Level Zero Heroes

The Story of U.S. Marine Special Operations in Bala Murghab, Afghanistan

By: Michael Golembesky, John R. Bruning

Narrated by: Peter Berkrot

An elite Marine special operations team, a battle to save downed soldiers in Afghanistan, a fight for survival—an incredible true story of war that became a New York Times bestseller.

In Level Zero Heroes, Michael Golembesky follows the members of U.S. Marine Special Operations Team 8222 on their assignment to the remote and isolated Taliban stronghold known as Bala Murghab as they conduct special operations in an effort to break the Taliban's grip on the Valley. What started out as a routine mission changed when two 82nd Airborne Paratroopers tragically drowned in the Bala Murghab River while trying to retrieve vital supplies from an air drop that had gone terribly wrong. In this one moment, the focus and purpose of the friendly forces at Forward Operating Base Todd, where Team 8222 was assigned, was forever altered as a massive clearing operation was initiated to break the Taliban's stranglehold on the valley and recover the bodies.

From close-quarters firefights in Afghan villages to capturing key-terrain from the Taliban in the unforgiving Afghan winter, this intense and personal story depicts the brave actions and sacrifices of MSOT 8222. Readers will understand the hopelessness of being pinned down under a hail of enemy gunfire and the quake of the earth as a 2000 lb. guided bomb levels a fortified Taliban fighting position.
A powerful and moving story of Marine Operators doing what they do best, Level Zero Heroes brings to life the mission of these selected few that fought side-by-side in Afghanistan, in a narrative as action-packed and emotional as anything to emerge from the Special Operations community contribution to the Afghan War.

©2014 Michael Golembesky and John R. Bruning (P)2014 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Level Zero Heroes proves that great warriors aren't minted from any one branch of service. Michael's story is a testament to the hard men of MARSOC who have contributed significantly both on and off the battlefield since the attacks of Sept. 11th, 2001. Semper Fi brothers.” —Brandon Webb, former Navy SEAL, Editor of SOFREP, and New York Times bestselling author of The Red Circle

“Semper Fi! Level Zero Heroes is a riveting, fast paced account of Marine Operators in combat in Afghanistan. Inspiring & insightful look into the new world of Marine Corps Special Operations, I was absolutely hooked from the first page to the last. I'm glad Ski and his fellow team members are on our side.” —Sean Parnell, New York Times bestselling author of Outlaw Platoon

“The author writes perceptively about the complex social environment of Afghanistan…. The depictions of combat are precise regarding weapons and tactics but also jargon-heavy, giving the action a video game feel.” —Kirkus Reviews

bombs away

Good story line moved from encounter to encounter, but never really felt engaged with the action.

old time Marine

Shocking to hear what these brave men had to go through. They are men of Valor.

Good story. Narrator??

For a military SOF book, the story wasn’t bad. The performance definitely leaves something to be desired. The narrator can make a huge difference. Made me miss We Few, and Whispers In The Tall Grass. Now, THOSE books, and narrator, is how it’s done.

The Shocking Reality of Modern Combat in Medieval Afghanistan.

An intense first hand account of the courage, esprit de corps and sacrifice born of the difficult conditions, frustrating and constraining rules of engagement, and the tenacious and tactical enemy our warriors are facing while fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan.

A must read to understand, honor and pray for our unbelievably brave service members

This book is an amazing account of a small portion of the harsh and brutal truth of war and brotherhood. ‘Ski’ does an amazing job making me feel like I am right alongside him and the struggle to fight the good fight, even when it feels impossible. To all those of Dagger 22, thank you.