Displaying 1 - 30 of 8,717 reviews
Jim
390 reviews98 followers
February 29, 2012
I was all excited when I purchased this book, expecting a Carlos Hathcock type tale of derring-do. What a letdown - I was sick of Mr Kyle by page 5.
To begin with, I'm not sure who to credit for this bit of writing; I suspect that Kyle contributed little but the anecdotal accounts and his name to the effort, as two other names are listed with his on the cover. Interestingly, his wife is not given any co-author status although she provides significant input throughout the book.
Now all feelings about the propriety of this very controversial armed incursion into Iraq aside, one thing that turned me off about Kyle was his total lack of regard for his opponent. They're all "evil" or "blinded by evil" throughout this book. What makes them evil is never satisfactorily explained; perhaps Mr Bush's "axis of evil" speech had something to do with it. Anyway, lightly armed Iraqis who oppose heavily armed and armoured coalition troops on Iraqi soil are "evil" and "terrorists". He states several times that he is getting payback. Payback for what, exactly? He also repeatedly claims to be defending his country, although I know of no attempt on the USA by Iraq.
I fully understand that he doesn't decide to send the troops over, and that he has a job to do, but please, Mr Kyle...just a little more regard for the human beings you're killing? Maybe a little remorse for the retarded kid you pounded because he didn't understand you? Hello...he's retarded....and he speaks another lanuage...what the hell did you expect?? People like Mr Kyle are a large part of the reason that the citizens of the USA are held in such disdain by many foreigners. His pomposity and vainglory ooze off of every page.
And the violence! I'm not talking about warfare here...I'm talking recreational violence. Bar fights. Destruction of property. Beating a fellow up because the victim's girlfriend was in an argument with another SEAL. Maybe he figured the other SEAL couldn't handle her? I cannot believe this chap didn't end up in jail. In one chapter he gleefully tells about beating a celebrity because he thought the celebrity (a former governor) was disrespecting a SEAL wake or some such BS. He neglects to mention that the celebrity is now in his 60's. Look it up on Youtube - you can see the "hero" chortling about it on a radio interview.
If this book is worth reading at all, it's only to see the decline in the American military. Apparently the officers have no control. Hazing is rampant. Citizens are beaten with apparent impunity. Childish behaviour like mooning neighbours and chasing Iraqis with radio-controlled vehicles are considered legitimate pastimes. I could go on and on...suffice it to say I won't buy any more books with this fellow's name on them. But if his wife wants to write a book about how she survived living with a self-centred vainglorious manchild, I'm buying it...her contributions were the only parts of the book that made any sense.
biography iraq middle-east
...more
441 likes
Like
Comment
Petra: hiatus, finding it hard to communicate
2,457 reviews34.9k followers
December 7, 2021
Excellent read, absolutely enlightening to how thoroughly enjoyable, not to mention competitive, war can be to those that are obviously hooked on the adrenaline rush. The author was such a man, and when promoted out into an office job, a planner, turned it down because what he wanted to do is be right in the middle of the action with a gun and his mates and was willing to put up with all kinds of hardship and danger, not to mention turning down a pay rise in order to do so.
If people honestly believe that war is something that soldiers absolutely loathe and they only do it to be upright citizens who want to defend their country and way of life, they need to read this book and War, The Junior Officers' Reading Club and perhaps Brotherhood of Warriors, all ones I have read recently. War for conscripts is one thing, but these men are all volunteers and they re-enlist for further tours until either they get it out of their system or think of something else to do - often related, like security services.
This author was the Top Guy, the best shooter of them all, planning his missions carefully, executing them perfectly and - who knew - taking along his notepad (on big missions, there was someone there with a laptop detailing the action!) to make detailed notes about each killing so that he could justify it as was required. The British and Israelis have to do the same thing, Iraqi, Palestinian and Afghani insurgents aren't required to justify their killings. These Rules of Engagement are just one way, and you can be sure that a large amount of the public sympathy is going to go to those who never play by those rules but kill as many as they can. Not only that but it is interesting that Americans at least will also treat those they have just wounded, sending them to their military emergency hospitals which seems to say 'shoot to kill' but heal them if they don't die as, 'we can always have another go at killing them'.
I like reading about the mechanics of war from all sides, whether it be those who some call freedom fighters and others say are terrorists, the military and especially the medical teams that try to put all the still-alive victims back together again. I'm just finishing off Paradise General: Riding the Surge at a Combat Hospital in Iraq and have previously read The Dressing Station: A Surgeon's Chronicle of War and Medicine. It's all very interesting but I am glad, so glad, I don't have to fight, I wasn't built for gore, guts or even glory.
Edit: If you read this book then please read http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/04/us/... Chris had started a foundation to help troubled vets and was working with one, a young man of 25, when the man fatally shot Chris and and his companion. Chris was a wonderful man, a family man, a good author, one who had served his country to the best of his ability. RIP Chris.
Updated 7 Dec 2021
biography-true-story popculture-anthropology reviewed
265 likes
Like
Comment
Steve Rawls
1 review3 followers
February 8, 2012
I tried, I really tried but I just couldn't make it through this book. I wanted to like it because I'm ex military and I live in Texas but about half way through I put the book away for good. The writing was dull and choppy, the sentences short and non descriptive. It read as if it had been written by my nine year old son. I found the repeated referral to bar fights and the continuous boasting of kill numbers to be a complete turnoff. I had hoped for colorful narrative like that of Black Hawk Down but instead found the book, well, just boring.
240 likes
1 comment
Like
Comment
Jason Fotinatos
61 reviews44 followers
April 26, 2013
Oh my goodness. I really wanted to like this book. I tried hard to like this book, even if it started out with Chris describing Iraqi women and children as "evil savages" who he enjoyed killing. His only regret was that he did not get a chance to kill more of them. I respect the sacrifices that the members of our military have made over the course of our relatively short history, and the trials that they face when they return back home. So, even if I was disgusted with the first few pages, I read on. I was hoping he only started out in this manner, because he would eventually come to terms with his misguided judgements. Alas, no such luck.
Chris never makes any mention of why he felt that he was doing the right thing by being in Iraq, besides an off-hand comment here and there about how he wanted to kill Saddam Hussein for planning 9/11. The abhorrent ignorances only continue throughout the book, and he adds to the loveliness by constantly reminding the reader how much he enjoys killing. In fact, he discusses his love for the marines, because they are a group of people who "just really love to kill." The irony in that statement is self explanatory.
Even if I didn't appreciate Mr. Kyle's beliefs, opinions, or attitudes, I'd hoped that the saving grace of the book would be the content of the stories. Again, no dice. The whole first half of the book recalls his days filled with abundant free time between training and waiting to go to war, which he spent fighting at bars, and eventually meeting his wife who "looked hot, and classy as hell in black leather pants." When he finally got around to describing the events of the war, he makes no effort to go into any details about the strategies or how a scene unfolded, but glosses over those incidentals to instead describe how great it felt to kill people.
On top of all of this, the writing itself was horrific. He, and his wife who also writes portions of the book, have the vocabulary of a 8 year old child. The only three phrases he used to describe anything was either "it sucked", "it was awesome", or "it was badass!"
Ok, I'm done. Onto bigger and better things.
174 likes
Like
Comment
Alex de G
18 reviews1 follower
February 12, 2012
This book was, without a doubt, one of the worst pieces of literature I have ever wasted my time with.
I was recommended this book by a colleague; and I wish I had the hours back that it took to read.
The author comes across as an unsympathetic, often racist, gun-ho "shoot first, think later"-type - some of the best quotes:
* "I don't shoot people with Korans - I'd like to, but I don't"
* "At times, [killing] was a game"
* "Giving them [the Iraqi people] the tools they needed to progress is not what my job was all about. my job was killing, not teaching"
Ah, how I cringed at the story of the mentally handicapped child
* "I punched him and slapped him to the ground."
Classy.
What about his slogan, "violence does solve problems". And to close out, Chris attempts to save face "I think America does a lot to support people". Yeah, sure, buddy.
What a horrible book.
126 likes
Like
Comment
Shelby *trains flying monkeys*
1,698 reviews6,377 followers
June 25, 2015
Before reading this book I had heard of Chris Kyle. I have not seen the movie and honestly I didn't know much about the controversy surrounding this man.
I'm very conflicted on reviewing this book. I almost just threw up my rating and walked away but I tend to forget the books I've read and I try and review for myself so that I can remember the book later.
This one. I just don't know.
I don't know if they paint Chris Kyle in the movie as he has bared himself in the book. I'm curious enough that I do want to watch the movie now though. In the book Kyle's words are his own. He is not politically correct, and the writing is not smooth and polished. The one thing it is though is honest. It's almost as if he is sitting with you telling you his stories.
There are things about him I liked and things I could not wrap my head around.
His unwavering loyalty to his country. He pushes himself to the limits and then goes past them when he needs too. Then I felt that he put that same country ahead of his family time and time again.
I felt bad about leaving Taya. She was still healing from the birth. But at the same time, I felt my duty as a SEAL was more important. I wanted to get back into action. I wanted to go to war.
Then in a few pages he would talk about the pain he feels when one of his "brothers in arms" is hurt or killed and my heart would hurt for him.
He was a complicated man. I'll give him that. I don't think I could have taken being in his wife's place. She has parts of this book told in her voice and honestly it kept me from not liking Kyle completely that he added them in.
Taya would say, "Wait a minute. You've been gone for how long? And now you want to come home and be part of this family and make the rules: No sir, because you're leaving in another month to go back on training." (This was after he got frustrated with dealing with his young son.
There was a part of Chris Kyle that was completely hot tempered too. He openly puts those parts in the book. He talks about the bar brawls and just sometimes hitting people. I think maybe it was stress relief, I can't say I have the answers. One thing that caused a storm of problems later on was him including him punching a person he called "Scruff face" and if what happened really took place I'm glad he punched his stupid ass. (Now his estate is in the middle of lawsuits from it)
Another thing about Kyle was that even though he did not want to come off as bragging he couldn't help but repeatedly mention the fact that he has the highest number of confirmed kills of any sniper. That contradicted himself over and over and got to the point where when it was mentioned I cringed from it.
He was tough though. I don't think he needed to overly emphasize those facts. He wrote about hell week in the SEALs and that part of the book was excellent. So you knew he was "Badass" without him having to point it out to you.
So all in all. I'm still conflicted with this man and his story. I'm proud that he served his country so valiantly, but I don't think I could have been a close friend of his. Unfortunately.
With all this good stuff going on, You'd think I was living a fairy tale or a perfect life. And maybe I should be. But real life doesn't travel in a perfect straight line; it doesn't necessarily have that "all lived happily ever after" bit. You have to work on where you are going.
Rest in Peace Chris Kyle:
liburry-book read-2015
113 likes
Like
Comment
Amanda
277 reviews4 followers
February 3, 2013
I'm hesitant to write a review of this book. I'm not a military reader, nor do I usually delve into autobiographies. But, I saw Kyle on a tv interview, and liked how he appeared there. I have come away from the book with a better understanding of what the guys on the ground experienced vs. what the news media has shown us here at home. A long time ago when I was studying political science, I studied a mission that failed back in the '70's. I read first hand accounts from the military commander in charge, all the way up to de-classified White House stuff. I walked away from that assignment thinking that the Colonel who planned the mission and then had to answer to that "failure" had a better understanding of human nature, goals, and obstacles than the politicians even wanted to think about. I walked away from Kyle's book with the same attitude.
