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Tom Clancy Presents: Act of Valor
The Navy SEALs have been fighting terrorists around the world for over a decade. And for all that time, the Bandito Platoon SEALS from SEAL Team Seven have been on continuous combat rotation. Now they have drawn a shipboard assignment off Central America—an easy day. But for a Navy SEAL, the only easy day was yesterday. In a powerful story of global anti-terrorism inspired by real life missions, Act of Valor combines stunning combat scenes, up-to-the minute battlefield technology, and heart-pumping emotion for the ultimate action adventure. Act of Valor takes you deep into the secretive world of today’s most elite, highly trained group of warriors. When the rescue of a kidnapped CIA operative leads to the discovery of a deadly terrorist plot against the United States, a team of SEALs is dispatched on a worldwide manhunt. As the men of Bandito Platoon race to stop a coordinated attack that could kill and wound thousands of American civilians, they must balance their commitments to country, team, and their families back home. But each time they accomplish their mission, a new piece of intelligence reveals another shocking twist to the plot, which stretches from Chechnya to the Philippines and from Ukraine to Somalia. The widening operation sends the SEALs across the globe as they track the terrorist ring to the U.S.-Mexico border—where they engage in an epic firefight with potentially unimaginable consequences for America…
329 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 10, 2012
165 people are currently reading
1959 people want to read
About the author
Dick Couch
34 books160 followersMr. Couch graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1967. He graduated from BUD/S training in Class 45 in 1969. He was a case officer for the CIA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 224 reviews
March 15, 2012
Wow. This is an amazing book. Anyone who has questions about the need for our military in America needs to read this book.
I am proud to be an American, where I am free due to the many sacrifices of military men and women and their families.
Thank you all for your service to our country.
I am proud to be an American, where I am free due to the many sacrifices of military men and women and their families.
Thank you all for your service to our country.
July 30, 2013
On my way to spending a relaxing weekend with my family in a cabin in the woods (our trip was not nearly as eventful as the Joss Whedon film), I picked up the “Tom Clancy presented” novelization Act of Valor written by Dick Couch and George Galdorisi. Right off the bat, slapping Tom Clancy’s name on something is a good idea from a marketing perspective but might not always be in the best interests of Clancy’s brand in the long term. Everything about this novelization felt rushed – as if Couch and Galdorisi were pulling all-nighters to crank this baby out, get it fired off to the publisher and stocked on store shelves in time for the film’s release. And that’s likely exactly what happened.
Act of Valor is a straight forward tale of a platoon of U.S. Navy SEAL (SEa, Air and Land) commandos and their mission to save America from the hands of bloodthirsty narco and Islamo terrorists – a timely, if not overly original plot. The redeeming feature of this story was its focus on the familial and social lives of these brave soldiers as well as their operational and combative lives. The first fifth of the narrative heavy-handedly builds up the relationships of the central cast in their home lives which adds an often ignored humanizing aspect to these characters while, at the same time, all but screams, “Beware! This story’s ‘gonna get depressing!”
Regardless, this was a fun novel which had a fairly decent – if overused and worn out – plot that couldn’t help but flounder as a result of factual, technical and editorial errors. I’ll start my critique with the factual errors. Most of the objects in this novel are accurately described . . . except for the firearms. I was extremely puzzled by this as you would think that the authors (a former SEAL and naval officer respectively) would have gotten their gun facts straight. At one point early on in the story an “M46 belt fed .556 submachine gun” is mentioned . . . What the heck is that??? I am completely unfamiliar with any firearm called an “M46” (as is Google, I might add). And I have no idea what a “belt fed .556” is either. I am familiar with a submachine gun (basically a pistol on steroids firing a small caliber pistol round with or without a shoulder stock) but what was being described in this sentence is far, far away from a submachine gun. I believe the authors were attempting to describe an M249 SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon) which is a light machinegun often used by SEALs which IS belt fed and fires the .223 Remington round. The .223 is the same as a NATO 5.56mm round and so I assume there was a SNAFU in the decimal point placement – but that same SNAFU was made often throughout the entire book. A brief aside: A “.556” bullet (if such a bullet existed) would be a monster of a round to be used strictly in an anti air or anti vehicle capacity. I can only assume it would be banned by the Geneva Convention in use against personnel and/or on-foot combatants. This was only the most blatant firearms error. There were many others including mentions of a Mk12 rifle which was supposed to be some sort of long barreled variant of the venerable M4 carbine as well as an M47 and others too numerous to mention. Knowing these details were completely made up pulled me right out of the narrative and had me wondering why they made such easily remedied mistakes.
