Into the Fire cover art

Into the Fire

A Firsthand Account of the Most Extraordinary Battle in the Afghan War

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Into the Fire

By: Dakota Meyer, Bing West
Narrated by: Zach McLarty
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About this listen

"The story of what Dakota did . . . will be told for generations." (President Barack Obama, from remarks given at Meyer's Medal of Honor ceremony)

In the fall of 2009, Taliban insurgents ambushed a patrol of Afghan soldiers and Marine advisors in a mountain village called Ganjigal. Firing from entrenched positions, the enemy was positioned to wipe out 100 men who were pinned down and were repeatedly refused artillery support. Ordered to remain behind with the vehicles, 21 year-old Marine corporal Dakota Meyer disobeyed orders and attacked to rescue his comrades.

With a brave driver at the wheel, Meyer stood in the gun turret exposed to withering fire, rallying Afghan troops to follow. Over the course of the five hours, he charged into the valley time and again. Employing a variety of machine guns, rifles, grenade launchers, and even a rock, Meyer repeatedly repulsed enemy attackers, carried wounded Afghan soldiers to safety, and provided cover for dozens of others to escape - supreme acts of valor and determination. In the end, Meyer and four stalwart comrades - an Army captain, an Afghan sergeant major, and two Marines - cleared the battlefield and came to grips with a tragedy they knew could have been avoided. For his actions on that day, Meyer became the first living Marine in three decades to be awarded the Medal of Honor.

Into the Fire tells the full story of the chaotic battle of Ganjigal for the first time, in a compelling, human way that reveals it as a microcosm of our recent wars. Meyer takes us from his upbringing on a farm in Kentucky, through his Marine and sniper training, onto the battlefield, and into the vexed aftermath of his harrowing exploits in a battle that has become the stuff of legend.

Investigations ensued, even as he was pitched back into battle alongside U.S. Army soldiers who embraced him as a fellow grunt. When it was over, he returned to the States to confront living with the loss of his closest friends. This is a tale of American values and upbringing, of stunning heroism, and of adjusting to loss and to civilian life.

We see it all through Meyer's eyes, bullet by bullet, with raw honesty in telling of both the errors that resulted in tragedy and the resolve of American soldiers, U.S.Marines, and Afghan soldiers who'd been abandoned and faced certain death.

Meticulously researched and thrillingly told, with nonstop pace and vivid detail, Into the Fire is the true story of a modern American hero.

"Sergeant Meyer embodies all that is good about our nation's Corps of Marines. . . . [His] heroic actions . . . will forever be etched in our Corps' rich legacy of courage and valor." (General James F. Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps)

©2012 Bing West and Dakota Meyer (P)2012 Random House Audio Afghan & Iraq Wars Military Military & War Politicians Politics & Activism Solider War

Critic Reviews

" Into the Fire is a deeply compelling tale of valor and duty. Dakota Meyer will not identify as a hero, but he will, I think, accept the title warrior. Dakota's storytelling is precise and, for a Medal of Honor recipient, touchingly humble. With deft prose he drops us smack in the middle of one of the most heinous small unit firefights of the current wars. His insights into military tactics and politics in a war zone are sharp and uncompromising and work as a primer on infantry war fighting for the uninitiated. Dakota was a magnificent marine and he is now an equally magnificent chronicler of warfare and the small group of people who do today's fighting for America." (Anthony Swofford, author of Jarhead)
"[Bing] West's greatest strengths are his exceptional personal courage and his experienced perception of combat." ( The Washington Post)
"West [is] the grunts' Homer." ( Los Angeles Times Book Review)

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Profile Image for KNOBBY

OUTSTANDING BRAVERY.!!

Listened to the whole book in 2 sessions, had trouble turning it off. Have read and listened to hundreds of military books but this was the first to make me cry. Chapters 14 and 15 are hard to listen to. Immense bravery by many men. If anyone earned the M.O.H. it was this author. Definitely deserves a listen, even if you aren't interested in military history. I'm not even American, but it makes you proud of the men in this story.

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Amazing.

Great stuff, what a guy. Such courage is hard to understand for an average person like me. Loved every part of this book. Inspiring too, because of what it takes to be a real life hero.

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Profile Image for Brian B

Oh my - what a read. Unbelievable.

an amazing story of what Dakota did, defy orders to get his team. I am sure this guy walks around with them in a wheelbarrow because that's the only way to describe what he did. I was touched when he said " It wasn't IF i was going to die, it was when, i just kept going until i did " Such a brave soul, and a sad story of loss and how he deals with it. Excellently narrated, Ive listed to it 3 times. God bless this bloke.

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10/10 one of my favourite books.

one of the best books I have listened to, I have listened to is around 8 times and recommend it to everyone.

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Gripping and Tragic

What an incredible story, a crazy insight to the theatre of war and the struggles of the modern soldier. A MUST LISTEN!

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an ETT warrior

this is a very interesting book about.. valour from an ETT. a short n sharp action pack boom book!

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Amazing

Amazing book crazy ! Had me in tears at times such a wild but true story that has you not wanting to stop

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