Battle Ready

Memoir of a SEAL Warrior Medic

By: Mark L. Donald, Scott Mactavish

Narrated by: Fred Berman

Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

The gripping memoir of Navy Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart recipient SEAL Lieutenant Mark L. Donald...

As A SEAL and combat medic, Mark served his country with valorous distinction for almost 25 years and survived some of the most dangerous combat actions imaginable.

From the rigors of BUD/S training to the horrors of the battlefield, Battle Ready dramatically immerses the listener in the unique life of the elite warrior-medic who advances into combat with life-saving equipment in one hand and life-taking weapons in the other. It is also an uplifting human story that reveals how a young Hispanic American bootstrapped himself out of a life that promised a dead-end future by enlisting in the military. That new life begins with the Marines and includes his heroic achievements on the battlefield and the operating table, and finally, of his inspirational triumph over the demons caused by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder that threatened to destroy him and his family.

Includes an excerpt from the SEAL creed read by the author and a bonus conversation with Mark L. Donald and his editor.

©2013 Mark L. Donald (P)2013 Macmillan Audio

Great read with a very unique insight

So happy that I listened to this book. Well written and very enlightening. The way the author describes his PTSD and how he details what afflicted veterans can do to help overcome it was amazing. Thanks

Exceptional Memoir of a Shooter-Medic

What made the experience of listening to Battle Ready the most enjoyable?

The author's internal struggle with the dichotomy of healer/killer.

What did you like best about this story?

The brutal honesty.

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

NA

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

The second guessing of his actions after the battle where his team mates were killed.

Any additional comments?

I have just finished this book. I listen to a lot of audiobooks driving every day and this one had me pulling over and re-listening to several chapters. It has the best discussion of the internal struggles of a shooter-medic I have ever heard or read. The discussion of his fight with PTSD beginning with his father and how it effects families is superb. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I feel any street EMS provider in particular would profit from reading or listening.

PTSD Basics and how it effects Combatants

Where does Battle Ready rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of top 5 books I have read. Lone Survivor and Fearless beat this book out but not by much.

What did you like best about this story?

He breaks down PTSD down for people who have no idea how combat effects individuals, who have seen combat. He breaks down how what happens to your buddies effects you, much more than what you do to the enemy.

Excellent story with a twist

Where does Battle Ready rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I applaud Mark Donald for writing his memoir and including not only his accomplishments in the military but also his personal journey dealing with the after effects of battle and post traumatic stress disorder. As a prior combat medic and now civilian physician this story was very compelling to hear.

Amazing, inspiring and eye opening account

what a dedicated and humble man! My son is a war veteran and I work with veterans daily as well as do volunteer work for our military, veterans and their families , as well as the families of our fallen heroes. this helped give me a better perspective and made me want to help even more, for those who have sacrificed so much deserve it

loved it

A honest look into the hearts of many warriors. One of my top reads so far from 2016...

One Man's Story

Any additional comments?

If you are looking for a book with a lot of detailed battle scenes and excitement, this is not the book you want. This is a story about one man and his military career. There are a few "war stories" but in general, this is a life story. It's a good book, well performed, but not action packed.

Actually puts out a message to "all the terrorists

Only book I've never finished. Painfully slow and boring, he describes each and every military program and group like something out of a recruitment advertisement. THE WHOLE THING SOUNDS LIKE A RECRUITMENT ADVERTISEMENT