Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 | 
 enlarge | Author: Marcus Luttrell
Creator: Patrick Robinson
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Category: Book
List Price: $24.99
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Avg. Customer Rating:  785 reviews
Sales Rank: 1468
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 390
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.4
Dimensions (in): 9.4 x 6.2 x 1.5
ISBN: 0316067598
Dewey Decimal Number: 958.1047
EAN: 9780316067591
ASIN: 0316067598
Publication Date: June 12, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 780 more reviews...
 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
"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
OUT-FREAKIN-STANDING!!! November 29, 2008
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!
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.
My Country and the Lone Star State... November 24, 2008
"Lone Survivor" is a terrific tale of terrible hardship, fear, heroism and a refusal to give up, physically or morally. We are given a front row seat as to SEAL training and indoctrination and, then, we see these things in action against incredible odds. The reader comes to realize that SEAL training is not so much about physical hardening--as a matter of fact, much of SEAL training probably weakens hard bodies--as it is about finding those very few men who will seldom, if ever, give up when in impossible situations.
This is basically what we see in the combat phase of this story. Four SEALs are assaulted by 200 or more Taliban on steep, virtually impossible terrain. The Taliban aren't wimps. They are dedicated Jihadists willing to take casualties. Take casualties they do but during the course of a confused, hours long, verticle battle, they succeed in killing three of the SEAL team and badly injuring and shooting up the fourth [Luttrell]. Miraculously Lutrrell survives by throwing himself multiple times down clifflike hillsides and, even more miraculously, always comes up with his rifle, managing to kill and wound more of the enemy.
Broken, battered and wounded Luttrell is finished to be resuced by friendly Afghans who decide to give him the blood-oath sanctuary of their protection. The Taliban nevertheless try to take him away and execute him but the tribal chieftain will have none of it. He not only protects Luttrell but the old man singlehandedly walks to a U.S. base and tells them of Luttrell's presence. Luttrell is rescued but we wonder about the fate of his rescuers.
Unfortunately, the cost of an earlier resuce attempt is a helicopter, full of elite troops, downed with the loss of all hands. Only one criticism I can level at the story. The detail is, perhaps, a little too good. The vast majority of individuals going through a Luttrell-type experience would simply block part of it. The pain, fear, disorientation and shock while falling and wounded tend to play hovoc with memory...but...perhaps SEALS, by nature and training, remember...
Incidentally, I quite agree with Luttrell about the miserable and biased U.S. press. I also agree that our 'rules of engagement', generally speaking, are articles for defeat. I also disapprove of sending military attorneys [political commissars] into combat situations to approve or disapprove of the legal 'correctness' of a military action.
Ron Braithwaite, author of novels--"Skull Rack" and "Hummingbird God"--on the Spanish Conquest of Mexico
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