I, Sniper

Bob Lee Swagger, Book 6

By: Stephen Hunter

Narrated by: Buck Schirner

Length: 15 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Four famed '60s radicals are gunned down at long range by a sniper. Under enormous media scrutiny, the FBI quickly concludes that Marine war hero Carl Hitchcock, whose 93 kills were considered the leading body count tally among American marksman in Vietnam, was the shooter. But as the Bureau, led by Special Agent Nick Memphis, bears down, Hitchcock commits suicide.

In closing out the investigation, Nick discovers a case made in heaven: everything fits, from timeline, ballistics, and forensics to motive, means, and opportunity. But maybe it's a little too perfect?

Nick asks his friend, the retired Marine sniper Bob Lee Swagger, to examine the data. Using a skill set no other man on earth possesses, Swagger soon discovers unseen anomalies and gradually begins to unravel a sophisticated conspiracy - one that would require the highest level of warcraft by the most superb special operations professionals. Swagger soon closes in, and those responsible will stop at nothing to take him out. But these heavily armed men make the mistake of thinking they are hunting Bob, when he is, in fact, hunting them. And when Swagger and the last of his antagonists finally face each other, reenacting a classic ritual of arms, it is clear that at times there's nothing more necessary than a good man with a gun and the guts to use it.

©2009 Stephen Hunter (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

tactical culture

It may not be the greatest literature, but it is well-written enough to hold my attention from start to finish, and Buck Schirner does a great job bringing to life the story and its sometimes memorable characters. ..... Maybe I was unknowingly responding to what this book calls "tactical culture" when I first noticed my interest in the sniper storyline in "The Janson Directive." I was amazed to learn of the physics knowledge, skills and personalities of the military/law-enforcement sniper. I then went from Ludlum to Hunter, thoroughly enjoying "Point of Impact" (narrated by Beau Bridges) The movie version, starring Mark Walburg, presented a younger Bob Lee Swagger than I had been imagining, but he was quite believable in the role). "I, Sniper" takes place 10 years later, when Swagger's expertise (nicely detailed) is called upon by the FBI in their attempt to bring to justice the perpetrator what of seems to be a serial sniper murderer. I enjoyed the true-to-life characters (also a characteristic of "POI"), and I recommend the book as an entertaining read.

A little short of a full load....

I am a fan of Bob Lee- not sure what has happened to Stephen Hunter this time around. A little too much detail on all the gun technology, something a few gun smiths would enjoy, but it dragged on without adding to the story. The bad guys get the technology, it is a little too far off for me to enjoy, and it made the ending predictable. At least towards the end the pace picked up before I put this book down. His other books I would rate higher- this one really dipped and I can not recommend it.

Awesome

Another awesome story by Mr. Hunter. keeps you on the edge of your seat and never lets your imagination down.

Great book!

I thoroughly enjoyed "I, Sniper". The book was well written. The narration was enjoyable and added to the experience.

I think best of the series so far!

although I have listened to it at least three times before I have now listen to it chronologically and it has been some time has passed since I heard it last. so excellent. I love the Craft and Ballistic Excellence that he had we searched parrot excellent book a must-read

Bob Lee Swagger is Back!

After the disappointing "The 47th Samurai" and the truly dismal "Night Of Thunder," Hunter (and Bob Lee Swagger) are back in fighting trim. Rip-roaring fun, lots of tongue-in-cheek mainstream media ridicule from an MSM insider, and Hunter's trademark technical accuracy with firearms make this an entertaining read. Can't say I've ever heard anyone "in the loop" use the term "168-ers" for .308 Win. 168 gr BTHP (175 gr is on the ascendancy these days), but that's a minor quibble. Hard to put down and intricately plotted, those who enjoyed the "Point of Impact," "Black Light," and "Time to Hunt" trilogy will love this book. Like the rest of us, BLS keeps getting older. Unlike the rest of us, he is still as fast and lethal as ever. It may be time to retire him in favor of a younger guy from the Sandbox before his adventures become too far-fetched. Narrator Buck Schirner improves his performance over that in "Samurai" and "Thunder," but I wish they would bring back Will Patton, Beau Bridges, or Jay O. Sanders, all of whom were superb narrators for Hunter's work. If you liked Hunter's earlier Swagger novels, you will enjoy this one, too. I'm glad this one is unabridged.

Old Soldiers Never Die; They just Shoot Away!

Would you consider the audio edition of I, Sniper to be better than the print version?

Yes! the narration brings to life, for example, the Irish dialect of the bad guys. Buck Schirner takes you into the action, and has you sweating and gnashing your teeth, and wishing you could help Bobby Lee!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Bobby Lee, of course. His self-depreciation and strength of character takes a man back to when men were as good as their word, and a handshake a good enough contract.

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

I am not sure, I have listened to two other Swagger novels. If he is Hunter's narrator of choice, yes. Can't compare.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The only thing that can fix the tarantula power structure we call government; it must needs be at the hands of mavericks of clear-eyed integrity who must be set free to work outside the red tape that mummifies our toppeling short-lived Roman Empire, a.ka. The United States.

Any additional comments?

Yes.....Bobby Lee, a prequel, in black ops, when he was in his twentys.

Interesting, Moving

If you could sum up I, Sniper in three words, what would they be?

Fast action, compelling, and engaging. The story line was entertaining and believable. The political and newspaper machine was realistic and believable.

What did you like best about this story?

There was a section where it dragged a little but it picked up speed again.

Which character – as performed by Buck Schirner – was your favorite?

The irishman

Any additional comments?

Note - Profanity was higher than I was expecting - @50 use of the F#$%@ and several uses of sexual content - No need of this. I would not recommend this book due to the use of profanity. It lost stars because the use of profanity.

Not as engaging as game of snipers

It’s a decent plot. But lots of useless details, especially the Irish gang. I normally don’t like abridged versions but this book can probably be enjoyed using the abridged version with any loss of details.

another great swagger novel

great book pulla you in and has you immersed from the first chapter. if you love mystery military and intuige this books got it all a wiley old gunny who loves adventure.