American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History by Chris Kyle

Feb 03, 2013 Petra X rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: popculture-anthropology, biography-true-story

Edit: If you read this book then please read http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/04/us/...; Chris had started a foundation to help troubled vets and was working with one yesterday, a young man of 25, when the man fatally shot Chris and and his companion. Chris was a wonderful man, a family man, who had served his country to the best of his ability. RIP Chris.
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Excellent read, absolutely enlightening to how thoroughly enjoyable, not to mention competitive, war...more Edit: If you read this book then please read http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/04/us/...; Chris had started a foundation to help troubled vets and was working with one yesterday, a young man of 25, when the man fatally shot Chris and and his companion. Chris was a wonderful man, a family man, who had served his country to the best of his ability. RIP Chris.
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Excellent read, absolutely enlightening to how thoroughly enjoyable, not to mention competitive, war can be to those that are obviously hooked on the adrenaline rush. The author is such a man, and when promoted out into an office job, a planner, turns it down because what he wants to do is be right in the middle of the action with a gun and his mates and was willing to put up with all kinds of hardship and danger, not to mention turning down a pay rise in order to do so.

If people honestly still believe that war is something that soldiers absolutely loathe and they only do it to be upright citizens who want to defend their country and way of life, they need to read this book and War, The Junior Officers' Reading Club Killing Time And Fighting Wars and perhaps Brotherhood of Warriors, all ones I have read recently. War for conscripts is one thing, but these men are all volunteers and they re-enlist for further tours until either they get it out of their system or think of something else to do - often related, like security services.

This author was the Top Guy, the best shooter of them all, planning his missions carefully, executing them perfectly and - who knew - taking along his notepad (on big missions, there was someone there with a laptop detailing the action!) to make detailed notes about each killing so that he could justify it as was required. The British and Israelis have to do the same thing, Iraqi, Palestinian and Afghani insurgents aren't required to justify their killings. These Rules of Engagement are just one way, and you can be sure that a large amount of the public sympathy is going to go to those who never play by those rules but kill as many as they can. Not only that but it is interesting that Americans at least, I don't know about the British or Israelis, will also treat those they have just wounded, sending them to their military emergency hospitals.

I like reading about the mechanics of war from all sides, whether it be those who some call freedom fighters and others say are terrorists, the military and especially the medical teams that try to put all the still-alive victims back together again. I'm just finishing off Paradise General: Riding the Surge at a Combat Hospital in Iraq and have previously read The Dressing Station: A Surgeon's Chronicle of War and Medicine. It's all very interesting but I am glad, so glad, I don't have to fight, I wasn't built for gore, guts or even glory.(less)

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Feb 03, 2013 Amanda rated it 5 of 5 stars

I'm hesitant to write a review of this book. I'm not a military reader, nor do I usually delve into autobiographies. But, I saw Kyle on a tv interview, and liked how he appeared there. I have come away from the book with a better understanding of what the guys on the ground experienced vs. what the news media has shown us here at home. A long time ago when I was studying political science, I studied a mission that failed back in the '70's. I read first hand accounts from the military commander i...more

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Aug 19, 2012 Jessica rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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,...more

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Apr 12, 2012 Mike (the Paladin) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: biography, history

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...more 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. (less)

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Feb 15, 2013 Michael rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Chris Kyle is an amazing war-hero and if I met him personally I would thank him for his service to his country. I enjoyed his autobiography but I was honestly hoping to read more about what it's like to be in battle as a sniper. This book had a little of that, but it was mostly about his personal family life and challenges. To me, it seems like everyone eventually goes through tough experiences that make them wiser, smarter, and cause them to value life more. For Kyle, this happened through bein...more

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Feb 22, 2013 Don rated it 5 of 5 stars

I can't believe Chris Kyle is gone, he has left a void in this world that can't be replaced. I really enjoyed the writing in his own words. I felt like I got to know him, feel what he was feeling, experiencing. The man was a American Hero, he did what his country ask of him, he did more than ask of him, there needs to be more Americans with the same values and beliefs as Chris.

