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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
This is seriously a book I would have never read without my book discussion group, as in it was on a list of books I intended to consciously avoid. Still, I would do a lot of things to be able to participate in the monthly discussion, including read some real stinkers. I grabbed this on library audiobook, and then waited until the last few days before it was due to actually start it. My first impression was dismayed amusement at the jingoistic tone, but a willingness to continue, until I hit the first vitriolic rant against the liberal media. I nearly chucked the book then, wondering if I should just skip this month altogether, as I couldn't see how we could possibly discuss the book without a hyper-politicized and potentially bloody conversation. I tried to think my way around it, and then finally directed my most pressing questions to a friend who is a former army ranger. He gave me some ground to approach the book from, and I did finish it (in a blaze of patriotic glory).
My questions to him were: Have you read the book or any of Luttrell's story? What did you think? Do you think the ROE should be jammed up the Geneva Convention's ass? Are all Navy SEALs really this in love with themselves? His answers were: Somewhat, Bullshit, Sort of, and Yes.
Are there elements to Luttrell’s story that are stretched? Certainly, a quick Google will pull up several articles that poke some holes in his account. Much like the proverbial fish story, every time the story gets retold there are more enemy combatants. The original account was 20-30, and has currently ballooned to 200 REF. More than that though, in his rant against the ROE, he claims that there were only two options—kill the guys or let them go. My friend says this is the wrong dichotomy, that it was kill them or detain them. A different article points out that this is a false dichotomy, and that there were whole ranges of options open to them, and gives a list of things they could have tied them up with:
What I found intriguing was that if I ignored the blaring politics, the book was interesting, both the portions on the training and Luttrell’s actual account of what went down (well, minus the more action movie-like parts where people are shot six times, including in the head and throat, and keep right on shooting. Enemy combatants always seem to go down in a single shot). I didn't have any issue with sustaining interest in his narrative, and I think if it hadn't been for the ham-fisted arguments against the Rules of Engagement, that it would have been a much better book. My friend said that the ROE are necessary, that as they were applied in Iraq and Afghanistan they did risk the lives of our troops, and that they need to be simplified. Weird how when you state something without ranting it can actually reach people’s ears.
I still can’t say I’m looking forward to this month’s discussion, but I’m going with printouts of a few things I dug up, and a large book to hide behind in case there’s any blood spray.
My questions to him were: Have you read the book or any of Luttrell's story? What did you think? Do you think the ROE should be jammed up the Geneva Convention's ass? Are all Navy SEALs really this in love with themselves? His answers were: Somewhat, Bullshit, Sort of, and Yes.
Are there elements to Luttrell’s story that are stretched? Certainly, a quick Google will pull up several articles that poke some holes in his account. Much like the proverbial fish story, every time the story gets retold there are more enemy combatants. The original account was 20-30, and has currently ballooned to 200 REF. More than that though, in his rant against the ROE, he claims that there were only two options—kill the guys or let them go. My friend says this is the wrong dichotomy, that it was kill them or detain them. A different article points out that this is a false dichotomy, and that there were whole ranges of options open to them, and gives a list of things they could have tied them up with:
In the book, Marcus Luttrell says that their team did not have anything to bind up the locals. But they had belts, shoe laces, the Afghan's own clothing, and rifle slings. It still stuns me that a SEAL team went out without even a tiny bit of 550 cord or zip ties.My friend says that the SEALs he worked with had flex cuffs as part of their basic kit. He also was concerned that Lutrell claims they voted on the matter—“There is a god dammed chain of command for this very reason.”
What I found intriguing was that if I ignored the blaring politics, the book was interesting, both the portions on the training and Luttrell’s actual account of what went down (well, minus the more action movie-like parts where people are shot six times, including in the head and throat, and keep right on shooting. Enemy combatants always seem to go down in a single shot). I didn't have any issue with sustaining interest in his narrative, and I think if it hadn't been for the ham-fisted arguments against the Rules of Engagement, that it would have been a much better book. My friend said that the ROE are necessary, that as they were applied in Iraq and Afghanistan they did risk the lives of our troops, and that they need to be simplified. Weird how when you state something without ranting it can actually reach people’s ears.
I still can’t say I’m looking forward to this month’s discussion, but I’m going with printouts of a few things I dug up, and a large book to hide behind in case there’s any blood spray.
Holy. Moly. I almost have no words. I have such a greater appreciation for the military and the Navy SEALS. There was a bit of explicit language, but that was to be expected and I thought it added authenticity, honestly. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys true stories of epic bravery.
Amazing story!! Well written, easy to read heartfelt story of courage and survival. Worth the read!
This memoir of navy seals In Afghanistan deserves higher praise from better men then me.
Story was incredible, the writing a little less so. If I heard the words “liberal media” another time I was going to throw the book out, but excellent story and interesting perspective
My boyfriend bought this book over two years ago for Valentine's Day. We had already seen the movie together and it had left me heartbroken.
I think that's why it took me so long to read the book. I didn't want to go thru all the details again.
I'm glad I finally did tho. This book was heartbreaking and insightful and made me cry more than I ever thought it would.
I think that's why it took me so long to read the book. I didn't want to go thru all the details again.
I'm glad I finally did tho. This book was heartbreaking and insightful and made me cry more than I ever thought it would.
Another story of what the men of our armed forces are able to do when pushed to the ultimate limits.
It is heartbreaking to read about the realities that our own soldiers have to go through at times. But I do like hearing their stories so that I really know what it is like.
There were points in this narrative that felt a little preachy. I understand why he was trying to make that point but the ranting tangent wasn't they way to do it. Part of me felt like the story could have spoken for itself.
There were points in this narrative that felt a little preachy. I understand why he was trying to make that point but the ranting tangent wasn't they way to do it. Part of me felt like the story could have spoken for itself.
Although I found the beginning of the book difficult to get through because of the details of the training (and that I was reading two other books at the time as well as finishing a master's degree), but once I got about half way through the book, I became I fiend. I turned pages as if my reading could some how save those guys out on Operation Redwing. I appreciated Luttrell's blunt writing style and found myself understanding him deeply. I have nothing but respect and thankfulness for men and women like Luttrell.
I can't rate this book. Why? Because you can't put a rating on such a miraculous event. This book brought me to tears numerous times. Tears of sorrow and gratefulness. God truly blessed the USA when he made men like them.