I read (listened) this book because I wanted to watch the movie. I do not like watching movies before reading books on which they are based. I am active duty military but this is not the type of book I normally read. I like to leave work at work so reading military novels, both fiction and non-fiction, is something I avoid. I thoroughly expected to not really like Lone Survivor. That said, I loved this book.
Lone Survivor was written by Marcus Luttrell but I suspect that the co-writer, Patrick Robinson, did most of the heavy lifting. The book opens with Luttrell recounting his trip around the country to visit the families of his fallen comrades. He talks about himself, why he chose to join the SEALs, and the arduous process of becoming a US Navy SEAL. The first half of the book reads as a memoir of Luttrell’s life up to the events surrounding Operation Red Wings. Details about the mission itself are very specific and the story is completely captivating. If this story was fiction, it would still be incredible but perhaps less believable. Luttrell discusses the events not just from his own perspective but also includes his family at home and his peers at the Forward Operating Base. The all-encompassing viewpoint really enhances the reader’s emotions.
There were things I did not love about the book too. Luttrell is a very religious man and I found his faith to be a little off-putting as I am not. It ALMOST distracted from the narrative and became more manifesto than story. I think it avoided that pitfall and I can forgive the author as this is his story, not mine. There are plenty of rumors that aspects of the story are embellished or not true. I don’t care. The story enthralled me and that is what I want when I read. I loved this story and could not ask for more.
I have a similar mind set about military books – I already do that at work. I am slightly interested in this, but am much more interested in seeing the movie than reading the book for this one. Which service are you?
I’m Army. We actually talked once on your blog a while ago. You are the legendary TBOLC Blogger. I just finished up command and I am now at CLC3.
As for the book, if you can put the author’s hubristic humility aside, it is a fantastic read. I listened to the audiobook and the voice work was incredible. If you have time, I can’t recommend it enough. I am still surprised that I liked this so much. Luttrell is VERY different from me and I don’t usually like military books but I really did love this. Maybe it’s because I can, in a way, relate. I still haven;t watched the movie.
Do you already know where you are going next? I’m in the summer PCS cycle so I just submitted my list of preferences – ALU was one of my options. How ironic would it be if I ended up as a TBOLC instructor? Also, you should definitely check out the wine expo in Richmond – it’s either this weekend or next weekend. I went during CLC3, and last year again while visiting a friend – there’s basically limitless wine tasting with the ticket and some fun seminars about food and wine pairings as well as lots of other food related events that you can buy tickets for.
I’ll be teaching at ALU, probably in CLC3 Common Core. Maybe we’ll be colleagues. Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll check it out. Are you part of this upcoming OSB too?
I am; a lot of the captains in my command are YG05 so just barely missed it but I’m YG06. I just got a new DA photo for the board and I kind of hate it – I bought a new jacket, and the tailor said it didn’t need altered but looking at the picture, they definitely could have taken it in at the waist … so I have the choice between a photo that is missing two awards and is over two years old, or one with all the right stuff but one where I look like a shapeless lump. Which will the board prefer :p ?
I think CLC3 would be more challenging to teach, just because I remember how much more critical everyone in my small group was (not that we weren’t critical as lieutenants) because of course we all could have done things so much better. Definitely curious to see what my RFO ends up saying next month.