I wouldn't classify this book as "literature". Literature implies someone who studies and learns a craft then writes a novel. This book is a story. It's value doesn't lie in big words or fancy phrases. The value is in the fact that is has come out so recently after the events have taken place that memories are still fresh. The value of this book is that Kyle wrote the story himself and did not leave it to historians in dusty libraries. With time, the matter-of-fact approach will be invaluable to all the poor rubes who will study political science. They will have an excellent first-hand account to draw from.
Most of all, I've walked away from this book with a sense of gratefulness that I can be sitting here behind my computer with my dog writing a commentary on a warrior's story while my family is safely at work and school. Thank you Mr. Kyle and military personnel.
***2/3/2013 Update
I'm so sad to hear about the senseless death of Mr. Kyle. My condolences to his family and friends. May the work he did helping veterans continue.
102 likes
Like
Comment
Nandakishore Mridula
1,277 reviews2,466 followers
April 10, 2016
July 6, 2015
I watched the movie yesterday. While it's brilliantly shot and exceptionally well-directed, it left me cold. I just could not sympathise with gun-crazy, sociopathic protagonist.
I need to read the book now. I do not think I will like it, to judge from a popular quote:
“I am a strong Christian. Not a perfect one—not close. But I strongly believe in God, Jesus, and the Bible. When I die, God is going to hold me accountable for everything I’ve done on earth. He may hold me back until last and run everybody else through the line, because it will take so long to go over all my sins. “Mr. Kyle, let’s go into the backroom. . . .” Honestly, I don’t know what will really happen on Judgment Day. But what I lean toward is that you know all of your sins, and God knows them all, and shame comes over you at the reality that He knows. I believe the fact that I’ve accepted Jesus as my savior will be my salvation. But in that backroom or whatever it is when God confronts me with my sins, I do not believe any of the kills I had during the war will be among them. Everyone I shot was evil. I had good cause on every shot. They all deserved to die.”
However, I have a sneaking suspicion that Clint saw "Dirty Harry" and "The Man With No Name" of the Sergio Leone westerns personified in Kyle. Maybe that's why he made this movie.
July 11, 2015
I quit two-thirds of the way through. I cannot put myself any more through this torture.
Suggestion to the CIA: next time you want to torture somebody, tie them up and make them listen to an audio version of this book continuously. You will get your confession in no time.
Review coming... after I recover.
July 13, 2015
Here's the review as promised.
First of all, let me confess that I read the book only because I saw the movie. I am a fan of Clint Eastwood as a director. His war movies Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima, which showed the same battle from American and Japanese viewpoints - and stressed the human element in both of them - I consider to be worthy additions to the genre. So I expected more of the same in this movie - however, I was sorely disappointed. The protagonist came across as a psycho, and it was not sure whether Clint was rooting for him, or showing us the futility of his battle.
Well, there is no such ambiguity in the book. Chris Kyle sees the world in black and white: American is good, Texan is excellent, non-American is not-so-good, and Arab is bad. He has no doubt why he is fighting the war in Iraq: it is not to help the Iraqis (as the US government would have us believe), it is to "stop this shit from reaching America". He has no qualms about killing; rather, he is at pains to tell us, over and over, that he simply loves it. He is not killing because he is a soldier and it is his duty: he became a soldier to kill.
(You can see plenty of quotes from the book in my status updates. They are only a sample. There are a plethora of such gems scattered throughout the book.)
The portrait of an extremely juvenile character comes out from the book: a person whose ethical sense has been stunted in his pre-teens. The themes which are repeated again and again - his addiction to video games, the comic book heroes he tries to emulate, his simple pleasure at shooting a human being - presents the picture of a kid who have never really grown up. And he does not even bother to hide his racism; he says he would have shot any Arab carrying a Koran with pleasure, had the higher-ups allowed it.
It's interesting to see how the tone changes when the Marines and SEALs are at the receiving end. Then people are not "killed" but "murdered". Also, it's interesting to hear him lamenting about the fact that the Arabs hate him just because he is a Christian, and that religion should be about tolerance - when he is ready to drop anybody with a Koran.
On top of all this bigoted racism, the book is badly written to boot. Of course, he is not a professional writer, but you would expect some coherence and sequence. The narrative comprises short staccato sentences, repetitive descriptions of Kyle's kills interspersed with detailed discussions about arms and military vehicles. I think it would be enjoyable if that kind of thing is your field of interest.
---------------------------------
I have a bone to pick with Clint Eastwood, too. His movie bears no relation to this narrative than the bare outline. By infusing a storyline into it, introducing murderous Iraqi characters (like "The Butcher" who kills children by drilling them), and peppering it with philosophical dialogue, Eastwood has tried to present a sympathetic view of Chris Kyle. And his killing of the mythical Iraqi sniper "Mustafa" by an impossible long range shot in the end is straight out of one of his old movies. Sorry, I am not fooled. Whatever you say, Clint, this movie ain't anti-war.
Recommended for people who cheer all of America's military interventions abroad. They would enjoy it more, if they are also religious bigots and racists.
109 likes
Like
Comment
Baba
3,819 reviews1,236 followers
July 2, 2023
The memoirs of the most lethal sniper in US military history gives a lot of insight into Chris Kyle as a man from the South, a cowboy, a navy SEAL, a sniper, a leader and a father.
Whether it's a voice you hate or don't agree with this book gives you insight into that gung-ho, patriotic and loving America culture that many ordinary Americans live and how that feeds into their military. It feels like little is hidden and you get the undocumented truth of the devastation done to Iraq by America and its allies, and paradoxically, and great from a reading point of view, the truth of the immense strength, love and hard-work done by many in the US military and what happens to them when they come home. A poignant and important book in many ways, one who's core message is that violence gets results, I don't agree with. A compelling read nether the less. 8.5 out of 12 firing Four Stars.
2019 read
biog-or-memoir
83 likes
Like
Comment
Keith
75 reviews8 followers
August 2, 2015
To start with this book is poorly written which makes it a pain to read, but the real point taken from this book is just how clueless the author can be.
I've known plenty of soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, they signed up for the military to DEFEND our country then they're shipped overseas to OFFEND other countries. Most soldiers I've known have had the good sense to realize they've been lied to and used by the U.S. government for war profiteering. This author however thinks Iraqis are "evil" for wanting to defend their own country! How absurd is that? He had no problem killing people because he fell for the brainwashing he was given that Iraqis are inherently evil and have no right to freedom, life, or property.
It amazes me that someone can have so many experiences that should show their own hypocrisy yet they still fail to realize it. If the U.S. was invaded by a foreign army that claimed we were just inherently evil and deserved to die wouldn't this author think we'd have the right to defend ourselves? I know I would defend our country, and I know if I was Iraqi and some foreign invader came in to steal my property and freedom then I'd defend myself as well.
Overall the book shows just how foolish some U.S. citizens are. If this guy can be on the front line watching our military murder and steal and not see through the propaganda that's led him to not only waste his life, but to serve out the orders of a tyrannical empire, then it shows that people at home will have an even more difficult time using their heads.
If you read this book with an understanding of the wars, property rights, the difference between offense and defense, etc. then the book provides a good look into how a government can distort someones view of the world to use them for their own gain.
81 likes
Like
Comment
Camelia Skiba
Author 6 books201 followers
September 3, 2012
The other night, watching the show ‘Stars Earn Stripes’, my son recognized Chris Kyle, the author of “The American Sniper”, a biography he read for a school assignment. Curious about it, I picked up the book and browsed through it. Needless to say, I finished it in 1 and 1/2 days.
I come from a country where patriotism used to be forced down our throat on a daily basis, a continuous lie the communists told us for generations. The result of it? We all hated it.
After moving to the US I always wondered what drives Americans to stand when the national anthem is played before each game. What unseen force tells them to fly their flag, high on a mast, for the world to see it, for the wind to dance with it. What drives them to enroll in the military, leaving all they love and their family and make the ultimate sacrifice.
Chris Kyle’s autobiography answers to all these questions and more. As Chris explains it, it's God, country and family. It's being selfless and the need to protect all that you inherit from your forefathers, believe in, all that you have, and all that you are.
American Sniper is Chris Kyle’s account on the Iraq war where he’s deployed 4 times. To most people one time is more than enough. You serve your country, do your duty the best you can and then return home. But not for Chris. He needed to be there among his fellow countrymen, covering them, taking fire for them and protecting them with his life if it meant that was the last thing he'd do.
What media presented (and I should say manipulated) about the war in Iraq is by far different than Chris’ view on it. We American's didn't go there to, as Chris says, “bring democracy to Iraq”. We went there to protect fellow countrymen, fight for our country not Iraq. It's a war that politicians deemed necessary, not our soldiers. They only followed orders.
As a kid Chris had always dreamt to join the military. A dream he'd fulfilled, lived and finally shared memories of it by writing this biography. It's written from Chris’ point of view, concise and detailed, a progressive narration of war seen through a soldier's eyes. From time to time his wife Taya pitched in, giving us an insight of what a family goes through while their loved ones is at war, the constant fear, the anguish, the frustrations. The biography tells untold stories of unknown heroes. It doesn't sugarcoat, doesn't use fancy words and artistic scenes. There's nothing artistic about the war.
Like you and I doing our job, that’s what Chris did: his job. People might or might not agree with his cold-blooded attitude toward the people he killed. But before you throw that stone let me ask you something: if you disagree with Chris why didn't you stand to protect this country?
God Bless America!
72 likes
Like
Comment
Jessica
136 reviews6 followers
August 20, 2012
This is a book written by a Navy SEAL Sniper, not a professional author. Yes, he did get some help, but it's ultimately his tale. Could it have been written better? I don't know, maybe, but I think it would have made the book feel more like a "story", and less like an account of his experiences. Personally, I loved this book. There is no sugar coating, no PC koombyah. This is an account of war, and it seems pretty realistic and gritty. I don't feel like the author was grandstanding or bragging, as I've read some feel in other reviews I've read. I think he comes off as a pretty humble guy who just happens to have the talent to be a great warrior, and he's honest about it. What's wrong with that? It's not like he's telling you over and over how awesome he is because he wants your accolaides. Mr. Kyle writes in the beginning of his book that he chose to write it because it had come to his attention that others wanted to tell his story, an he figured he'd better tell it himself. I'm so grateful that he did. I laughed, I cried, and I couldn't put the book down. This is a book about a real honest-to-God hero, written by the hero himself. He's not perfect, he's no saint, but he's no doubt a hero. Do yourself a favor and check this book out, then share it with your friends.
I'm adding this little note on 2/3/13...RIP Chris Kyle. Thank you for your service to this country, and thank you for all the charity work you've done in service to your fellow veterans. God Bless.
