The Afghan Campaign

A novel

By: Steven Pressfield

Narrated by: James Langton

2,300 years ago an unbeaten army of the West invaded the homeland of a fierce Eastern tribal foe. This is one soldier’s story . . .

The bestselling novelist of ancient warfare returns with a riveting historical novel that re-creates Alexander the Great’s invasion of the Afghan kingdoms in 330 b.c.
In a story that might have been ripped from today’s combat dispatches, Steven Pressfield brings to life the confrontation between an invading Western army and fierce Eastern warriors determined at all costs to defend their homeland. Narrated by an infantryman in Alexander’s army, The Afghan Campaign explores the challenges, both military and moral, that Alexander and his soldiers face as they embark on a new type of war and are forced to adapt to the methods of a ruthless foe that employs terror and insurgent tactics. An edge-of-your-seat adventure, The Afghan Campaign once again demonstrates Pressfield’s profound understanding of the hopes and desperation of men in battle and of the historical realities that continue to influence our world.©2006 Steven Pressfield; (P)2006 Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Pressfield has done it again. The Afghan Campaign is yet another gripping historical novel . . . Although set in ancient times, Pressfield’s narration of the Macedonians’ efforts reveals remarkable parallels to later efforts by the Romans, British, Soviets, and Americans . . . an intense, fun, and thought-provoking read. It belongs on your shelf.”
—T. X. Hammes, Marine Corps Gazette
“Pressfield's scholarly skills are part and parcel of his impressive talent for re-creating the visceral, scalp-carving, lance-in-back horror of ancient battle.”
—USA Today

“Fasinating . . . As Patrick O'Brien's prose seemed to encapsulate the feel of the Napoleonic-era warship, Pressfield's crisp and eloquent style reconstitutes the ancient battlefield.”

The Afghan Campaign is Wonderful, but

The Afghan Campaign is a wonderful book but the narrator skips paragraphs in the book. This drives me crazy so I returned to just reading the book.

The ending 😔

Wish it was a longer story and went into more detail of the protagonists past life

Excellent

A great first person narrative of a soldier (infantry and then becomes cavalry) in Alexander
The Greats Afghanistan campaign.
What is striking the similarities of the order of battle even in comparison to today. The description of the Afghan tribesman are fascinating.

Some care in casting narrators would be appreciated.

The cultured voice of a metrosexual academic is hardly fitting for a soldier’s story. Otherwise it’s classic Pressfield.

👌

It's an interesting piece of historical fiction. Makes you really appreciate the diverging moral code of the Middle East.