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)

great story and very well read.

Love the story. The narrator did an excellent job. there is honestly no complaints that I can give this wonderful account of his military service.

Very Interesting!

Some of the first parts of the book were boring to me, however, the detailed account of the assassination of Usama bin Ladin was very interesting!

Thank God for the men and women who never give up

No one can thank you guys enough for what you do. I'm so thankful that I can live and raise my daughter under the security that you provide. I pray for you and thank God for all of you .

Great story

If you could sum up No Easy Day in three words, what would they be?

Kept my attention, great America hero story

What did you like best about this story?

The true account of real life actions

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

I have not but will

Great narrative of a SEAL TEAM 6 MEMBER!!

What did you love best about No Easy Day?

I don't have time to write as many reviews as I should or would like to but was glad to use precious time for this one. A no BS background of what it is like to be a member of what is probably the most elite special military the US has.It made me proud of how the real life story was told without revealing any critical information that could be used to endanger our intelligence, methods or technology used by special units of military or law enforcement in the fight against terrorism. Coming from more of a law enforcement background I had no problems reading between the lines to glean all the technical information much like Tom Clancy or other good writers have available to both tell a story that needs to be told and the technical how it's is done by the best teams whatever the nation or branch of service might be. I never forget how much our teams Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines or other more covert units we might have. THANK You To All Of THOSE That STAND The WATCH.. SACRIFICE So VERY MUCH And THANKS To THEIR FAMILIES That By SUPPORTING THEM MAKE IT POSSIBLE. THANK YOU ALL

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

From the beginning to the end I listened to this over and over. I have read thousands of both narrative and technical how to manuals this is truly good on so many levels I both enjoyed and learned so much that I now rate this as a must read, and recommend this to all of my professional friends!

What does Holter Graham bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I was able to savor this while I went through my day, driving, shopping or what ever I did for a week or more listening again and again to this unfiltered by a President bs PC spin coming from an appointed official or news source.

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

No I wanted to dwell in this world as long as I could. LOL much better than a fictional movie or story. My only regret was that it was only a few hours long and would have enjoyed much more.

A great salute to our troops.

What did you love best about No Easy Day?

I had a friend who was on a seal team for a few years. I had a lot of respect for him then and now I have a lot more respect for him after this book. This was a great insight in to the minds of these men. I say thank you to these guys.

What does Holter Graham bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I like the "NO B.S." tone he brings to the story. There are a few other books I wish he would read. The best produced book I have heard yet.

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

Yes. It was hard to stop.

Excellent

Great story, flowed well. Somewhat skeptical about former SEALS revealing military information about missions. However, this book was just stories about missions, no classified info revealed.

Very good read!

Interesting and informative story! I enjoyed the inside out approach and feel. It is always comforting to know there are valiant and highly-trained people in place to protect our country. I feel grateful to all those who serve our country in this way!

Awesome book

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

yes puts you right in the action.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Walt, Liked his sense of humor

What about Holter Graham’s performance did you like?

He read it with a feeling that he was Mark

Outstanding Book a MUST READ!!!!!!!!!

If you could sum up No Easy Day in three words, what would they be?

Tells the Truth

What did you like best about this story?

The way the ramp up of his career to the climax at the end. While i was reading it even though i wasn't a SEAL. Being in the Navy during the same time as he was i could relate to the team mentality. THis story made me wish that i wasn't medically retired and i could have retired. I have and always will be proud to be a United States Sailor.

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

I wanted to listen to it all in one sitting but i had to break it up while i was commuting to and from work.