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)

Badass

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

Exciting, gripping!

A really great first-hand account of one of the most important historical events of our time. A great contrast to the constant daily useless yammering on Twitter etc about totally inconsequential events. This book isn't about politics, and it doesn't contain any secret information. It's just like the stuff that was in the news, except, you know, accurate!

Incredible Story!!! No reason to be controversial!

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

I liked listening to the book, the narrator did an incredible job.

What did you like best about this story?

It is incredible to see what these men had to go through to be ready and prepared for years prior to this mission. Their sacrifices are unbelievable...makes you very proud to be an American.

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

I just finished Feerless the story of Seal Team 6 member Adam Brown a week before and hearing his friends a short time later take on this mission was quite powerful, and sad to imagine what these guys and their families go through. Such a sacrifice is made, and we are at home complaining about our lives all the time. We have nothing to complain about...these guys are incredible.

Intense, absorbing

Wow! This story was enthralling to me as the mother of a son who has just entered the armed services. The story is intense and had my heart in my mouth at times. I personally cannot imagine going into a building not knowing if there are people waiting inside to ambush and kill me. The bravery of these men and women takes my breath away if I dwell on what they do from day to day. The narration was very well done,in my opinion.

Mission Accomplished

Whatever was redacted can't keep this wild ride from being a compelling insight into the daily life of the toughtest men that protect this country. Great read, great story, great result!!!

The author takes you there!

"Mark Owen" takes the reader along with him on this mission as if you are a member of the team. Almost like looking over his shoulder as you climb the steps.

I loved the backgound and insight into the training and personal build up to this heroic mission.

The book had minimal politics so don't heed the media hype.

A patriotic story from a true Patriot! Thank you "Mark" for your service and sacrific.

Reality Better Than Fiction

What did you love best about No Easy Day?

This story gives me such an appreciation for the men and women that protect our freedom. I loved the fact he didnt glamorize it. His line about the food being in a container marked for military or prison literally made me sick that we treat our military like that. Yet he syas right in that moment they dont do it for that and in these Seals case i believe them.He didnt make this a moral issue and the casual way he describes the killing of these insurgents is spot on. I know people want emotion in this but it shows exactly what it has to be like for him, and why his job is a huge challenge and burden. Being human is bad in his line on work. No easy day is a perfect title because it didnt just represent the day they killed Osama it represents every day of our military personnel caught in the crossfire of protecting our freedom!!

What did you like best about this story?

How much a coward Osama Bin Laden really was. He expected his followers to fight to the grave, but he didnt even try....he was just another greedy business man abusing the ideology of a people. He never wanted to die for this he just wanted the fame...the wives and the pleasures of being rich as noted in his compound. What a coward. I thought it was hilarious to hear about a hair dye formula made in America being used by Coward Bin Laden. Thanks for supporting our economy to keep yourself looking young for that young wife of yours

What about Holter Graham’s performance did you like?

His voice was superb for the part and he hit the words when needed perfectly. It was more like a performance than a reading

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

Yes...I kept wishing my drive time would be longer

Any additional comments?

Just awesome....thank you american miltitary you guys rock!

MY FIRST REVIEW! I LOVED IT!

Would you listen to No Easy Day again? Why?

YES!

What did you like best about this story?

That the truth was told about the brave men who killed UBL. Oh, and definitely that those brave guys got him. It was great to know that at least justice was served...unexpected, swift and fast.... Just like UBL plotted and had executed the horrible tragedy of 9/11! He was definitely surprised and he hadn't even had time to use his "Just For Men" that the guys found in the bathroom!

What about Holter Graham’s performance did you like?

It was done well.

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

Can't really say just one!...but I'm really glad the truth is out there now. I know they don't fight for "acknowledgement", but between the politicians and the crazy "internet conspiracy" theories, it was time someone who was actually there got to tell the story.

Any additional comments?

I'm glad that I read it. At first I thought, after reading, that this author had done something horrible. But after reading reviews from other Navy Seals, retired or otherwise, I realized they weren't angry. Seems as though the people who are actually angry are in this current administration.I've never listened to any book about the military before, but after this one I've since listened to American Sniper by Chris Kyle, The Warrior Elite, by Dick Couch and my favorite out of all, Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell. It was awesome that the BUD/S class that Dick Couch is observing and writing about is Class 228 that Marcus graduated from. He mentions Marcus several times in the book. I can't wait to read Marcus' next book :Service: A Navy Seal At War. I have so much respect and am truly in awe of all of our women and men in the military! I am so thankful for them - these books just reminded me that they are fighting for my freedom.

Awesome Glad I Took The Time

Any additional comments?

This was a great Audio Book well narrated. One of the few I never wanted to stop listening too. A good amount of build up and history of his emersion into the Seals just a great listen.

Skip to chapter 11

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

Informative fast appreciated

Who was your favorite character and why?

Osama - cause hes dead.

Any additional comments?

Most people would read this book to know the details of the raid in Abbotabad. The writer does a good job of telling backstory for the main character and the other SEAL team members so that you are familiar with them when you get to the part of the raid. If you just want to read what happend on the riad then skip to chapter 11.