On the technical end, the pacing of this novel suffered early on and about midway through. The action sequences were extremely well paced and always a thrill to read but anything which furthered the plot seemed to drag and get bogged down in unnecessary tedium. The dialog could have used some polish as it came off as poorly executed B-movie drivel much of the time and left me picturing Arnold Schwarzenegger blurting it out between camera close-ups of his tree-trunk biceps. The most glaring technical issue, though, was the shift from past tense narrative in the final chapter to a present tense narrative mid sentence. How does that happen??? How are you writing, “. . . and then he emptied his weapon into the advancing bad guys and scrambled for a fresh magazine.” And suddenly shift to, “He looks around the room and sees a terrorist enter through a doorway in a crouch. He pulls his suppressed Sig Sauer 9mm and fires two rounds through the terrorist’s terroristic noggin.” I’m paraphrasing but how the heck does that happen?
That brings me to the editorial errors. To sum up what went wrong with this novel, it would have to be on the editor – if there was an editor. A decent editor would have fact-checked the props, suggested fixes in the pacing and caught the jarring tense shift in the final chapter. This could have been a much, much better novel than what they ended up with.
All in all though, Act of Valor kept my interest and kept me entertained. And, despite my complaints about heavy handedness in the characterization, the book made me weep at the end. If nothing else, it paints a vivid picture of the sacrifices of our heroes in the military and of their loved ones back home.
I will recommend this book but with the caveat that it may not be up to everyone’s literary standards nor be on par with other books in its genre. I would have liked more depth to the villains and more suspense and twists in the plot but what can you do? However, what Act of Valor set out to do, it did in the end. So I guess that has to count for something, right? Three stars because I enjoyed it more than I complained about it . . . and it brought a few tears to my eye at its close.
*Correction*
While reading decorated SeAL sniper Chris Kyle's historical work American Gun, I came across a brief mention of a SeAL team exclusive sniper platform called the Mk12. apparently it IS a highly modified sniper platform built around the M4 system. So, in this instance, I stand humbly corrected.
Act of Valor is a straight forward tale of a platoon of U.S. Navy SEAL (SEa, Air and Land) commandos and their mission to save America from the hands of bloodthirsty narco and Islamo terrorists – a timely, if not overly original plot. The redeeming feature of this story was its focus on the familial and social lives of these brave soldiers as well as their operational and combative lives. The first fifth of the narrative heavy-handedly builds up the relationships of the central cast in their home lives which adds an often ignored humanizing aspect to these characters while, at the same time, all but screams, “Beware! This story’s ‘gonna get depressing!”
Regardless, this was a fun novel which had a fairly decent – if overused and worn out – plot that couldn’t help but flounder as a result of factual, technical and editorial errors. I’ll start my critique with the factual errors. Most of the objects in this novel are accurately described . . . except for the firearms. I was extremely puzzled by this as you would think that the authors (a former SEAL and naval officer respectively) would have gotten their gun facts straight. At one point early on in the story an “M46 belt fed .556 submachine gun” is mentioned . . . What the heck is that??? I am completely unfamiliar with any firearm called an “M46” (as is Google, I might add). And I have no idea what a “belt fed .556” is either. I am familiar with a submachine gun (basically a pistol on steroids firing a small caliber pistol round with or without a shoulder stock) but what was being described in this sentence is far, far away from a submachine gun. I believe the authors were attempting to describe an M249 SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon) which is a light machinegun often used by SEALs which IS belt fed and fires the .223 Remington round. The .223 is the same as a NATO 5.56mm round and so I assume there was a SNAFU in the decimal point placement – but that same SNAFU was made often throughout the entire book. A brief aside: A “.556” bullet (if such a bullet existed) would be a monster of a round to be used strictly in an anti air or anti vehicle capacity. I can only assume it would be banned by the Geneva Convention in use against personnel and/or on-foot combatants. This was only the most blatant firearms error. There were many others including mentions of a Mk12 rifle which was supposed to be some sort of long barreled variant of the venerable M4 carbine as well as an M47 and others too numerous to mention. Knowing these details were completely made up pulled me right out of the narrative and had me wondering why they made such easily remedied mistakes.