61 likes
Like
Comment
Tyson Call
38 reviews13 followers
May 14, 2012
I’m torn.
On one hand, this book was an interesting look into the day-to-day life of a soldier. Mr. Kyle seems to have no qualms admitting to the less glamorous sides of war, including the bureaucracy surrounding everything a soldier does. On the other, he seems to have not pondered much the implications behind the war that he helped fight. I’m not anti-war, though I know it is a complicated topic. Kyle doesn’t seem to agree. He didn’t seem to have time to think about such things when he was busy picking off “savages” (his words) with his sniper rifle.
Kyle’s attitude is so absolutist that it will make you queasy. He nonchalantly regales the reader with stories about his manly exploits in Afghanistan, in a voice that seems to be feigning “no big deal,” though it is very clear that this is very important to him - that he be perceived as a badass - though it is clear enough from his stories that he need not embellish to meet that macho ideal he strives for.
I have watched videos of Kyle on YouTube and he seems like a kind man. This is not the impression that you will get from this book, as it is filled with bar fights, disrespect for all people of the countries he fought in, and chauvinist posturing. In this book, the way he tells his war stories is akin to taking an already “manly” Chicago-style ballpark frank with all the fixings and adding gasoline as the final condiment. He does everything but whip it out and try to measure for you.
I read Marcus Luttrell’s Lone Soldier and it was a completely different experience. If that book is Saving Private Ryan then this is Captain America.
I acknowledge Kyle’s bravery and sacrifice, even though it isn’t exactly clear that we required it of him as a country. Regardless, the government sent him there, and he was willing. For that I am grateful, as this is no small feat. This very book, however, communicated to me more than anything else that the force which we were fighting was not much more than a band of AK–47 weilding roustabouts, not an opposing army. For Kyle it was just like a shooting gallery, with the occasional lucky shot on the Americans. I don’t claim any personal knowledge of the situation over there, I only know what I read, and this is the impression that I got.
I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone. It is not uplifting, nor depressing; it is but an account of a series of battles by a particularly gung-ho soldier who happened to see quite a bit of action during his time at war, but is unwilling to consider the sum beyond the parts.
57 likes
Like
Comment
Manny
Author 36 books15.1k followers
Shelved as 'not-to-read'August 11, 2015
Just saw the movie.
Clint Eastwood certainly presents the case very efficiently: if only we could kill all the people who hate America, the world would be a better place. Though at times I did suspect him of reductio ad absurdum.
56 likes
Like
Comment
Eric Franklin
78 reviews83 followers
March 31, 2016
This book showcases a pathological lack of introspection on behalf of its author. It takes a complex world at a chaotic time and reduces it to black and white so that he doesn't have to feel remorse or contemplate the root causes of violence and how it might have been avoided in the first place. I respect Chris Kyle's service and hoped to find a thoughtful reflection on his experience in Iraq but this cowboy turned Navy Seal's lack of self-reflection was really hard to read.
51 likes
Like
Comment
David Putnam
Author 19 books1,831 followers
October 26, 2019
I was a sniper trained for the SWAT team and was deployed as such on numerous occasions so this book had a little more meaning for me.
Fiction or narrative nonfiction it still comes down to voice and good storytelling and this book has it.
Truly sorry for the outcome of the author.
d.
64 likes
Like
Comment
Carmen
2,070 reviews2,311 followers
June 9, 2022
I loved this book, I thought it was excellent. I never, ever planned on reading it or picking it up. The thing that changed my mind about reading it was that a best friend of mine, a man who is about as far from a Navy SEAL as you can get (LOL) told me that he had read it and thought it was amazing. That got my attention. I really know and trust this man and if he was telling me the book was great, I was going to give it a shot.
I'm so glad I did. This is a fun, wild ride - which is EXACTLY what I look for in non-fiction. Another thing I look for - and something this book provides - is a glimpse into another world, a world I will never experience. I am never going to be military of any kind. So it was fascinating to get this look at someone who made war and soldiering the crux of their existence.
Testosterone and manliness are dripping from every single page - the book is drenched in it. It's very exciting to read.
It was fascinating to read about Kyle. He loves war and he loves killing people. It's fun for him. This fascinates me. He's the kind of guy who gets in a lot (and I mean a lot) of bar fights. He has a temper and also he is not a very patient person, until SEAL sniper training basically beats some patience into him.
I also liked the segments that Kyle's wife, Taya, interjects throughout the book. She gives us a view of what life is like as a military wife. She struggles hard with the fact that her husband loves his job, his country, and his fellow soldiers more than he loves his wife and children.
I couldn't help comparing Kyle and his experiences sniping with James Bond and Bond's experiences with sniping - very similar tactically and talking about the experience, but of course with much different internal dialogue. Bond hates sniping and, in fact, hates killing people. I know, I know, Bond is fictional, Kyle is not - but the Bond books are still fresh in my mind from my recent re-reading of the series, so that's the comparison you're going to get.
All in all, a great book and one I'm very happy to have read. It was fun, informative, and fed my hunger for psychoanalysis. :) :) :) LOL
P.S. I have NOT seen the film.
P.P.S.
After reading about 50 reviews on GR, I feel like I have to add some thoughts.
Listen, Chris Kyle is a man I would never date. A violent man with a bad temper is my nightmare. I'm not rating this highly because I think he is a perfect person or anything. The way he treats his wife and children is very poor, in my opinion. He always brushes aside his wife's constant pleas not to re-enlist. Every time he comes home from Iraq he reestablishes his position as "man of the house," what he says goes - with no thought or respect to the schedules and routines his wife has already established in her time alone with the kids. His penchant for physical violence, killing, drinking heavily, and bragging non-stop are not attractive qualities to me. These qualities are OBVIOUSLY NOT a result of the war/combat. These are qualities (except for the killing) exhibited long before he ever joined up. As a teenager he breaks his hand twice from striking cattle in the head. On two separate occasions. I don't know whether this proves he's dumb or just can't control his temper. He's also very involved with the rodeo and loves hunting. Impatient, violent, and hot-tempered are character traits he's had seemingly since birth.
I have nothing negative to say on his actions in Iraq. As far as I'm concerned, he has all my respect and thanks for fighting over there. I could never, ever do what he did and if it weren't for people like him I don't know what would happen. Some people were saying he is racist in the book or, hmmmm, I don't know, very disrespectful and arrogant towards non-Americans. I agree he was disrespectful and arrogant - but he has been sent over to kill hundreds of "the enemy." It's not really a time for him to be a bleeding heart. It would be beyond arrogant and presumptuous of me, someone who has never seen military combat in her life, to judge Kyle's actions in Iraq.
The man has no introspective tendencies. He doesn't look inside himself, he doesn't question any of his actions or thoughts. He doesn't examine his life or what he should or shouldn't be doing. He's very single-minded and he doesn't have a thoughtful, reflective bone in his body. Whether this makes you happy or makes you disappointed: that's who he is. He sees the world in complete black or white. No grey.
The writing quality is - I think everyone can agree - not Pulitzer material. He is writing in a "Hey, buddy, let me tell you what happened last time I was in Iraq!" way. This doesn't bother me, I don't care about that. He's not a writer by trade, and I don't expect him to be. This doesn't affect my rating at all.
The book was highly enjoyable, I was never bored, and I loved (LOVED) the psychological questions I had been asking myself while reading it. After reading it I had a long argument with my friend who is also interested in psychology whether Chris Kyle was a sociopath or not. I love these kind of "my perspective, tell-all memoirs" that expose a person's psyche to me.
Tons of people have brought up the scandal of him being very... enthusiastic in his colorful and (perhaps not always 100% true) storytelling, and the fact that he got in a fistfight with Jesse Ventura (who sued him for defamation and won).
http://www.mensjournal.com/adventure/...
http://www.alternet.org/culture/why-r...
But I don't really care. Him lying or exaggerating in his war stories is just something I can't bring myself to care about. Ditto with the Ventura thing.
Okay. I feel better for getting all that off my chest now.
he-says non-fiction published2012
...more
49 likes
Like
Comment
Brad H
17 reviews10 followers
May 27, 2012
I have never really given a book review...so please bear with me.
I have seen several posts by people that have said that the writting is not funcional...or displaced ? That might be true. I did find a couple of places where I had to reread a sentance or 2 to understand it.
However, after reading maybe close to 500 + Novels....I would have to place this on the TOP Shelf.
What I found very interesting was it was from his perspective and his inner ordeals. I heard about this book becasue he did an interview on the Opie and Anthony Show on XM radio. So I added this to my ever growing list of books that I wanted to read.
There are few books that a person will come in contact with and will truely enjoy. Not only will you cheer for the kill, but, you will find yourself with a tear for the soldiers and family.
One of the truely cool things about this book was the added view points of his wife and family. After serving in D/S and D/S I did not know what the family was thinking and feeling. It was a refreshing and devestating feeling to now "know" from their perspective.
There is a part in the book, that you know and dread is comming. You know its comming...you know its there but, you can't find it. When you do...its like a cloth covered hammer. its devestaing and tragic...but told from a real soldiers point of view.
I could go on and on..if you wanted but I will leave you with this;
I would walk across NYC noon traffic to shake Mr. Kyle's hand and give his wife a hug. Not for an autograph or fame and fortune. Just to say hello and thank you for the book.
One of the finest books I have ever read.
Brad H.
48 likes
Like
Comment
Steve
24 reviews2 followers
April 1, 2013
This book made me sad - both for the Americans who were killed or maimed, and for the people who are killed and maimed by the Americans.
War sucks, and is almost always wrong.
This book did nothing to change my opinion on that.
It was very familiar reading Chris's experience and understandings and recognizing myself when I join the Marine Corps both to fight for my country and to prove myself right before the first gulf war. I was both a patriot and a romantic. Now I am neither, but instead I wish for liberty for all people and see that most evil and suffering is caused by governments going to war for their various agendas - rarely for defense of their people which is the only valid reason for violence.
If you don't understand the mindset of our young men and women being willing to kill for, and die for their country, then I recommend that you read this book. I didn't love it. It was not fun for me to read - but it was very familiar. My one fear about this book and others like it is that people reading it begin to romanticize war and violence.
Sure, it is exciting. Entertaining. Even sounds fun. But the reality is much much different.
Let's support our troops by bringing them home.
47 likes
Like
Comment
Mike (the Paladin)
3,147 reviews1,954 followers
April 12, 2012
This is without doubt an interesting and I believe a valuable book. I note several reviewers which note that the book isn't well written. This is somewhat true in that the writer makes use often of short declarative sentences. There are no literary flourishes no genteel turns of phrase. On the other hand the writing style is direct, clear and (again) interesting. The book is often much like reading a letter from a friend.
This story takes us into the training life, the professional life, and also the personal life of a SEAL (Sea, Air, and Land Teams). There are intersecting chapters where we hear from Kyle's wife. There is at least a bit of insight into both their thoughts and feelings. I suspect anyone who's ever been in a situation anything like this will be reminded of the struggle of someone else to understand what's in your mind while you try to grasp what's in theirs.
I'm tempted to say more, but I won't as I can't do justice in a review to what's covered in the book. It's I suppose that I've just finished it and it's in my mind.
