite of mine, except in the last year and continues. I do listen to other kinds of books because I do enjoy listening to different genres and I need a break from the intensity of such books, especially the true accounts.

The courage that our warrior's give, to keep America safe, is astonishing to me. I thank them everyday for believing that their country needs and depends on them for our freedom.

This story did keep me on the edge of my seat during the battle that ensued. Excitement when the Taliban al Queda would be made to withdraw during the fight.

Knowing that our troops have the ability to call in air support, when required and most of the time getting what they need. The Battle of Anaconda was one of those times.

I would encourage others to purchase the book but only if your interests like listening to this type of book. Listen before buying or buy and listen to it.Then, if you want to return it, no problem.

Go get the hard copy...

5 stars for the incredible, pivotal story. ZERO stars for the reading performance. I saw how many folks left horrible reviews about the narration, so I had to see for myself: trust us, it's pathetic. But it is fantastic that we have an account of this tale and that it has received much-due awareness.

wow! that was really exciting!

excellent book. I listened while driving and couldn't stop listening! war book nuts like me will really enjoy this one

Amazing book. Not the best voice actor.

Again the book is amazing but the voice actor seems to think 9 out of 10 people sound like a 50 year old dock worker from new england lol. Super annoying for me at least it kept taking me out of the story. Definitely would have been better if he hadn't tried to give the dialogue accents.