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

Marcus Luttrell

Jun 2007 · Sold by Little, Brown

About this ebook

Follow along a Navy SEAL's firsthand account of American heroism during a secret military operation in Afghanistan in this true story of survival and difficult choices.

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

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

A six-foot-five-inch Texan, Leading Petty Officer Luttrell takes us, blow by blow, through the brutal training of America's warrior elite and the relentless rites of passage required by the Navy SEALs. He transports us to a monstrous battle fought in the desolate peaks of Afghanistan, where the beleaguered American team plummeted headlong a thousand feet down a mountain as they fought back through flying shale and rocks.

In this rich, moving chronicle of courage, honor, and patriotism, Marcus Luttrell delivers one of the most powerful narratives ever written about modern warfare -- and a tribute to his teammates, who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Ratings and reviews

This was an interesting read for me. I'm not one to read many true accounts or biographies, but this story intrigued me. I enjoyed reading about the life of a seal and all of the training. The details of what these guys want through in the Afghan mountains was harrowing and a testament to something the majority of people do not understand. It takes a special kind of person to put their life o the line for the freedom we have here in America.

Very patriotic story of a modern day, Navy Seal Warrior. Good look at traditional, positive values in a country (Afghanistan) that doesn't only have American-hating barbarians. The book's highlights include the BUD/S training and the combat sections. The man lived through an unimaginable circumstance. Worth the read.

Much respect to Marcus Luttrell and those he served with. Their sacrifices are unparalleled and I'm so very appreciative of all these men do. That said, Marcus isn't a writer and it painfully, excruciatingly obvious. I would suggest skipping the book and going straight to the movie. .

About the author

Marcus Luttrell became a combat-trained Navy SEAL in 2002 and served in many dangerous Special Operations assignments around the world. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller Lone Survivor and is a popular corporate and organizational speaker. He lives near Houston, Texas.

Patrick Robinson is known for his best-selling US Navy-based novels and his autobiography of Admiral Sir Sandy Woodward, One Hundred Days, was an international bestseller. He lives in England and spends his summers in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, where he and Luttrell wrote Lone Survivor.