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)

AWESOME

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

Absolutely

Who was your favorite character and why?

The SEALS as a group. Their sacrifice, dedication is incredible.

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

So many moments that moved me. This is probably the best book I have "read" in years. Narration was fabulous and the story was rivoting. I could NOT stop listening. The only sad point to me is that our men and women who so bravely sacrifice and put their lives in danger aren't given more for their sacrifice. They deserve SO much better and so much more. God bless all our men and women in uniform and especially for the SEALs, GOD BLESS YOU.

Great Book

Riveting story throughout . Kept me engaged from beginning to end. Tells a theatrical version of a history making event.

Perfect time to read

Don’t forget stories like these! In addition to the well written accounts and reminders of being a true patriot, I love the reality of how paperwork was described for combat soldiers. Perspective and appreciation. Never forget.

Great Book!

So many details, straight from the source. Easy to follow and listen to. Highly recommend this book.

Thank you for your service

great story, well written, felt every word, thank you for your service and sacrifice, God bless and fair winds brother.

Beautifully written and told from a first person

Loved every chapter of this book. very well written. Gives great perspective of what the Seals and everyone involved went through. Nobody could ever come close to imagining what these boys went through on a daily basis, but this book gives you a fairly detailed truth to what actually happened. WELL DONE SIR, THANK YOU AND YOUR BOYS FOR SERVICE. Enjoy the next chapter in your lives!

Great book!

loved it! True story of the American War fighters that cut the head from the snake.

Thrilling and Sincere

I grew up in Coronado, California and knew many seals. One of my best friends from middle school eventually became an officer among them. I have great respect and honor for men who carried out this mission. I found this book to be relatable, interesting, and it took me to the places he went. What a thrill 

Great book!

A very straight forward book that describes the raid in good detail. It’s good to hear from the people on the ground and were actually there.

Badass

This was another home run and explained a lot of the team’s and how hardcore the Seals are