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Feb 08, 2012 Steve Rawls rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I tried, I really tried but I just couldn't make it through this book. I wanted to like it because I'm ex military and I live in Texas but about half way through I put the book away for good. The writing was dull and choppy, the sentences short and non descriptive. It read as if it had been written by my nine year old son. I found the repeated referral to bar fights and the continuous boasting of kill numbers to be a complete turnoff. I had hoped for colorful narrative like that of Black Hawk Do...more

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Jan 14, 2013 Sarah Eiseman rated it 5 of 5 stars

Today’s autobiography recounted the service of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle. Kyle has been titled “the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history.” This book was excellent. In addition to the personal recollections of Kyle, he also invited his wife, Taya, to contribute. Unlike other books about SEALs, I felt that this one really captured the sacrifice that the family of SEALs must make during deployments. Taya did not shy away from her experiences, but gave brutal and raw perspective.

This is a book I w...more

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May 17, 2013 02nickh rated it 5 of 5 stars

the title is american sniper
the author is Chris Kyle
the audience should be anyone over the age of fourteen because this book is violent
main problem war in Iraq
the setting is helps the book because of how poor and ruined the place is
the the guy who is in the navy seals is named Chris Kyle and the antagonist is all of the insurgents he shoots
the story goes like this he is growing up in Texas and he is a cowboy and is always fascinated by guns and he likes riding horses and after he is done with h...more

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May 13, 2013 Leon rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Gripping, eye-opening, and powerful, American Sniper is the astonishing autobiography of SEAL Chief Chris Kyle, who is the record-holding sniper in U.S. military history. Kyle has more than 150 officially confirmed kills (the previous American record was 109), though his remarkable career total has not been made public by the Pentagon.

In this New York Times bestselling memoir, Kyle shares the true story of his extraordinary decade-long career, including his multiple combat tours in Iraq (Opera

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Gripping, eye-opening, and powerful, American Sniper is the astonishing autobiography of SEAL Chief Chris Kyle, who is the record-holding sniper in U.S. military history. Kyle has more than 150 officially confirmed kills (the previous American record was 109), though his remarkable career total has not been made public by the Pentagon.

In this New York Times bestselling memoir, Kyle shares the true story of his extraordinary decade-long career, including his multiple combat tours in Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom) and elsewhere from 1999-2009.

Kyle’s riveting first-person account of how he went from Texas rodeo cowboy to expert marksman and feared assassin offers a fascinating view of modern-day warfare and one of the most in-depth and illuminating looks into the secret world of Special Ops ever written.

Review 1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER (No Source )

“In the community of elite warriors, one man has risen above our ranks and distinguished himself as unique. Chris Kyle is that man. A master sniper, Chris has done and seen things that will be talked about for generations to come.” (MARCUS LUTTRELL, former USN SEAL, recipient of the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism under fire, #1 bestselling author of Lone Survivor )

“The raw and unforgettable narrative of the making of our country’s record-holding sniper, Chris Kyle’s memoir is a powerful book, both in terms of combat action and human drama. Chief Kyle is a true American warrior down to the bone, the Carlos Hathcock of a new generation.” (CHARLES W. SASSER, Green Beret (US Army Ret.) and author of One Shot, One Kill )

“American Sniper is the inside story of what it’s like to be in war. A brave warrior and patriot, Chris Kyle writes frankly about the missions, personal challenges, and hard choices that are part of daily life of an elite SEAL Sniper. It’s a classic!” (RICHARD MARCINKO (USN, Ret.), First Commanding Officer of SEAL Team Six and #1 bestselling author of Rogue Warrior )

“Eloquent ... An aggressively written account of frontline combat, with plenty of action.” (KIRKUS REVIEWS )

“Reads like a first-person thriller narrated by a sniper. The bare-bones facts are stunning. .... A first-rate military memoir.” (BOOKLIST )

From the Back Cover

He is the deadliest American sniper ever, called “the devil” by the enemies he hunted and “the legend” by his Navy SEAL brothers . . .

From 1999 to 2009, U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle recorded the most career sniper kills in United States military history. The Pentagon has officially confirmed more than 150 of Kyles kills (the previous American record was 109), but it has declined to verify the astonishing total number for this book. Iraqi insurgents feared Kyle so much they named him al-Shaitan ("the devil") and placed a bounty on his head. Kyle earned legendary status among his fellow SEALs, Marines, and U.S. Army soldiers, whom he protected with deadly accuracy from rooftops and stealth positions. Gripping and unforgettable, Kyle's masterful account of his extraordinary battlefield experiences ranks as one of the great war memoirs of all time.

