Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 by Marcus Luttrell

Stop reading the reviews and buy this book! It is an outstanding portrait of bravery, survival and sacrifice, and it should be required reading for all.

This book is a compelling tale, easy to read and really hard to put down. The beginning of the book takes the reader through Navy SEAL training in Coronado, CA and gives a deep appreciation for just how hard it is to become a SEAL. I will have in my memory the never-ending mantra “get wet and get sandy.” I have been to Coronado and I can see running to the chow hall, swimming for fourteen minutes in the freezing cold Pacific Ocean, and boat landing on the rocks near the Hotel del Coronado. The second half of the book takes you through a harrowing battle that validates just why the SEAL selection and training process is so difficult and so effective. Marcus has given us a spellbinding account of one such SEAL mission in the mountains of Afghanistan in which three of his team members lost their lives. The heart-pounding account of their ordeal will either grab you or you will come away scratching your head wondering why we send young warriors to dangerous, unforgiving and inhospitably bad places around the world.

It is easy for those who have never experienced war, being shot at, having our lives threatened by hostile action, etc. to say what we would or would not do in certain situations. The story of the villagers protecting Marcus made me really begin to understand the Afghanis' predicament. On two distinct pages, the Afghanistan conflict is put in to very clear perspective as to why we will never win this war. Another clear example of the plight of our soldiers is also put into perspective during the deliberations with goat herders, on whether or not to execute them or not brought me to tears. I even thought of what I would do in that same situation. But the fact remains that the Navy SEALS are highly trained combat specialists, mentally and physically, and if it weren’t for what is right and what is wrong, those three men would still be alive today.

Marcus is not shy about sharing his views about how those in the media, academia, and politicians that have so much to say about "human rights" and "rules of engagement," without realizing what the stakes are on the battlefield. These SEALS are a group of elite men who are, at the core, deeply moral, patriotic men, driven by love of God and country, and do not have a lust for blood and treasure. The story of the heroism exemplified by the warrior elite SEALS and the patriotism displayed by those who supported his family in their time of need is also inspiring. I will never forget the stories told of Marcus, Mikey, Axe, and Danny. It is soldiers like this that inspired me to join the military. Politics aside, we owe those brave men who stories are told in Lone Survivor a debt of gratitude from a nation who remains free because of their sacrifice.

Marcus says he died on that mountain. I would say this book changed me forever, and I myself am a veteran. The prologue left me in tears, and by the end, sadness, anger and frustration as to the purpose of this conflict puts this war in a unique light upon our elite soldiers. We should be eternally grateful to those who serve. I wanted to make a special thank you to all those in SPECWARCOM who live to put their lives on the line for us every day. And thank you Marcus for sharing this story. I will see you on Facebook.

Another good review I enjoyed, Click here!

Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman, by Jon Krakauer

A book that changed my perspective on an American hero and an enduring war

Krakauer did a tremendous amount of research to reveal the historical background on Pat Tillman, who went from playing NFL football, giving up a multi-million dollar contract, to become a "friendly fire" statistic in Afghanistan. He also documented the many details of the incident that most people would not be aware of. The book jumps back and forth between recent events to focus on Tillman's life, marriage, and friends concluding with how it was possible for him to be shot by an individual from his own platoon. The biography was vivid and compelling, however the main point of the story could be construed as a sobering story of how powerful people can manipulate the facts to further their own agenda at the expense of individuals.

Everyone who has followed current events over the past five years knows that football hero and soldier Pat Tillman was killed in Afghanistan, and that the military had trouble telling the truth about his death. He had a remarkable life for one who died at age 27. This book will make you angry but you should not be angry with the author but rather with the actions of the military and our government. One fact that I found sobering about the book was the amount of fratricide that occurs in conflicts that is not reported and discussed. Krakauer says thus far in the current Iraq War 41% of U.S. casualties are by "friendly fire". The number was 39% in Vietnam and 52% in Desert Storm. Everyone needs to suspend their political beliefs and just focus on the extraordinary story of Pat and what he did for his country. Then you can ponder who exploited Pat Tillman? Who covered up the facts? And what is the motivation behind the two wars we are now in? The politics behind the story is vital to the context of the story. It's what makes him a tragic hero, and a story that only romanticizes his sacrifice. Those who are truly aware will appreciate this book; those who are not aware of what is going on overseas should read this to become attentive to the situation. It's an engrossing tale that is hard to put down.

Now that you are finished with this book… and this one was a five star… …this next book is double that: Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10, by Marcus Luttrell.

The book review on this one will be completed soon… and it reads perfectly after reading Krakauer.

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