U.S. Marines at The Battle for Sangin

Operation Enduring Freedom

By: Landon Longgrear

Narrated by: Landon Longgrear, Nathan Osgood

U.S. Marines at the Battle for Sangin is a battle-intensive and deeply personal war memoir following a small Marine infantry detachment who arrive in Afghanistan with acts of killing beginning immediately. Not a week goes by before the Marines experience the deaths of friendly forces, Marine casualties, enemy combatants killed, numerous IED strikes, air strikes, predator drone strikes and around-the-clock patrolling in hostile territory where death is ever present.

As a regional direct response Quick Reaction Force in the northern Sangin river valley of Helmand Province, the Marines are immediately put to the test, narrowly avoiding one calamity after the next. The listener feels the author's angst, threat awareness, and a growing sense of hostility toward his elusive enemy. Combat operations greatly intensify as the Marines find their battlefield rhythm. Body counts rise and so does the emotional toll on the author.

The listener is regularly taken into the author's exhilarations from persevering through intense battle scenes but also submerged with him in the turmoil that results from the deliberate harm that he and his fellow Marines inflict on their enemy. There is a sober realization of the unavoidable dichotomy of war and the inner wounds that result from one's participation in its cruelty, whether the recipient or doer of war's violent actions.

This untold story personalizes the broader themes of America's war in Afghanistan through the brutal experiences of a small Marine unit who volunteered to fight it.

©2025 Landon Longgrear (P)2025 Bonnier Books UK

Incredible.

Incredible story about a truly impressive man. Thank you for fighting for our freedom and thanks for taking the time to share your story. Well done!

Best book I’ve heard in a while!!

Spot on sir! Ooorah!!! This makes me so proud to be a marine. (Didn’t know that was possible)

Faith, Life Long Friendship, Honor

I just finished reading this book, and it was great. It's about a Texan who served his country, and it doesn't shy away from the difficult parts of war. I was touched by the friendships he formed and the people he lost. The author's faith in tough times, and his questioning of his own humanity, really stood out. This book is a great reminder that we shouldn't take our freedoms for granted. I recommend it for its look at human nature, faith, and the commitment to serving our country.

Very blessed to listen to this

I listened to this audiobook on the way from and to school. I could not wait to listen to start driving again to listen to the next chapters whenever I got home! This book presents the reality of war (both its glories and gories) without romanticizing it. It was very eye opening to see what a Marine went through during Operation Enduring Freedom. I think they should make this book into a movie.

Listen to it

This is not only a firsthand account of modern Marine warfighting, but also a testimony of how one's Faith can bring about strength and valor, particularly during the darkest of circumstances. Throughout history, those who have faced the realities of war have spoken not only of the evil witnessed firsthand but also of God’s Providence and Divine protection—words even George Washington used in his own reflections. The best part is these are lessons all of us can apply in our everyday lives.