The Hardest Place

The American Military Adrift in Afghanistan's Pech Valley

By: Wesley Morgan

Narrated by: Mark Deakins

COLBY AWARD WINNER • “One of the most important books to come out of the Afghanistan war.”—Foreign Policy

“A saga of courage and futility, of valor and error and heartbreak.”—Rick Atkinson, author of the Liberation Trilogy and The British Are Coming

Of the many battlefields on which U.S. troops and intelligence operatives fought in Afghanistan, one remote corner of the country stands as a microcosm of the American campaign: the Pech and its tributary valleys in Kunar and Nuristan. The area’s rugged, steep terrain and thick forests made it a natural hiding spot for local insurgents and international terrorists alike, and it came to represent both the valor and futility of America’s two-decade-long Afghan war.

Drawing on reporting trips, hundreds of interviews, and documentary research, Wesley Morgan reveals the history of the war in this iconic region, captures the culture and reality of the conflict through both American and Afghan eyes, and reports on the snowballing missteps—some kept secret from even the troops fighting there—that doomed the American mission. The Hardest Place is the story of one of the twenty-first century’s most unforgiving battlefields and a portrait of the American military that fought there.

©2020 Wesley Morgan (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“The Hardest Place captures the heroism, fear, and exultation of combat while laying out a damning portrait of military leaders who rushed into battle against an enemy they didn’t understand and ultimately couldn’t beat.” (Evan Wright, author of Generation Kill)

“[An] impressive debut ... Required reading for anyone who wants to understand the war in Afghanistan.”(Kirkus Reviews)

“Superbly researched and smoothly written ... an essential, thoroughly reported work.” (Library Journal, starred review)

Great book with a full history!

Narrator could have done better at pronouncing some of the words but that’s easy to get by when you hear the content. Stories get you wrapped up

Hardest Place

This was a phenomenal listen, was totally engaged from start to finish. God bless these men

Informative and Entertaining

a chronological record of the American military's experiences, lessons, and foibles. Very interesting to listen to as a veteran.

Worth It

Ever wonder why we’re still fighting in Afghanistan two decades after 9/11? Morgan explains why.

cjomment

great book, the readers pronunciation of "Afghanistan " was annoying and detracted from the reading.

Terrific book

As a member of the Army who joined after the Afghanistan conflict, I have read over a dozen books to gain perspective on what happened over there. This book was referred to me by a buddy who was in the Ranger Regiment, serving in Afghanistan, and he told me this was the best book on the topic Having read it, I agree. Thoroughly researched, and unlike several books that focus primarily on the stories of the individuals, this book wove those stories effectively to explain the broader conflict.

Ties it all together

I have read or listened to many books about the war in Afghanistan, particularly Kunar and Nuristan. This book ties everything together. All the books I’ve read or listened to are tied into this one piece. Would highly recommend if you are a history or military nut. Thanks to all who serve!

A well written narrative of a very complex situation.

I enjoyed the book by Wesley Morgan very much. He does a masterful job of handling an incredible amount of information including hundreds of names of Americans, Afghans and Arabs. The amount of research he had to do is mind-boggling. I feel I have a much better understanding of what we had to deal with in this war. As a Vietnam veteran I can appreciate much of what he describes. I think the complexities in Afghanistan with dozens of different languages and ethnic groups even exceed those in Vietnam.

Kunar Syndrome

For persons that want to understand on a deeper level the "so what" behind America's longest war, look no further. This book dives deep into the Afghan conflict and offers a holistic approach on when events occurred that resulted in critical 2nd, and 3rd order effects. From beginning to end, a complete attention grabber. By far the best book I've read!

A must read

In 2011, I was a captain in the 2-27th infantry. I flew up to Bostick one day only to witness the daily onslaught of .50, 7.62, and 2,000lb bombs being brought. On my way home I caught a glimpse of the mouth of the Pech, and wondered what was up there. I have listened to this book three times and it only gets better each time. Very well done.