A native Texan who learned to shoot on childhood hunting trips with his father, Kyle was a champion saddle-bronc rider prior to joining the Navy. After 9/11, he was thrust onto the front lines of the War on Terror, and soon found his calling as a world-class sniper who performed best under fire. He recorded a personal-record 2,100-yard kill shot outside Baghdad; in Fallujah, Kyle braved heavy fire to rescue a group of Marines trapped on a street; in Ramadi, he stared down insurgents with his pistol in close combat. Kyle talks honestly about the pain of war—of twice being shot and experiencing the tragic deaths of two close friends.

American Sniper also honors Kyles fellow warriors, who raised hell on and off the battlefield. And in moving first-person accounts throughout, Kyles wife, Taya, speaks openly about the strains of war on their marriage and children, as well as on Chris.

Adrenaline-charged and deeply personal, American Sniper is a thrilling eyewitness account of war that only one man could tell.

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Apr 26, 2013 Jason Fotinatos rated it 1 of 5 stars

Oh my goodness. I really wanted to like this book. I tried hard to like this book, even if it started out with Chris describing Iraqi women and children as "evil savages" who he enjoyed killing. His only regret was that he did not get a chance to kill more of them. I respect the sacrifices that the members of our military have made over the course of our relatively short history, and the trials that they face when they return back home. So, even if I was disgusted with the first few pages, I rea...more Oh my goodness. I really wanted to like this book. I tried hard to like this book, even if it started out with Chris describing Iraqi women and children as "evil savages" who he enjoyed killing. His only regret was that he did not get a chance to kill more of them. I respect the sacrifices that the members of our military have made over the course of our relatively short history, and the trials that they face when they return back home. So, even if I was disgusted with the first few pages, I read on. I was hoping he only started out in this manner, because he would eventually come to terms with his misguided judgements. Alas, no such luck.

Chris never makes any mention of why he felt that he was doing the right thing by being in Iraq, besides an off-hand comment here and there about how he wanted to kill Saddam Hussein for planning 9/11. The abhorrent ignorances only continue throughout the book, and he adds to the loveliness by constantly reminding the reader how much he enjoys killing. In fact, he discusses his love for the marines, because they are a group of people who "just really love to kill." The irony in that statement is self explanatory.

Even if I didn't appreciate Mr. Kyle's beliefs, opinions, or attitudes, I'd hoped that the saving grace of the book would be the content of the stories. Again, no dice. The whole first half of the book recalls his days filled with abundant free time between training and waiting to go to war, which he spent fighting at bars, and eventually meeting his wife who "looked hot, and classy as hell in black leather pants." When he finally got around to describing the events of the war, he makes no effort to go into any details about the strategies or how a scene unfolded, but glosses over those incidentals to instead describe how great it felt to kill people.

On top of all of this, the writing itself was horrific. He, and his wife who also writes portions of the book, have the vocabulary of a 8 year old child. The only three phrases he used to describe anything was either "it sucked", "it was awesome", or "it was badass!"

Ok, I'm done. Onto bigger and better things.(less)

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Apr 19, 2013 Jeffrey Belcher rated it 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed reading this book and hearing the stories of this elite warrior. The first thing that I noticed is that Kyle is very humble and seems hesitant to give himself any credit for his accomplishments. It is not bad in a personal trait however, I am left to wonder if this self-effacing attitude affected the telling of the story. It was a very good read, however I feel that it lacked that substance of in-depth story telling. I am sure that part of that has to deal with restrictions in place du...more

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Mar 31, 2013 Steve rated it 2 of 5 stars

This book made me sad - both for the Americans who were killed or maimed, and for the people who are killed and maimed by the Americans.

War sucks, and is almost always wrong.
This book did nothing to change my opinion on that.

It was very familiar reading Chris's experience and understandings and recognizing myself when I join the Marine Corps both to fight for my country and to prove myself right before the first gulf war. I was both a patriot and a romantic. Now I am neither, but instead I wis...more

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Mar 28, 2013 Justin rated it 2 of 5 stars

Chris Kyle had over 160 confirmed kills as a Navy SEAL sniper serving four tours in Iraq giving him the titular distinction of most lethal sniper in U.S. military history. A self described Texan cowboy, Kyle's memoir has a plain spoken conversational tone. He describes in detail heated firefights in the 'target rich environments' of Fallujah, Ramadi, and Sadr city where he gunned down record numbers of insurgents earning him the nickname 'Legend' amongst his teammates and the 'Devil' by his enem...more