On the technical end, the pacing of this novel suffered early on and about midway through. The action sequences were extremely well paced and always a thrill to read but anything which furthered the plot seemed to drag and get bogged down in unnecessary tedium. The dialog could have used some polish as it came off as poorly executed B-movie drivel much of the time and left me picturing Arnold Schwarzenegger blurting it out between camera close-ups of his tree-trunk biceps. The most glaring technical issue, though, was the shift from past tense narrative in the final chapter to a present tense narrative mid sentence. How does that happen??? How are you writing, “. . . and then he emptied his weapon into the advancing bad guys and scrambled for a fresh magazine.” And suddenly shift to, “He looks around the room and sees a terrorist enter through a doorway in a crouch. He pulls his suppressed Sig Sauer 9mm and fires two rounds through the terrorist’s terroristic noggin.” I’m paraphrasing but how the heck does that happen?
That brings me to the editorial errors. To sum up what went wrong with this novel, it would have to be on the editor – if there was an editor. A decent editor would have fact-checked the props, suggested fixes in the pacing and caught the jarring tense shift in the final chapter. This could have been a much, much better novel than what they ended up with.
All in all though, Act of Valor kept my interest and kept me entertained. And, despite my complaints about heavy handedness in the characterization, the book made me weep at the end. If nothing else, it paints a vivid picture of the sacrifices of our heroes in the military and of their loved ones back home.
I will recommend this book but with the caveat that it may not be up to everyone’s literary standards nor be on par with other books in its genre. I would have liked more depth to the villains and more suspense and twists in the plot but what can you do? However, what Act of Valor set out to do, it did in the end. So I guess that has to count for something, right? Three stars because I enjoyed it more than I complained about it . . . and it brought a few tears to my eye at its close.
*Correction*
While reading decorated SeAL sniper Chris Kyle's historical work American Gun, I came across a brief mention of a SeAL team exclusive sniper platform called the Mk12. apparently it IS a highly modified sniper platform built around the M4 system. So, in this instance, I stand humbly corrected.
April 29, 2012
This is one of those that I wanted to like. I purchased the book after seeing Tom Clancy’s name on the cover. “Act of Valor” tells the heroic tale of the U.S. Navy SEALS in their battle against terrorism. There is great potential, as the players include those from the former Soviet Union, Somalia, South America, and the Philippines.
Unfortunately, it fell short for me because of how it read. The plotting was okay. The pace, however, is too often slowed by descriptions that are inserted at inopportune times. The dialog appears strained and often trite. Some of this dialogue works well with another genre, not a book about Navy SEALS. There is a confusing, action-slowing change of tense from the past to the present in the middle of a firefight. I love the subject matter, and this one could have been great. Also, while I do not know about USD, San Diego State University DOES offer graduate and undergraduate degrees in microbiology.
Unfortunately, it fell short for me because of how it read. The plotting was okay. The pace, however, is too often slowed by descriptions that are inserted at inopportune times. The dialog appears strained and often trite. Some of this dialogue works well with another genre, not a book about Navy SEALS. There is a confusing, action-slowing change of tense from the past to the present in the middle of a firefight. I love the subject matter, and this one could have been great. Also, while I do not know about USD, San Diego State University DOES offer graduate and undergraduate degrees in microbiology.
November 3, 2020
'When the rescue of a kidnapped CIA operative leads to the discovery of a deadly terrorist plot against the U.S., a team of SEALs is dispatched on a worldwide manhunt. As the valiant men of Bandito Platoon race to stop a coordinated attack that could kill and wound thousands of American civilians, they must balance their commitment to country, team and their families back home. Each time they accomplish their mission, a new piece of intelligence reveals another shocking twist to the deadly terror plot, which stretches from Chechnya to the Philippines and from Ukraine to Somalia. The widening operation sends the SEALs across the globe as they track the terrorist ring to the U.S.-Mexico border, where they engage in an epic firefight with an outcome that has potentially unimaginable consequences for the future of America."
