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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
sad
medium-paced
This was a very frustrating book for me. I have so much admiration and respect for any man or woman who puts on the uniform. The truth is they are willing to do something that most of us cannot, this is especially true if they are a member of a special forces unit. I am a military brat and have many friends and family members in the armed services. I only mention this because I think it gives me at least a tiny glimpse into what they sacrifice for all of us.
The reason this book is frustrating to me is because of the remarks made by the authors of this book. The political jabs and ridiculous arguments made by Mr. Luttrell were annoying and distracting. This book made me cry and cheer for these men, but at times I wanted to throw it across the room. The “liberals” in this country are not to blame for why these men died, why the war started or the status of these wars today. The liberal media is not responsible for why Mr. Luttrell made the decision he did that day on the mountain.
Most people would label me a liberal and I can tell you I would have killed the goat herders to protect the people I love. I agree that war is chaos and split decisions have to be made and our men and women should be given the benefit of the doubt if they are brought before a military court. However, servicemen/women are not above doing the wrong thing and they should be held accountable if they cross the line. It is just like police officers, 98% of the police officers are good people and are there to protect and serve their communities but there are the 2% who get off on the authority and power the position gives them and they make bad choices.
It is frustrating when Mr. Luttrell says he was there to protect and serve his country and commander in chief. However, at same time, he criticizes Clinton, glorifies Bush (probably because he is a fellow Texan) and I would imagine is not happy with Obama. Oh and I believe he got a jab in on Carter as well. This kind of vitriol, us-against-them, liberal vs conservative, crap is why this country is in so much trouble and why we cannot get anything done. Why not just tell this unbelievable, gut-wrenching, harrowing story without blaming over 50% of the people in this country?
Having said all that (I never write reviews like this) I am glad he survived and could tell this story.
The reason this book is frustrating to me is because of the remarks made by the authors of this book. The political jabs and ridiculous arguments made by Mr. Luttrell were annoying and distracting. This book made me cry and cheer for these men, but at times I wanted to throw it across the room. The “liberals” in this country are not to blame for why these men died, why the war started or the status of these wars today. The liberal media is not responsible for why Mr. Luttrell made the decision he did that day on the mountain.
Most people would label me a liberal and I can tell you I would have killed the goat herders to protect the people I love. I agree that war is chaos and split decisions have to be made and our men and women should be given the benefit of the doubt if they are brought before a military court. However, servicemen/women are not above doing the wrong thing and they should be held accountable if they cross the line. It is just like police officers, 98% of the police officers are good people and are there to protect and serve their communities but there are the 2% who get off on the authority and power the position gives them and they make bad choices.
It is frustrating when Mr. Luttrell says he was there to protect and serve his country and commander in chief. However, at same time, he criticizes Clinton, glorifies Bush (probably because he is a fellow Texan) and I would imagine is not happy with Obama. Oh and I believe he got a jab in on Carter as well. This kind of vitriol, us-against-them, liberal vs conservative, crap is why this country is in so much trouble and why we cannot get anything done. Why not just tell this unbelievable, gut-wrenching, harrowing story without blaming over 50% of the people in this country?
Having said all that (I never write reviews like this) I am glad he survived and could tell this story.
This was the first of many war memoirs I read, and it introduced me solidly to the genre. I appreciate, above all, Luttrell's decision to back up the narrative with backstory. He takes the reader through BUD/S, sniper school, and eventually helps us understand the nature of the American soldier in Afghanistan circa 2005. His gripping account introduces intense emotions into the reader, which is one of the reasons his book is so popular. He isn't afraid to call out the mistakes made by himself and others and the book, if described in one word, would be "authentic".
challenging
informative
tense
Wonderful telling of such a terrible tragedy
I went into this book with no previous knowledge of the story. I was hooked after the first chapter. Other than a few curse words (an obvious part of war) this book was easy to get through and understand. Some might complain because of the bashing of the leftist media sprinkled throughout the book, but I wold expect nothing esle from a Navy SEAL from the heart of Texas.
I went into this book with no previous knowledge of the story. I was hooked after the first chapter. Other than a few curse words (an obvious part of war) this book was easy to get through and understand. Some might complain because of the bashing of the leftist media sprinkled throughout the book, but I wold expect nothing esle from a Navy SEAL from the heart of Texas.
The portion of the book that actually talks about operation Redwing is gripping. The rest of the book about SEAL training and politics is pretty poor. There are better books about both of those topics. Start with chapter six.
Thanks to Luttrell for doing what you do. Unfortunately, his co-author and editors didn't do their jobs. There was enough material about the operation to fill an epic narration of war chaos and operational conflict from a professional soldiers point of view. Luttrell has an incredible story to tell but his literary support network let him down.
Thanks to Luttrell for doing what you do. Unfortunately, his co-author and editors didn't do their jobs. There was enough material about the operation to fill an epic narration of war chaos and operational conflict from a professional soldiers point of view. Luttrell has an incredible story to tell but his literary support network let him down.
Read this for the Winter Reading Challenge as a suggestion from a co-worker.
I give it four stars because everything can always be improved. An excellent and heartbreaking read. As others have said, he goes on about the "liberal left," but considering he lost three of his team mates as a ripple effect of rules of engagement, I can hardly blame him for lashing out and blaming someone.
The story of Marcus Luttrell is truly an inspiring one that instills patriotism and love of country into anyone who encounters it. I first learned of his experiences when I saw the film of the same name starring Mark Wahlberg. I instantly admired his bravery and courage and wanted to read his own personal testament to what happened during Operation Redwing. While his recounts of the events are both heartbreaking and inspiring, it was a difficult book to read, not only because of the content, but the jargon as well. Not being a member of the military (although an Army brat) I constantly found myself backtracking and rereading passages in order to make sense of the military terms being used, as well as the history of the countries and conflicts described. I felt that these passages took away from being immersed in what Luttrell was experiencing and seeing in a moment when he became one of our nation's greatest heroes. I felt like I was experiencing whiplash a little while reading it. That being said, I absolutely admire the incredible amount of courage that Marcus Luttrell displayed during Operation Redwing, and I find inspiration and encouragement in his story. God bless America, and God bless Marcus Luttrell and all our Navy SEALs and military members.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Hard story but filled with military humor which I love.