You will probably come away from this book with your own impression of Chris Kyle, his life and his beliefs. And of course, his actions.
I have the greatest respect for him. We would be and I'm sure are different in many ways but in others we'd agree 100%. I've been in...friendly fights. I have badly damaged knees left that way I'm sure from a life time of heavy physical work. BUT the first major injury to my left knee was in a "friendly fight" with a Marine (a U.S.Marine) when I was in the army. He had me by four inches and a few pounds and when he threw me across the floor I shifted to to stop myself and get up...and turned my knee out sideways at a good 90 degrees. I never reported that injury but hobbled around for months lest I get in trouble for it. Oh well...(this was 1974, I was discharged in 1975) Anyway, all the best to Chris Kyle and his loved ones. I wish him and his family a wonderful life and hope he and his partners prosper.
I recommend this book. You will if you allow yourself an open mind find out things that have not been spoken of through most media outlets. They're not secret or classified, they just don't fit the picture most want to show. You'll learn of the comradery found in combat. You'll even learn that things like honor and patriotism aren't thought obsolete, naive or silly in all places. Not yet at least.
biography history
43 likes
Like
Comment
Brent Hudson
27 reviews3 followers
February 5, 2013
I felt I was reading a book written by 12 year old who could "shoot stuff real good." This was an incredibly shallow book without any show of moral struggle.
(Update Feb 5, 2013-- Chris Kyle shot to death at shooting range)
35 likes
Like
Comment
Deacon Tom F
2,285 reviews185 followers
February 5, 2024
A powerful presentation of life in war. It was very realistic and also extremely raw. War is ,in fact, raw.
Kyle gave his whole heart and soul to his mission, other Seals and his country. To me, he is a true American hero.
I highly recommend!
32 likes
3 comments
Like
Comment
Markus
90 reviews24 followers
June 17, 2019
'We hope you liked listening this audiobook'...well, sir, i didn't, not even the least bit. First i thought this was a joke and my sarcasm detector was broken, just too painfully stupid to be true. It starts just fine, a little bit back story, training etc. Then 9/11 happens and our hero goes to war. He kills 150 + enemy soldiers, i mean, pure evil savages. This is Iraq, Saddam Hussein was behind the 9/11 attacks and so on, so why these savages doesn't appreciate when USA tries to rebuild this stone-age country? Why they keep shooting back, when soldiers try protect freedoms and such?
So does this killing of bunch of evil savages hurt our humble hero conscience, of course not, i keep forgetting, because they all were pure evil savages + Jesus & God. This guy claims he even punched out Jesse 'body' Ventura, really? Pentagon and the war department, i mean, the defense department approves this book. For me, this was just a sad propaganda piece, there are far better books out there, couple comes to mind right away, My War: Killing Time in Iraq and The Good Soldiers that gives a far better and real picture of the current 'wars'.
Avoid at all cost if you get a rash from black/white world view and overblown patriotism.
audio-books-2013 audiobooks middle-east
...more
30 likes
Like
Comment
Kelly
3,233 reviews40 followers
March 3, 2013
This is hard for me to review. I do not have a military background, and I fear that my comments here might upset those who do. I chose to read the book after Chris Kyle was killed while on a gun range. I have not seen him on any TV interviews nor have I read any other articles about him. I saw the brief news report about his murder, and I remembered reading a review of his book. Some of Kyle's descriptions fascinated me with his direct honesty while others repulsed me with his cavalier attitude/descriptions. In the beginning Kyle says that it doesn't matter how many of the enemy he has killed, but he then goes on to "brag" (was it bragging or am I reading too much into his words?) about the number of kills on different missions. For a Christian man, he certainly swears quite a bit (that's merely an observation and not a criticism because I, too, swear despite being Christian). I found myself liking and almost admiring Kyle at times for his bravery, patriotic loyalty, and his "aw shucks, I'm just doing my job and I'm not anyone special" attitude. However, other times I found him irritatingly obtuse about family and civilian life, and I found the stereotypes he highlighted about training, other branches of the military, and the enemy degrading. I liked that Kyle's wife added her side of the story to some of the chapters because it humanized Kyle,and It's nice that the couple's marriage survived despite the odds. I was never tempted to stop reading the story, and I like that Kyle was candid in his portrayal of what he does - he's very human - part hero, part badass, part humble, part good ole boy - all that is needed to be the man and SEAL he needed to be in order to get the job done. My final verdict? I might not always connect with a man like Kyle or feel comfortable with what he does and why, but I'm darn glad that there are men like Kyle who are willing and able to do what most of us cannot. And I am saddened that his death was unbecoming of the man he was; he deserved better than that.
biography-autobiography non-fiction war
...more
28 likes
Like
Comment
It's just me Shelly B
252 reviews296 followers
January 21, 2015
“....the insurgents put out a bounty on my head.
They also gave me a name: al-Shaitan Ramadi—“the Devil of Ramadi.”
The American troops he worked with called him, "The Legend." So take your pick "the Devil of Ramadi" or "The Legend?" They both sound pretty bada$$ to me!!!!
Chis Kyle...
Navy SEAL...Sniper...husband...father...leader...patriot!
“The Navy credits me with more kills as a sniper than any other American service member, past or present."
What fascinated me most with this book was being able to understand the thoughts behind these type warriors. The mindset that comes with this type of discipline is beyond what I could ever comprehend. Basically I was "awe struck" I could not put this book down! Now if you are looking for Pulitzer Prize writing you aren't going to find that here and some parts are very choppy. However I didn't care I just wanted his thoughts, the writing style didn't matter to me with this one;)
The book touches on all aspects of his life, so not only do we get all the gory war details and the hardships faced during wartime but also the toll all the deployments had on his wife and family. It's not sugar coated, he did not try to make himself look good, it was real. The letters from his wife especially toward the end broke my heart, as a mother myself I can't imagine how difficult it was for her with an infant and a toddler, no help and constantly worrying if your husband is dead or alive.
“came down to the conflict we’d always had—where were our priorities: God, family, country (my version), or God, country, family (Chris’s)?”
It makes you think more about all the sacrifices that are faced by our Armed Forces and by their families, in order to protect us and give us the liberties we are accustomed to.
Chris Kyle, in my mind, is a true American hero.
auto-bio military
27 likes
Like
Comment
Tom Mathews
720 reviews
November 26, 2015
There have been so many wildly differing opinions about Chris Kyle, his memoir, and movie Clint Eastwood made from it that I long ago decided that the only opinion I could trust is my own, so here goes.
After just a few pages it became apparent that to fairly review Kyle’s book one must first, and separately, express one’s views on Kyle himself. Then, and only then, will I be able to review the book itself.
In my younger days I served as a Navy corpsman assigned to a Marine Corps unit. I found the Marines I served with different from anyone else I had ever known. Their view of the world was unlike mine in almost every way. They were more likely to see things in black and white. They were often rude, crude and socially unacceptable. Their interest in understanding the enemy extended only to learning how best to kill them. Very few of them were any good at literary discussions. Despite that, they took their duties very seriously. Becoming Marines was the crowning achievement of their lives. They were very dedicated and extremely loyal. If I ever found myself in trouble, there is nobody on earth that I would rather have watching my back.
These men were warriors. The word ‘warrior’ applies to any combat soldier, Marine, SEAL or any other military personnel whose primary career is to engage an enemy by direct action. A warrior’s job is to kill the enemy, and do it efficiently. An effective warrior achieves no benefit from recognizing the humanity of the enemy. Doing so only hinders his ability to accept and live with the life he has chosen. He is neither a psycho killer nor a hero. He’s just doing his job.
Chris Kyle was a warrior, and a very good one.
If you find this distasteful, your distaste is misdirected. It is war and the politicians who start them that deserve our scorn. Winston Churchill once said “We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm.” As long as we live in a world where such men are needed, I will be grateful that men such as Kyle exist.
Now for my impressions of the book itself. The truth is that I enjoyed it but it could have been better. It read less like an autobiography and more like a collection of anecdotes. The chapters were broken down into sections, many of less than a page, each relating an incident that occurred during his training or deployments in Iraq. As I read it I pictured Kyle sitting with a ghost writer and tape recorder, telling stories and answering question. The short sections made it easy to read and the anecdotal delivery reminds me of an exchange of war stories told over a few beers at the local watering hole. Such exchanges can reveal more about the speaker than intended and Kyle is often overly candid regarding his view of the Iraqis, politicians and officers.
What the book does best is describe the role snipers played in Iraq. I have read several books on the war and American Sniper provided an unparalleled picture of snipers’ roles during the campaigns in Fallujah and Ramadi and how they supported other military units.
One section of the book that falls short is where Kyle describes the weapons and equipment he used. This must have been a difficult section to write because the writer must answer the questions of those ignorant of firearms while not boring those who are already familiar with the tools of the trade. As a veteran who is not unfamiliar with weapons I should have had no trouble in following everything he said on the subject. Even so, I found myself struggling with some of the technical jargon he used. In addition, some equipment he mentioned such as VS-17 panels, bright orange pieces of cloth displayed to identify themselves to friendly forces, were not adequately described until more than 150 pages after they were first mentioned. This makes me think that readers would be greatly aided by a glossary at the back of the book.
Some critics have said that Kyle was an egotist. While I have never known a SEAL who wasn’t, the book does little to dissuade that opinion. In the section on equipment he says that his headgear of choice was a baseball cap because ‘you look so much cooler wearing a ball cap.’ He also wasn’t above expressing the typical enlisted man’s tongue-in-cheek scorn of officers with such remarks as ‘but then I’m just a SEAL and obviously don’t understand those sorts of complicated issues’.
I found the book interesting, more so than the movie. I’m a bit of a history buff so I found the first person description of combat in the Iraq war informative. Kyle’s memoir was more candid than most and I suspect that readers who don’t often read first person accounts of war may struggle to appreciate his point of view.
*The review copy of this book was obtained from a friend and neighbor who is a retired Navy submariner. Thanks, Bob, for your service and for the loan of this book.
biography-memoir history-historical non-fiction
...more
24 likes
Like
Comment
TL
2,031 reviews120 followers
December 28, 2014
On my own, I probly wouldn't have picked this up... nothing against these types of books, just not my normal read. I got this as a christmas gift from my Aunt Eileen so I figured why not step out of my book zone and try it?:)
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this... I may not agree with everything Chris says but I admire and respect him... he's a got a strong sense of faith and patriotism. He made things that would normally have my eyes gloss over sound interesting and compelling.
I loved when his wife Taya inserted her thoughts as well... you get to see her love for her husband, her struggles when he was on deployment.
The way this is written, I felt like I was in Chris's head or walking beside him as he explained things and showed us what he and his platoon and all of them went through.
Not a quick read but an enjoyable one, easy to get lost in and forget where you are :).
Not an in-depth review but I would recommend this *waves* happy reading!
23 likes
Like
Comment
Sheree | Keeping Up With The Penguins
592 reviews156 followers
December 16, 2019
Read my full review of American Sniper here.
