Lone Survivor

True Tale of Courage and Honor

Where does Lone Survivor rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I've read quite a few histoy/military history books so far, and this ranks right up there as one of the best tales to date. Dick Couch's 'Warrior Elite' edges this one out as the best so far, and I mention it becuae there is a relation betwen the two books. In this story, Marcus Latrell, USN SEAL, talks about his training with BUD/S class 228, the same class that Mr. Couch expertly documented in his book.

The novel begins a bit slow, and the readers attempt at a 'texas good ole boy' accent is distracting, but once the story shifts to Operation Red Wing, the pace picks up. If you want to be inspired, truely inspired, then read this AND 'Warrior Elite'. Navy SEALS are not just the toughest, best trained fighting division in the world, they are also an ultra rare breed of men. Their stories are simply amazing.

39 of 41 people found this review helpful

Enthralling and authentic story of valor in combat

Any additional comments?

Don't pay too much attention to the complaints about either the narrator or the author's conservative politics. The reader may bother some, but I listened to this book straight through over the course of several flights out west, and loved it -- the only time I took it out was literally at TSA. As for his political views - he is a Navy SEAL, from Texas, right? Seriously - the narration is fine, and the authors occasional politics asides are amusing and endearing even to a liberal like as me, Well worth the credit.

70 of 75 people found this review helpful

Don't Bother With The Movie, This Is The Real Deal

What did you love best about Lone Survivor?

I loved the way that Marcus' family was supported so completely by his community and his shipmates. The SEAL training portion of the book was fascinating but there are better books dealing specifically with his training (The Warrior Elite: The Forging of SEAL Class 228 by Dick Couch). And, of course, the missions themselves were hair raising listens!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Marcus - his story, his ethics, and his personal views on the media and politics came through loud and clear. I didn't agree with them all, but they were heartfelt and sincere.

Which character – as performed by Kevin Collins – was your favorite?

Marcus voice was well represented. Some reviewers have criticized Kevin Collins' "fake Texas accent". I am from Oklahoma and I thought he did a great job! You probably wouldn't want an authentic Texas accent; Boomhauer is from Texas but I wouldn't want him narrating this story, I tell ya hwat!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

"In Afghanistan Everyone Can Hear You Fall"

or

"We Need Taller Actors In Hollywood"

Any additional comments?

If you must see the movie, read or listen to the book first. The endings are completely different. The book has a much more satisfying climax.

14 of 15 people found this review helpful

Great, but better with fewer political rants

First, I think the narrator does an incredible job. I don't think it is important that his "fake Texas accent" isn't perfect, but he is clearly a professional and inserts great emotion into the story telling. Sometimes a bit over the top, but that's OK, he's an actor and that's his job. He does a fair job trying to mimic other American dialects based on the characters speaking, too.

The story itself is also remarkable. I won't spoil it, but what Marcus went through and how he describes it is a work of art.

What I disliked most was the author's incoherent and regular bashing of his political enemies. He sounds less like a professional warfighter and more like a partisan spokesmouth when he does. I'm perfectly fine with an occasional jab that highlights how Government policies made his job harder. A bit of name calling is OK too, as I understand how passionate Marcus is about these things. I get all that. However, I'm not interested in recurring 10-20 minute rants about it. I don't want to take a break in the action of a gunfight to hear about the evils of American media, the rules of engagement, or other laws in which Marcus feels should not apply to him. This book could have been trimmed by at least an hour just removing the political rants.

My advice: Unless you enjoy political talk shows and tabloid opinion pieces, fast forward through the rants and enjoy the rest of the book, because it's excellent. I too am a combat veteran who served in Afghanistan and I understand the hardship, though I've never suffered to this extent.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

narrated by Larry the Cable Guy breathing helium and imitating William Shatner on coke

Loved the book and movie. It's a great story. I got the audio version so I can listen to it again in the car. After about 15 minutes of listening to this 3rd year theater major who has clearly never been south of New Jersey do his best Texas accent, I was starting to think about swerving into oncoming traffic.
I think instead of finishing the audio book, I'll give my 6 year old son a dollar to just read it to me.

35 of 43 people found this review helpful

Good Book. Kevin Collins needs to take lessons.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, because it tells a great story of what happened during Operation Red Wings. However, there is a LOT of Navy recruiting going on during the book. I understand Marcus is proud, and rightfully so. But I can not help but wonder if during the editing by the Navy if it was recommended to amp up the bravado.

