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Afghanistan Sniper

Trauma on the Front Line and Beyond

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Afghanistan Sniper

By: Ted Shirley
Narrated by: Ted Shirley
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The war in Afghanistan had grown to its most violent of times, and Helmand Province had made for some of the bloodiest battles. With their departure to the front lines fast approaching, a Welsh infantry battalion was in the process of selecting their very best men to be put forward for sniper training.

The young Welshmen selected grew to become the closest of friends as they navigated their way through the difficult sniper cadre. After losing one of their own to the Taliban shortly after the course, Ted and the rest of the lads deployed to Helmand Province and the raging war for the second time. Follow their journey as they take on the Taliban, from enemy snipers to Taliban leaders. Deploying on the biggest air assault operation since the Second World War, they made shots from a mile away and even took out two enemy fighters with one round. They were battle winners, and they earned their title of sniper, but it was not without cost.

As the tour in Afghanistan came to an end, Ted began to feel the effects of what will later be diagnosed as post-traumatic stress disorder, and it quickly took over his life, sending him on a downward spiral. This was a humbling, terrifying experience which lasted for over a decade, and very nearly took his life. With an uninspiring diagnosis of no known cure, Ted decides to take control of his life and find his own solutions, in this riveting story.

With detailed accounts of the unravelling of his mind and intricate insights into the taking of a life with the squeeze of a trigger, Afghanistan Sniper takes listeners through a journey of the highest of highs and the lowest of lows known only to those who have been on that same journey.

A supplemental PDF will be available to download with your purchase

©2026 Ted Shirley (P)2026 Bonnier Books UK
Afghan & Iraq Wars Armed Forces Asia Military Military & War Special & Elite Forces
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This is the most powerful book I have ever listened to.
The author, who is also the narrator, captures the high, lows, humour and torment of a highly trained professional soldier cast into the depths of PTSD by his experiences serving his country.
It is not a comfortable listen.
It is not meant to be.
It is the story of a man driven to attempt to take his own life by the flashbacks and internal voices gifted to him by his illness.
It is also a story of redemption and recovery, with the help of friends, family and medical professionals.
I really can't recommend this book highly enough to anyone with even a passing interest in PTSD and the terrible lengths it can drive sufferers to.

A harrowing listen, brilliantly presented.

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A very honest and brave biography from a remarkable person. A thoroughly enjoyable listen, both heart breaking and heartwarming at the same time.

Excellent

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After hearing part of Ted Shirley's military story on a podcast, I knew he was an inspiration. This book only confirms it! What an amazing man, with an amazing story of making it back from what I can only imagine, as hell and back.

AN AMAZING LISTEN!

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I have read and listened to this book and it has been written in a way that incapsulates the reader or listener to every word that has been written. The story is an amazing insight on how an ordinary boy from joining the army became a sniper and after doing two tours of Afghanistan came back with mental health issues. The story tell of how this soldier fought with PTSD for over 15 years, and finally broke the shackles that weighed him down for so long and turned his life back around again.
who ever reads this book will not be disappointed but inspired by this young man's achievements.
I loved the book and after listening to it, I admire him even more.
It is written in his own words and voiced also by the author. An excellent novel by any standards.

Traumatic PTSD and Recovery

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Loved listening to this story. I’ve read a few re military but there were many times I was in tears. So glad you came through

What an insight

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