This is not a popular opinion, and I understand that, so I do not say it lightly - I found this book abhorrent. It literally made my skin crawl. By page 4, Kyle is passing moral judgments on the “worth” of Iraqi lives versus American ones. Oh, but he doesn’t call them Iraqis – they are the “bad guys”. They are also “pure evil”, and “savages”, and "whackadoos", and he "wishes he'd killed more of them". I use all of these inverted commas to emphasise that these are the actual words he used to describe the human beings that he killed.
This could have been a fascinating insight into the nature of modern warfare. Instead, it was a senseless 400-page humble brag of the narcissistic brainwashed white man, the love story of Chris Kyle and his big gun.
24 likes
Like
Comment
Jake
176 reviews10 followers
January 29, 2015
Almost unreadable on both subject material and writing style fronts. I will admit upfront that I sharply disagree ideologically with the author and knew that going into the book. I thought it would still be a good read for a viewpoint that I couldn't otherwise get and a firsthand account of a subject I haven't read a whole lot about. And it's good to read things I disagree with.
I came away beyond disappointed -- to a level of distaste that bordered sometimes on disgust. Granted, I cannot fully empathize with the hellish situations Chris Kyle repeatedly found himself in, and in no way is this an attack on his service, which I can still acknowledge and appreciate despite disagreeing.
I was hoping for some semblance of reflection on what it's like to be in a situation with the power to take life, the thoughts that would go through someone's head, a meditation on the situation in Iraq that allowed people -- yes, the "insurgents" "savages" and "muji" are indeed people -- to take actions like they do.
There was none of that. There was plenty of glorifying slaughtering people -- PEOPLE -- husbands, dads, brothers -- broken people doing evil acts, but still PEOPLE. It seemed as though the author sat down with a thesaurus for killing and used every possible verb to eliminate life. It was numbing. There was a larger time spent reflecting on the mechanical assemblies of Chris Kyle's guns than there was on what sat behind the evil that drives people to terrorism.
Sad, disappointing, and, in my opinion, full of hate and a scary dogmatic allegiance to the United States. This book was not uplifting, encouraging, or thought-provoking. Many times, it read like fan fiction for a Call of Duty video game.
All of this said with respect to the attitude of service and greater cause found in many people in the military, which I recognize gives me the ability to stand on the outside and critique.
23 likes
Like
Comment
James Tivendale
330 reviews1,379 followers
January 14, 2018
This book is presented from the perspective of Navy Seal Chris Kyle and I listened to it via Audiobook.
I had seen the film advertised and before I watched that thought I would check out this book before hand. Chris is a American loving, God-fearing, gun enthusiast who tells us his tale. It goes from his youth working a ranch, to joining up with Buds/ Seal induction course, to his action packed gun-totting life and times as a Seal member and it gives us sometimes quite brutal first hand scenes of the battles he faced during his career; mainly in Iraq (Fallujah etc...)
I have to admit, I was not too in to the book straight away. He seemed a bit like an arrogant, opinionated Texan and his presentation was almost one dimensional. This changes throughout his time in the forces as the Greatest Ever Sniper - nicknamed the Legend by his company and the Devil by his enemies. I think this is due to him finding himself as a person, his passion and also due to his loving wife. (We do hear some 1st person segments from his wife which explain both sides of the spectrum of being in love with a long absent war hero).
Towards the end this book really comes to it's strengths. I would say the last half is 4-5 star. What seemed like nameless friends of Chris at the start who fleet in and out of the story - now become people you really feel for and you can imagine that war doesn't end happy for everyone. Things heat up out in warfare. Things aren't going as well at home. The effects the war has on you. His explanation of things the Seals have to do as part of the day job. He explains his ammunition, equipment and guns like an expert which makes you feel almost like you are on the field of battle. But finally, towards the end - his changes love for his fellow soldiers and his family really shone through to me. He was still an America loving, politically incorrect guy who should have had a criminal record as long as his arm. However; he was a very likeable person and I enjoyed the book finale.
I will now definitely checkout them film... (but I have to speak to my girlfriend first as I have ignored her all day whilst listening to this).
Thank you for reading. Peace xx James @ www.youandibooks.wordpress.com
military-biography
20 likes
Like
Comment
==
lts
Sandra
229 reviews3 followers
Follow
February 1, 2015
No, no, no, no. This is easily the worst book I have ever read in my entire life and I have read some really bad books. I made the mistake of picking this book up at Costco without knowing much more than it had been made into a movie that I had every intention of seeing. But no. I will never make that mistake again. Sure, I get it: Chris Kyle is obviously not a writer which explains the incredibly poor writing; he sacrificed a lot including his wife and children to voluntarily work in the military, he was deployed to Iraq, and it was his job to fight in a war (started by the United States at really nobody’s request ). I get it: It was his job to kill people but, honestly, did he have to be such a dick about taking the lives of other human beings? Did he have to enjoy it so thoroughly? Did he have to be such an utter bigot about it? This was not a man serving his country, this was a man serving his adrenaline and his ego. Make no mistake about it: he was a thug. He was arrested numerous times when he was off duty for beating up people and the only reason he was never even charged with a crime was because so many in this country blindly adore men who serve in the military (yes, men, because while women serve in the military, they often get no respect). But for me, a good shot does not a hero make. A person incapable of or unwilling to understand the complexity of war, especially the one fought in Iraq, is no hero of mine. Not even close. I hate this book and everything it stands for.
21 likes
Like
Comment
Mike
1,182 reviews163 followers
Follow
September 10, 2014
4 Stars. Straightforward, not politically correct, raw, honest story of a SEAL at war. Very good at his main job of killing his enemy, honest in his description of his evolution from young, idealistic warrior to hardened combat veteran. I appreciated his wife's contributions to the story. She provides an alternate view of his combat deployments and how his service impacted their relationship. Non-military readers will gain an appreciation of how the family has to deal with someone deployed to the combat zone (and what happens when they get back). This is a war story at the small unit level, no grand strategy or operational art of war here...just nitty-gritty fighting at the pointy end of the spear. How sad he was killed by a veteran suffering from PTS, after all the wild combat situations he survived.
afghanistan history mid-east
...more
21 likes
Like
Comment
Neil
122 reviews36 followers
Follow
January 14, 2015
I really liked the movie that was based on this book. That was until I read the book unfortunately poetic licence from the film makers has taken over again. Why take a great book then mess around with the truth of it had Chris kyle still been around I think the movie would of been totally different. That being said I loved the book.....honest and captivating and written with a bit of wit in harrowing and horrific circumstances its a very good read. Recommended.
21 likes
Like
Comment
Don
7 reviews1 follower
Follow
February 10, 2015
I can't believe Chris Kyle is gone, he has left a void in this world that can't be replaced. I really enjoyed the writing in his own words. I felt like I got to know him, feel what he was feeling, experiencing. The man was a American Hero, he did what his country ask of him, he did more than ask of him, there needs to be more Americans with the same values and beliefs as Chris.
21 likes
Like
Comment
Mark Giaconia
Author 5 books14 followers
Follow
September 13, 2017
When I served as a Green Beret, I had the privilege of working alongside the Navy SEALs a few times; all of those experiences were great. The SEALs I patrolled with in postwar Bosnia were smart and open minded professionals who were able to work in dynamic situations in which cultural awareness, empathy, and seeing the big strategic picture were very important skills. Because of those experiences, this book was a staggering disappointment to me, and I really think Mr Kyle is a statistical outlier among the SEALs. The author's stunning displays of ignorance, brutality, and sheer lack of compassion are probably best understood by reading this book On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society.
Most soldiers are "gung ho" until they kill, and then they realize the larger situation they are in; or at least that's how it worked for me. Somehow Mr Kyle managed to keep the blinders on through it all. At some points in the book I was absolutely amazed at his unwavering inability to see through his own monumentally obvious biases.
I know how it is, I've been there: troops love what they do, they are volunteers, and they have to do what they have to do to keep their fellow troops safe (i.e the scene with the Marines), but it's also OK to be intellectually aware of what you did or what you're doing. In my war experiences, the killing really affected me negatively, maybe I was too compassionate and never should have been a soldier, and perhaps I expected it to affect Mr Kyle as well. It didn't.
MG
20 likes
Like
Comment
Igor Ljubuncic
Author 17 books253 followers
Follow
February 13, 2020
Awful. DNF. Reads worse than an 80s C movie. As a former military man myself, I can relate to the hardship and heroism, but it does not have to be written with the grace of a newt tripping piano keys in freefall. I am not sure this book does justice to soldiers out there, or even to the man himself and his, well, legendary legacy.
Great combat skills great prose do not make.
No limericks.
Igor
chris-kyle combat dnf
...more
20 likes
Like
Comment
Данило Судин
530 reviews311 followers
Follow
August 17, 2020
Назва книги абсолютно правдива - "Автобіографія найуспішнішого снайпера у військовій історії США". Це автобіографія. Не мемуари. Тобто якщо вас цікавлять спогади про війну в Іраку, то вони тут будуть - пересипані розповідями про сім’ю, а також розповідями про дитинство. Тобто автор розповідає про все своє життя - від дитинства до демобілізації (приблизно, 2011-2013 рр.). Дивним чином, ця книга - гарний напарник до Стріляй як дівчисько. Обидві книги є розповідями американських військових початку ХХІ ст. про своє життя.
На відміну від Ем-Джей, Кріс Кайл не моралізаторствує. Але від того текст не стає цікавішим. Хоча його допомагали писати двоє професійних письменників! І їх вплив таки відчутно.
По-перше, в тексті багато "екшну". Автор(и) свідомо звели до мінімуму все, що не екшн. Адже фільми привчили публіку, що війна - суцільний екшн. То тримайте екшну - і багато. Але цей екшн нудний. Все зводиться до кількох речень: "Морпіхи вибили двері, зачистили будинок. А я зняв повстанця, який хотів напасти на наших хлопців". І так безліч разів. Деталей більше не буде. Автор(и) не дуже стараються.
По-друге, мова книги дуже бідна. Я н випадково вжив слово "екшн" чотири рази в абзаці вище. Десь так і написано книгу. Постійне відчуття повторів. Так, дослівно їх немає, але відчуття саме такі: десь це вже було. Речення короткі, описів нема взагалі. Хоча якраз цим можна було витягти ті чи інші епізоди. До речі, описів небагато і в Щоденник легіонера, але вони там дуже атмосферні - і дуже доречні. І цим витягують частину описів рутини. Але Кайл не такий: він не дуже звертає увагу на речі, які не мають прямого стосунку до його обов’язків.
А деколи з’являється відчуття, що двоє письменників слухали Кайла - і перекладали його незв’язні речення в щось більш притомне. Аж уявляється, що Кайл сидить у вітальні і говорить: "І тоді ми такі з-за рогу вжух, а там зверху вони нас тра-тра-тра, а ми зразу мордами в пилюку і гранатометами їх бах, бах, бах. А вони не цейво. То ми авіації: робіть щось, с**и! І вони -фюїть! - і ракетами бабах! І стало тихо...". І двоє письменників записують: "На своїх "хаммерах" ми вилетіли на повній швидкості з-за рогу. Але там була засідка. Повстанці з дахів будинків почали нас обстрілювати. Ми врозтіч від "хаммерів". Почали обстрілювати дахи гранатометами. Але це нічого не дало. То комвзводу викликав авіацію: "Робіть щось, с**и!". І за кілька секунд вони ракетами розстріляли ворогів". Але під кінець книги і вони не витримали - і здалися всі ці "бах", "бум", "тра-та-та" переводити в людську мову.
