American Spartan audiobook

I served with Jim Gant many years ago, when he was a young lieutenant. To this day, he remains one of the most passionate, dedicated and single-minded men I have served with. He is also one of the most opinionated and tactless men I served with. Jim would most likely agree with this assessment --- on both counts.This is really a story about relationships. The author's love affair with Jim, and Jim's relationship with his superiors, peers and subordinates in the Army, as well as his relationship with the Afghans. I've seen other reviews which question how objective Ann Tyson could be when writing about Jim. Fair points --- from where I sit, I think she had a good blend of Gant's brilliance as well as his dark side.This account reads like a Greek tragedy, where the hero is befallen by his tragic flaw --- even more so because of Jim's identity as a warrior. He did absolutely tremendous things in Afghanistan -- the level of progress Jim Gant made is truly remarkable, especially given the short time he had to do it. His story provides a window into just how much effort --- and risk --- it takes to immerse yourself into a different culture, gain friendships, and garner the level of trust that Jim did in order to make a profound difference. And he did. And yet as much effort that he put into those relationships with the Afghans, he seemed to sabotage himself when it came to the relationships with his own comrades in the Army. Sad, really...for Jim AND the Army. Jim leaves the Army feeling betrayed, and the Army loses one of its best practitioners. Each reader will have his/her own opinion on where the fault lies, and whether the Army will be a place where other Jim Gants will elect to remain serving, and be ready when the clarion calls next.

Loved the book. I support what Jim Gant did. He held that one key. Wars are won by people. One Tribe at a time. Knowing and understanding the people and the culture is what Jim did Best. Amazing Man, too bad he was treated as the scapegoat from Higher. All I can say is "Pashtunwali". Great Book written by his wife, who had seen more combat than most Journalists.

Ann Scott Tyson is a journalist and my first reaction is to discredit whatever comes from a journalist, however, I felt this book gave more of an accurate account of what is going on behind the scenes with our military than what is given on our nightly news. I struggle with staying aware of current events because the media has sabotaged any faith I have in an honest attempt of delivering information. Information is too quick to get out without any time for a real investigation. Major James K. Gant, author of the paper "One Tribe at a Time", is a modern day military hero. I appreciate the reality of what that entails. We don't see in the history books the negative side that our military endures to be a hero. Yet, Ms. Tyson and Major Gant were brave enough to let it all out. And he suffers for it. I think the key point in their story is the understanding of relationships. Relationships are central to everything from how to raise your children well to how to win a war. It's in the boardroom and it's in the middle of the Afghan hills. Unfortunately, politics rule the military and the people who lose the most are the men, women and children of our military vets. This is their story, Major Gant's amazing leadership skills as a natural born leader, what the military did to use him and eventually set out to ruin him. While I do believe in America and would not choose to live anywhere else, it is disheartening to see how far we've come since the Declaration of Independence was signed.

A gripping story that brings to life the realities of tribal-based counterinsurgency in Afghanistan.American Spartan presents a uniquely personal perspective on the support and development of Afghan local security forces. It vividly captures the "guy on the ground" perspective of America's tribal-based counterinsurgency strategy of the time. The book also accurately reflects the challenges and rewards of military and civilian missions requiring close cooperation between outside advisors and local actors, and it will resonate with anyone who has served in such a role. American Spartan takes you through the roller coaster ride of practical difficulties and emotional attachments that go hand in hand with such efforts by putting you in the shoes of decorated Green Beret Jim Gant. In charting the rise and fall of Gant's career, the book serves as a stark reminder of the mental and physical toll paid by service members serving on the sharp end. I rate it as a "MUST READ" for anyone interested in the war in Afghanistan or in counterinsurgency in general.That being said, the definitive book about the experiences of Jim Gant, Ann Tyson, and the surrounding cast of characters is yet to be written. Undoubtedly there is some inherent bias in American Spartan given that Tyson is now Gant's wife. Even so, there is too much ground truth and insight to be found here to justify simply discarding the book as empty praise or an unfounded defense of Gant's decisions, as some reviewers have seem inclined to do.Tyson takes the reader on a whirlwind journey through an array of interesting situations that make for enlightening and gripping reading. Gant's counterinsurgency mission required a balancing act of the highest order -- he and his team had to establish real, trusting relationships with local actors, sort out local power structures, and make judgment calls as to which "friends" (or potential foes) to invest in. Also in play were various conflicts internal to the U.S. military, both personal and professional, which served to frustrate the mission. Top this off with the added pressure of an all-too-short timeline, and you have the makings of a real-life mission impossible (and, I hope, a great movie).Notwithstanding the long odds they faced, Gant and his team appear to have achieved a significant measure of success before things imploded in a dramatic (and unnecessarily counterproductive) fashion. The fallout and aftermath portions of American Spartan are probably the segments which will be most likely to leave readers wondering how a more objective accounting might read.In spite of such lingering questions, American Spartan is an intriguing and inspiring read which ultimately brought to mind WWII Marine Corps ace Pappy Boyington's self-deprecating assessment of his own autobiography: "Just name a hero and I'll prove he's a bum."Whatever flaws one might find in Jim Gant, he is unquestionably a hero who lived in pursuit of a timeless warrior code. He deserves our thanks and respect for his service and sacrifice, for his belief in and pursuit of a seemingly impossible mission, and for his compassionate commitment to the people of Afghanistan.

