No Easy Day

The Firsthand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama Bin Laden

By: Mark Owen, Kevin Maurer

Narrated by: Holter Graham

Length: 6 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

For the first time anywhere, the first-person account of the planning and execution of the Bin Laden raid from a Navy Seal who confronted the terrorist mastermind and witnessed his final moments....

From the streets of Iraq to the rescue of Captain Richard Phillips in the Indian Ocean, and from the mountaintops of Afghanistan to the third floor of Osama Bin Laden's compound, operator Mark Owen of the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Development Group - commonly known as SEAL Team Six - has been a part of some of the most memorable special operations in history, as well as countless missions that never made headlines.

No Easy Day puts listeners alongside Owen and the other handpicked members of the 24-man team as they train for the biggest mission of their lives. The blow-by-blow narrative of the assault, beginning with the helicopter crash that could have ended Owen's life straight through to the radio call confirming Bin Laden's death, is an essential piece of modern history. In No Easy Day, Owen also takes listeners onto the field of battle in America's ongoing War on Terror and details the selection and training process for one of the most elite units in the military.

Owen's story draws on his youth in Alaska and describes the SEALs' quest to challenge themselves at the highest levels of physical and mental endurance. With boots-on-the-ground detail, Owen describes numerous previously unreported missions that illustrate the life and work of a SEAL and the evolution of the team after the events of September 11.

In telling the true story of the SEALs whose talents, skills, experiences, and exceptional sacrifices led to one of the greatest victories in the War on Terror, Mark Owen honors the men who risk everything for our country, and he leaves listenres with a deep understanding of the warriors who keep America safe.

©2012 Mark Owen and Kevin Maurer (P)2012 Penguin Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"This harrowing, minute-by-minute account by one of the highly trained members of Navy SEAL Team Six is narrative nonfiction at its most gripping.... No Easy Deal puts you right there for every tense moment." (Entertainment Weekly)

"Gripping.... There is no better illustration in No Easy Day that SEALs are ruthless pragmatists. They think fast. They adapt to whatever faces them. They do what they have to do." (The New York Times)

"[Mark Owen] has given us a brave retelling of one of the most important events in U.S. military history." (People)

Eye opening adventure

What did you love best about No Easy Day?

This book lets us live the lives of some very incredible heroes who sacrifice so much for their country. It is exciting and insightful and important reading for today. The narration is perfect for the military adventure.

What was one of the most memorable moments of No Easy Day?

The telling of the killing of Bin Ladin is chilling and incredible.

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

I listened to the book in two sittings - I couldn't stop.

Any additional comments?

Historically relevant.

Precise and Engaging!

The recount of this historical mission, is worth your attention! If for no other reason, than your silent and humble salute to the brave men that step in harms way for EVERY AMERICAN. GBA!

Excellent listen.

Really good story, and the narrator did a great job. Worth the time to listen

This is a great telling of the raid story and the background of the author.

This is a great version of the events leading up to the OBL raid. It's definitely worth taking the time to listen to.

Well told story

Terrific retelling of the author’s experience and back story. Not political or patriotic but simply the tale of a dedicated professional.

Take down Enemy #1~ Part Bio Part History~5 STARS

PLOT: Seal Bio and the plan to take down Bin Laden~

Mark Owen is an AKA~ pseudo~to HIDE the idenity of a real life Navy Seal who was Part of the SEAL TEAM 6~ Anit-Terrorism Navy Seals~ Owen who has a hero worship of Seals from his youth. Getting to be a SEAL is no easy task. They are the elite of the elite both physically and mentally. TEXT book is the phrase he uses to perfect his sit ups and mental strength. He outlines the training in details but ADDS his own human side which keeps us interested. This drags at first. AFTER all it is a 6 hour audio and part way through brings us back to the PLOT and and deeds of Bin Laden. the HEART POUNDING trip into the Bin Laden Compound to" GET HIM"~ is first rate and keeps you glued to the story. WE learn details we did not read or hear before. And CLEARS UP the inaccurate news reported by the press of the mission. BETTER than I expected. THE "details" are what ADDS the very human faces of REAL life SEALS and YOU have a 5 STAR audiobook. Plot is first rate and READER is 4 STARS~ and over all 5 STAR. I was skeptical all the HYPE would live up to the reality but I give this over all a 5 STAR for the mission alone and close up LOOK into the mission and life of a Navy SEAL~ ** THE AUTHOR details that he is using NON RESTRICTED MILITARY INFO ALSO he claims that all details involving seal activity has been published before can be found in published forms (internet or books or newspapers).and he also states an independant expert has verify all material used in the book was non restricted. This info is stated in the forward of the audio. VERY good STORY.

Fascinating

I purchased this book to hear a firsthand report of the Bin Laden mission and the rescue of Captain Phillips from the Somalian pirates, but it offered so much more than that. Its content described the driven personality of a SEAL ("the person who comes in second is the first loser"), the personal sacrifices, the beyond-rigorous training, and the cooperation, professionalism, and camaraderie among these brothers in arms.

The preface explains that many authorities examined the content to make certain it did not divulge anything that could prove useful to enemies of the US. Being at the compound in Pakistan as the raid took place delivered exactly what I was looking for. As for the Somalian pirates, one had to come aboard the US ship for medical treatment, and our soldiers put him on deck, in view of the other pirates who were still on the lifeboat with their American captive, and fed this pirate ice cream and Cokes, in full view of the others, to weaken their morale. I thought that was hilarious. Then, of course, the SWAT team killed the pirates as soon as they could do so without jeopardizing Captain Phillips--every exciting . . . and similar missions go on all the time.

The narrator did a wonderful job. His voice was well suited to the book.

I highly recommend No Easy Day.

Great First Hand Account

Great book! I was riveted all the way through. The book was just as good, if not better, than I'd hoped. I noticed some negative reviews claiming that the author was guilty of having given away military secrets, but after having read the book I don't believe that to be the case. I read Manhunt as well, and that account has nearly the same level of detail, except for the details of the raid itself, which this book delves into.

Worth it

Would you consider the audio edition of No Easy Day to be better than the print version?

Don't know

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mark

Which character – as performed by Holter Graham – was your favorite?

this is too much work.

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

really, am I in 6th grade?

Any additional comments?

Didn't hear any national security secrets but the lawyer said do not shoot him if unarmed and he doesn't fight. He was unarmed and didn't fight but yet was killed. He deserved death for all he did but the author never addressed the discrepancy.

Exciting first-hand account of historic mission!

Awe-inspiring. I appreciate the author's detail of this mission and the importance he placed on giving everyone credit who helped carry out the mission. These Navy seals really arent the ego-maniacs that other "seal books" make them out to be. The seals in this book are true heroes.
Narration was solid.