March 10, 2013
Mengisahkan 'Bandito Platoon' (BP) dari 'Seal (Sea,Air,Land) Team Seven' yang dipimpin oleh Leftenan Roark Engel dan orang kanannya Chief Dave Nolan. Apabila berlakunya letupan bom di Indonesia yang didalangi oleh Shabal,pengganas dari Chechnya. Letupan tersebut turut membunuh duta Amerika Syarikat dan anaknya. BP telah diarahkan untuk diaturgerakkan untuk menghadapi sebarang kemungkinan yang akan terjadi akibat kejadian letupan itu. Sementara itu,Lisa Morales,seorang doktor di dalam pertubuhan sukarelawan dunia,'Doctors Without Borders',telah ditangkap oleh seorang ketua kartel dadah Costa Rica bernama Christo. Morales ditangkap kerana dia juga merupakan ejen perisik CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) Amerika Syarikat (AS). Apabila Morales berjaya diselamatkan,BP berjaya mendapatkan beberapa bukti perkaitan antara Shabal dan Christo. Penemuan ini juga akan membawa mereka ke beberapa lokasi dunia dan membuka hijab ancaman kepada AS yang lebih berbahaya berbanding peristiwa 9/11!
Saya membaca novel ini dengan tidak terlebih dahulu membaca versi filemnya. Lantas,saya tidak boleh melakukan perbandingan antara versi filem dan novel (menentukan versi yang mana satu lebih menarik). Walaupun demikian,novel ini sebenarnya ditulis berdasarkan versi filemnya. Ini bermakna,novel ini diadaptasi dan ditulis dari filem yang juga bertajuk sama,iaitu 'Act of Valor'. Untuk versi novel ini,ia ditulis oleh Dick Couch dan George Galdorisi. Kedua-duanya pernah berkhidmat di dalam Tentera Laut Amerika Syarikat. Jangan terpedaya dengan nama Tom Clancy yang terpapar di muka hadapan novel ini. Tom Clancy,seorang penulis 'thriller-ketenteraan' yang terkenal ini hanya menyumbang tulisannya di dalam bahagian prakata sahaja. Namun,difahamkan,beliau juga memainkan peranan yang penting di dalam penghasilan filem dan novel Act of Valor.
Act of Valor merupakan sebuah novel yang saya fikir agak lain daripada yang lain. Seperti versi filemnya,aspek realisme ditekankan (walaupun saya masih belum menonton versi filemnya,tetapi,melalui sinopsis dan ulasan filem di internet,saya mendapat tahu bahawa filem Act of Valor ini merupakan sebuah filem aksi yang sangat realistik. Tiada unsur-unsur aksi ala-Hollywood di dalamnya. Malahan,para pelakon utamanya merupakan mereka yang pernah atau masih berkhidmat di dalam pasukan SEAL!). Aspek ini juga merupakan kekuatan utama novel ini. Saya juga secara peribadi menyukai aspek ini. Tiadanya unsur 'bravado' dan tidak realistik di dalamnya.
Perlu ditegaskan di sini bahawa plot dan aksi yang dipaparkan di dalam novel ini adalah berdasarkan melalui pengolahan semula peristiwa sebenar yang dihadapi oleh pasukan SEAL sepanjang penubuhannya. Dengan membaca novel ini juga,kita dapat mengetahui sedikit sebanyak peranan dan tatacara bagaimana pasukan khas seperti SEAL bertindak di dalam dunia nyata.
Elemen aksi dan pertempuran lebih mewarnai novel ini. Oleh sebab itu,aspek-aspek lain seperti cinta,konflik,'twist' dan lain-lain aspek tidak begitu dititikberatkan. Jadi,jika anda mengharapkan novel ini mempunyai spektrum elemen yang meluas,Act of Valor bukanlah sebuah novel yang mempunyai ciri itu.
Dari segi bahasa,bahasa Inggeris yang digunakan adalah seperti apa yang boleh kita baca di dalam mana-mana novel Inggeris-Amerika,dengan penambahan istilah-istilah atau jargon-jargon ketenteraan. Adalah satu kelebihan sekiranya seseorang pembaca itu mempunyai pemahaman yang baik di dalam hal-ehwal ketenteraan untuk memudahkannya memahami keseluruhan novel ini. Tambahan pula,novel ini tidak menyediakan glosari khusus yang menerangkan istilah dan jargon ketenteraan yang sering digunakan di dalam novel ini.
