The Red Circle: My Life in the Navy SEAL Sniper Corps and How I Trained America's Deadliest Marksmen

By: Brandon Webb, John David Mann

Narrated by: Jon Bailey

Length: 12 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Before he could forge a band of elite warriors ... he had to become one himself.

Brandon Webb's experiences in the world's most elite sniper corps are the stuff of legend. From his grueling years of training in Naval Special Operations to his combat tours in the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan, The Red Circle provides a rare and riveting look at the inner workings of the U.S. military through the eyes of a covert operations specialist.

Yet it is Webb's distinguished second career as a lead instructor for the shadowy "sniper cell" and Course Manager of the Navy SEAL Sniper Program that trained some of America's finest and deadliest warriors - including Marcus Luttrell and Chris Kyle - that makes his story so compelling. Luttrell credits Webb's training with his own survival during the ill-fated 2005 Operation Redwing in Afghanistan.

Kyle went on to become the U.S. military's top marksman, with more than 150 confirmed kills.

From a candid chronicle of his student days, going through the sniper course himself, to his hair-raising close calls with Taliban and al Qaeda forces in the northern Afghanistan wilderness, to his vivid account of designing new sniper standards and training some of the most accomplished snipers of the 21st century, Webb provides a rare look at the making of the Special Operations warriors who are at the forefront of today's military.

Explosive, revealing, and intelligent, The Red Circle provides a uniquely personal glimpse into one of the most challenging and secretive military training courses in the world.

A portion of proceeds from this book will go towards The Red Circle Charitable Foundation, which helps families of fallen Special Operations Warriors.

About the authors:

Brandon Webb is a former U.S. Navy SEAL; his last assignment with the SEALs was Course Manager for the elite SEAL Sniper Course, where he was instrumental in developing new curricula that trained some of the most accomplished snipers of the 21st century. Webb has received numerous distinguished service awards, including the Presidential Unit Citation and the Navy Commendation Medal with a "V" for "Valor", for his platoon's deployment to Afghanistan following the September 11 attacks. He is editor for Military.com's blog Kit Up, SOFREP's Editor in Chief, and a frequent national media commentator on snipers and related Special Operations Forces military issues.

John David Mann, who collaborated with Webb in writing The Red Circle, is an award-winning author whose titles include the New York Times best seller Flash Foresight and the international best seller The Go-Giver.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2012 Brandon Webb (P)2012 Brandon Webb

Brilliant, inspiring, engaging

I'm very pleased with the audible book. Written and narrated very well and I specifically appreciate Brandon's comments between chapters and the anecdotes. In spite of the dysfunctional political system we have, we can count on the Warriors and sheepdogs like Brandon and friends to keep us safe from terrorists. All we lack is the political will to use them when required.

The best book about becoming a Navy Seal

This was an excellent book about what people go thru to become a Navy Seal and beyond.
This is an excellent book. I highly recommend it.

It's a dangerous world, and this man knows it

A gripping story, with practical commentary on the effects of good and bad leadership, and tips on how to instruct and motivate adults to learn and become their best. Narrator was good, but editing was jumbled at times. Could have done without the author's own commentary prior to each chapter.

Webb is a great story teller

This book is great! The words really place you in the action. A very interesting account of one man rambunctious childhood that led to a successful career in the U.S. Navy.

Great book

A great book highly recommended to everybody definitely a five star book so please listen to

Great book!!!!

Great book, can’t expect any less from the SEALs!!!!! Nice bonus story at the about The Legend!!!

Excellent book!

I truly enjoyed your book. Thanks for sharing your experiences and for your service to this great country of ours.

An Insightful Listen with a Unique Twist

Would you listen to The Red Circle: My Life in the Navy SEAL Sniper Corps and How I Trained America's Deadliest Marksmen again? Why?

I would listen to it again. It had a lot of enlightening information about what it takes to make it as a Navy SEAL, and some lessons that Webb learned in SEAL training that apply to everyday life as well. Plus any chance you get to learn about the SEAL training process makes you appreciate their work so much more.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Red Circle: My Life in the Navy SEAL Sniper Corps and How I Trained America's Deadliest Marksmen?

This might be a cliche, but the section on BUDS training was what stands out to me. It takes a certain type of person to stand up to the physical and mental stress, and it was great to see the process through Webb's eyes.

Any additional comments?

This book is great for providing insight into the training process for becoming a Navy SEAL, and for explaining how SEALS and other special forces units were used during the early days of the war in Afghanistan. Oh, the unique twist referenced in my headline is that Webb himself introduces each chapter in a short recorded segment. It makes the book more memorable to have both the author and the narrator on track.

Fascinating story

Would you listen to The Red Circle: My Life in the Navy SEAL Sniper Corps and How I Trained America's Deadliest Marksmen again? Why?

Yes, I would definitely listen again as I am sure I missed some really good details. The story itself is amazing how much these men give for our country. The determination they have is more than I can comprehend. I loved the book but at times Brandon came across as arrogant but then when I thought about what the training entailed one would have to be arrogant to get through it.

Which scene was your favorite?

The description of how they were put in cages for training was really eye opening on the detail of this book.

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

I was shocked at what these men endured during training. I was close to tears a couple times when I was listening to the torture they went through.

Any additional comments?

Some of the descriptions of the chapters by Brandon at the beginning of each chapter did not really fit with the book and was sometimes annoying because it seemed like he was rambling instead of prepared to talk about the chapter.

My Favorite!

This is one of my favorite books on Audible. It is fascinating hearing about Brandon's accounts in life. I like how he is humble and gives personal introductions before each chapter. I also loved the bonus story at the end about Chris Kyle. I'd love to meet Brandon someday and photograph him for a project I'm doing.