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Mar 21, 2013 Kyle C rated it 5 of 5 stars

The book American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History by Navy seal Chris Kyle. It is a collection of Chris's life and the challenges that were presented to him and how he overcame them. Even though he was is in war he still had a good sense of humor. “To top things off, the Iraqis had sent some Scuds over just before the war started. Most had been taken care of by Patriot missiles, but one got through. Wouldn't you know it took out the Starbucks where we’...more

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Mar 18, 2013 Al rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

“The raw and unforgettable narrative of the making of our country’s record-holding sniper, Chris Kyle’s memoir is a powerful book, both in terms of combat action and human drama. Chief Kyle is a true American warrior down to the bone, the Carlos Hathcock of a new generation.” (CHARLES W. SASSER) About the Author

SEAL Team 3 Chief Chris Kyle served four combat tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom and elsewhere. For his bravery in battle, he was awarded two Silver Stars, five Bronze Stars with Valor,

...more

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Mar 03, 2013 Kelly rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction, work-occupation, war, biography-autobiography

This is hard for me to review. I do not have a military background, and I fear that my comments here might upset those who do. I chose to read the book after Chris Kyle was killed while on a gun range. I have not seen him on any TV interviews nor have I read any other articles about him. I saw the brief news report about his murder, and I remembered reading a review of his book. Some of Kyle's descriptions fascinated me with his direct honesty while others repulsed me with his cavalier attitude/...more This is hard for me to review. I do not have a military background, and I fear that my comments here might upset those who do. I chose to read the book after Chris Kyle was killed while on a gun range. I have not seen him on any TV interviews nor have I read any other articles about him. I saw the brief news report about his murder, and I remembered reading a review of his book. Some of Kyle's descriptions fascinated me with his direct honesty while others repulsed me with his cavalier attitude/descriptions. In the beginning Kyle says that it doesn't matter how many of the enemy he has killed, but he then goes on to "brag" (was it bragging or am I reading too much into his words?) about the number of kills on different missions. For a Christian man, he certainly swears quite a bit (that's merely an observation and not a criticism because I, too, swear despite being Christian). I found myself liking and almost admiring Kyle at times for his bravery, patriotic loyalty, and his "aw shucks, I'm just doing my job and I'm not anyone special" attitude. However, other times I found him irritatingly obtuse about family and civilian life, and I found the stereotypes he highlighted about training, other branches of the military, and the enemy degrading. I liked that Kyle's wife added her side of the story to some of the chapters because it humanized Kyle,and It's nice that the couple's marriage survived despite the odds. I was never tempted to stop reading the story, and I like that Kyle was candid in his portrayal of what he does - he's very human - part hero, part badass, part humble, part good ole boy - all that is needed to be the man and SEAL he needed to be in order to get the job done. My final verdict? I might not always connect with a man like Kyle or feel comfortable with what he does and why, but I'm darn glad that there are men like Kyle who are willing and able to do what most of us cannot. And I am saddened that his death was unbecoming of the man he was; he deserved better than that. (less)

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Mar 01, 2013 Michael Fredericks rated it 5 of 5 stars

I am not a proficient reader and generally don't read for pleasure, but I really believe that this book may have changed that. I read this book in my spare time in about a week and I just couldn't put it down. It was a thrilling story of the life of America's most accomplished sniper through his own eyes. I really started to get sad when I got to the end of the book. All I can say is that it is an amazing book and I would recommend it to everyone. I have already given it to a guy I work with and...more

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Feb 25, 2013 George rated it 2 of 5 stars

It's difficult to rate this book knowing that author/subject himself was murdered recently. The other problem is whether you judge the book on a curve, knowing that he's not a writer and that the book will reflect that.

The book is literally his autobiography in essentially chronological terms, starting from youth to his personal activities during the biggest battles of the Iraq War. He and the ghostwriter employ a device where his wife interjects periodically with her thoughts during his deploym...more It's difficult to rate this book knowing that author/subject himself was murdered recently. The other problem is whether you judge the book on a curve, knowing that he's not a writer and that the book will reflect that.

The book is literally his autobiography in essentially chronological terms, starting from youth to his personal activities during the biggest battles of the Iraq War. He and the ghostwriter employ a device where his wife interjects periodically with her thoughts during his deployments. I found these distracting and from a literary standpoint, not useful. But it's sort of part and parcel of the book's larger flaws, most of which revolve around the fact that it's not particularly well-written.