I hear much conflict around Major Jim Gant but that seems to be an attribute that follows many great leaders. The book I thought was a great read that actually reads like a a book made for a movie. The stories of battle ad battle focused leadership that include innovative thinking and unconventional tactics and adaptability I must say steal my heart especially in a world that's filled with conformity and rigid linear thinking. Major Gant if half of what this book relays is true is my kind of guy and one I would like to have worked with.

There are books that make you think long and hard about some things you thought you knew. This is one of them. War is horrible! It makes humans do horrible things and can turn heroes into “criminals”. Major Gant served his county honorably. His country served him horribly.

Our Honour besmirched by political cowardice I read military history to try to understand. Of the hundreds of books from antiquity to present, Ann’s work conveyed best the bitter bright unknowable.

Review to follow, but some time later. Right now I'm slap-happy. It's 5:36 a.m. and I have to be at work by 9...

This intriguing and complicated story is one that needed to be told, as its telling is itself a complex task. Above all, it's a case study in mismanagement, and how subordinates work to fill in the vacuum that bad management leaves behind. The contemplation of Jim Gant's actions to fill that void is worthwhile for all Americans, as each of us is ultimately responsible for and represented by our military. At first, I whole-heartedly agreed with the 'biased' perspective, as Tyson's writing initially acknowledges what could be at the very least described as a sympathetic perspective. I think there is a lot of value in an audience being 'sold' on Gant's mission from the exact perspective of someone who fully bought into said mission. As the overall situation goes 'south' for Gant, however, it becomes clearer that the bias is nearly inextricable from the account. At best, it serves as a counter-balance to the military hierarchy's response, as it's nearly impossible to recognize the important contradictions inherent in the investigation and result. But at worst, and probably too often, it's hard to separate events from a sympathetic source who's way too close to everything. That conflict, however, serves to mirror the exact issue at the heart of Jim Gant's story, even through its telling.

** spoiler alert ** This was an interesting book where a Special Forces Officer imbeds himself with locals in Iraq and then Afghanistan to help create a Local Police Force to protect the country and phase out the need for so many US Soldiers. This was working, but eventually the bureaucracy of the Army and the pettiness of a West Point Infantry Officer would bring his downfall. They would condemn him for things that all Special Forces Soldiers were doing. They ignored his progress in helping the war in Afghanistan. Even Osama Bin Laden would acknowledge that he was hurting the Taliban cause and had to be eliminated. He was a victim of military bureaucracy that fails so many Soldiers. This affected me as I am retiring soon and have seen the corruption and hypocrisy in the military.

Jim Gant is a warrior a true real one who One Tribe at Time strategy was working he made some mistakes yes but that’s what 22 months in combat can do according to the author and his wife. He was betrayed by a officer with no clue how to fight in Afghanistan and as he always said by a man with a Special Force’s Tab. The argument against him is fair but went to far. Other ODAs did similar things to his team. It’s just how they have to get by. Jim’s paper was found in UBLs compound during the SSE with his markings on it. He ordered Jim to be killed but the Spartan came out on top.

Outstanding read on what could have changed Afghanistan significantly if not for ridiculous US Army egos (read jealous generals and lieutenants) who clearly did not understand or care about actually winning war or President Obama giving away US strategic plans to the world, instead of doing what was right to actually protect the Afghan people.

First hand account of former Special Forces soldier Jim Gant.........he have mentioned more about his experience in Afghanistan and how he shaped the Afghan Local Police and other tribes to fight insurgents and attachment to the Afghan way of life and also exposes the darkest reality of American military.......

Hard to put DownThis was a compelling story of the sacrifice, courage, and love that one man had for his people and the woman who was always by his side providing him with strength and support

A different perspective An easy read, page turner from a new perspective. Just when you think you have read and know everything there is to know about the Afghanistan war comes Spartan

Fascinating book about the war in Afghanistan from the perspective of a war correspondent and major who lived among the people of Afghanistan to understand their culture and help them fight their common enemies. It also showed some unfortunate parts of the bureaucracy of the military.

Fantastic readWell written, thorough, but quick-paced account of the effective strategies followed, and those unfollowed. Great detail. Sympathetic to those who serve, but critical of strategy, when necessary. A great insight into the brave Afghani and Iraqi allies.

The US Army is it's own worst enemy!Jim Gant is the latest equivalent of the Vietnam era Ltd.. Colonel Anthony Herbert, who's book revealed the moral bankruptcy of military and political leadership during that conflict.