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.
"Never Forget"
at the top
knowing it lets people at home know what our brave service members are willing to sacrifice so private citizens can have the freedoms they do back at home.
the voices and accents really capture the characters well.
NEVER EVER FORGET
I am only sorry this book needed to be written. I look forward to the movie version.
"I would have given this book 5 stars but...."
Incredible story of determination, loss and perspective. The portion dealing with the town of Pashtun villagers was a never before seen (for me) view into the lives of regular people who are trying to go about their lives herding and farming while a war is waged around them.
I've always been interested in the subject matter and I prefer it from the first person's perspective and from real-life experience rather than fiction.
The stories, as they go from one point to another are brilliantly expressed. His portrayal of the SEAL Instructors was terrifying to a layman. I found myself not wanting to run across a sand dune again!
I had two serious problems with the book and it's contents, overall. First, his immediate tendency to blame nearly everything that went wrong on the liberal media and the American liberals that prevent him from doing some things during battle. American liberals and the liberal media did not write the Geneva Conventions' international laws for the humanitarian treatment of combatants of war. Executing unarmed herdsmen is an international crime, not an American or liberal one. I understand the consequences of what happened afterward but liberals didn't make those laws. Second, his constant references to how God kept him alive and continued to give him his weapon are hypocrisy when compared to the language of the book, his thoughts on killing unarmed civilians and the fact that no one's God can protect them in war. I'll ignore the part where the US Government denies that the force that attacked the SEALS was greater than 40 just because no one really knows.
Good book but I found myself being disgusted at each mention of liberal media, American liberals and God. It was all a bit much for me and ruined an otherwise completely compelling story of bravery and compassion. Fantastic story but....
"Incredible"
This is the most incredible story I have ever heard. Inspiring doesn't even come close to describing this book. In my opinion, this book should sit next to the bible in every home in America. I dare anyone to read/listen to this book and not shed a tear. The valiant actions of the 4 SEALs involved in Operation Redwing are shining examples of the dedication of our military.
Needless to say, I highly recommend this book. A definite must-read.
"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.