How could the performance have been better?

The fake Texas accent put on by Kevin Collins was horrible. I got use to it about a 1/3 of the way into the book. There were times when he was talking about his fellow Seals screaming out that Collins cocked it up pretty good. The dramatic flare in points was less than desirable.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listened to the book in 2 days. Once you got past the Seals training, which was necessary to understand the relationships, the actual story of Operation Red Wings was captivating.

Any additional comments?

On a personal note. What Marcus Lattrel and the rest of his Seal brothers endured and went through was saddening. There are highs and lows in the story and it makes you understand A. What it takes to be a Seal. B. What those heroes went through on the top on that mountain.

18 of 22 people found this review helpful

Hooyah Marcus,... right?

Would you consider the audio edition of Lone Survivor to be better than the print version?

Didn't read the print version. I can say that the narrator really gave it some personality. It wasn't always convincing but overall he added to my experience.

What other book might you compare Lone Survivor to and why?

American Sniper, obviously. Same state, same operating force, similar jobs and similar attitudes all though Kyle was MUCH more of a cowboy. Totally different situations and stories though.

Have you listened to any of Kevin Collins’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No i have not.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. Alot of it dragged for me. While it was needed and important, all the mourning was dull for me. I've never lost anyone close to me, i've never been in the military nor has anyone close to me. I respect it and i totally get it but there was nothing for me to tether to because I've never been there.

Any additional comments?

I really appreciate him humanizing the villagers. He obviously had every reason to, but it just makes it feel more real when a book that includes war isn't black and white. It's so elementary to hate and kill plain and simple. It's like a game. Red vs Blue. He did a good job, for the most part, of exploring the grey areas. It was good that patriotism and hatred didnt take the place of his conscious. Also i would like to note that the book was VERY inspiring. It really teaches perseverance.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

This book should be a prerequisite for graduating

What did you love best about Lone Survivor?

The unholy bond between these men is beyond a normal mans comprehension, but did learn that Dick Marcinko left a mindset, that the SEAL of today has taken to another plane.

What did you like best about this story?

I served in the US Navy, and for the first time cried while reading a book. It taught me that the Afghan people are not all terrorists, and that was a huge lesson learned.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When the Afghan village took on the Taliban devils really moved me, but the downing of the Chinook made me ill, and the movie did this book justice, for the first time, that I know of.

Any additional comments?

The Spartons could not approach a USN SEAL, making them the greatest combat soldiers in the history of man kind. Loved the book, even though it was very emotional for me at times, as all us sailors are very proud of these special men.
On a footnote though, their was a huge mistake in deciding to go ahead with the mission, but this showed the humanity coming to the surface with a US soldier, and that is the difference that make the SEALs, that more special, as they knew this mission was doomed when they let the Taliban goat herders go on their way.

11 of 14 people found this review helpful

Nothing short of incredible

This book will rivet you and keep you dying to hear the next minute. Although the thrust of the story is about Luttrell's incredible experience in the Afghanistan mountains after being separate from this SEAL brethren after a brutal shootout with the Taliban, it's also about the preparation he underwent to be there. It's truly hard to believe what SEALs go through to be a SEAL. You not only have to be a rare physical specimen, but you have to also be a little mentally crazy. That is not a disparaging remark. You have to be able to withstand an impossible amount of suffering and abuse. You'll understand when you listen to the book.

My only disappointment is with the narrator. He does a really good job, but at times he's just too *dramatic* in his verbalization. By the end of the book I grew a bit weary of his drama. But it's still really good and I highly recommend this book to anyone.

7 of 9 people found this review helpful

The worst reader on audible

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The guy who reads this book, with his psycho-pathological over-enunciation of every word, is the most distracting, horrifying thing that could happen to an otherwise interesting book. How anyone could enjoy this is beyond me. I would honestly rather listen to a cute-voiced 5 year old read this than this clown. He's just soooooo terrible. Marcus, for the love of god, have it re-recorded by a normal person.

How could the performance have been better?

DIFFERENT READER!!!!!! Without the fake over-exaggerated accent. I can BARELY listen. I've heard amazing things about this book, which is the only reason I even trying to push through this nightmare reader.

Could you see Lone Survivor being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

I will never buy any other book in which BOZO the psycho-pathological over-enunciator reads. It's just so unbelievably bad.

55 of 76 people found this review helpful