SEAL Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy SEAL Sniper

Ever in search of the definitive ewar novel, this was a Father’s Day gift from my girls to me. I found the book very easy to read, although the author relies, naturally, on a wealth of military acronyms that require readers to refer to the glossary frequently. The author, Wasdin, grows up in the poor south. He is frequently beaten by his step dad, but that apparently is Okay in the South, where children should be seen but never heard. Ironically, this abuse helps toughen Wasdin to better endure the mental and physical extremes he encounters in the military. After enlisting in the Navy, he seeks to enter its highest echelons: the elist SEALS, and does so. As a huge fan of the movie Blackhawk Down, I was particularly intrigued by the author’s perspective of this battle. In the movie, Army rangers are caught in a visciou cross fire by militant Africans. The movie focuses on Lt. Colonel Danny McKnight. The L/C is forced to rely on directions from circling helicopgters. The delay in transmissions causes them to be boxed in, surrounded by swhack-job militants. Enter Wasdin, who is part of the convoy led by the Colonel. The POV is fascinating, the juxtaposition of what one knows from “Blackhawk Down” and the insights from the perspective of anotehr solder in the convoy who cannot possible be privy to just why the chaos is coming. This book is a fast read and speaks from the heart. It represents the fighting elite of our country well. Unlike some similar texts, it does not contain many swar words or vulgarity, a pleasant switch. My students would like this book. ***+ = Three and one half stars.

It's a decent book, and provides good real-world experience from a first person point of view into the life of an elite Seal operator.

Was grateful for the insights into the teams and the dedication to their missions. Was not supprised to read of the lack of support and backing the government extends to our best troops, I guess some things never change. Our nation owes these gentlemen more than just our thanks. I thank Mr. Wasdin for sharing his story and having the intelligence and courage to do so.