Service

A Navy SEAL at War

By: Marcus Luttrell

Narrated by: Kevin T. Collins

Length: 12 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's Summary

Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell returned from his star-crossed mission in Afghanistan with his bones shattered and his heart broken. So many had given their lives to save him-and he would have readily done the same for them. As he recuperated, he wondered why he and others, from America's founding to today, had been willing to sacrifice everything-including themselves-for the sake of family, nation, and freedom.

In Service, we follow Marcus Luttrell to Iraq, where he returns to the battlefield as a member of SEAL Team 5 to help take on the most dangerous city in the world: Ramadi, the capital of war-torn Al Anbar Province. There, in six months of high-intensity urban combat, he would be part of what has been called the greatest victory in the history of U.S. Special Operations forces. We also return to Afghanistan and Operation Redwing, where Luttrell offers powerful new details about his miraculous rescue. Throughout, he reflects on what it really means to take on a higher calling, about the men he's seen lose their lives for their country, and the legacy of those who came and bled before.

A thrilling war story, Service is also a profoundly moving tribute to the warrior brotherhood, to the belief that nobody goes it alone, and no one will be left behind.

©2012 Marcus Luttrell (P)2012 Hachette

love this book ~ add it to your must read list!!

So I just finished Service (in less than 2 days) and was not at all surprised to find it captivating and emotionally charged from the very beginning with his beautiful dedication to Morgan and Mel all the way through to the final acknowledgments. He cleared up so many questions that I had following the first book and also explained some things I didn't know that I didn't know (if that makes sense). The many amazing stories of his fellow soldier's valor and heroism were awe inspiring and heartbreaking and I thank God that we have such brave men serving our country. I loved hearing more stories about his friend Jon Tumilson and the amazing man and warrior that JT was, and I also thought the chapter by Amy and all the wives was very sweet and a poignant reminder of the many sacrifices that our military families make. I'm hoping that hearing these incredible stories of bravery will inspire everyone to do all we can to give back to our troops and their families since we owe them so much. Thanks so much to Marcus Luttrell for writing this wonderful book and may God bless him, his family and all those who served and continue to serve with valor.

Wish I read rather than listened to Collins.

Would you try another book from Marcus Luttrell and/or Kevin T. Collins?

I'm a huge fan of Audible.com and will NEVER listen to Kevin Collins again. His eagerness to sell the story ruined it for me.

What didn’t you like about Kevin T. Collins’s performance?

Within the first hour of the book I was skeptical of Collins's performance. To me he sounded as though he was delivering a sermon and over emphasized much of the book. In my opinion, the last 25% of the content saved the book. Partly since Collins's role was limited and partly because it was an interesting perspective. One that I have not found in other SEAL books.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Perhaps. I don't feel as strongly about this book as I have other SEAL books previously.

Any additional comments?

Seemed Marcus Luttrell wanted to capitalize on his past success and write a public thank you note to all the people in his past. At times it seemed like a Navy sponsored fluff piece. I do hope that some of these stories get their own book in the future.

An Emotional Roller Coaster

This was one of the best books I have ever read/listened to. Marcus Luttrell is a master story teller. It is hard to tell what he is better at, being a Special Warfare Operator or a Writer. This book was if not better than "Lone Survivor" than just as good. It had me laughing at some points, sad at others, and feeling everything in between the rest of the time.
One feeling I felt through out the book was just a general thankfulness for all the unbelievable men and women in the armed forces. I can't really explain the feeling I got when Marcus told the different stories of the men and women who sacrifice so much for us, but it is a pride, respect, and a thanks all wrapped together.
The Narrators were excellent. The main Narrator is the same one from "Lone Surviver." He is perfect for this topic.
This book is not all about the writer. He tells many stories about many different people. At one point the story is told from a couple different Military Wives POV. Those parts are equally as excellent as the rest. If you buy this book you will not be regretful.

Another excellent book by Marcus Luttrell

Would you consider the audio edition of Service to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version. The Audio version was very good, Kevin T. Collins could have done a better job familiarizing himself with some of the terms and words prior to reading it aloud. It was obvious at times that he had no military or tactical experience by the way he pronounced certain words. I wouldn't let that deter me from listening to the audio version though.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Too many to list!

What about Kevin T. Collins’s performance did you like?

Overall he did a good job, as I said earlier Kevin T. Collins could have done a better job familiarizing himself with some of the terms and words prior to reading it aloud. It was obvious at times that he had no military or tactical experience by the way he pronounced certain words.

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

All of it, but particulalry the portion of the story about Operation Anaconda in 2002. It had a special place in my heart because my flight crew and I, had the honor of carrying back 8 of the hero's that were killed on that mountain.

Any additional comments?

Excellent book! Excellent Author! I'm glad Marcus took the time to share his experiences.

Thank You!

What did you love best about Service?

The appreciation for the people that Marcus came in contact and served with.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Service?

I had more, but one could be the ride home with the blue Chevy.

What about Kevin T. Collins’s performance did you like?

Great diction and sound. Thank you for the effort of beeing as authentic as possible.

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

Surprised when I learned who was the owner of Hawkey, the dog next to the casket of its fallen master.

I cryed my eyes out for each guy that Marcus lost and laughed out loud at the crazy and funy experiences described in the book.

Any additional comments?

God Bless our Troops!

If you're into seal books, listen to this one

It holds your attention just like his other book. You learn some pretty interesting things and most people that are into books like this will enjoy it like I did.

I'd like to hear the Marcus Luttrell Story

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I bought this after devouring other first hand SEAL stories on Audible. Luttrell is a hero and he should work with an author and publisher to tell his actual story. I would totally buy that story. This story is a steaming pile of platitudes that happened to have his name on the cover. If an actual SEAL had much to do with writing it, then I'm Abraham Lincoln.

It sounds like writing process went like this:

1- Marcus gave his story to a writer
2- The writer had all the good content redacted by the Navy
3- The writer filled in the blacked out content with pages and pages of platitudes about valor.

On 3- why use one phrase like "bad ass" when you can drone on for 5 minutes and say nothing at all? Seriously this story reads like it was written by a hack who was in a hurry to fill a lot of pages with flowery descriptions.

Huge disappointment.

What was most disappointing about Marcus Luttrell’s story?

So many words, so little story. It reads like a third rate recruiting poster, except instead of joining the Navy, you'll fall asleep.

Would you be willing to try another one of Kevin T. Collins’s performances?

not likely

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

no- I'm glad I listened to other SEAL stories before buying this- or I would have been turned off by the genre

Any additional comments?

Listen to some of the other books in this genre. I found them to be very enjoyable.

America is blessed

America is blessed to have many men like him throughout our history who believe in what America stands for and willing to give their lives for it. As I’ve listened to this book and others similar to it I find myself greatful to have served 2 terms in the military, but also I’m realizing on how much I missed out on if I had been more devoted. May we one day get a government again that loves America!!

Inspiring

This should be required reading / listening for every AMERICAN Why our military is so important

love love love this book!

I really like how Marcus tells his story. I couldn't stop listening! easy great read!!