I guess the other thing is that I think what separates good from bad in this genre is whether the author can impart something thoughtful and hard-learned from his unique experiences in war. And it was sort of clear that he's not that kind of guy. He's a guy who was extremely proficient at his job, full of numerous other virtues, but he's not going to come out of it with profound feelings about the nature of war, other than to protect his mates, kill as many of the enemy as he can, and perhaps as a psychological defense, call them "savages" as he does so. I'm certainly not expecting a complex geopolitical and philosophical treatise from the guy, but at the same time, it would have made for a more interesting book if he could've discussed the inherently complicated task of invading a country to "liberate" its inhabitants and end up shooting a large number of them who resent his presence. Instead, he rests on the maxim of doing it to preserve freedom in the US, which is dubious assertion to a lot of people, I think. Then again, to expect the former would have been untrue to the author and a worse crime, as a fabrication.

I guess to put it in proper context, the book was all that you'd expect and nothing you didn't, which is to say that it wasn't as ambitious as it could have been. It does nothing to diminish his service and heroism, especially in the context of his tragic and somewhat ironic demise, but as a literary product, it could've been more.
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Feb 15, 2013 Antimidas rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

This was a very well-written, in-depth memoir written by the most prolific sniper in American history - a hero who was unfortunately taken from us all too soon - his life taken by the hands of a fellow veteran suffering from PTSD who Kyle was trying to help re-acclimate.

The book provides a valuable insight into the psychology of battle and those who fight for God and country. In these 400 pages, CPO Kyle eloquently puts into words and deeds what it means and feels to be a military fighting man....more

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Jan 25, 2013 Tanner Manion rated it 5 of 5 stars

American Sniper by Chris kyle is the story of the deadliest sniper in american military history. Chris kyle who aquired more than 200 kills in action as a navy seal in several wars including somalia, the first desert gulf war and the current wars in iraq and afganistan. You get to visualize what all these unfimiliar places and people really are like in a state of war through his very thoruogh explanations of the landand different people he met all over the world. The covertness and suspense lea...more

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Jan 13, 2013 Judy rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Readers interested in military history

Recommended to Judy by: Military Officer magazine

Welcome to the world of high testosterone levels! The author is the quintessential "man's man," a soldier who loves killing bad guys and had hundreds of opportunities to do so, with the thanks of a grateful nation... Chris Kyle leaves out any discussion of the rationale for the U.S. being in Iraq. He describes how he was raised as a good ol' Texas boy and was tough enough to make it through SEAL training, which has a 90% dropout rate, and worked hard to be in the thick of the fighting in Iraq. H...more

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Dec 13, 2012 Joseph Sharp rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book, American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History, written by Chris Kyle and published by William Morrow on January 3rd 2012, is a non-fiction. It fits into the categories of War and Military books.
Chris Kyle was a Navy Seal and American Sniper was his first book. Chris mentions a lot of his friends that he made when he was fighting terror. In this book he talks about what life in the military is like. One of the people he spoke of in this book was...more This book, American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History, written by Chris Kyle and published by William Morrow on January 3rd 2012, is a non-fiction. It fits into the categories of War and Military books.
Chris Kyle was a Navy Seal and American Sniper was his first book. Chris mentions a lot of his friends that he made when he was fighting terror. In this book he talks about what life in the military is like. One of the people he spoke of in this book was Marcus Luttrell. Marcus, another Navy SEAL went on to write his own story of the war. Marcus’ book, Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10, was published June 12th, 2007 by Little, Brown and Company. In both books, stories of battle and hardship are told.
American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History, talks about what Chris’s life was like before, during and after he became a SEAL. It has tips and tricks that he learned at the start of and during his military career. This book is full of personal in depth accounts on the experiences he had in Fallujah and Ramadi. It holds quotes from Chris’s wife Taya and how him being a SEAL impacted her life. American Sniper also tells us about what you have to do and go through when in the military.
I am very interested in most anything that has to do with war. I loved almost every page of this book. Although, it would still have been a great book without the swearing. But that is just my opinion. As I read on, I felt like I was becoming part of Chris’s life. I felt the good times and the heartbreaks. Chris Kyle succeeded in creating a real taste of war in, American Sniper. If you are interested in or considering a career in the military, you should definitely read this book. It taught me a lot about what I can do and what to expect if I sign up. Even if you aren’t interested in a military career this book could be very beneficial to you. It might open your eyes to what the brave men and women that protect our country go through. To me it was a must read, so I encourage you to give it a try.(less)

