The Night Stalkers

By: Michael J. Durant, Steven Hartov, Lt. Col - Ret Robert L. Johnson

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

Here are thrilling, never-before-heard stories of the Army's elite aviation unit - the most daring and professional helicopter crews in the world.

Special Operations pilots are notoriously reticent; they don't talk about their missions, at least not to anyone outside their small community. But now, with the publication of The Night Stalkers, Durant and Steven Hartov shed a fascinating light on these mysterious super commandos and take readers into a world they have only imagined.

From Iran to Grenada to Iraq, the 160th SOAR (A) has been at the point of the spear and in the thick of combat, delivering and supporting Delta operators, Rangers, and SEAL teams around the globe, in all weather, night or day. Simply put, they are the best of the best, and here for the first time are their hair-raising true stories of battle, capture, victory, and loss.

©2006 Michael J. Durant, Steven Hartov, and Robert L. Johnson (P)2007 Tantor Media Inc.

Critic reviews

"The book's action scenes are numerous and spine-tingling, its portraits of men living a life of danger absorbing, and the regiment's sadly long roll of honor distinctly moving." (Booklist)

A book that does justice

Being a former naval officer, and seeing limited combat I know what these men went through. I know of thier character, I know this book tells the story of how these men, put it all on the line each and every day.
Thank you for sharing this with the world.

Excellent Read

As the previous reviewer noted, this book really does shed some light on those that do not seek it. I always find that listening to books like this make you realize just how easy our lives can sometimes be.

Some of the stories recalled herein, will leave you shaking your head. Outside of Black Hawk Down and a few other books, I had heard of zero of their exploits, but what amazing stories. Hollywood could pick out any of these stories and do an amazing movie. This is a great audio book.Night Stalkers Don't Quit

Also, since this is an audio book review, I would be remiss not to mention Patrick Lawlor. By far one of my favorite narrators, was he in the military (he also narrated Generation Kill, another great audio book) Some of his delivery and different change of characters really bring home a great read.

Decent story but narration awful!

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Interesting look into how Special Ops guys get to where they're going. If you like Special Forces books, this is a good compliment to some of the others out there.

How could the performance have been better?

The narrator tried to hard to sound "tough and gruff" when reading quotes but it sounded silly. Also, read mostly in a monotone voice, but then SCREAMED certain parts, which was trying to convey stress or battle. I had to keep turning the volume up and down through the whole book...very annoying.

Interesting but disappointing

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The narration was irritating and the dialogue seemed more fitted to a comic book and than a story about real soldiers.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The history of development of the unit was fascinating to see how many times there was a great need and how many times the whole thing almost got scrapped.

Would you be willing to try another one of Patrick Lawlor’s performances?

No

Did The Night Stalkers inspire you to do anything?

To make sure if I write a book I do a better job than this.

This book is a great read but not so great listen

Would you try another book from the authors and/or Patrick Lawlor?

I not so sure about the narrator, Pat Lawlor cause he is so deliberate in his reading and seems to be a loss of fluidity in his dialogue. He literally shouts in the mic when they are shouting I was distracted focusing on his reading then the dialogue at times.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Patrick Lawlor?

I enjoy many narrators so Ray Porter is one that has done well with military biographies.

Was The Night Stalkers worth the listening time?

Yes it was because I am interested in the story but just have to get use to the narrator.

In the murky depths of piss poor books comes....

a very worthwhile book. The stories are top notch, enlightening, and scratch my patriotic itch. Absolutely worth it, I promise. A bit of cursing, but nowhere near as much as some other lesser books.

Wow, give me more!

I was originally looking for action stories about the wars in Iraq & Afganistan so I was slightly discouraged when the book started off as a history lesson about the origins of special forces and the invasion of Grenada. However, it war really interesting after you understood where it was going and really gave me a better understanding and respect of the intensity of the Grenada and Panama conflicts. I really got everything I was looking for when the story covered the gulf wars! The story is a mix of after-action reports mixed with a dialogue story while it happends. There narrator was 'ok'. I didn't care for the way he read it but he did a good job of acting with the dialogue and made you feel the intensity of the situations.

I understand many of the Night Stalker missions are classified, but I want to know more!! A good book!

one of the worse narrators ever!!

not sure why the publisher would match this narrator to a book about the cream of the cream. He sounds like......let's just say his voice does match the Characters. A different reader I'd given the book an easy 4+ stars. his voice was so wrong I only listened to two chapters before returning for a refund. thank goodness for Amazon prime membership warranty.

HAAF USAR

having served under capt Johnson at HAAF GA an. Delta Troop Korea seeing him every day I know 100 % leadership were there a true warrior true commander, like flying with him....SGT. Sands

I'm a 15U and must say that I enjoyed

I enjoyed every minute, if you are military service and are looking for inspiration, give it a try.