A War Like This One

Name: A War Like This One
ISBN: 9798897472437

by A. J. Koss

Publisher

Koehler Books

Publication

Dec 08, 2026

Format

Paperback/Softback

Illustrated

Price

18.95

Dimensions

6 x 9 in

ISBN

9798897472437

Pages

236

Age

Adult 18+

Rights Sold

🌍 World Wide Rights Available

Description

"A gripping, intelligent account of combat in our nation's longest war."-General David Petraeus, US Army (Ret.), former commander of Coalition Forces in Afghanistan "A compelling and vivid account of combat leadership under challenging conditions." -Lieutenant General H. R. McMaster, US Army (Ret.), former national security advisor In 2011, United States Army Captain A. J. Koss led the 145 men of Action Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, into Wardak Province, charged with securing the most contested stretch of Afghanistan's Highway 1. The predeployment briefings promised a war winding down, an Afghan National Army nearly ready to take the lead, and a population whose hearts and minds were finally turning. The valley that surrounded the remote combat outpost where he and his men found themselves would tell a different story. For the next eleven months, Koss and his soldiers relentlessly patrolled hostile territory, fought through ambushes and IEDs, and worked alongside an Afghan partner force they could not trust. They killed, they bled, and they buried friends-all for ground that would never be theirs to hold. A War Like This One is the unvarnished account of small-unit command in America's longest war: the weight of 145 lives, the chasm between official optimism and ground truth, and the quiet cost of duty.

Awards & Endorsements

Review

"Captain A. J. Koss has produced not just a vivid account of combat, but also a thoughtful examination of leadership under extremely harsh conditions. His book reminds us that war is a deeply human undertaking shaped not by abstract theories or political slogans, but by disciplined young Americans carrying immense responsibility amid violence, uncertainty, and fear. This book will hold lasting value for cadets, junior officers, military historians, and citizens seeking to understand the realities of command in combat." -General James Mattis, United States Marine Corps (Ret.), former secretary of defense; former commander of US Central Command, the 1st Marine Division in Iraq, and Task Force 58 in Afghanistan

"The value of the story lies in Koss's commitment to do his duty, even as he realizes the endless dilemmas, the tragic losses, and the paltry returns for all the sacrifices and hardships his company undergoes. It is a revealing study of what our young soldiers go through, the demands of the profession of arms, and the endless complications of our modern wars. I recommend the book for those who aspire to be leaders in our armed forces as well as for those who simply want to learn what 'these kinds of wars' have been like." -Colonel James R. McDonough, United States Army (Ret.), Vietnam veteran, author of the best-selling combat memoir Platoon Leader

Author(s)

A. J. Koss

A. J. Koss is a former US Army infantry officer. In eight years of active-duty service, he led soldiers in a variety of airborne and light infantry units. He deployed to combat twice-as a platoon leader in the Iraq War (2007-2008) and as a company commander in the War in Afghanistan (2011-2012). His military awards include two Bronze Star Medals and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He completed several elite military courses, including US Army Ranger School; Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leaders Course; Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE); and the Advanced Airborne (Jumpmaster) School. A. J. is a graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point and holds an MBA from the Wharton School.