Battalion 3/5 suffered the highest number of casualties in the war in Afghanistan. This is the story of one platoon in that distinguished battalion. Aware of U.S. plans to withdraw from the country, knowing their efforts were only a footprint in the sand, the fifty Marines of 3rd Platoon fought in Sangin, the most dangerous district in all of Afghanistan. So heavy were the casualties that the Secretary of Defense offered to pull the Marines out. Instead, they pushed forward. Each Marine in 3rd Platoon patrolled two and a ...
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Battalion 3/5 suffered the highest number of casualties in the war in Afghanistan. This is the story of one platoon in that distinguished battalion. Aware of U.S. plans to withdraw from the country, knowing their efforts were only a footprint in the sand, the fifty Marines of 3rd Platoon fought in Sangin, the most dangerous district in all of Afghanistan. So heavy were the casualties that the Secretary of Defense offered to pull the Marines out. Instead, they pushed forward. Each Marine in 3rd Platoon patrolled two and a half miles a day for six months--a total of one million steps--in search of a ghostlike enemy that struck without warning. Why did the Marines attack and attack, day after day? Every day brought a new skirmish. Each footfall might trigger an IED. Half the Marines in 3rd Platoon didn't make it intact to the end of the tour. One Million Steps is the story of the fifty brave men who faced these grim odds and refused to back down. Based on Bing West's embeds with 3rd Platoon, as well as on their handwritten log, this is a gripping grunt's-eye view of life on the front lines of America's longest war. Writing with a combat veteran's compassion for the fallen, West also offers a damning critique of the higher-ups who expected our warriors to act as nation-builders--and whose failed strategy put American lives at unnecessary risk. Each time a leader was struck down, another rose up to take his place. How does one man instill courage in another? What welded these men together as firmly as steel plates? This remarkable book is the story of warriors caught between a maddening, unrealistic strategy and their unswerving commitment to the fight. Fearsome, inspiring, and poignant in its telling, One Million Steps is sure to become a classic, a unique and enduring testament to the American warrior spirit. Praise for One Million Steps "West shows the reality of modern warfare in a way that is utterly gripping." --Max Boot, author of Invisible Armies "A gripping, boot-level account of Marines in Afghanistan during the bloody struggle with Taliban fighters." -- Los Angeles Times " One Million Steps transcends combat narrative: It is an epic of contemporary small-unit combat." --Eliot A. Cohen, author of Supreme Command "A blistering assault on America's senior military leadership." -- The Wall Street Journal "A heart-pounding portrayal . . . a compelling account of what these men endured." --The Washington Post "Stunning, sobering, and brilliantly written." --Newt Gingrich "One of the most intrepid military journalists, Bing West, delivers a heart-wrenching account of one platoon's fight." --Bill Bennett, host of Morning in America "Bing West has reconfirmed his standing as one of the most intrepid and insightful observers of America's wars. . . . One Million Steps reveals the essence of small-unit combat, the very soul of war." -- The Weekly Standard "A searing read, but it is one that all Americans should undertake. We send our sons into battle, and few know what our warriors experience." --The Washington Times
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Add this copy of One Million Steps: a Marine Platoon at War to cart. $0.99, good condition, Sold by Used Book Company rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Egg Harbor Township, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 2014 by Random House.
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Good. A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. Shows signs of wear and previous use. May include writing/highlighting, library labels, stickers, shelf/handling wear, damages to pages/spine/binding/cover, and other defects. May not include supplementary material (toys, access code, dvds, etc). A portion of your purchase benefits nonprofits! -STOCK PHOTO, ITEM DETAILS (PUBLICATION YEAR, FORMAT, ETC) & OTHER INFO MAY BE INACCURATE. PRODUCT'S ACTUAL EDITION, ITEM DETAILS & FORMAT MAY DIFFER FROM WHAT IS SHOWN. INFO/PHOTOS PROVIDED UPON REQUEST.
Add this copy of One Million Steps: a Marine Platoon at War to cart. $1.33, good condition, Sold by Goodwill of Greater Milwaukee rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Milwaukee, WI, UNITED STATES, published 2014 by Random House.
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Good. The cover has visible markings and wear. The dust jacket shows normal wear and tear. The pages show normal wear and tear. Codes or product keys that accompany this product may not be valid. Fast Shipping in a Standard Poly Mailer!
Add this copy of One Million Steps: a Marine Platoon at War to cart. $1.78, good condition, Sold by Seattle Goodwill rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Seattle, WA, UNITED STATES, published 2015 by Random House Publishing Group.
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May have some shelf-wear due to normal use. Your purchase funds free job training and education in the greater Seattle area. Thank you for supporting Goodwill's nonprofit mission!
Add this copy of One Million Steps: a Marine Platoon at War to cart. $1.86, good condition, Sold by Goodwill rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brooklyn Park, MN, UNITED STATES, published 2015 by Random House Publishing Group.
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Good. Corners are bent. There are tears on paperback. Cover/Case has some rubbing and edgewear. Access codes, CD's, slipcovers and other accessories may not be included.
Add this copy of One Million Steps: a Marine Platoon at War to cart. $2.32, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Austell, GA, UNITED STATES, published 2014 by Random House.
Add this copy of One Million Steps: a Marine Platoon at War to cart. $2.32, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Dallas rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2014 by Random House.
Add this copy of One Million Steps: a Marine Platoon at War to cart. $2.32, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Austell, GA, UNITED STATES, published 2014 by Random House.
Add this copy of One Million Steps: a Marine Platoon at War to cart. $2.32, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Dallas rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2014 by Random House.
Add this copy of One Million Steps: a Marine Platoon at War to cart. $2.32, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Baltimore rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Halethorpe, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2014 by Random House.
Add this copy of One Million Steps: a Marine Platoon at War to cart. $2.34, fair condition, Sold by Goodwill rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brooklyn Park, MN, UNITED STATES, published 2014 by Random House.
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Fair. Item has stickers or notes attached to cover and/or pages that have not been removed to prevent further damage Cover/Case has some rubbing and edgewear. Access codes, CD's, slipcovers and other accessories may not be included.
