American Sniper

The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History

By: Chris Kyle, Scott McEwan, Jim DeFelice

Narrated by: John Pruden

Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

He is the deadliest American sniper ever, called "the devil" by the enemies he hunted and "the legend" by his Navy SEAL brothers.

From 1999 to 2009, U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle recorded the most career sniper kills in United States military history. The Pentagon has officially confirmed more than 150 of Kyles kills (the previous American record was 109), but it has declined to verify the astonishing total number for this book. Iraqi insurgents feared Kyle so much they named him al-Shaitan ("the devil") and placed a bounty on his head. Kyle earned legendary status among his fellow SEALs, Marines, and U.S. Army soldiers, whom he protected with deadly accuracy from rooftops and stealth positions. Gripping and unforgettable, Kyle’s masterful account of his extraordinary battlefield experiences ranks as one of the great war memoirs of all time.

A native Texan who learned to shoot on childhood hunting trips with his father, Kyle was a champion saddle-bronc rider prior to joining the Navy. After 9/11, he was thrust onto the front lines of the War on Terror, and soon found his calling as a world-class sniper who performed best under fire. He recorded a personal-record 2,100-yard kill shot outside Baghdad; in Fallujah, Kyle braved heavy fire to rescue a group of Marines trapped on a street; in Ramadi, he stared down insurgents with his pistol in close combat. Kyle talks honestly about the pain of war - of twice being shot and experiencing the tragic deaths of two close friends.

American Sniper also honors Kyle's fellow warriors, who raised hell on and off the battlefield. And in moving first-person accounts throughout, Kyle's wife, Taya, speaks openly about the strains of war on their marriage and children, as well as on Chris.

Adrenaline-charged and deeply personal, American Sniper is a thrilling eyewitness account of war that only one man could tell.

©2012 Chris Kyle (P)2012 HarperCollins Publishers

More Slice of Life, Less War Memoir

Where does American Sniper rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book is well narrated and very interesting. It's at times an interesting listen, and at times brutally hard hitting.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I didn't expect to hear as much about Kyle's family as I did. The bits from his wife were really excellent additions.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Chris Kyle's wife talks about her experience as a SEAL wife, it's compelling and heart-breaking. The fact that Kyle is open about his priorities - God, Country, Family - it's brutally honest.

A true American hero!

Simply one of the best books I've ever listen to. Absolutely amazing! Do yourself a favor and give this book a go.

gritty and gutsy

Great story of a die hard American patriot.
made me feel insignificant. real behind scene drama of war.

Great insight -- God Bless America

I began this book with trepidation... How gruesome would the accounts be, etc. However, I thoroughly enjoyed Chris's story. I have always believed patriotism is something all Americans should take great pride in -- we have an incredible country and we should honor the men and women past and present who have served. Thank you to all servicemen and women.

Amazing account of an America Hero

The detail Chris Kyle provided was amazing. He is an American Hero. When my boys are old enough I will make them read this book. Rest in Peace.

Amazing Story!!!!!

To have lived through all of this is sheer insanity. Well told heavy and humorous at times. Well balanced story.

very well done

highly recommend for any veteran who has served overseas many of the situations will put you back and it's a good read

excellent experience!

It was an awesome story and the narrator was a great fit! I am looking forward to more books he narrates.

Excellent

Amazing to hear a first person account of life as a SEAL. The best thing is that it is not whitewashed at all. Of course, the actual combat experiences are illuminating and riveting in their granularity. But also because it includes difficulties with family relationships and feelings of being needed in multiple places at once. A truly amazing story about the arc of a unique life. Thanks for your service Mr. Kyle.

Incredible story about an amazing American

I went and saw the movie opening weekend. I left feeling like I was leaving a funeral. Throughout this book I had to keep reminding myself it wasn't Chris narrating. The narration was incredible. It was nice how the book had portions told by Taya as well. Great book, highly recommended!!