По-третє, сам автор дуже неприємна людина. Деякі речі, як я розумію, типові для армії США. Як і Ем-Джей, авторка Стріляй як дівчисько, Кайл дуже нехлюйськи ставиться до власного здоров’я. Цікаво, що в них обох проблеми з колінами. І обом відрізають сухожилля та колять силіконові хрящі. Таке ж намагання показати себе крутим.
Але є і страшні відмінності. Чи це риса "котиків", чи всіх військових? Не знаю. Але автор в тексті постійно згадує, як він в носі мав всі правила. Тобто він мародерствує, б’є полонених, п’є, стріляє у все, що рухається. Офіцерів, до речі, не поважає. Про офіцерів каже, що вони - розніжені слабаки. Їхні накази деколи просто ігнорує. Наприклад, він мав здійснювати снайперське прикриття морпіхів на вулиці. Але це ж нудно! Тому він самовільно йде до морпіхів - і з ними "зачищає" територію. Бо так більше драйву і він бере участь в бойових діях, а не сидить на даху і "втикає" в приціл. І так, війну у В’єтнамі США програли, бо мало стріляли тих в’єтнамців.
Найгірше те, що автор жодного разу не задумався, чи він не вбив невинну людину. Ні, всі вбиті іракці - зло. І не обов’язково бачити їх зі зброєю. Повстанці інакше ходять та поводяться. Тому цього достатньо, щоб їх "зняти". В книзі згадано два випадки, коли у вбитих не знайшли доказів, що вони терористи чи повстанці. І це лише тому, що Кайл співпрацював з чужими підрозділами. Коли він підпорядковувався своєму командиру, то все було гаразд. Він сам жартує, що про нього колеги говорили, що в нього є магічний приціл: всі, хто до нього потрапляють, виявляються повстнацями. Кайл пояснює: це війна, а тому якщо не ти перший уб’єш ворога, то він вб’є тебе.
І так, в Іраку США захищалися від те��ористів. То була типова оборонна війна...
Я розумію, чому автор так поводиться. Врешті-решт, саме на це націлена армійська система: виховувати такі "машини для вбивства". Тим ��ільше, коли йдеться про спецназ. Але система щось дає перекос. Крім написаного вище, автор вважає, що дідівщина - це добре: молодняк має відчути своє місце. Молодняк - це і офіцери, а не лише солдати. Так, "котики" знущаються і з влансих офіцерів. А п’яні бійки - це просто типовий відпочинок. Одне місто в США просто рознесли вщент, бо воно було біля полігону. І всі воєнні, що тренувалися, мали за звичку там дебоширити: перевертати машини на вулицях та підпалювати їх. А паралельно бити місцеве населення. Це факт з цієї книги! Тобто Кайл вважає, що це були прості чоловічі забави, але ви ж знаєте тих цивільних...
До речі, разючий контраст з Ми були солдатами… і молодими: Я-Дранґ — битва, що змінила війну у В’єтнамі. Для Гаролда Мура солдати Півн. В’єтнаму - гідні суперники, яких він поважає. Так, в них гірше озброєння, але вони суперники. Для Кайла іракці - сміття. Так, в них гірше обзроєння, але вони стійко нападають і нападають. Кайл все просто пояснює: вони дикуни і на наркоті. Та й все. Який компроміс? Коли ветеран В’єтнаму каже: "Для перемоги треба завоювати душі іракців", - Кайл відповідає: "При всій повазі, сер, треба просто дати їм багато гарних копняків під зад". І так він і діє: іракці стануть співпрацювати зі США лише тоді, коли збагнуть: американці дадуть копняків і повстанцям, і тим, хто їм симпатизує. Подумати, що буде, коли американці підуть з Іраку? Нє, то вже заскладно.
Та й сам Кайл "мила" людина. Наведу лише один епізод. Коли в нього народився син, він жодних емоцій до нього не відчував. Чому? Бо Кайл вважає, що з людиною треба не один пуд солі з’їсти, щоб відчувати до неї приязнь. Ідеальний сім’янин...
Ця книга пояснює, чому до воєнних США таке ставлення в світі. Адже американські військові (маю на увазі рядових) - це шовінізм на тестостероні... Тому не розумію, чому цю книгу переклали українською. Хоча читання цінне тим, що "зазирає в голову" елітним бійцям армії США.
П.С. Укр. переклад місцями дещо химерний: "рота" тут "компанія". Я розумію, що в оригіналі company. Але, все ж, термінологія потребує редактора. Редактор є, але це клуб "Люфа", а тому примітки тут в такому стилі. Кайл пише: це була рушниця під набої 7,62 мм* (Примітка: набій 7,62*51 мм). Не вельми корисні примітки.
І ще є "надолонні ігри". Але з контексту я зрозумів, що це забавки типу тетріса: тримаєш в в руці 9чи двома руками), і тицяєш кнопки.
19 likes
Like
Comment
Cheryl
5,685 reviews217 followers
Follow
February 12, 2022
I was interested to read this book because I am fascinated by war and the different military branches. While I can understand there being secrecy to things that any military person is held to, when they come out of the military that they cannot share; I was still hoping that I would have gotten to experience more about what it was like to be a sniper in the military fighting our enemies.
I felt more like this biography was of Mr. Kyle’s life than of his career in the military as a sniper. There were some snippets of Mr. Kyle’s ability as a sniper but there were few and far between. It felt like this book was kind of censored. In fact, I started this book and then put it down and walked away from it for quite some time. I would pass it and think I need to pick this book up again and give it another try. I did give it another try but barely. I skimmed over Mr. Kyle’s personal story and after a while, I just went to the end of the book to see final thoughts. I can tell you that I did not miss much but skimming over the book. Not the best book to read if you are interested in the life of a sniper.
18 likes
Like
Comment
TK421
572 reviews283 followers
Follow
June 13, 2013
I am not going to bore you with an overview of this book. Suffice to say, it may not win any literary awards but it will make you rethink how you have previously viewed the elite warriors of SEAL teams.
The writing is awkward and clunky, push through this. The story is not about the words Chris wrote; it is about the emotions his words conveyed. At times, this story had me choking back tears. At times, I was appalled at Chris and his buddies' views on death and war. At times, it seemed as if chapters were lifted from the book and reset within the pages and given a minimal reworking because the same thing happened over and over and over again. All of this is okay because this style of storytelling really puts the reader in the minds of Chris and his team members.
Read this book. But think while you are reading it. Remember: it is not illegal to think. Not yet, anyway.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
essays-auto-bio-memoir
18 likes
Like
Comment
[ J o ]
1,962 reviews501 followers
Follow
February 19, 2016
Not even gonna bother. Not even gonna fucking bother with that.
2016 bloody-cack ce21
...more
18 likes
Like
Comment
Mike Anastasia
52 reviews40 followers
Follow
January 14, 2016
Wow. This book is amazing.
First, as this is a book about a soldier who killed people in a highly controversial war, I'm going to say that my review will be as devoid of politics as possible. I saw the movie prior to reading the book and most of the reviews of the movie are worthless; half are "he was a murderer of poor, innocent, oppressed minorities" and the other half were "we messed up when we didn't nuke the entire Middle East after 9/11." That's neither here nor there. I come from a long line of marines (and police/teachers) and, while I think The War was mismanaged and poorly researched by Congress, I cannot sit in a room with someone who would bash a soldier. Hate the country and its leadership all you want; protesting soldiers' homecomings and leaving "your Purple Heart should have been a casket" letters on veterans' cars is inexcusable. There's an accountability in war that we all deserve an opinion on, but it cannot be argued that our soldiers do the job our elected officials tell them to do. If you hate it, run for office and rid the world of war yourself.
This book gets 5 stars on its own merit, even without a personal appreciation of Chris Kyle or a supportive mindset with regards to post-9/11 US foreign policy. As usual, I liked the book more than the movie and, while Bradley Cooper was magical, you get such a closer look at Kyle's emotional battles in his text.
Writing a book like this can't be easy. On the one hand, he's a highly gifted master who wants to tell his story to the world. On the other hand, he seems like a genuinely modest guy and that's in conflict when you're attempting to tell people about interesting things you've done in your life. Throughout the whole memoir, you really get the feeling that Kyle was born to serve. He enjoys sniping and he isn't afraid of it.
To some, that makes him a terrorist. To others, that's an extension of his passion. It's beyond evident that he served because he wanted to defend his fellow soldiers. He's a hothead who also fought a lot. Can you separate the two?
I swear some people would rather read military obituaries than memoirs.
To be fair, the movie is more dramatic than the book. Here's a short list of things that happen in the movie that either don't happen in the book or aren't nearly as dramatic as they seemed in theaters:
- for the movie's intro, Kyle kills a woman and her child. In the book, he doesn't shoot the child. (Unlike the tons and tons of anti-Kyle material/tweets I've seen, he never killed a child in this book. Even still, a bomb from a child blows up with the same veracity as one from Hercules.)
- he gets in way, way more bar fights in the book. (They get more frequent as he ages and I think that's an important part of the discourse: his mind broke down faster than his body and these fights brought him back to childhood cowboy days. I'd say the fights are ~50% justified.)
- the movie really gets creative with the Iraqi Olympian sniper. (He plays a much, much smaller role in the book and we never find out who the victim of the 2,200 yard shot is.)
- unlike the movie, where Chris and Taya call each other and fight on the phone, they seem to get into more "we're not talking enough" fights in the book. (Instead of yelling over the phone, it's a lack of communication kinda thing.)
- he curses a ton in the book but not much in the movie.
- the movie downplays the physical medical problems Kyle has to overcome to avoid being medically discharged.
So, it's worth it to experience both. The movie was really good too, but I got much more from the book.
There you have it, it's a really good book if you do your best to ignore the Iraq War question as much as practically possible. I've read a lot of military memoirs and this had a great pace to it, which really gets you into the mindset of a soldier moving from room to room in lands far from home. As with all memoirs, some of the memories may have been hyperbole and others may have been romanticized, but it's a universal problem in these books. I really enjoyed this and, unless war disgusts you, you should to!
17 likes
Like
Comment
Kathleen
250 reviews
Follow
May 14, 2012
A look into the life of a Navy Seal who develops into the sniper with the most kills in Iraq. I read the book because I feel I should know what is going on in American wars. This book certainly gives first hand knowledge of the war to the reader. The multiple deployments take their toll on the lives of the volunteers and their families. The book is not particularly well written but achieved the purpose for my reading it.
I gave it only two stars because while I understand that it takes a certain personality to perform the duties required by the military in wars, I was dismayed to read several times how much Chris Kyle loved to kill. At times the descriptions of kills reminded me of video games where death comes to the ENEMY with no apparent realization/care that the ENEMY has a family, a country and a belief system also. I appreciated the growth that Chris made from the start of the book until he made the decision that his family needed him to be around and he did not reenlist.
