Four US Navy SEALS departed one clear night in early July, 2005 for the mountainous Afghanistan-Pakistan border for a reconnaissance mission. Their task was to document the activity of an al Qaeda leader rumored to have a small army in a Taliban stronghold. Five days later, only one of those Navy SEALS made it out alive.
This is the story of the only survivor of Operation Redwing, SEAL team leader Marcus Luttrell, and the extraordinary firefight that led to the largest loss of life in American Navy SEAL history. His squadmates fought valiantly beside him until he was the only one left alive, blasted by an RPG into a place where his pursuers could not find him. Over the next four days, terribly injured and presumed dead, Luttrell crawled for miles through the mountains and was taken in by sympathetic villagers who risked their lives to keep him safe from surrounding Taliban warriors.
A born and raised Texan, Marcus Luttrell takes us from the rigors of SEAL training, where he and his fellow SEALs discovered what it took to join the most elite of the American special forces, to a fight in the desolate hills of Afghanistan for which they never could have been prepared. His account of his squadmates' heroism and mutual support renders an experience for which two of his squadmates were posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for combat heroism that is both heartrending and life-affirming. In this rich chronicle of courage and sacrifice, honor and patriotism, Marcus Luttrell delivers a powerful narrative of modern war.
©2007 Marcus Luttrell (P)2012 Hachette
"True Tale of Courage and Honor"
I've read quite a few histoy/military history books so far, and this ranks right up there as one of the best tales to date. Dick Couch's 'Warrior Elite' edges this one out as the best so far, and I mention it becuae there is a relation betwen the two books. In this story, Marcus Latrell, USN SEAL, talks about his training with BUD/S class 228, the same class that Mr. Couch expertly documented in his book.
The novel begins a bit slow, and the readers attempt at a 'texas good ole boy' accent is distracting, but once the story shifts to Operation Red Wing, the pace picks up. If you want to be inspired, truely inspired, then read this AND 'Warrior Elite'. Navy SEALS are not just the toughest, best trained fighting division in the world, they are also an ultra rare breed of men. Their stories are simply amazing.
Listen to the Authoritarians
"The worst reader on audible"
The guy who reads this book, with his psycho-pathological over-enunciation of every word, is the most distracting, horrifying thing that could happen to an otherwise interesting book. How anyone could enjoy this is beyond me. I would honestly rather listen to a cute-voiced 5 year old read this than this clown. He's just soooooo terrible. Marcus, for the love of god, have it re-recorded by a normal person.
DIFFERENT READER!!!!!! Without the fake over-exaggerated accent. I can BARELY listen. I've heard amazing things about this book, which is the only reason I even trying to push through this nightmare reader.
Yes.
I will never buy any other book in which BOZO the psycho-pathological over-enunciator reads. It's just so unbelievably bad.
"WOW! What a Story"
Truly a blockbuster of a story. I would definitely put this one on the "Don't Miss It" list.
I had never heard of this story until I saw the synopsis on Audible and decided to give it a try due to the outstanding reviews. Add my review to the listeners who give this one an exceptional rating!!
Not only does this book give the reader/listener a good basis for understanding what it takes to become a SEAL, it really hits a home run describing the relationships of the SEAL brotherhood and their undying love for each other and their Country.
The book also takes some pretty good shots at the ultra-liberal hypocrites who are ruining this Country from top to bottom. I did find out that parts of the story and some of the factual troop accounts by Lutrell were challenged. However, when I researched it further, I found that the challenges came from liberals who were out to bad-mouth Lutrell due to the fact he was so critical of liberals hypocritically jeopardizing the safety of our soldiers in hostile areas around the world.
The narrator does a fine job and I truly enjoyed the story from top to bottom, beginning to end.
Overall, Highly Recommended!!
"simple..thanks to guys like these,we have freedom!"
yes...this was my first audio book & as a truck driver it made me look forward to going to work!!!!
the fight
markest
the hills of the talban
wow
"Must Read"
This is truly one of the best books I've listened to. It should be required reading for High School graduates. The ONLY negative is some strong language, but it is very understandable for the conditions these heroes faced. At times I found myself laughing and on many occasions I was in tears as I related to the Marcus's family.
"Nothing short of amazing."
The story was absolutely amazing, there were many moments where I caught myself fighting back tears. The book was beautifully written, and narrated perfectly.
He was able to properly communicate the full range of the emotions in the story. I felt as if the author himself was reading the story.
I ended up sitting in my truck for 6 hours straight listening to the book. Then spent my whole day off listening to the rest of it. Nothing short of amazing.
"Truly incredible story of human sacrifice!!!!"
The true and heroic story of the courage and self sacrifice the seals had for there country.
It was all memorable from beginning to end.
When Marcus was alone and trying to survive the obstacles that he went through to come back home.
"Good story, very inspiring"
Good read, keeps you interested the whole way through
No quit attitude and determination and will to live.
First time
America's Finest.
Narrator was a bit too dramatic. It was almost funny at times.
"Unbelievable but true!"
Yes.
Real life heroes.
Good.
Yeah and almost did.
Definitely Get This Book! It will be well worth it.
"Incredible story and a must read"
Incredible story of true human endurance and will to succeed and survive. It is amazing what we ask our soliders to do and they do without question. This is an eye opener and one that would serve all well to read.