Perlu saya nyatakan di sini,untuk perhatian rakan-rakan (yang beragama Islam terutamnya) di Goodreads dan Buku Tiga Lima. Memandangkan plot cerita novel ini berkaitan dengan pengganas,terdapat beberapa ketikanya di dalam novel ini,penghinaan terhadap Islam berlaku,baik secara sembunyi dan terang-terangan (di dalam naratif dan dialog). Justeru itu,bacalah novel ini dengan minda yang terbuka. Nikmatilah keseronokan membaca novel aksi ini. Tetapi,pada masa yang sama janganlah terpedaya dengan mudah propaganda AS mengenai Islam (menurut 'kaca mata' mereka).
Saya membaca novel ini dengan tidak terlebih dahulu membaca versi filemnya. Lantas,saya tidak boleh melakukan perbandingan antara versi filem dan novel (menentukan versi yang mana satu lebih menarik). Walaupun demikian,novel ini sebenarnya ditulis berdasarkan versi filemnya. Ini bermakna,novel ini diadaptasi dan ditulis dari filem yang juga bertajuk sama,iaitu 'Act of Valor'. Untuk versi novel ini,ia ditulis oleh Dick Couch dan George Galdorisi. Kedua-duanya pernah berkhidmat di dalam Tentera Laut Amerika Syarikat. Jangan terpedaya dengan nama Tom Clancy yang terpapar di muka hadapan novel ini. Tom Clancy,seorang penulis 'thriller-ketenteraan' yang terkenal ini hanya menyumbang tulisannya di dalam bahagian prakata sahaja. Namun,difahamkan,beliau juga memainkan peranan yang penting di dalam penghasilan filem dan novel Act of Valor.
Act of Valor merupakan sebuah novel yang saya fikir agak lain daripada yang lain. Seperti versi filemnya,aspek realisme ditekankan (walaupun saya masih belum menonton versi filemnya,tetapi,melalui sinopsis dan ulasan filem di internet,saya mendapat tahu bahawa filem Act of Valor ini merupakan sebuah filem aksi yang sangat realistik. Tiada unsur-unsur aksi ala-Hollywood di dalamnya. Malahan,para pelakon utamanya merupakan mereka yang pernah atau masih berkhidmat di dalam pasukan SEAL!). Aspek ini juga merupakan kekuatan utama novel ini. Saya juga secara peribadi menyukai aspek ini. Tiadanya unsur 'bravado' dan tidak realistik di dalamnya.
Perlu ditegaskan di sini bahawa plot dan aksi yang dipaparkan di dalam novel ini adalah berdasarkan melalui pengolahan semula peristiwa sebenar yang dihadapi oleh pasukan SEAL sepanjang penubuhannya. Dengan membaca novel ini juga,kita dapat mengetahui sedikit sebanyak peranan dan tatacara bagaimana pasukan khas seperti SEAL bertindak di dalam dunia nyata.
Elemen aksi dan pertempuran lebih mewarnai novel ini. Oleh sebab itu,aspek-aspek lain seperti cinta,konflik,'twist' dan lain-lain aspek tidak begitu dititikberatkan. Jadi,jika anda mengharapkan novel ini mempunyai spektrum elemen yang meluas,Act of Valor bukanlah sebuah novel yang mempunyai ciri itu.
Dari segi bahasa,bahasa Inggeris yang digunakan adalah seperti apa yang boleh kita baca di dalam mana-mana novel Inggeris-Amerika,dengan penambahan istilah-istilah atau jargon-jargon ketenteraan. Adalah satu kelebihan sekiranya seseorang pembaca itu mempunyai pemahaman yang baik di dalam hal-ehwal ketenteraan untuk memudahkannya memahami keseluruhan novel ini. Tambahan pula,novel ini tidak menyediakan glosari khusus yang menerangkan istilah dan jargon ketenteraan yang sering digunakan di dalam novel ini.
Perlu saya nyatakan di sini,untuk perhatian rakan-rakan (yang beragama Islam terutamnya) di Goodreads dan Buku Tiga Lima. Memandangkan plot cerita novel ini berkaitan dengan pengganas,terdapat beberapa ketikanya di dalam novel ini,penghinaan terhadap Islam berlaku,baik secara sembunyi dan terang-terangan (di dalam naratif dan dialog). Justeru itu,bacalah novel ini dengan minda yang terbuka. Nikmatilah keseronokan membaca novel aksi ini. Tetapi,pada masa yang sama janganlah terpedaya dengan mudah propaganda AS mengenai Islam (menurut 'kaca mata' mereka).
