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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
Can't wait for the movie! I saw Marcus speak a a Cattlemens conference and I was in tears! He and all military are amazing and it's incredible how their efforts have provided us with freedom!
pretty standard SEAL book, good story, pretty bad-ass guy
I found this book deeply disappointing. If it had been a novel instead of an eye-witness account of the harrowing ordeal of one Navy SEAL in Afghanistan, I would not have finished it at all (probably wouldn't have picked it up in the first place). The writing is filled with hyperbole, editorializing and contempt for any who disagree with the worldview of the writers. Luttrell seems to see the world in black and white, and in his book, he never pauses to contemplate any of the ironies, ambiguities or contradictions that he encountered in his experiences. The arrogant and contemptuous tone of the writing takes away from what should have been a compelling story about what one man went through in the service of his country. Too bad.
Setting aside that Luttrell's world view is basically anathema to me, I actually really enjoyed this book. The narrative voice is hugely entertaining and the story itself, fascinating.
Luttrell is a tough, heroic man, no doubt, but the book is marred by the inappropriate and unsubstantiated rants against the "liberal media." The liberals, let me point out, did not create the Geneva Convention. The 'I love Texas' line grew tiresome as well. There is a co-author involved, so perhaps he was trying to infuse Luttrell's voice into the storyline, but the result makes Luttrell sound uneducated if not a bit unstable. I would like to think that those serving in the Armed Forces today are defending the Constitution of the United States of America, and not a political party or their home state.
I liked Luttrell's book enough to finish it, but I wouldn't recommend it to a general audience. Instead I would recommend Anthony Swofford's Jarhead: A Marine’s Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles (2003), Nathaniel Fick's One Bullet Away: The Making of a Marine Officer (2005), and Craig Mullaney's The Unforgiving Minute: A Soldier’s Education (2009). I was not surprised to see that these three books were all included on The Military Times' recent list of the best military books of the decade.
I liked Luttrell's book enough to finish it, but I wouldn't recommend it to a general audience. Instead I would recommend Anthony Swofford's Jarhead: A Marine’s Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles (2003), Nathaniel Fick's One Bullet Away: The Making of a Marine Officer (2005), and Craig Mullaney's The Unforgiving Minute: A Soldier’s Education (2009). I was not surprised to see that these three books were all included on The Military Times' recent list of the best military books of the decade.
Enough can be said about this book. It is a reminder of how much of themselves military personnel give for our freedom. I was deeply touched by this book. I was sorry for all that was lost but also glad for all that was found. If you have not read this book. Do. You won't regret it.
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
It's hard to rate a book like this, because it is a story of incredible military valor.
However, that being said, I was put off by a lot of things in this book. Luttrell spends what feels like the first half of the book talking about Navy SEAL training and how difficult it was. It's not something I could ever do, so I'm not trying to detract the difficulty, but this part dragged on and on and was often peppered with Luttrell's comments about how strong and brave he was. As my brother said, "If I have to listen to one more sentence about BUDS (SEAL training), I'm going to throw this iPad out the window."
Luttrell also spends a lot of time discussing his utter disdain for the liberal media/liberals, as well as the Geneva Convention. He says that the media is the reason why he was the only survivor in his mission, and that liberals in Congress who have never been to war don't know how to make military policy. I'd like to hear the counterargument to this point.
He constantly pats himself on the back throughout the book, which I think ultimately detracted from his military accomplishments. The end of the book was much more engaging than the first 50% about SEAL training, but he's lucky I stuck around that long.
However, that being said, I was put off by a lot of things in this book. Luttrell spends what feels like the first half of the book talking about Navy SEAL training and how difficult it was. It's not something I could ever do, so I'm not trying to detract the difficulty, but this part dragged on and on and was often peppered with Luttrell's comments about how strong and brave he was. As my brother said, "If I have to listen to one more sentence about BUDS (SEAL training), I'm going to throw this iPad out the window."
Luttrell also spends a lot of time discussing his utter disdain for the liberal media/liberals, as well as the Geneva Convention. He says that the media is the reason why he was the only survivor in his mission, and that liberals in Congress who have never been to war don't know how to make military policy. I'd like to hear the counterargument to this point.
He constantly pats himself on the back throughout the book, which I think ultimately detracted from his military accomplishments. The end of the book was much more engaging than the first 50% about SEAL training, but he's lucky I stuck around that long.
This impressive book exemplifies the exceptional skill, bravery, and tenacity of Navy SEALS. Marcus Luttrell writes about about the Afghan battle that took the lives of several other SEALS and of his miraculous survival. The first half of the book details SEAL training. I recommend reading that, but you'll really want to get to the second half about how Marcus survived.
Marcus's personality comes through in his writing, specifically his intensity, intelligence, love for family and fellow SEALS, and sense of humor. I am thankful that he and men like him stepped up to protect our freedom.
Marcus's personality comes through in his writing, specifically his intensity, intelligence, love for family and fellow SEALS, and sense of humor. I am thankful that he and men like him stepped up to protect our freedom.
Saw the movie first, but am very glad I read this. What an amazing story.