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Postcards Through Hell Kindle Edition

by Alan Chiasson (Author), Edward Ford (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.8 62 ratings

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POSTCARDS THROUGH HELL IS A TRUE TALE OF HEROISM AND SACRIFICE THAT TAKES READERS ONTO THE DEADLY ROADS OF AFGHANISTAN AS BRAVE SECURITY CONTRACTORS RISK THEIR LIVES TO DELIVER THE US MAIL TO OUR MILITARY WARRIORS ENGAGED IN A BLOODY WAR.
Early Praise

“Postcards Through Hell rings with an authenticity that only comes from personal experience. Contracting is a different world from the military, one that has little recognition yet was no less dangerous. In fact, it was even more dangerous, as these men did not have air or fire support. Only the bravest and most dedicated men would embark upon such missions. It stands to reason that they are part of the newest ‘greatest generation.’”—Colin D. Heaton, Author and Historian
“Postcards Through Hell is a riveting journey through war-torn Afghanistan that shares the brave and daring ride of private military contractors as they fight their way through unforgiving territory day in and day out to deliver the US mail”.—Scott Huesing, USMC (ret) Bestselling Author, Echo in Ramadi
“Their story is the incredible account of courage, heroism, and brotherhood overcoming fears that everyone experiences. These are the unsung heroes of America's longest war in the Middle East. This is a must-read non-fiction account for all those seeking to go beyond their perceived limitations.”—Fred Galvin, USMC (ret) Bestselling Author, A Few Bad Men

“This firsthand account takes you on an amazing journey to deliver the US mail and other critical supplies to our deployed troops in some of the most remote and dangerous outposts along the infamous Ring Road in

Afghanistan. Risking everything to fulfill their mission, Alan and Ed share their incredible story of sacrifice and survival in Postcards Through Hell.”—Amy Forsythe, USN/USMC PAO Bestselling Author, Heroes Live Here

“In Postcards Through Hell, the men of the Pony Express are true patriots who risked life and limb to provide our military their only real connection to home, the US Mail. They are all heroes in my eyes, and I truly thank them for a job well done.”—Patrick R. Donahoe, Former Postmaster General US Postal Service

“As a former Green Beret with multiple deployments to Afghanistan, the austere nature of our work forced us to rely heavily on resupply. I became very familiar with the importance of supply lines, logistics, and yes... the delivery of mail from thousands of miles away that offered the rare moment of respite and human connection beyond the corrosive cauldron of combat. But, I never gave much thought to the modern-day warriors who resupplied Green Berets and other Special Operators in Afghanistan...until now. This book is a legacy story to the men who did the heavy lifting behind the scenes, to keep us all in the fight. We owe them a debt of gratitude. De Oppresso Liber”.--Scott Mann, NYT Best-Selling Author of Operation Pineapple Express and Creator of "Last Out - Elegy of a Green Beret"

”In the hellfire of ear cracking IED blasts, waves of burning shrapnel, and singed skin, we always held on to each other. Through countless snowfalls of ash and endless nights, some of us endured by kneeling over our beds in prayer while others knelt over toilet seats, the entrails of a goat “lamb-wich” looking back at them. We all held on. Bonded for life...”

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BJXXLHBR
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Moonshine Cove Publishing, LLC (October 19, 2022)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 19, 2022
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 4.2 MB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 289 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #1,829,020 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #90 in History of Afghanistan
- #271 in Afghan War History
- #973 in Afghan War Military History

Customer Reviews:
4.8 62 ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's stories engaging and well-told. They describe it as a fascinating read that provides an insightful view of war. Readers appreciate the eye-opening details and straightforward writing style. Overall, they found the book entertaining and hard to put down.

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18 customers mention "Story quality"18 positive0 negative

Customers find the stories engaging and well-told. They appreciate the author's skill in capturing the world of the military. The book is described as straightforward and informative.

"...This book is stark and to the point. They relive the experiences they had on those dangerous roads without much embellishment...." Read more

"...Well done to the authors." Read more

"Well written and entertaining!" Read more

"A really great read that makes you feel like you’re there." Read more

10 customers mention "Readability"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book an engaging read that provides an insightful view of war and the GWOT. They find it fascinating and thought-provoking, offering a realistic look at security contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"This book gives not only insight into the war in Afghanistan, but gives it from the hellish perspective of those in the thick of it all...." Read more

"Postcards Through Hell is an honest and unflinching look at security contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan...." Read more

"...This is a must read book for anyone who ever thought about how contractors operate in a war zone. The author really got this one right." Read more

"...A must read." Read more

7 customers mention "Insight"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and entertaining. They appreciate the thoughtful writing, stunning details, and straightforward style. The author does a great job of inviting readers into their world and sharing in their experiences.

