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

Relatable, passionate and REAL

This story is relatable to military and civilians alike. Kyles point of view is unbiased and not flooded with politics. It's a great educational piece for those seeking insight into the day to day battles in Iraq. His motivation and passion is contagious. I personally loved that Kyle had His wife write parts that were from her point of view. It shows how war effects the soldier and his family at home.

Every Patriot Should Read This!

Not easily forgotten. Chris Kyle's account of his experience in war and balancing family is raw and heartfelt. I loved the Texas accent by the reader as well.

engaging

good narrator. makes the story even More engaging.
good to get that perspective of the war and how it affected not only him but his family.

Truly amazing first person view of the war.

Would you consider the audio edition of American Sniper to be better than the print version?

I do not own a printed copy.

What was one of the most memorable moments of American Sniper?

Taking a grenade fragment in his side arm. Unforgettable...

What does John Pruden bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

True emotion in his voice. Really brings the story to life.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I don't cry....but my eyes were wet. Brings back some not so fond memories of the war.

Any additional comments?

Great book all around. Also provides a great view on what was really happening in the war for Iraq. Inspiring!

Excellent Read

Any additional comments?

Candid, exciting, genuine, heroic, tragedy. I am glad to know the story of Chris Kyle in his words. This book is a wonderful account of a terrific soldier we are blessed to have had on our side. Chris describes personal parts of his life as well, that one gets to know his friends and family although I have never met them. I feel only sadness from the tragic event that lead to the news story that helped me be aware and to pick up this book. I wish only the best for Chris' family and others fighting or have fought on our behalf.

As ex military I found this is story patriotic

Love how candid he was about his struggles with family and his religion best part was they kept fighting as a family

Great book

Perhaps one of the best books I have ever heard/read. I would definitely recommend it to everyone.

A true American Patriot

I found Chris Kyle’s story exciting and have never heard such detailed accounts of what fighting in a war was really like. As a man, I respect and honor Chris for his service and wish only God’s blessings for his family. He is an American willing to put his life on the line to protect our freedoms, and trained through the most difficult program SEAL’s, how can you not respect such a vigilant, loyal and fierce patriot and husband. I wish I was half the man he was!

awesome book

loved it, wish it had been longer, Chris Kyle was an amazing man, America was very fortunate to had him on our side

Awesome read!

Great to hear the direct story of a true American hero.
I have brothers and sisters in arms alive because of Chris.