I think a more balanced look at the current wars can be gained by reading "Lone Survivo" and/or "The Unforgiving Moment:A Soldiers Education".
17 likes
Like
Comment
Matt
378 reviews5 followers
Follow
April 24, 2015
I can't claim to know what exactly Chris Kyle went through, or what type of person he was in real life. But Kurt Vonnegut wrote, "We are who we pretend to be, so we must be very careful about who we pretend to be." So while he may have been a really great guy, in this book, Chris Kyle is pretending to be a bully, a bigot, a thug, and a jingoist unburdened by empathy or thoughtfulness.
I understand that being a soldier puts you in situations where you have to kill or be killed, and to that extent, I don't much blame him for the so-called body count. But it's DEEPLY disturbing how little thought he puts into the people he killed. He says at the end that every single person he killed was evil. He gleefully calls them "savages" and says shit like "I could give a flying fuck about [Iraqis]" and "I don't shoot people with Korans. I'd like to, but I don't." In his eyes they're all cowards, they're all evil. Everything is black and white.
I'm not an expert in what cowardice is. But it seems to me that in asymmetrical warfare, more courage is needed to fight for the poorer-trained, poorer-financed, and less technologically advanced side. It's very easy to say, "Play by the rules!" when the rules ensure that you yourself will win. So is using women and kids as human shields despicable? Yes. But is picking off fighters from buildings hundreds of yards away where they can't see you or do anything to fight you REALLY a "brave" thing to do? I'm not saying it's cowardly -- I'm just saying he applies constant double standards, and is openly willing to admit that an American life is more valuable to him than an Iraqi one. Wars are a bit tougher to fight when you don't have endless supplies and air support.
There are, of course, other pretty disturbing passages. There's the part where they desecrate a corpse and he shrugs it off as dark humor. There's the part where he beats up a mentally handicapped child. There's the part where he steals a video game from an apartment he's in in Iraq (which is made more disturbing by his claim that he went to New Orleans after Katrina and murdered "looters" with his sniper rifle. It is believed to be a false claim, but it still illustrates his "it's okay if I do it, but it's scumbaggery if others do it" mentality).
To some extent, we shouldn't expect much else from the type of guy who we train to be an unthinking killer. In that respect, he was very good at his job. But the lionization of Chris Kyle is truly baffling and disturbing. The man was a violent, bigoted thug. Or at least he pretended to be a violent, bigoted thug.
complete-shit history non-fiction
...more
16 likes
Like
Comment
Vicki
1,207 reviews171 followers
Follow
June 13, 2016
American Sniper by Chris Kyle is narrated by John Pruden and it is an intense enlightening book. Chris Kyle was a US Navy SEAL and he has the most career sniper Kills in US military History. He had always loved exciting activities such as champion bronco rider.
The training he went through was just unbelievable. He loved that training too. He wanted to be included in the Iraqi war, he was excited to be there.
That he loved his time in battle was interesting, but I understood how he would feel that way. He made friendships with people that would save his life or endanger his life. There were both kinds of people in his platoon.
He has a rich sense of humor that comes through so strongly. It made listening to the painful memories tolerable and even enjoyable.
I did enjoy listening to his story. I believe this is the first time I have gotten into a SEAL's head and I found it amazing. He was compassionate about the people that were victims of the insurgents.
He tells his story without making himself sound over the top, he talks about being invincible while in Iraq, yet he would break toes and fingers while back home on leave. He is quick to say some of his invincibility was just dumb luck. Chris Kyle made this story very personable.
There was also trouble with his home life. His wife and children needed him and he wasn't always available for them. When he got news from home about a sick family member, he raced back to be there for family.
It was hard for his wife Taya to understand his dedication to the Navy and his love of the country. She adds her own side of his story. She talks of the troubles that his service caused, as well as being a mother to babies while he was deployed.
He is also quick to tell of the sacrifices of his platoon members. His telling of the other members of the team makes you feel like you know them.
This book is powerful. I am very glad I read it. I am impressed with the man behind the American Sniper.
The narrator, John Pruden had me in tears in places. He spoke the words of Chris Kyle and the emotion that broke through made me so emotional. He spoke with strength when the story called for it and the tenderness when the pain, death and terror of the occasion called for it.
audio-books biography-autobiography
16 likes
Like
Comment
Debra Lowman
456 reviews19 followers
Follow
February 25, 2012
I am a vet. I did serve and was attached to special forces most of the time. To try for selection I have always thought that you had to be both an adrenaline junkie and a little bit crazy. They train hard, work hard and play hard all in the name of American defense and the next rush. Kyle seems about the norm- arrogant, self-centered and good at his job. The wives of the soldiers are lonely, tolerant and probably stronger than the men themselves emotionally.
If you are looking for a piece of high literature filled with the philosophy of war and the mental anguish and struggle associated with leaving a family behind and taking another man's life- keep looking. Otherwise, Kyle does an adequate job of taking the reader through his experience serving his country as part of an elite unit.
16 likes
Like
Comment
Erin
259 reviews3 followers
Follow
December 28, 2016
I was sick of his constant gloating of his number of kills and his complete disregard of human life. He referred to all Iraqis as evil, even women and children, without any regrets for any person he killed. He was blinded by his desire to defend the United States, but really it just seemed like he enjoyed killing. He also got in bar fights in the US where he was completely unjustified and likely should've been arrested. Definitely a disappointment and honestly makes me worry about the military.
autobiography-memoir nonfiction
16 likes
Like
Comment
Lauren Johnson
146 reviews1 follower
Follow
December 28, 2014
Although I’ve used Goodreads fairly regularly for a few years now, I rarely write a full review of a book, certainly not one that will be as long as this one. However, it’s also rare that the pleasure of writing a scathing review is the only things that’s driving me through a book. Also, my husband enjoyed the book and I knew he would want to see the movie.
Bottom line: I thought this book was completely awful on multiple levels:
1) I don’t place all the blame for the repetitive style and jagged format on Navy SEAL and author/protagonis Christ Kyle. After all, it’s clear he’s not a wordsmith and he had two co-collaborators. The entire books is written in 4-5 paragraph snippets. I didn’t find this too bad during the non-combat sections of the book, but in combat, it made it incredible difficult to follow or get any sense of what was going on. It would be like if I tried to explain my life story in 30-second semi-related sound bites, except for about 400 pages. Kyle would be describing a difficult shot he took and then immediately jump to another operation during that time period. I still wanted to hear about the difficult shot. I think at least during the combat portions of the book, some sustained prose would have been much easier to follow and more enjoyable to read. I have to wonder why this choice was made when the book is otherwise set up in a very linear way.
The word choice is awful as well. He uses the term “silent professional” dozens of times. The Iraqis are always the “bad guys.” Any attempt at imagery is clumsy and painful. While he does go into some detail describing what everything is, the distinctions between acronyms and various guns often blur if you’re not someone with an independent interest in such things. These are all things that his co-writers should have taken care of.
2) I was immediately put off by Kyle’s tone and attitude towards everything not related to being a SEAL. Every interaction with his wife highlighted his douche-baggery and lack of respect for her. Any altercation (as told in a 4-5 paragraph clip) ended with Kyle stating, “We worked it out by me getting my way because I was right.” I like to think of myself as a relatively liberated woman and I wouldn’t get a tattoo if my husband was really against it. I certainly wouldn’t stay out too late drinking when I was supposed to be home at a particular time and then show up with two tattoos my spouse didn’t want me to get.
But fear not, this lack of respect extends to just about everyone else as well. At one point, he states that being a civilian is about serving your own good, while being a soldier is about serving a greater good. Yes, because there aren’t any civilians who choose work that they believe makes the world a better place. As a teacher, and one who derives great personal satisfaction out of the good I feel I am doing in the world, I found this personally offensive. I don’t think that I give back to my country in the same way that soldiers to AT ALL, but to suggest I was selfish in my career choice is incredibly offensive. Additionally, I’m a 5 foot tall female who weighs very little. I think I’m more valuable to my country in my classroom.
And then there is the bragging about bar fights. Call me crazy, but shouldn’t a Navy SEAL set a good example for his fellow Americans? I’ll add that many of the alleged barfights are unverified and, I suspect, wildly exaggerated, which leads me to the following questions: How much of a douche-bag do you have to be to think that bragging about barfights with civilians makes you a badass?
3) But I think above all, I was bothered by Kyle’s hypocritical patriotism and lack of nuance towards the war in general. There is a segment of the book where he talks about what drives Iraqi insurgents. Apparently, it’s all religious fanaticism and misplaced nationalism, underscored by “evil.” Yet a few pages earlier, he was talking about shedding tears when someone raised an American flag. Because apparently, it’s only okay when Americans are fanatic about their country.
According to Kyle, the Iraqi war was all about protecting American lives. This in spite of the fact that the war is largely seen as a failure today, even from those who were initially supportive. In spite of the 900 or so false statements made by the Bush administration regarding the presence of WMDs or other threats in Iraq (and note, there is an actual statistic to support that number). Also in spite of the fact that as far as we know, there has never been meaningful direct threats to the US from Iraq and in fact that removal of Saddam Hussein created the insurgency in Iraq, raised oil prices, and destroyed many of our diplomatic relationships in the Middle East.
None of that is EVER mentioned. The Iraqis are frequently referred to as “savages,” “bad guys,” and at one point, “terrorists.” You would think that a Navy SEAL would reserve that last term for people who are actually engaging in acts of terrorism, rather than what seemed to be typical warfare (at least in the context that he used the term.) At one point he refers to the traditional desert garb of Iraqi men as “man-jammies.” Really? Are you a 4th-grade bully? Kyle doesn’t even fall back on the oft-cited ideal that we were bringing democracy to the Iraqis and says that he doesn’t give a “flying fuck” about the Iraqis and that he was fighting for his country.
Does this not seem a little off to ANYONE who gave this book 5 stars? To be fair, I can understand a little of the racism psychologically. “Othering” your enemy makes them easier to fight and easier to stomach all of the death. But at the same time, Navy SEALs are supposed to be the very elite. I don’t think a little more nuance or sophistication is asking for that much, considering that the book is so very, very one-sided.
Not all of the book was bad. There is a lot of interesting operation details during the combat portions and it was certainly educational for someone not particularly interested in the finer points of warfare. Unfortunately, Chris Kyle is the guys who narrates all of it.
And for any naysayers, I’ll include an additional note: Being a Navy SEAL or serving in the military generally or being dead, shouldn’t excuse you from being a douche-bag or writing a really, really shitty book.
15 likes
Like
Comment
Abdul
149 reviews8 followers
Follow
March 19, 2012
If you love foul language and the glorification of violence you might love this book. Motherfucker, Bad Ass, Beat downs, Navy Seal Hazing and Savages seemed to be the words of choice for this autobiography (Repeated numerous time to prove that he and his buddies were superior to everyone else). While I respect Chris for being willing to sacrifice repeatedly for his country, I get the sneaky suspicion that he loves to kill people and the Navy seals provided him an outlet to kill as many 'Savages' (His words) as he could.
