Marcus Luttrell with Patrick Robinson, Lone
Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of
SEAL Team 10 (Little, Brown and Company, 2007).
Also available on Kindle and Nook and
Audio CD.
(NON-FICTION)
Reviewed by Kevin A. Penrod, Jr.
Lone Survivor is by far
the best book I have ever read. And people who know me know that says a lot
considering the number of books I read. You might know this title due to the
film adaptation that was released earlier this year. I have now read the book
twice front to back, and seen the movie.
Lone Survivor is the eyewitness account
from Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell of operation Redwing and his friends of SEAL
Team 10 that gave their lives to save his. This book gives an amazing insight
into the training, endurance, and dedication it takes to be a Navy SEAL. During
a mission to take out a Taliban leader, Marcus Luttrell and his team of 3 other
brave men were discovered in the hills of Afghanistan by some goat herders, one
of whom was a kid. After some debate they decided so as to not face the media
firestorm back home to let them go. Soon after that, the Taliban leader they
were sent to take out sent an entire army up into the hills to kill them. After
a long gunfight follows, the SEALS slid down the side of a cliff twice and were
shot numerous times (one of the SEALs was shot 10 times before going down). Marcuss'
best friend went out onto an open ridge to call for help knowing it meant the
end of his own life. Marcuss was the last one left alive.
This book,
in my opinion, should be required reading in schools. It is the ultimate
testament to the brave men and women who fight for this country. I don't
recommend it to younger readers or those faint of heart. No manly games during
the movie and both times I read the book I cried like a baby. It is a fantastic
book. I highly recommend it. If for no other reason read this book to know the
story and to honor the brave men who lost their lives in those mountains, men
such as:
Petty Officer Matthew Axelson
Lieutenant Michael Murphy
Petty Officer Danny Dietz
Lieutenant Commander Erik Kristensen
Chief Petty Officer Dan Healy
Shane Patton
Petty Officer First Class Jeff Taylor
We will never forget these American heroes or the major lesson of this story. Never forget and never quit.
Petty Officer Matthew Axelson
Lieutenant Michael Murphy
Petty Officer Danny Dietz
Lieutenant Commander Erik Kristensen
Chief Petty Officer Dan Healy
Shane Patton
Petty Officer First Class Jeff Taylor
We will never forget these American heroes or the major lesson of this story. Never forget and never quit.