To Quell The Korengal

This is a grunt's tale. Brutal and honest, you'll find no glorious BS here. Shadix is an excellent narrator and his straight forward no non-sense (but often humorous) prose draws you in and guides you through the violence and chaos of the Korengal Valley in a surprisingly enjoyable and disturbing manner. It is written in an episodic manner that forms a loosely chronological narrative interspersed with amusing interactions among an Airborne Infantry platoon. Shadix has written a hyper-engaging war memoir that will transplant you straight into the misery and camaraderie that is a grunt's life.This is a book by a practitioner of violence that is written for those who want to understand what is going on in such a man's head. Shadix makes clear from the start that this is his solely from his perspective and makes no apologies for that. There are people he doesn't like and he vilifies them, but even the ones he does admire he is brutally honest in his opinions. He's unforgiving and bitter and cynical, and if you're looking for a book that uplifts the spirit and reaffirms American patriotism, this is not the book for you. This book will, however, give you a sometimes hilarious glimpse into the psyche of soldiers who were asked to endure more than their share. I highly recommend this book for all who have experienced their own share of suck on the front lines, and also for all of those who have a desire to understand or just to know "what it's like." Because Shadix nails it.

"To Quell The Korengal" is sure to be a classic. Soldiers of the 173rd arrive at a remote Afghan outpost and are targeted from day one by the Taliban.From constant patrols and engagements against a rarely-seen enemy, we experience the frustration and anger of our soldiers. But the hardships do not lead to gloom and sadness. On the contrary, these soldiers keep it together with the type of enviable style and dark humor that neither the Dos Equis Guy nor Chuck Norris could ever hope to achieve!In one anecdote shared by the author, a weapons-laden Taliban donkey becomes a humorous metaphor of the US-Afghan war. We witness the Taliban donkey as he is unsuccessfully confronted with the full might of the US war machine, and escapes! I found myself laughing at the insanity of the situation as the world's most technologically-advanced force, is thwarted by the stubbornness of a Taliban ass.The author provides us with a glimpse of life in the bizarre Korengal. From Mefloquine-Mondays to Man-Love-Thursdays, life in Afghanistan isn't all blood and bullets, it's bizarre and historic. It is, at times, a snapshot into the curious people suspended in time and cloistered in a region where the national pastime seems to be war-making and blood-letting.But crazy times call for crazy solutions and the soldiers featured in Darren Shadix's "To Quell the Korengal" just might be crazy enough to hold things together and make a mark which will be remembered in years to come. These are not reluctant draftees opposed to war -- as was often the case in Vietnam -- these guys are the volunteers whose call to duty and sacrifice was one done so willingly. They don't cringe at firefights, they resolve them with lead. They're the expanders-of-the-security-bubble!"To Quell the Korengal" succeeds on all levels and then some. It has raised my expectations of what to expect on a book about the global war on terror. In a world with such negativity on the news 24/7, reading this book has made me realize that maybe, just maybe, this post 9/11 generation of volunteers are just what we need to make the future better.If you can go through the hell of the Korengal, firefights, Taliban, sand-fleas and all, and still retain your morale and high sense of humor, then you're the type of soldiers I want to read about!I hope we don't have to fight another war to get Darren Shadix to write another book, but if so I say we do it :)-H.G. Galt

Once I started reading this book I could not put it down! An eye opening perspective on combat life most people will never know. This is an incredibly well written account of the day to day life of a soldier fighting for his country, and his brothers in the deadly Korengal Valley of Afghanistan. Humor laced perfectly inside the extreme seriousness of this story will keep you engaged, and turning the pages. Download this book right away! You will not be disappointed... You will, however, be humbled!

Hands down one of the best books I've read. If you have seen Restrepo and the Korengal, read anything about Wanat, this book will tie much of it all together from a first hand perspective. This is a must read for everyone who lives in the USA. General Joe Public doesn't appreciate what others do in their stead. This book should help them figure it out.