After the Al Qaida attacks of September 11, 2001, America quickly toppled the Taliban regime that had sheltered the terrorist organization in Afghanistan. But, believing the war to be all but over, U.S. Central Command refused to commit the forces required to achieve total victory, while planning an unnecessary assault on Iraq. Instead, the war's biggest battle -- one that could have broken Al Qaida and captured Osama bin Laden -- was waged by a hodge-podge of units thrown together at the last moment. On March 2, 2002, America's first major battle of the 21st century began in the Shahikot Valley, where young, untested U.S. soldiers paid a bloody price for strategic, higher-level miscalculations. Journalist eyewitness Naylor describes how, denied the extra infantry, artillery, and attack helicopters with which they had trained, these troops nevertheless proved their worth in brutal combat and prevented an American military disaster. -- From publisher description.

"Chaos and courage in the mountains of Afghanistan" -- Cover. Includes maps of: [Afghanistan and Vicinity]; Juliet Team Reconnaissance; India Team Environmental Reconnaissance, February 21-26, 2002; India, Juliet, and Mako 31 Reconnaissance, February 28-March 2, 2002; Task Force Hammer, March 2, 2002; Operation Anaconda Landing Zones and Blocking Positions, March 2, 2002; Razor 01 Assault on Al Qaida Bunker atop Takur Ghar, March 4, 2002.

Reporting "Not a good day to die" -- Cast of characters -- Glossary -- Prologue -- IPB -- Reaction to contact -- Takur Ghar -- Winding down -- Notes -- Interviewees.