Clinton Romesha Red Platoon: A True Story of American Valor
Last updated: June 27, 2019
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Product Details
In our analysis of 30 expert reviews, the Clinton Romesha Red Platoon: A True Story of American Valor
placed 5th when we looked at the top 7 products in the category. For the full ranking,
see below.
From The Manufacturer
Former Staff Sergeant Clinton L. Romesha enlisted in the Army in 1999. He deployed twice to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and once to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. At the time of the deadly attack on Combat Outpost (COP) Keating on October 3, 2009, Staff Sergeant Romesha was assigned as a section leader for Bravo Troop, 3-61st Cavalry, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. He is the recipient of numerous awards and decorations, including the Medal of Honor, which has been received by only twelve others for the heroism they displayed while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. Romesha separated from the Army in 2011. He lives with his family in North Dakota.
Expert Reviews
What reviewers liked
This ranks among the best combat narratives written in recent decades, revealing Romesha as a brave and skilled soldier as well as a gifted writer. He supports his own memories with hours of interviews and official reports to describe the battle and its context.
The book is riveting in its authentic detail, right down to the determined attempts to recover American bodies before the Taliban could. Romesha ably captures the daily dangers faced by these courageous American soldiers in Afghanistan.
The battle, from start to finish, is riveting. I felt invested in these fighters, from the first death to the attempts to save one soldier who had had his legs blown off. Romesha, using both his memories and those of his fellow soldiers, constructs the scenes skillfully. It’s great writing, and he manages to make a battle that lasted 14 hours credibly stretch for most of the book.
Most of the book is a blow-by-blow description of the battle as it evolved. It is engrossing and compelling. The descriptions are well written, and the inside cover has a very helpful isometric drawing of the base, so it is possible to closely follow the battle and to imagine oneself there.
As someone who has never been in the military, I was able to understand the terminology, the tactics, and the situation that everyone in Keating found themselves in that day. Romesha’s writing style is informative and straightforward, yet also vivid and highly entertaining. He writes in a way that’s relatable to both servicemen and civilians alike.
What reviewers didn't like
It’s not all perfect, though. The telling is, or nearly so, but the substance, upon examination, has problems, mostly relating to Romesha’s treatment of other soldiers. The author is fond of crisply denigrating numerous other members of his troop, both of his own platoon and even more of the other two platoons.
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