by Marcus Luttrell with Patrick Robinson
Published by Little Brown and Co in 2007
Summary and Review: This is a real time, true account of Operation Redwing as told by its lone survivor, Marcus Luttrell. It was a Navy SEAL operation in Afghanistan that ended up claiming the lives of three soldiers followed by a rescue attempt that led to the deaths of another sixteen special forces soldiers. Luttrell set out to honor his comrades in arms by sharing the story of the bravery amidst overwhelming, life ending odds, but he has crafted a book that is more than just a memorial. He paints a compelling picture of the culture that is the SEALS and takes us from recruitment through basic training and then onto SEAL Indoc and BUD/S. By the time the reader gets to the account of Afghanistan they have a whole new respect for what it takes to become a SEAL and the elite nature of them amidst the military community. Not only to we get a glimpse of soldier life in a hostile country, we get the perspective of family and friends back home waiting for news of their loved one missing in action and a running commentary on the reality of war that the media fails to understand and in fact behaves in ways that increase the danger for our soldiers.
The book is well written, reading like a novel while being a non-fiction account of a real operation. It is well paced and you are compelled to turn the next page to get the rest of the story and despite knowing the outcome from the beginning you cannot help but finish the book as you devour the account of these remarkable, self-sacrificing young men. It is an inspiring book that makes you want to be a better person and to find a community to be a part of that is much like the community that the SEALs have.
Reading Recommendation: If you love a military read, especially true stories about special forces, this is a must read. Even if you don't love military books, it is a story that will inspire you toward honor, integrity, heroism and courage.
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