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Oct 31, 2012 Joshua Henry rated it 5 of 5 stars

Chris Kyle’s American Sniper is written for the purpose in telling the life story from the man who was the most lethal sniper in the history of the U.S. Military. Also explaining what the life of a soldier and the hardships that come with such a life are. In addition to that it explained what ranch life was like. As well the life of an impoverished hard working family that had to work hard to get by. This helped show how he got to be such a hard worker in all aspects of his life for example how...more Chris Kyle’s American Sniper is written for the purpose in telling the life story from the man who was the most lethal sniper in the history of the U.S. Military. Also explaining what the life of a soldier and the hardships that come with such a life are. In addition to that it explained what ranch life was like. As well the life of an impoverished hard working family that had to work hard to get by. This helped show how he got to be such a hard worker in all aspects of his life for example how his whole family had to work their small farm when they had to plant, harvest, Etc. Having to work basically his whole life to contribute to the families well being made him grow up faster than others because he had to not only be responsible for himself but for his younger siblings. Showing how he go this attitude towards life and his outlook on the Country, God, and Family; he believed you should be dedicated to God, then protect your Country, and then support your Family.

The impact of American Sniper on the reader is to show that any man can be dangerous, any man can help their country, any man can save lives, and last but not least it shows that any man can make a difference you just have to be dedicated. Any man can be dangerous is shown by how he describes how he got to the point of being a very effective sniper. Any man can help their country is displayed by him writing about the work he did while he was a Navy SEAL. Any man can save lives is present by how he wrote what he did during his missions as a SEAL, like how he has saved lives in America by how he has prevented bad people from continuing to do bad things. Lastly man can make a difference if you are dedicated is shown through how he wrote about what he has done throughout his life. These are good examples of impacts on a man or a woman that happens after they have read this book the most prominent is that anyone can make a difference if they are dedicated to whatever they do.

American Sniper is an incredibly written book it kept me interested from start to finish. The book is written in such a way to both tell the reader about his personal life like his upbringing and his military career. Both topics were balanced almost equally displayed to a point but of course the more prominent topic was his military career. One thing that I believed was interesting was the extent of vocabulary that he used throughout this book. This book was absolutely captivating it held my attention which is nothing like when I have read other autobiographies. I cannot relate to the characters to a point because I am not in the military but I can relate with them to the point of being dedicated to something that makes me happy. This book always kept my attention whilst I read it; it never had a boring point in the book. This book makes a lot of points in being serious because of what this book is about. It also hits partially on funny because he tells a story about him and an encounter with a raccoon in his lodgings on a farm.

The greatest strength of this book was the detail in which it was written. This book was great when describing stories not only his personal but military as well. It was great in that sense because having good detail is always a great way of keeping the readers’ attention. The biggest weakness in this book is the detail as well. Because of the in depth details sometimes the topic goes on too long and makes the topic a little boring. The detail is great to a point but because there is so much detail it causes the topic to drag on. Which makes the reader to become bored with it and they are no longer full enticed with the topic any more. Dispite all that was just said I would highly recommend this book to my friends that like to be entertained by the exciting stories that Kyle discusses in this book. I would because the book is just solid it has the excitement, the funny, and the serious that flows so well that it is just hard to put down. I would not recommend this book though to a friend who doesn’t like a long book. Because this book is long not all of my friends would read it; because it would take too long to read.

American Sniper is the tale of Chris Kyle with extreme dedication not only to his Country, but also to God, as well as to his family. I highly recommend this book I loved it great book not hard to read from cover to cover. This book keeps you enticed from start to finish, as well as informing you about one of the great men in America today. Chris Kyle got to where he is today by hard work blood, sweat, and mental toughness. He is not only one of the most lethal men in U.S. Military history but he is also a men who stands up for his loved ones and does not take crap from or for anything. He is loyal, giving, caring, and stands for more than just the title of Most Lethal Man in U.S. Military History. If you want to discover all of these things just read the book it is wonderful.
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Oct 10, 2012 Danny rated it 5 of 5 stars

Books can come in many different genres and forms. One of the most informative is the autobiography. The book American Sniper, by Chris Kyle, is just that. It is a recollection of this particular man’s life and the challenges that were presented to him and how he overcame them. The story is 379 pages long and it covers a variety of topics as well as some exhilarating events and the loss of good friends.
The characters of the story are all well developed and I feel as if Kyle does a great job e...more

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Oct 04, 2012 Jon Hauer rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was outstanding! The author really grabbed my attention. He was trying to tell you how incredibly hard it is to be a sniper for the Navy SEALS. Chris Kyle really knows how to grab your attention.