March 11, 2013
"Act Of Valor" Is a fictional story written by a former US Navy SEAL to break the chain of unrealistic, superficial, and "hollywood" stories about SEALs that are written by authors that have little to no knowledge of the military or it's soldiers. It follows a squad of SEALs from the "Bandito Platoon" who are sent to hunt and eliminate Abu Shabal, an international terrorist and jihadist sympathizer. Leading them on a chase, Shabal causes the SEALs to go everywhere around the world from Somalia to the US-Mexico Boarder. All the missions portrayed in the story are based around missions real SEALs have been on. Not only is the story about the hunt for Shabal, but also about the families SEALs must leave behind when they do their country's work.
I loved this book. The SEALs in "Act Of Valor" feel human, and at times vulnerable. They are truly down to earth and the camaraderie between them makes you feel like you know each SEAL personally. The action and the missions were absolutely gripping and got my heart pumping and my mind racing. The detail in the fire fights and movements put me right into the action and I could imagine every second. The book perfectly balanced the action of violence, and the sensitivity of SEAL families that must wait at home while their loved one fights to protect our nation. The book is entertaining the whole way through and never slows it's pace.
Overall, this was a fantastic book. It is free from any type of unrealistic SEALs, unrealistic missions, and unrealistic dialog. The author made me feel like I knew the SEALs, their families, and their sacrifices. This book is less about the supermen SEALs are portrayed as, but more as a showcase of what kind of missions they do, what kind of capabilities they have, and what kind of life they live. It is certainly not an easy one, and "Act Of Valor" proves it.
I loved this book. The SEALs in "Act Of Valor" feel human, and at times vulnerable. They are truly down to earth and the camaraderie between them makes you feel like you know each SEAL personally. The action and the missions were absolutely gripping and got my heart pumping and my mind racing. The detail in the fire fights and movements put me right into the action and I could imagine every second. The book perfectly balanced the action of violence, and the sensitivity of SEAL families that must wait at home while their loved one fights to protect our nation. The book is entertaining the whole way through and never slows it's pace.
Overall, this was a fantastic book. It is free from any type of unrealistic SEALs, unrealistic missions, and unrealistic dialog. The author made me feel like I knew the SEALs, their families, and their sacrifices. This book is less about the supermen SEALs are portrayed as, but more as a showcase of what kind of missions they do, what kind of capabilities they have, and what kind of life they live. It is certainly not an easy one, and "Act Of Valor" proves it.
August 14, 2016
Tom Clancy has written a book that all Americans should read. It doesn't matter what your religion is, it doesn't matter what your politicial affiliation is, it doesn't matter what you ethnic background is. If you are American: YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK.
Mr. Clancy provides readers with a look into the lives of true American heroes. The Navy Seals are professionals, and they are the best at what they do. This book clearly demonstrates why this is so.
These Seals protect our country and our lives. I have never read anything that made me truly appreciate our armed service men and women like this book did. The sacrifice these heroes make is uniminagible for most of us. Read this book and come to truly appreciate the wonderful men and women of the United States of America's armed forces.
Thank you to everyone who ever has, and ever will serve our country. God Bless America.
Mr. Clancy provides readers with a look into the lives of true American heroes. The Navy Seals are professionals, and they are the best at what they do. This book clearly demonstrates why this is so.
These Seals protect our country and our lives. I have never read anything that made me truly appreciate our armed service men and women like this book did. The sacrifice these heroes make is uniminagible for most of us. Read this book and come to truly appreciate the wonderful men and women of the United States of America's armed forces.
Thank you to everyone who ever has, and ever will serve our country. God Bless America.
June 29, 2023
An amazing read transformed into a brilliant film. Hands down 10/5 stars
April 13, 2024
Fast paced and action packed, a good quick read
October 1, 2020
Carrying the Tom Clancy label, two former Navy SEALs give us the story of a unit on continuous duty, in our War on Terror...It highlights the honor and sacrifice of both the individual SEALs and sacrifices of their families as the unit combats terrorist activities from the former Soviet Union, Somalia, South America, and the Philippines...These are the TRUE heroes!!!