His lust for blood and so called vengeance on the Iraqi's is quite baffling seeing as they did not attack us on 9/11.
All through the story he felt compelled to let us know he was a God fearing Christian. For a man of faith to be so blood thirsty and to see human lives as almost a video game was quite shocking. While I respect his service, I suspect humility and a little balance in telling the story might have made this book a little better. Going into war is never an easy thing. That I understand. But for him to feel everyone he killed was pure evil and to have no remorse is quite shocking. Less use of profanity too might have helped make this a better book.
Show more
15 likes
Like
Comment
Nic
905 reviews23 followers
Follow
February 18, 2012
I am trying to get through this book, but it isn't easy. I have utmost respect for our service men and women, and I greatly appreciate the work that they do. I picked this up because I saw Kyle on a news interview and was curious why a man who claimed to be wanted dead by enemies of the U.S. would write a book and expose himself further. I have about 150 pages left to read, but so far that question hasn't been answered. Frankly, I think the book is terribly written. It's like a collection of scenes and anecdotes instead of having any kind of consistency with very random notes thrown in by his wife. Honestly, I wonder why I am still reading it and what point the book has, if it in fact has one at all. There are far better books out there about the war. I recommend Generation Kill over this book. Update: it's official, I am giving up on this one. There are too many books on my "to-read" list to waste anymore time on this one.
15 likes
Like
Comment
Tom
1,630 reviews7 followers
Follow
May 12, 2019
I was hesitant to read this book. My understanding was Chris Kyle wanted to be a conservative pundit and may have tailored his memoir to appeal to that audience, and while I could be wrong about that, I prefer not to read political books, left or right, as many seem to be little better than telling the reader how right that person is to hold political opinions similar to the author. They also tend to be something that doesn't have much of a shelf life given how much current events can lead to change. Factor in as well general questioning about the accuracy of some of the stories Kyle told in various places, one of which cost him in a lawsuit, and I really wasn't much interested in reading this book.
But I work with a number of uniformed men and women, people I have the utmost respect for, and one of my students (I am an English teacher) challenged me to read it so I could judge it for myself. That's a fair point. As such, here we are.
Now, I don't want to get too much into Kyle's politics. He comes right out and says some of them while using language reminiscent of early 2000s conservatism in other places. So, instead, let's just look at the book itself. Even if I may have been somewhat skeptical at some of the things he related as actually happening as described (and truth be told, I was), and even if I was somewhat turned off when he says outright in his introduction that he thought war was fun, I can still evaluate the book itself based on its own merits. If Chris Kyle can at least write an interesting and compelling narrative, then that's something. As such, I will be evaluating the book based on its writing and not the more controversial elements contained therein. So, here goes:
Chris Kyle's book is not very good. There's a potentially interesting life story at the center of American Sniper and the way it is presented here largely isn't. My reasoning for that is simply this: he doesn't actually say much. Most of this book is a series of stories about his experiences in and out of combat, but he doesn't really say much about anything. Most of his stories can be summed up like so: Kyle was told he couldn't do something, he did it anyway because he is a SEAL or a badass or both, and then people were happy he did it. Now, given he is talking about war time activities that are probably still classified, there may have been only so much he could say in many instances, but that isn't how the book is presented. A good story is in the details and he doesn't offer any, he's not terribly introspective for much of the book, and I sit there wondering what he might be talking about. He mentioned at one point getting a tattoo of a red cross to symbolize his Christian faith and what he had lost in the war, but at that point he hadn't mentioned losing much if anything in the war. He mentions later how he doesn't want to say much about the deaths of friends of his, understandably, but he doesn't really say much more about anything else. Combine that with the fact the book seems to hop around from topic to topic, most of his stories only cover a page and a half at most, and what I'm left with is a book that feels incredibly incomplete. I just couldn't get into it.
That said, I will give Kyle this much: the best part of the book was when he stopped to describe his weapons and gear. I'm not overly knowledgeable about such things, and at least there he was able to hold my interest. A friend and co-worker, also unimpressed with this book, actually offered praise for Kyle's history of firearms, so if I ever want to read more by the man, I know where to look.
14 likes
Like
Comment
Donna
4,192 reviews119 followers
Follow
April 11, 2017
I love autobiographies/biographies/memoirs, but this one was not, by any means, my favorite. I review these differently than other books. I try not to be harsh. I think it takes courage to put out into the world a naked piece of your inner self.
So with that little disclaimer, I'll start this review ..... even if I stray from my own code. I think this was not written well. Or maybe the author was too heavy handed in how we wanted his portrayal. The little jokes and attempts at humor were the saddest efforts of all. They fell flat, as did some other things. This had me wondering if this was a rush to publish affair.
This also didn't feel honest. Chris had too much ego to let any real emotion through. I could never see past the 'tough, tobacco chewing, porn viewing, defender of the weak' persona. The only thing that came through was how much he loved being a sniper. Was that all there was to this guy? I think not, but that is all I got from this. I wanted to feel like I understood him and I never got that.
I did appreciate the look that was given to being a SEAL and the rigors of the job. Sacrifices were made by so many, and not just those who enlisted, but their families and friends as well. That part felt honest. So 3 stars.
autobiography-memoir non-fiction
14 likes
Like
Comment
Tammy-Anne
80 reviews
Follow
July 23, 2012
I dont know where to begin....i finished this book today and cried!!!! For Marc Lee, Ryan Job, and all the others who fought to keep the war off OUR SOIL!!!!! Men and women who fought side by side, branch with branch of Armed Forces, fighting thru a hell that only previous Veterans could understand!!!! Those who gave all!!!! I was more than impressed i was in awe, and speechless for quite some time after reading this, trying to deal with the emotions i felt for these men and women and their families, GRATITUDE CAN ONLY BEGIN TO EXPRESS MY FEELINGS!!!!!!! Chris Kyle and all of you who serve and or served you ARE MY HEROES!!!!! Very well written and extremely honest, this must have been very difficult to relive!!!! I am sorry that the media was so wrong and hurtful to you brave men and women, i am sorry you had to walk thru protesters to head off to protect those assholes soil they were standing on!!!!! Tears are coming now, so i will conclude with saying THIS IS A MUST READ, GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!!!!
14 likes
Like
Comment
Jill
292 reviews3 followers
Follow
February 23, 2020
I read with an open mind, fully expecting a story from a soldier's perspective. I wanted to like him, but he just comes off as a spoiled brat, hating on civilians, the US government, military officers and command, non-special forces troops (he tries to say he respects "regular" enlisted men and he's "no different than them," but he constantly gives these disparaging back-handed "compliments"), basically anyone who's not HIM. The rest of it is full of *they said I was the most badass SEAL they'd ever seen, aw shucks, I don't know about that, but if you say so guys*.
For someone who claims to put service to his country before all else, including his family which was covered as a major struggle for he and his wife, he seemed to have problem potentially jeopardizing that by getting into bar fight after bar fight. He talks about being arrested several times and getting off (because hey, he's a SEAL) and breaking his hand in a dumb bar fight right before being deployed again. This almost kept him from being in his beloved "action" in Iraq and at the least kept him at being at his physical best to have his team's back.
Kyle constantly refers to those he kills as "bad guys" and "savages." I get it - military are not there to be diplomats and have this frame of mind partly to be able to do their job. But it's so over the top in the book that it just sounds like he's a big, overgrown manchild with an over-inflated ego, playing war like a video game, getting drunk, getting into fights and overall, truly serving himself moreso than his country.
13 likes
Like
Comment
Laura Mathews
6 reviews3 followers
Follow
February 19, 2015
Why isn't 0 stars an option? Worst book I can bring to mind ever reading...or rather listening to on audiotape. I actually imagine if I'd read it there would be spelling errors. I can't even understand how the chapters are arranged. I wish he had been given a thesaurus, he has ruined words like savage and badass for me.
As for who he is. Thanks for protecting our country...and cheating on your wife...and demanding respect from infants...and detailing how to use weaponry...and bragging about killing and getting into bar fights as an adult and father....and thinking these are traits worth wasting paper on. So glad you are so opinionated, vocal and influential when you are clearly not a smart person.
Tip: Imagine it was written as a 'What I did this summer'story by a 5th grader with learning disabilities, it'll help for a chapter or so.
13 likes
Like
Comment
Renee Hall
Author 40 books57 followers
Follow
October 9, 2015
Obviously I didn't know Kyle in real life, so I don't know what he was actually like, but the voice that comes across in the book is immature and arrogant (I wish I had a dollar for every time the term "bad-ass" is used), and I was disappointed at the overall lack of emotional depth in the book. One anecdote followed another, with none of them feeling all that different from the others (even when very intense things were happening), and I found myself bored and skimming through large portions of the text just because nothing was giving me any real immersive sense of being there or any sense of the power of the experiences he had. Disappointing.
12 likes
Like
Comment
Ranjeev Dubey
Author 4 books71 followers
Follow
December 12, 2013
This book is proof of the following:
1. In reading this book,it is possible to reinforce every prejudiced stereotype about the intellectual level of soldiers;
2. This book is proof that it is possible to write a book even more decontextualized and removed from the environment in which it is set than anything James Hadley Chase could ever have hoped to do; and most of all
3. It is possible to write a best seller even if you have no meaningful content to communicate.
Has the world gone mad in making this a best seller or am I losing the plot?
12 likes
Like
Comment
Sergio
1,158 reviews83 followers
Follow
March 8, 2024
“American Sniper” racconta in prima persona la vita privata e quella militare di Chris Kyle, che arruolatosi come sniper viene inviato nelle aree più “calde” del pianeta negli anni successivi all’attentato alle “Torri Gemelle” del 2001: lo vediamo così in azione in Iraq dove dopo la caduta di Saddam Hussein assolve egregiamente al suo compito di cecchino. Nel frattempo sposa negli USA la sua fidanzata ma il suo lavoro in zone di guerra lo porta a trascurare i suoi doveri di marito e padre fino all’inevitabile scelta di vita.
autobiografia scrittori-americani
12 likes
1 comment
Like
Comment
Trent Mikesell
1,141 reviews11 followers
Follow
August 7, 2021
I enjoyed seeing the "inside" life of the military. I found that interesting.
I hate to speak ill of the deceased and especially someone who served in the military, but I found everything about the author's personality off-putting. Perhaps that is exactly the kind of person needed in this type of situation, but it was hard for me to read this book. I'm not even sure why I read it in the first place (and why I finished it).
12 likes
Like
Comment
Michael
7 reviews1 follower
Follow
October 8, 2014
Wow. The life of a SEAL is a whole different, admirable world. But also, at the end, starting from pages 480 and up, for me personally it starts to become clear how even mild or little religiousness can cause one to see things in black and white.
war
12 likes
Like
Comment
Ahmad
63 reviews15 followers
Follow
June 23, 2015
Didn't like the book. Not because war is ugly or that the celebrated hero called Iraqis "despicable savages" (why shouldn't he), the story is pretty damn boring.
fiction
12 likes
Like
Comment
8,717 results
==
==
==
No comments:
Post a Comment