Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 - Books

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
On a clear night in late June 2005, four U.S. Navy SEALs left their base in northern Afghanistan for the mountainous Pakistani border. Their mission was to capture or kill a notorious al Qaeda leader known to be ensconced in a Taliban stronghold surrounded by a small but heavily armed force. Less then twenty-four hours later, only one of those Navy SEALs remained alive.

This is the story of fire team leader Marcus Luttrell, the sole survivor of Operation Redwing, and the desperate battle in the mountains that led, ultimately, to the largest loss of life in Navy SEAL history. But it is also, more than anything, the story of his teammates, who fought ferociously beside him until he was the last one left-blasted unconscious by a rocket grenade, blown over a cliff, but still armed and still breathing. Over the next four days, badly injured and presumed dead, Luttrell fought off six al Qaeda assassins who were sent to finish him, then crawled for seven miles through the mountains before he was taken in by a Pashtun tribe, who risked everything to protect him from the encircling Taliban killers.

A six-foot-five-inch Texan, Leading Petty Officer Luttrell takes us, blow-by-blow, through the brutal training of America's warrior elite and the relentless rites of passage required by the Navy SEALs. He transports us to a monstrous battle fought in the desolate peaks of Afghanistan, where the beleaguered American team plummeted headlong a thousand feet down a mountain as they fought back through flying shale and rocks. In this rich , moving chronicle of courage, honor, and patriotism, Marcus Luttrell delivers one of the most powerful narratives ever written about modern warfare-and a tribute to his teammates, who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Customer Reviews: Read 781 more reviews...

2 out of 5 stars

Sorry, but I call BS! December 4, 2008
0 out of 3 found this review helpful

Ok, I'll probably get flamed for this but let me play the devil's advocate here. Many call this story unbelievable and I really think it is. Remember...he is the LONE survivor...that means he can write anything he wants and nobody would know any better. Here's what makes me question his version of events.

The compromise of the mission. Ok, I've heard this story a few too many times before. Did he read "Bravo Two Zero" or see the movie by any chance? Well, it's about a SAS team that gets compromised behind enemy lines by, guess what, a goat shepherd. Well, they decide not to kill him and end up in a world of hurt. Sounds familiar? There is also a very similar story about a Special Forces "Scud Hunter" team being compromised by playing children with the same result. Not saying this can't happen again but it just sounds sooo familiar. Anyway...why does he insist that the only two options were to kill them or let them go and be screwed? How about binding them, stuffing their mouths to buy a little time and getting the hell out of dodge? The mission has been compromised regardless, only thing left to do is to exfiltrate in a hurry. Instead, they let them go and wait...for 30 minutes or more if I recall correctly...doing nothing. Didn't they have a Sat Phone that miraculously worked later? Ok, lets say all this happened, do you really think they sat around and took votes? Do you really think they sat around and discussed what the "liberal" media would think? Come on! Does nobody else think something doesn't sound right? I am by no means a liberal but I got tired really quickly of him blaming everything on the ROE and the liberals. Of course, this is a wonderful story for all the neocons that are just eating it up.
He is the only one that really knows what happened and I don't believe the story as it is written. Whatever happened, he'll have to live with it for the rest of his life. I have the utmost respect for the military, especially the Special Operations community and I think he is doing them a disservice but profiting from this tragedy and using the story to tell us about his political views. To all the brave men that died in this failed operation...R.I.P. Whatever exactly went wrong that day we'll likely never know but I agree that all involved are/were true heroes. Even the Lone Survivor.

5 out of 5 stars

Read it and live December 1, 2008
It is a time when being patriotic is a dirty word. Fewer and fewer people are nationalistic like the previous generation was. Today the word in vogue is global. The new economy is forming rapidly with a new world goverment in the wings. With men like Marcus Latrell in our service, it gives the patriotic remnant a reason to still be proud of our country.
This book effected every area of my life and motivated me to live a life worthy of God and my country. And yes I do believe in miracles Marcus, You needed to tell your story. God bless you.

John Casey

5 out of 5 stars

"Good Ta Go" even for a "squid"... November 30, 2008
Never mind the title of my review. Just a little "dogging" from an old Marine grunt(1983-87). I found the book to be awesome and I usually only read non-fictions concerning the Marines in Vietnam. This book changed all of that . You can't put it down, once you've started.
At times, the author may seem to be a little overboard in his SEAL gung-ho's, but who am I to say that they don't brag a little too much. I was around a few Force Recon guys who never bragged, but I've never been around any SEAL (that I was aware of, that is...)

If the crowd that showed up at his parents home to support his family during his MIA status was as large as the author describes (which I did find to be a little hard to believe), then being a part of the SEAL brotherhood is something to be VERY proud of.

Once again, I found the book to be outstanding, and would recommend it to any veteran and non-veteran alike, no matter what branch of service.

Max Roark
Wpn's Co., 1/6
USMC 1983-87

5 out of 5 stars

OUT-FREAKIN-STANDING!!! November 29, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

this book is a must read for anyone who is currently in the military or anyone who just likes reading about it. i also encourage the media and any liberals towards this novel as well. Marcus is just incredible! thee greatest book i have ever read, a real privelage!

5 out of 5 stars

Fighting and Dying: For Country and Friends November 25, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful

Marcus Luttrell, the lone survivor of a clandestine military operation by Seal Team 10 in remote Afghan mountains, decided to tell this story because he heard someone who was not there had the same plans. It was the largest loss of life in SEAL team history but Marcus wanted to honor the memory of his teamates; Danny, Shane, James, Axe and Mikey. What results is a totally gripping story of courage and heroism against insurmountable odds, infused with surprising morality and sacrifice by Americans and Afghans.

Extremely well written, captivating and moving, Luttrell takes the reader back to his own decision to join the SEALs, the arduous training and the unique camaraderie that develops within the SEAL team. He describes the modern day warrior mystique and the bullet proof mentality that results. Necessary ingredients in the type of soldier capable of answering the call when missions like Operation Redwing are in order. "That's my kind of stuff. Backs to the wall. Never give in. Courage, risks, daring beyond compare".

In a very intimate way, Marcus helps you to know his teamates as if you had met them or briefly been part of the team. Their individuality, hopes, plans, dreams and family connections. There is no better way he could have accomplished the goal of paying honor and tribute to each of them. "Danny, Shane, James, Axe, Mikey and Marcus. Here on business, trained to the minute, armed to the teeth and all set to drive the armies of the Taliban and al Qaeda right out of the mountains".

Not long into their mission, the team is discovered by goat herders. Unarmed civilians. To preserve the mission's integrity and their safety they should have killed them but they take a vote, which results in their release. Within an hour the team is under fire from nearly 100 Taliban fighters from which only Marcus survives. They fought relentlessly for each other's survival, never giving in or assuming that they could not overcome.

Marcus had been the deciding vote for their release and now, nearly every waking hour of his life since, Marcus thinks of that fateful decision. "No night passes when I don't wake in a cold sweat thinking of those moments on that mountain. I'll never get over it. I cannot get over it. The deciding vote was mine and it will haunt me till they rest me in an East Texas grave". Marcus went to the families of each of his fallen brothers and described their courage and heroism. He also went back to active duty and served until very recently.

This story is heartwarming and heartbreaking. Luttrell's ache over his fallen comrades is palpable. Yet, meeting these extraordinary individuals is absolutely inspiring. Their dedication to each other, to the mission, to the SEALs and to our country will improve your patriotism and your confidence in the calibre of our brave military personnel.

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