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: 14 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Four US Navy SEALS departed one clear night in early July 2005 for the mountainous Afghanistan-Pakistan border for a reconnaissance mission. Their task was to document the activity of an al Qaeda leader rumored to have a small army in a Taliban stronghold. Five days later, only one of those Navy SEALS made it out alive.

This is the story of the only survivor of Operation Redwing, SEAL team leader Marcus Luttrell, and the extraordinary firefight that led to the largest loss of life in American Navy SEAL history. His squadmates fought valiantly beside him until he was the only one left alive, blasted by an RPG into a place where his pursuers could not find him. Over the next four days, terribly injured and presumed dead, Luttrell crawled for miles through the mountains and was taken in by sympathetic villagers who risked their lives to keep him safe from surrounding Taliban warriors.

A born and raised Texan, Marcus Luttrell takes us from the rigors of SEAL training, where he and his fellow SEALs discovered what it took to join the most elite of the American special forces, to a fight in the desolate hills of Afghanistan for which they never could have been prepared. His account of his squadmates' heroism and mutual support renders an experience for which two of his squadmates were posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for combat heroism that is both heartrending and life-affirming. In this rich chronicle of courage and sacrifice, honor and patriotism, Marcus Luttrell delivers a powerful narrative of modern war.

©2007 Marcus Luttrell (P)2012 Hachette

It's hard to believe this actually happened

This is one of those stories that just stays with you. The things this man has seen, and lived through is unimaginable. I do not recommend reading it if you have anyone close to you in active duty over seas, but i do recommend reading it at some point.

The Movie is 1/2 the Book

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

Yes, very vivid and descriptive but the story moves and is far more complete than the movie

What did you like best about this story?

The characters mannerisms, you almost know the guys

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

Lone Suvivor, American Resolve

Any additional comments?

The movie was fantastic, the book is better

Moving & Powerful

What did you love best about Lone Survivor?

The combination of history, opinion and fact.

Which character – as performed by Kevin Collins – was your favorite?

I think Mr. Collins played Marcus Luttrell perfectly. It was a joy to listen to.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES! However at just around 16 hours of audio that was pretty much impossible.

Any additional comments?

I literally spent the last two hours of this audiobook in tears. Crying out loud, tears.

In reviews I don't get political. Personally I don't feel this is the right place for it. While I respect others that might; I simply don't feel the need to engage in that sort of discussion with pretty much anyone. Because I've found that most people's political (like their religious) beliefs are deeply held and resistant to change. Again, I respect that.

So I won't engage in a political discussion about this book. I will, however, explain why this book impacted me so deeply.

I hold the United States Military in the highest regard. Government? Politicians? Not so much.

The men and the women who volunteer their lives to protect the country I love? The people who lived their personal and private lives with respect, honor and dignity - I will never speak a bad word against.

My father was a U.S. Marine. My husband served in the U.S. Navy and now serves with honor in the Air Force. My father-in-law, my brother-in-law and my son are all either U.S. Air Force veterans or currently serving. My father-in-law is a veteran of the first Gulf War. My close friends include retired Army Rangers, retired Navy Seals, current Air Force officers and enlisted and even a Coast Guard officer. To say I am pro-military is to make a understatement so great I don't even have the words to express it.

What this book was to me was a look into the heart and soul of an American hero.

Marcus Luttrell takes us on a winding journey at first; back and forth between present time, his childhood, his Seal training and what was present day. We learn about the heart of a Seal in general, the heart of one Seal in particular. The heart and soul that allow a man to walk deep into hostile, enemy territory because he believes he is doing right and defending his country. The type of heart and soul that keeps a man fighting as his brothers fall and die beside him. The type of heart and soul that helps a man with severe injuries fucking crawl almost 5 miles on an Afghan mountain. The type of heart and soul that I can barely comprehend. That you, if you are honest, can barely comprehend. Or we'd be there too...willing to pay the ultimate price for the United States and her people.

I learned more about terrorism (from a man who has looked terrorists in the eyes) and the history of Afghan tribes from this book than I've leaned from the media or politicians since September 11, 2001. I discovered how the media impact warfare. How politicians who have never set foot in a hostile environment influence command and control. I discovered the deep integrity and honor with which some Afghan tribes operate. And the ruthless warfare the Taliban engage in.

Perhaps this book is preaching to the choir, though I wish everyone would read/listen to it.

Because while it is political it is also written to honor the heartfelt sacrifice of the men who perished during Operation Redwing. Men who were husbands, brothers, fathers and sons. Men who decided to risk their lives so that I can be free and safe. Men who deserve to be remembered (as do all of our fallen soldiers) for all eternity for doing so.

While the movie that is based on this book does follow quite well, there is so, so much missing. Much that deserves to be read, understood, pondered.

As I said previously, people hold their political and religious beliefs closely and deeply. It is my hope that they do not hold them ignorantly, taking the word of talking heads in media or government as truth. If I could wish one thing it would be that people would gladly take it upon themselves to be educated in their opinions. Research. Listen to opposing views. Most opinions have a grain of truth and the truth is not always something that we want to hear. However, we as a people, as a nation, need to understand what goes on around us. We need to understand current affairs. We need to understand history. We need to comprehend how it all ties together.

Or it all falls apart.

I highly recommend this book/audiobook to everyone.

P.S. The narrator did a phenomenal job. I've seen and heard many interviews with Luttrell and I felt like it was the author himself narrating the book! Well done and bravo! I was mesmerized for over 16-hours.

Special Forces

This book will make you appreciate the U.S. Special forces intensly, all the while hating evil and frustrated with the media. Excellent book, excellent reader.

Must Read

Any additional comments?

This is truly one of the best books I've listened to. It should be required reading for High School graduates. The ONLY negative is some strong language, but it is very understandable for the conditions these heroes faced. At times I found myself laughing and on many occasions I was in tears as I related to the Marcus's family.

A Real Eye Opener

This book is a reality check for those of us who gripe about all the small things in our lives. It is a reminder how lucky we are because somewhere there are women and men who fight for our freedom. Thank-you for sharing your inner most secrets and the horrors that keep you awake at night Marcus Luttrell. A National Bestseller in every way. Narration felt legit!!!

Awesome book

This book starts out a bit boring as most will while you grow to learn the characters but it had me in giggles and tears as I grew to love them.

Outstanding

a memorable reenactment experience I couldn't stop reading. The story narrator really expresses true feelings.

Awesome

Best book by far had me sweating and heart pumping wow thank you for writing this book

Amazing story!!

I loved this book!!! Very inspiring!! Those men are some of the bravest men ever!