Lone Survivor

Great listen

The story flew by with great anticipation for what would happen next. Great insight into the story of a SEAL.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

god and country

There is not enough ways to thank Marcus and all the others that put their lives on the line for the American people. I admire them greatly and tell that to every soldier in uniform that I meet. I have several family members serving in Iraq, all with tremendous stories of heroism and survival that they tell.

But this book is more than just a heroic war story. It revealed the intense moral conflict Marcus struggled with over whether to “execute” the goat herders for his own safety or to do the “Christian” thing and release them. I cannot imagine having to make this kind of decision. For that reason alone, that he faced that dilemma and made a decision, I consider him a hero. And I am certainly not one that believes I could judge him no matter which way he decided. I will recommend this book to all my college students in hopes they will get a glimpse of what it really means to be on the “front line.”

But I do have one discomforting issue with the way this story is told. This writer sometimes comes off to me as a mindless parrot spouting off silly military and Christian propaganda slogans. I understand in every war each side portrays the other as heartless, pagan, warmongers. We dehumanize them and they do it to us. That way we’re not killing people, just inhuman scum. Some of the naive comments about the atrocities of the enemy and the syrupy “God and Country” speeches read like WW2 American propaganda stories. Surely Vietnam taught us that the American public can handle the tough moral issues that are interwoven into any conflict. Surely we know this conflict, this war, is not going to be won by trying to kill all the bad guys and argue over whose god is the strongest. As we kill the terrorists we need to come to grips with the causes of this conflict and try not to let history repeat itself. Sure, that’ll happen!

14 of 15 people found this review helpful

Lone Survior

Lone Survivor is a fascinating story about a little-known arena of
the war on terrorism. As Americans,we should all be better-informed
about such things, if only to be more supportive to the soldiers who
are willing to make such horrendous sacrifices so that we can continue to enjoy our freedoms.
Kevin T. Collins' narration was absolutely superb, and exactly the voice one
would have expected Luttrell to have. Let's hope we hear many more
books read by him.
That said, I was sorry that this book was abridged, as the complexity and length
of the hillside battle would have been better-appreciated in more
detail. Although the author's decision to release the goatherds will
undoubtedly haunt him for the rest of his life, it's a shame
that he reduced a generous and righteous act to a simplistic rant
about liberals(even though I don't disagree). The bravery and
patriotism of these men was less-than-well-served by the somewhat sophomoric
way the authors chose to tell the story. One wonders what the editor
was thinking........
But I absolutely enjoyed the book, and the Kevin T.
Collins narration was just perfect.

29 of 33 people found this review helpful

Fantastic from beginning to end!

I’ve never written a review before, but I felt compelled to do so after listening to the Lone Survivor. I thank God everyday for men like Marcus and his brothers in arms. It’s these men and women that make our country stand strong. I’m so proud of our military and I would like to thank them & their families for their sacrifices.

This book is definitely high on my list of favorites. It’s wonderfully written from beginning to end. You really connect with Axe, Micky, Marcus, and Danny. I felt such sorrow when they were killed, and so proud of Marcus for never giving up.

I highly recommend this book!!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Wow, great courage, determination and luck

I enjoyed this listen very much. Marcus is an impressive human and this is a great story about the people who put it on the line for all of us here in the USA. My only knock is he doesn't understand liberals at all and his politics full of hate for his fellow americans, That made me sad for him. Remember Marcus you fight for your buddies first, then Family, then Texas and then all of us. ALL of us, not just the conservatives you greatly admire like President Bush. Remember liberals are Americans no more or less than you are an American.
You should have killed the goat herders and that is coming from a liberal. I hope you read this review, I'm darn proud of you and your fallen friends and patriots!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Great story!

I have read stories that spoke of the incredibly tough training that Navy Seals go through - stuff that makes Marine Corps boot camp look like a Sunday School picnic.

This is the first story I've read that showed the fruit of that training in a real under fire situation. The courage and toughness - both mental and physical - displayed by the Seal team in this book is impressive, even to this Marine, who isn't easily impressed. Just as impressive were the Afghani villagers who risked everything - more than pretty much any of us would - to protect the Lone Survivor until he could be rescued.

This book works very well in terms of a cultural geographical text and a combat survival story. Add in an element of how the writer's faith in God helped him in interesting ways through the ordeal, and it's a story that can be enjoyed on multiple levels. This one goes on my list to listen to again.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Absolutely Amazing!

To think this is a true story is nothing short of astonishing. Few stories have recounted such dramatic heroism and raw courage by the elite soldiers of our armed forces. Marcus Luttrell and his comrads fight "for real" against odds that we usually only see in fictional stories. It's no wonder Hollywood producers were themselves fighting for the rights to the movie, due out in 2009.

Most of the book felt like an "edge-of-your-seat" suspense drama--I couldn't put it down. Luttrell and his team portray virtues we often aspire to---perseverence and courage in the face of unbeatable odds and danger, unwavering loyalty to each other and country, and tenacious effort in training to be the very best at their craft. Can't wait for the movie!

8 of 10 people found this review helpful

Excellent Listen

This is one of those stories that might be better as an audio book than reading the book. Outstanding narration. The first part describes the selection process and arduous training for the SEALS. The account of Operation Red Wing was phenomenal. These four men showed such determination, loyalty to each other and courage against insurmountable odds. One member of the team is the first recipient of the Medal of Honor in Afghanistan. The author is not bashful about sharing his insight into the political meddling into war operations,rules of engagement and the sad consequences.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Respect for this Story

Would you consider the audio edition of Lone Survivor to be better than the print version?

no

What other book might you compare Lone Survivor to and why?

n/a

What about Kevin T. Collins’s performance did you like?

n/a

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Cry. It is hard not to because of what Marcus and his team went through.

Any additional comments?

I will read the actual book now. Didn't realize that this was the abridged version.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Awesome read

Wow, what can I say about this book to make you run out and read it? Marcus is in every sense of the word an "American Patriot" at it's best. The bravery, the loss, the pain, the fear, the courage and appendages as big as bowling balls of Marcus Luttrell make this book a don't put down until you finish it kind of book.

For those who have strong opinions about President Bush, the media or killing, you probably won't like this book, but read it anyway. With that said I am one of those bleeping liberals Marcus speaks so highly of (wink). It simply did not stop or deter me from reading on or take away from the punch of this book. I absolutely support our armed forces and all that they stand for. So even though I support my political party I am also bright enough to see both sides of an issue and respect every persons opinion as just that an opinion, we all have em. Marcus and all men and women like him put their lives on the line for "us' the people of the United States of America; Democrats, Republicans and Independents everyday and I for one appreciate them.

No matter what your feelings about the war are, Marcus' words will make your heart swell with American pride, your belly ache for what he went through and make your eyes brim (if not full out cry like I did)with tears for the pain he endured physically and the pain of heartbreak for the men he loved like brothers.

Marcus manages to slip in his sense of humor which helped the ache in my belly on more than one occasion.

I have children; I can only imagine what his parents and brother were going through.

It seems so inadequate but Thank You Marcus I as one of the "People of the United States" will hold you and all the men and women who serve, past, present and future, and those who have lost their lives in service to our great country in my prayers today and always.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful