Most Dangerous, Most Unmerciful

These extraordinary stories offer a rare and intimate view of America's longest conflict, and invite us to share the everyday joys and sufferings of war-weary Afghans. J Malcolm Garcia is the empathetic bridge our world needs, and an essential chronicler of our times. -Brian Castner, author of The Long Walk J. Malcolm Garcia's impressive book of nonfiction short stories about extraordinary everyday people in Afghanistan is as gripping as any fiction I've read in years, full of plot twists, humor, sorrow, and grit. Part Dickens, part Studs Terkel, the book reveals its characters' lives with a refreshing candor I defy anyone not to relish. -Helen Benedict, author of Wolf Season, Sand Queen, and The Lonely Soldier J. Malcolm Garcia's latest book exploring the back alleys and warrens of the American war in Afghanistan is profoundly relevant for Americans to read right now. While American leaders, social media trolls, and news pundits glorify street vigilantism and incite wider political violence, Garcia reminds us what war actually does to individuals, culture, and society. This isn't the Hollywood version, or a clever meme. In real war, no one wins, no one gets what they want, and everyone is tortured by the things they saw and did. -Ben Brody, author of Attention Servicemember It takes a unique combination of moral seriousness, physical courage and wild honesty to bear witness to war's devastation and be able to convey to those who weren't there what it was like. Lucky for us, J. Malcolm Garcia is such a writer. His tremendous book about ordinary Afghans trying to endure two decades of conflict and occupation deserves a wide readership. -Matt Gallagher, author of Empire City and Youngblood