Service, A Navy Seal At War by Marcus Luttrell, Book review

Publisher: Little, Brown and Co.
ISBN-13: 978-0316185363

A Seal's philosophy:

“I will never quit. I persevere and thrive on adversity. My Nation expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my enemies. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates and accomplish our mission. I am never out of the fight.”

Synopsis:

Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell returned from his star-crossed mission in Afghanistan with his bones shattered and his heart broken. So many had given their lives to save him-and he would have readily done the same for them. As he recuperated, he wondered why he and others, from America's founding to today, had been willing to sacrifice everything-including themselves-for the sake of family, nation, and freedom.

In Service, we follow Marcus Luttrell to Iraq, where he returns to the battlefield as a member of SEAL Team 5 to help take on the most dangerous city in the world: Ramadi, the capital of war-torn Al Anbar Province. There, in six months of high-intensity urban combat, he would be part of what has been called the greatest victory in the history of U.S. Special Operations forces. 

We also return to Afghanistan and Operation Redwing, where Luttrell offers powerful new details about his miraculous rescue. Throughout, he reflects on what it really means to take on a higher calling, about the men he's seen lose their lives for their country, and the legacy of those who came and bled before.

 

 

A thrilling war story, Service is also a profoundly moving tribute to the warrior brotherhood, to the belief that nobody goes it alone, and no one will be left behind.

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A thrilling war story, Service is also a profoundly moving tribute to the warrior brotherhood, to the belief that nobody goes it alone, and no one will be left behind.

My thoughts:

Shall I begin by telling readers 'Service' is nothing but gripping, and the honest recount of heroes such as Marcus Luttrell and his teammates? This is an amazing story of survival, determination, skills, patriotism and heroism on the part of US Navy Seals but also an homage to their spouses and families whose sacrifice should also be remembered!

What makes one man (or  woman) a hero? We recognize a true hero in a fireman rushing into a burning building to rescue a child, someone giving up a kidney to help save a loved one, a teenager jumping in freezing water to rescue a sibling...

Then there is also a different breed of men...Born heroes, their unwavering love for flag and country their driving force in a life filled with dangers...They give it all!

Marcus Luttrell and co-author James D. Hornfischer tells us of such heroes, men who go beyond enemy lines, into the very heart of terrorist territories. This is a story of the trials and sufferings of these courageous soldiers and the meaning of true valour, where each team member is willing to give his life for the other and their amazing victories.

This book also honours the many heroes of the other service branches serving in Afghanistan offering chilling facts regarding the countless experts who hunt and disarm explosive devices daily placed by the enemy and the pilots who swoops into a hot LZ to rescue wounded to name a few.

'Service' is a book that will show you how Navy Seals fight, live and how they die for their country and freedom. It reveals also the unsung heroes: the wives, girlfriends and family members whom they leave behind on the home front.

As I read Marcus Luttrell's dedication I felt a small measure of this true hero:

'I dedicate this book to my brother, for walking through Hell with me, and to my wife, for pulling me out of the shadows.'

Service is about selflessness...It shows us incredible courage and speaks of deeds few of us take the time to ponder upon unless it is to read a small caption in a headline.

In this book you will read of such people who truly rise up to be as Christians, roles models living quietly the idea expressed in John 15:13:

"Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

A story to be experienced in recognition of the selfless deeds of these amazing warriors and their fight to preserve our way of life! 

Be sure to read the Naval Special Operations Personnel Killed in Action 1943-Present!

Freedom is not cheap and we should honour their sacrifices!

5 Stars because I could not rate it any higher!!

Never forget!

"Ready to Lead, Ready to Follow, Never Quit

(USN Seals Motto)

 

About the Author:

Petty Officer Marcus Luttrell joined the United States Navy in March of 1999 and became a combat-trained Navy SEAL in 2002, serving in many dangerous Special Operations assignments around the world. 

He is also the author of the New York Times bestseller Lone Survivor.

For additional information see website (here). 

Finally a heartfelt thank to Anna Balasi and the team at HACHETTE for giving me the opportunity to review this book!

I received this book free from HACHETTE as part of their blogger review program.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.