Exceptional Memoir

I have always tried to read the memoirs or biographies of Medal of Honor recipients. This is the memoir of the only “living” Marine recipient of the Medal of Honor in over 40 years.

Sgt. Dakota Meyer begins by telling about some of the missions he had just prior to the Ganjigal episode. Then he proceeds to September 8, 2009 with ninety Afghan Soldiers and fifteen U.S. Military advisers moving into Ganjigal in the Kunar Province to meet with the village elders. The meeting was a trap. Sergeant Meyer was not with the team that day; he had been ordered to stay with the Afghan reinforcement troops at the entrance to the box canyon.

The team reported the ambush and asked for help; which was refused. They asked for artillery barrage, which was refused. They asked for close air support and that also was refused. The reason for the refusal was the “rules of engagement”. Sgt. Meyer asked to go help his team and was refused. He disobeyed a direct order and went to help. Staff Sgt Juan Rodriquez-Chavez was driving the armored Humvee and Sgt. Meyer was on the gun. They headed straight into the shooting. The Taliban held the high ground. Over the next few hours they made five trips into the kill-zone to rescue wounded and dead Afghan and U.S. soldiers and marines. Sometimes Sgt Meyer was in hand to hand combat. Thirteen U.S. and Afghan soldiers died and most were wounded; they all might have died if not for Sgts Chavez and Meyer. Meyer feels he is a failure because he failed to save his team who all died that day. SSgt Chavez received the Navy Cross but because Sgt Meyer repeatedly left the protection of the vehicle he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Sgt Meyer reports these men died or were wounded because the chain of command failed them. Sgt Meyer tells the story of Army officer, Captain Swenson, who also was nominated for the Medal of Honor that fateful day, but the Army has lost or held up the paperwork even though the high ranking field officers keep pushing for the Award. It is reported the investigation whitewashed the whole event. Zach McLarty does a good job narrating the story. McLarty is an actor and writer who is making a name narrating audiobooks.

11 people found this helpful

Ruined by the narrator

This book was extremely difficult to listen to because of the cheesey tone the narrator carries throughout. I will never waste my money on another book that is narrated by Zach McLarty.

7 people found this helpful

Great Story about Heroism and Battle Brothers

Dakota Meyer is a hero amongst Marines and I'm angered I didn't read his story sooner. Like Kyle Carpenter and Jason Dunham, he fought to protect his brothers and did his absolute best in a shitty situation to get to them. Some know that struggle and others need to learn from it. Overall, a book that should be on the Commandant's Reading List for all Marines. However, while the narrator did a fabulous job portraying Meyer, he needs some educating on proper pronunciation of words: Corpsman is "Core-Man" and 5.56 is just "556" just to name a few.

7 people found this helpful

5 star book; 3 (generous) stars to the narrator

Had to cut off the audiobook early on and pick up a hard copy of this book. I couldn't get passed the narrator mispronouncing the word "Corpsman."

5 people found this helpful

great book great warrior!!! Narration style idk

Dakota Meyer is a great warrior! I wish they would use a serious narrative though.

4 people found this helpful

Excellent book

The book is excellent but he narrator is terrible. As a Marine myself, it was very distracting when the narrator repeatedly mispronounced words.

3 people found this helpful

Very Good Read

What did you love best about Into the Fire: A Firsthand Account of the Most Extraordinary Battle in the Afghan War?

it was a very exciting read. you find yourself feeling as if you were right there with them

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the fact the author didn't try to glamorize himself or any of the others. They are just great American Hero's that have things go wrong, just like the real world. You never have the feeling that the truth may be being exaggerated to feed any egos

Which character – as performed by Zach McLarty – was your favorite?

Dakota. He seams like a good honest guy. But all the hero's in this book are worth noting. After all they all put their lives on the line for our freedom

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

Yes. I did spend time sitting in my driveway listening until the chapter ended because i didnt want to miss anything

Any additional comments?

A very well written book. we really have some great Americans protecting us overseas

6 people found this helpful

Great story, but 1 irritating item

Great story about brave and dedicated Marines and their team. I only wish some terms were pronounced correctly. Corpsman is pronounced coremun and unless Something has changed in the last 10 years "D" is delta not dog. Overall a fantastic recounting which I would highly recommend.

5 people found this helpful

Good, solid story of one young Marine.

Would you consider the audio edition of Into the Fire: A Firsthand Account of the Most Extraordinary Battle in the Afghan War to be better than the print version?

This book is more than one military battle in the Afghan War. This is the story of a young man's life and his coming of age in a confused and very complicated world with little to guide him or humanity on a clear path.

Who was your favorite character and why?

This is Dakota Meyer's story and other characters are secondary to him.

What about Zach McLarty’s performance did you like?

Good performance at times outstanding.

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

This book is a work that has great depth and should be savored and discussed with others.

Any additional comments?

This work continues to piece together questions as to what is involved in the Afghan War.

4 people found this helpful

Tremendous courage, fair retelling, poor narration

Dakota Meyer's story is a testament to courage and determination. It is heartbreaking to hear about the administrative bungling that contributed to the deaths and injuring of so many dedicated men.

The writing is straightforward and a little jingoistic but perfectly passable.

Zach McLarty was cringe-worthy in his over-wrought style and lack of familiarity with the subject matter. The story itself is dramatic enough and I can imagine how a better narrator like Scott Brick might have let it come through in its simplicity and power. That is a matter of taste and opinion. What is inexcusable is Mr. McLarty's poor preparation in relating the subject matter. For example, "corpsman" does not have a pronounced "p". It is a small point but the entire purpose of the book is to honor the courage and sacrifice of these brave men, Afgan and US. Show respect by doing the bare minimum to present as accurate a rendition as possible.

1 person found this helpful