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Pride and Fall

The British Army in Afghanistan, 2001–2014

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Pride and Fall

By: Sergio Miller
Narrated by: Charles Armstrong
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Bloomsbury presents Pride and Fall: The British Army in Afghanistan, 2001–2014 by Sergio Miller, read by Charles Armstrong.

A detailed new account of the British military campaign in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014, based on the experiences of those who served.

On 11 September 2001 19 al-Qaeda-inspired jihadists hijacked four aircraft and mounted the deadliest terrorist attack in history. The outrage triggered a chain of events that saw British forces drawn into a lengthy military campaign against a fierce insurgency in Afghanistan.

In the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, NATO invoked Article 5 of the Washington Treaty that obligated military assistance to the United States. The British government supported the initial US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, and subsequently committed troops to Kabul and northern Afghanistan from 2002 onwards. However, in January 2006, following NATO’s expansion southwards, Britain committed a battlegroup from the Parachute Regiment to Helmand Province in what became known as Operation Herrick, with Defence Secretary John Reid stating he ‘would be perfectly happy to leave in three years and without firing one shot’. The reality was very different. From 2006 to 2014, a succession of British task forces rotated through Helmand and fought against an implacable enemy. When they finally withdrew in 2014, British forces had suffered losses of more than 450 killed and 2,000 wounded. The Taliban were not defeated and would grow stronger.

Sergio Miller served in Defence Intelligence in Whitehall throughout the campaign, and Pride and Fall answers the many questions surrounding the conflict. Based on abundant open-source material generated by the war and first-hand testimonies, this is the story of the men and women who served.©2024 Sergio Miller (P)2024 Bloomsbury Publishing PLC 21st Century Asia Europe Great Britain India Military Modern South Asia War
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Critic reviews

Forensically researched.
There is a need for an authoritative account of the British operations conducted on the ground in Afghanistan during that most difficult of wars. This is that book.
[An] outstanding study.
History at its best. … it will become one of the seminal history books of the campaign in Afghanistan.
All stars
Most relevant
An excellent summary of almost 15 years of folly. The British political classes and DIFID should hang their heads in shame!

Riveting listen

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A well argued and evidenced analysis that exposes the entire lack of understanding in U.K. Government of how to work out national objectives and then deliver them. It’s shameful that there is no Chilcot inquiry equivalent into the FCO and DFiD gross negligence in Afghanistan.

Some lovely descriptions and the author writes on an emotive topic exceptionally well.


Minor points that an editor can fix for the audio book:
Place names a strange selection rather than using typical U.K. forces pronunciation. Easily resolved.

Several military personnel with the incorrect first name, tend to have the correct initial but incorrect name eg David instead of Dougie.

Some incorrect ranks vs position of officer at the period in the campaign.

I suggest the Gordon messenger quote is reviewed - I don’t think it is correct.

Where military role titles are abbreviated footnotes or explanation should be provided, as it tend to highlight inaccuracy. Fully understand that writing assistant deputy chief of defence staff, operations and commitments is rather long winded but explaining the reductive approach would help.

Comprehensive analysis without constraint

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Impressive account of British military involvement in Afghanistan, although a final chapter on the fall to the Taliban would be helpful.

Comprehensive account of British Army in Afghanistan

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This is a well-paced, considered and comprehensive review of the British Army’s time in Afghanistan following September 11. Absolutely perfect for anyone looking to gain proper knowledge of the subject in one place. I find lots of military history off-putting but this was valuable, provoking and wry.

Excellent - Compassionate and Useful

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I am just over halfway listening to this audiobook and it has made me very, very angry. The disgraceful lying and grandstanding of the British politicians is criminal. They allowed young men to go into battle, not just with inadequate equipment, but actually cutting expenditure while they were fighting. I knew some of this story, but the book lays it out plainly. The behaviour of the Blair/Brown administration is disgusting and I haven't got to the Cameron administration yet! An interesting and depressing listen.

The gross incompetence of the British government

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