"...This book is stark and to the point. They relive the experiences they had on those dangerous roads without much embellishment...." Read more

"Incredible inside look at an angle of the Afghan war that hasn't been seen prior. Well done to the authors." Read more

"...is brutal but reading about it in Afghanistan for contractors was eye-opening and jaw-dropping!..." Read more

"...Excellent book full of stunning details. Sometimes painful to read, but necessary. There will never be a way to repay our warriors." Read more

3 customers mention "Reading pace"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and enjoyable.

"Well written and entertaining!" Read more

"...Insightful and entertaining. Job well done." Read more

"This is a book I could not stop reading. As a Marine Corps vet I found it extremely interesting and factual...." Read more

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Top reviews from the United States

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john
This is what living on the edge feels like
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2023
Verified Purchase

Chase and Ed Ford's book delves straight into what the danger of warfare feels like, while giving us a great look at the crazy roads of Afghanistan. This book is stark and to the point. They relive the experiences they had on those dangerous roads without much embellishment. The truth doesn't need any embellishment and actually is stranger than fiction. I know Chase from a previous contract and he's a terrific person. He spent years over there in Iraq and Afghanistan and this book is authentic as it gets.

Particularly interesting to me is that it shows that support roles of small, lightly armored convoys doing unglamorous things like delivering the mail, draw so much fire. They were so vulnerable, yet were manned by total professionals. This is a riveting book!

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Vincent
Great book
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2024
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If you like reading about military operations this book is for you

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Jessi
Unique view on the war
Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2024
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Incredible inside look at an angle of the Afghan war that hasn't been seen prior. Well done to the authors.

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Mallory Sampson
Great story and insight into the GWOT
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2024
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Well written and entertaining!

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Eric
Fantastic Book
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2024
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A really great read that makes you feel like you’re there.

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Jimmy
For the ones to the left and right
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2023
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These prior military contractors delivered mail and much-needed supplies to the most dangerous areas of Afghanistan at the height of the war. They faced countless attacks with almost none of the typical military support available to active duty forces. They only had each other, and life was ruthless and beautiful at the same time. They were fueled by adrenaline, Red Bull, and nicotine. There was never enough time to think, they just had to react by relying on their training and sheer will to come up with the best way forward under the worst conditions. They lost brothers in arms, wives, and some of their sanity as they continued to do the job. There’s never enough money or glory to make up for what these men endured, and most of society will never know or understand why they did any of it. These are the kind of rare dudes that will truly do anything for each other.

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Joe Jansen
From ground level
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2022
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Some choice lines and scenes:

"When running convoys on Ring Road, we felt like drifters in a post-apocalyptic, neo-western world... Afghanistan was a combination of the occult, the Wild West, and The Sopranos."

A story of an Afghan truck driver who had his nine-year-old son with him, and dives out of the cab during an ambush to grab tree branches to jam into fresh bullet holes in the side of the now-leaking fuel tanker. I'm thinking, "That Afghani is serious about his job."

Great observations like: "...driving on Ring Road brought the battlefield. We passed by fierce skirmishes, exploding bombs, burning oil tankers, gun-toting Afghan forces, and convoys of US forces that looked hostile to anyone. We were so used to the constant violence, we continued traveling amidst flying bullets, not bothering to wait until the fighting finished."

***
The stories here are told well and give the reader a look inside the world of the military contractor.

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Joe Jansen

From ground level

Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2022
Some choice lines and scenes:

"When running convoys on Ring Road, we felt like drifters in a post-apocalyptic, neo-western world... Afghanistan was a combination of the occult, the Wild West, and The Sopranos."

A story of an Afghan truck driver who had his nine-year-old son with him, and dives out of the cab during an ambush to grab tree branches to jam into fresh bullet holes in the side of the now-leaking fuel tanker. I'm thinking, "That Afghani is serious about his job."

Great observations like: "...driving on Ring Road brought the battlefield. We passed by fierce skirmishes, exploding bombs, burning oil tankers, gun-toting Afghan forces, and convoys of US forces that looked hostile to anyone. We were so used to the constant violence, we continued traveling amidst flying bullets, not bothering to wait until the fighting finished."

***
The stories here are told well and give the reader a look inside the world of the military contractor.

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Geraine H. Zamora
Intriguing First-hand account of War!
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2022
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We all know war is brutal but reading about it in Afghanistan for contractors was eye-opening and jaw-dropping! I honor the risk they took and the personal commitment of each man to each other, but also appreciated the stories of their significant others back home and how their lives were affected by these decisions to work on The Pony Express and travel the most dangerous Ring Road. Great read!

Geri Z.

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