In this New York Times bestseller, an award-winning combat reporter reveals how close American forces came to disaster in Afghanistan against Al Qaida after easily defeating the ragtag Taliban that had sheltered the terrorist organization behind the 9/11 attacks. nAward-winning combat journalist Sean Naylor reveals a firsthand account of the largest battle fought by American military forces in Afghanistan in an attempt to destroy al-Qaeda and Taliban forces. n n At dawn on March 2, 2002, Americas first major battle of the 21st century began. Over 200 soldiers of the 101st Airborne and 10th Mountain Division flew into Afghanistans Shah-i-Kot Valley--and into the mouth of a buzz saw. They were about to pay a bloody price for strategic, high-level miscalculations that underestimated the enemys strength and willingness to fight. nNaylor, an eyewitness to the battle, details the failures of military intelligence and planning, while vividly portraying the astonishing heroism of these young, untested US soldiers. Denied the extra support with which they trained, these troops nevertheless proved their worth in brutal combat and prevented an American military disaster.n