American Sniper audiobook

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!

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.

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.

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. :) :) :) LOLP.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.

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.

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.