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

Interesting

Would you try another book from the authors and/or John Pruden?

Interesting but slow in some parts and felt that some of the really important information was missing.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Include more of the real action events and personal feelings over events.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

More or less.

Was American Sniper worth the listening time?

Yes but recently read newspaper article by his wife which seemed much more complete and far more interesting.

Any additional comments?

Still and all, I feel great sadness at the cost to this military hero and to his family. Came away feeling that there should be a limit to the number of in action reenlistments in war zones. Trainers are always needed and if he he had served in this capacity it is possible that the lives of future snipers might be saved and even more sniper targets would have been successful.

Wow

Wow. This book is one of the most moving books I've ever heard. I would love to have known such a brotherly bond

Great Story!

The narration was not that big a factor for me because the story was to good to not have interest in!

A true hero

Chris Kyle's candidness and humbleness, along with with his obvious bravery and service to this country are well documented in his autobiography. This complete version is data heavy, including techincal data the gear head will appreciate. I wish there was a post script or some note from his wife or relevant official detailing the tragic end to his life after the book is over.

Respect

If you could sum up American Sniper in three words, what would they be?

The seals are very special people we (USA) are very lucky to have men willing to make this sacrifice.

What did you like best about this story?

Understanding how seals think

Have you listened to any of John Pruden’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I thought the performance was just fine

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

Impressed by the commitment of the seals

An incredible tale of a true hero!

This book was very emotional and intense. It brought deep understanding to the daily activities of our American Soldiers. I pray we someday can treat them with the due respect and care they deserve. To Mrs, Kyle and her family, I am truly sorry for your loss. Your husband's story will help me do more then I do to help others, as I believe this was the intent of Chris writing the book. I wish the Kyle family well and pray many more are inspired to help others after reading this book. Thanks Chris for your ultimate sacrifice.

American Hero!

Would you listen to American Sniper again? Why?

Great story and sure I missed some of the details.

What did you like best about this story?

The personal side of being a warrior.

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

Cried and laughed.

A must listen

Any military book fans should listen or read this, anyone going into the military should listen or read this.

Superb honest writing

Scott McEwen captures this man's soul. The fluid perspectives of honor from the many different perspectives of those he served next too and loved.

Loved this book. The world needs more men like him

We need more men like Chris Kyle in this world. The narrator also did a good job with closely mimicking Kyle's real voice.