Chris' purpose is writing this book is to show you just how hard it is to survive in war. He is showing you that he had to work to stay alive, if he didn’t care, you could of easily been killed. The authors point of view was first person, he was telling what happened to himself at war. The typ...more

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Sep 22, 2012 Joan Reeves rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: history, joan-s-keeper-shelf, nonfiction

Riveting, Emotional, Gut-Wrenching

This review is for the audio book obtained from Audible for American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History by Chris Kyle with Jim DeFelice and Scott McEwen.

Chris Kyle was in every major battle of the Iraq war and was wounded twice. He has 160 confirmed kills out of 255 claimed kills as a sniper. You may have seen him on TV recently on Stars Earn Stripes and Sons of Guns.

I listened to this book as I traveled across Texas a c...more

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Sep 03, 2012 Camelia Skiba rated it 5 of 5 stars

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 wond...more 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!

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Aug 04, 2012 Alain Burrese rated it 5 of 5 stars

“American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History” by Navy SEAL Chris Kyle with Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice is an engaging account of Chris Kyle's time as a Navy SEAL, where he became a SEAL sniper and amassed an amazing amount of confirmed kills, and who knows how many probables. Having been an Army sniper, and having known a number of Vietnam era and more recent snipers, I understand what goes into confirmed kills, and that is why I state that Kyle amasse...more “American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History” by Navy SEAL Chris Kyle with Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice is an engaging account of Chris Kyle's time as a Navy SEAL, where he became a SEAL sniper and amassed an amazing amount of confirmed kills, and who knows how many probables. Having been an Army sniper, and having known a number of Vietnam era and more recent snipers, I understand what goes into confirmed kills, and that is why I state that Kyle amassed an amazing number of them.

There are many reviews of this book, both good and bad. I agree, as a shooter, that I'd have liked a little more description and focus on some of the actual sniping. Yes, I wanted a few more details. However, what I really liked is that the book allows you to get to know Kyle a bit, as a person, not a cold calculating killing machine that some might think a SEAL sniper is.

Obviously, when it comes to a sniper with the confirmed kills that Kyle has, comparisons to Carlos Hathcock, the famed Marine sniper from Vietnam will be made. I knew Hathcock, and have fond memories of our conversations and exchanges through the mail. I was very pleased to see Kyle honor him in the pages of this book. According to Kyle, “he was and always will be the greatest sniper ever.”

Some might not have liked the passages written by Kyle's wife, Taya, but I found them to add some of the personality of the book. The fact is, when people in the military are deployed, there are those at home who are impacted. It was good to see this, and how the relationship was effected by Kyle's deployments and his feelings toward country and family, and how those feelings matured and why he finally got out of the military and devoted time to his family. (Even if he did feel some guilt over this.)

I was working security the other night and couldn't help but think of Kyle when a number of people didn't stop walking around the stadium when the National Anthem was playing. I liked Kyle's passage about speaking up to people like that, and I myself have done the same. It was these little things that made my like Kyle more, and that added to the book.

This is not an action packed account of sniper missions, but rather a mildly sanitized account of one man's (and his wife's) story of become a Navy SEAL sniper and what that journey encompassed, and how it effected him, and where he went next. I enjoyed reading his story, and I feel I'd enjoy getting to know Chris Kyle. I'd have liked to have had more detail on certain sniping missions and tactics, and I can understand how some people might not like this straight forward attitude on things. I'm glad I read this book, but I give it four stars when compared to Hatchcock's story's five. I thank Chris Kyle for his service, and I thank him for sharing his tale. (less)

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Jul 23, 2012 Tammy-Anne rated it 5 of 5 stars

I dont know where to begin....i finished this book today and cried!!!! For Marc Lee, Ryan Job, and all the others who fought to keep the war off OUR SOIL!!!!! Men and women who fought side by side, branch with branch of Armed Forces, fighting thru a hell that only previous Veterans could understand!!!! Those who gave all!!!! I was more than impressed i was in awe, and speechless for quite some time after reading this, trying to deal with the emotions i felt for these men and women and their fami...more

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