Hammer's Book Review of "Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of Seal Team 10"

After finishing this book, I truly appreciate what our men and women in uniform do everyday for all of us. We all hear and see stories in the news or in documentaries like Restrepo that show us American servicemen and women and their experiences in Afghanistan. Well, after reading "Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10," we need more stories like this one.

First of all, the title is a mouthful - that’s for sure. This narritive was written by Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Marcus Luttrell, a member of SEAL team 10. The story begins by the author describing his childhood and preparing to join the SEALS when he becomes old enough. He then describes his experience going through Hellweek and BUDS training and finally becoming a Navy SEAL. I enjoyed this part of the book, but a lot of it I had already seen on many Navy SEAL documentaries on the Miltary Channel. So after getting through that, he begins his story by shifting the reader from his SEAL training to being deployed in Afghanistan. The story will take place in the Hindu Kush mountains of the Kunar Province. He is about to go on a mission named Operation Red Wing (God I hate the Red Wings – sorry Detroit) with the rest of SEAL Team 10. The other members are Lt. Michael P. Murphy, Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Danny P. Dietz, and Sonar Technician 2nd Class Matthew G. Axelson.

The objective of Operation Red Wing was to be inserted somewhere in the Hindu Kush mountains and hike several kilometers to a village where a known associate of Osama Bin Laden was taking residence. Their mission was to get in without being compromised in any way.

One night while they were traveling to the village, they are spotted by three Afghani shepherds who are tending their flock (sounds biblical). One of the shepherds is a young boy. The team members discuss their mission parameter that they were not to be spotted by anyone. Being in a Taliban stronghold area, there is a debate among the SEALs on what to do with the 3 shepherds and their Rules of Engagement in this situation. They all were in agreement that the shepherds knew they were American soldiers. They decide to let them go and the SEALs continue on their mission. A short time later, the four members of SEAL team 10 are surrounded by 100 plus Taliban soldiers who know they are there.

Once the action started, I could not put the book down. I am not going to give too much away, but the title will give you a hint of what happens. The story is full of American heroism, humanity, perserverance, and heartbreak. Some people may find that cheesy, but I’m a proud American and I respect what these guys do and the sacrifices they make. On a side note, Universal Pictures and Peter “Aki” Berg (The Kingdom) are teaming up to make a movie about this story with filming beginning later this year and a 2013 release date. In the meantime, I highly recommend reading this book. You can pick it up on sale at a Borders closing near you, or pick it up at Amazon.com.