Lone Survivor

The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10

By: Marcus Luttrell, Patrick Robinson

Narrated by: Kevin T. Collins

Length: 5 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

In June 2005, four U.S. Navy SEALs left their base in Afghanistan for the Pakistani border. Their mission was to capture or kill a notorious al Qaeda leader. Less then 24 hours later, only one of those SEALs remained alive.

This is the story of team leader Marcus Luttrell, the sole survivor of Operation Redwing and the desperate battle that led to the largest loss of life in Navy SEAL history. More than anything, this is the story of how his teammates stood beside him until he was the last one left - blasted unconscious by a rocket grenade, blown over a cliff, but still armed and breathing.

Over the next four days, badly injured and presumed dead, Luttrell fought off six al Qaeda assassins who were sent to finish him, then crawled for seven miles through the mountains before he was taken in by a Pashtun tribe that risked everything to protect him from the Taliban.

In this moving chronicle of courage, Marcus Luttrell offers one of the most powerful narratives ever written about modern warfare.

©2007 Marcus Luttrell (P)2007 Hachette Audio

god and country

There is not enough ways to thank Marcus and all the others that put their lives on the line for the American people. I admire them greatly and tell that to every soldier in uniform that I meet. I have several family members serving in Iraq, all with tremendous stories of heroism and survival that they tell.

But this book is more than just a heroic war story. It revealed the intense moral conflict Marcus struggled with over whether to “execute” the goat herders for his own safety or to do the “Christian” thing and release them. I cannot imagine having to make this kind of decision. For that reason alone, that he faced that dilemma and made a decision, I consider him a hero. And I am certainly not one that believes I could judge him no matter which way he decided. I will recommend this book to all my college students in hopes they will get a glimpse of what it really means to be on the “front line.”

But I do have one discomforting issue with the way this story is told. This writer sometimes comes off to me as a mindless parrot spouting off silly military and Christian propaganda slogans. I understand in every war each side portrays the other as heartless, pagan, warmongers. We dehumanize them and they do it to us. That way we’re not killing people, just inhuman scum. Some of the naive comments about the atrocities of the enemy and the syrupy “God and Country” speeches read like WW2 American propaganda stories. Surely Vietnam taught us that the American public can handle the tough moral issues that are interwoven into any conflict. Surely we know this conflict, this war, is not going to be won by trying to kill all the bad guys and argue over whose god is the strongest. As we kill the terrorists we need to come to grips with the causes of this conflict and try not to let history repeat itself. Sure, that’ll happen!

Amazing!

What made the experience of listening to Lone Survivor the most enjoyable?

The narrative had the perfect voice for this story

What other book might you compare Lone Survivor to and why?

This is my first audiobook.

Which scene was your favorite?

The description of the village where Marcus was saved

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Unbelievable!

Revealing portrayal.

Any additional comments?

Give it a pass for it's author's jingoism after such an ordeal, and you'll find a insigtful story of war.

Awesome!

I have read the book, listened to the book, and seen the movie. I love the book. such an amazing account of heroism, honor, and determination.

Great book

I have always admired the people that serve our country. This book raised my admiration even higher. This book makes you feel like you are with them on that journey. Very well written and I hope they make it into a movie.

Engaging story of commitment to God and Country

I was completely engrossed in this story of courage and commitment. It is a well written and narrated as if we were having a conversation.

The author shared details where needed and spared us when not. The narrator's voice was Texan and carried the emotion of the story.

I bought the audible version even after reading the reviews saying that there is too much religion, politics and slamming of the left wing media. I feel that it was a perfect mix and needed for the background of the actions taken during Operation Redwing. Five stars!

I salute you Mr. Luttrell!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This story is one example of what our military walks into when they volunteer and deploy to maintain our freedom. The courage and devotion to duty shown by this team of Seals will make you proud and yet completely break your heart. That Marcus was able to survive all of that physically is amazing, but after what he went through - to have survived it mentally is almost as unbelievable. He no doubt has guardian angels standing with him. This book should be required reading for all Americans.

What does Kevin T. Collins bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He has a way of bringing the slight humor present out, because he seems to capture some of the personality of Marcus. I am not usually a fan of military books, but Kevin reads this book with feeling and expression that I almost forgot I was reading a book about war.

Really enjoyed

Couldn't stop from listening. Kept my attention the entire time. Really enjoyed the readers. He had my attention the whole way through.

I will listen to this book again!

Where does Lone Survivor rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

amazing story

Any additional comments?

God bless our military!

A candid, brutally honest account of the events

It was no less that an amazing, gut-wrenching, and hauntingly honest account of the before, during and aftermath of that fateful mission.