March 7, 2013
Act of Valor by Dick Couch is an exciting book about fictional events but written by a legitimate Naval Special Warfare Operator. The book follows the 8 members of Bandito Platoon with their constant battle between problems in foreign lands and domestic issues. A Jihadi terrorist named Abu Shabal plans to attack the United States. He attempted to smuggle terrorists into America using high tech bomb vests that pass through all conventional metal detectors. The battle moves from the battle to rescue a CIA agent involved in spying on Shabal's sponser, to attacks against the Cartel in Mexico. It demonstrates the struggle between the family life of a SEAL and the overall fight against terrorism.
This book was incredibly inspiring. It really demonstrates the hardship that special operators go through, not just endangering their lives, but leaving their family for months not knowing if they would ever see them again. I feel that the emphasis on pride, respect, and honor helped the book tremendously. It allowed me to really grasp the reason why there are even such people as special operators. I will have to say that the book lacked nothing whatsoever. I would recommend the book to anyone who is intrigued by military books for it is a direct representation of what operators go through without using actual events.
This book was incredibly inspiring. It really demonstrates the hardship that special operators go through, not just endangering their lives, but leaving their family for months not knowing if they would ever see them again. I feel that the emphasis on pride, respect, and honor helped the book tremendously. It allowed me to really grasp the reason why there are even such people as special operators. I will have to say that the book lacked nothing whatsoever. I would recommend the book to anyone who is intrigued by military books for it is a direct representation of what operators go through without using actual events.
February 18, 2012
I have only written one book review before. So please take it easy on me. I think this was a very well written book. I believe this was written after the movie. I am guessing it is somewhat of a guide. I am prety sure in this case the movie will be better than the book. I still believe that this is a very good book. It tells of the sacrafices these Navy Seals make for their country. I would recommend this book to any one.
July 14, 2016
This was quite a treat. A brilliant escape penned with vivid imagery and a dynamic plot.
A fast read with non-stop action. The authors were experts on the topics they wrote about, filling the reader in on details every time a new weapon, vehicle, or maneuver was introduced.
It's fun reading books about the good guys beating the bad guys; it makes for a fun escape when you can really cheer for the home team, and know that no matter the odds (or causalities) they will come out on top.
A fast read with non-stop action. The authors were experts on the topics they wrote about, filling the reader in on details every time a new weapon, vehicle, or maneuver was introduced.
It's fun reading books about the good guys beating the bad guys; it makes for a fun escape when you can really cheer for the home team, and know that no matter the odds (or causalities) they will come out on top.
September 9, 2022
I love this film so much; it is the greatest film ever made!!! I honestly don't know how this has hardly won every single award ever given!!! The Academy needs to watch this film and give it every single award!!!! There is really no film like this art! Great original idea, and I loved this novelisation, too. This film is outstanding. One of the greatest novelizations I have ever read in my whole entire life.
May 3, 2012
Loved Loved this book. I have a loved one in the military and honestly this book scared the crap out of me but the detail is amazing. The understanding of the whole mission and parts of the family life around the SEALS was very realistic and chilling. I will def. be watching the movie.
February 19, 2012
this book was simply amazing. cried like a baby at the end! definitely looking forward to the movie! I'll just bring lots of kleenex!!!
November 25, 2021
This is a difficult book to comment on, and that is mainly because of two points. First, Dick Couch is no Stephen King when it comes to story telling. He is really horrible when it comes to character development, and that is why his non-fiction books trump his fiction. In some areas, it seemed as if I was reading a book that was written in a creative writing class in high school. However, and to the second point, he is a very good writer when he is describing a military mission. Once the action started, I was hooked on this book. The story was lacking, but Dick Couch made up for the poor story development with his ability to describe the mission as if the reader were running around with the characters in the novel on mission after mission. I wanted to give the book three stars due to the poor plot development and character development, but because the actions was so thrilling, I had to give this book four stars.
March 5, 2021
the writing is probably better than tom clancy's latter books but maybe it's the genre that's garbage in general. I probably would've enjoyed this more if I were still a kid and didn't realize that a lot of the stuff in here is military propaganda as opposed to a work of fiction.
The stuff about the informant being a member of Doctors Without Borders and how the CIA wouldn't normally do that because it's bad to make use of NGO's as cover is maybe factually true and is probably written in some manual or memo as a big no-no but that didn't stop them from doing this exact thing and setting up a vaccination program to get DNA testing from the kids living in the walled off compound in Abbottabad to execute the Bin Laden raid. It really sucks it's own dick in regards to putting the us govt in a good light.
The stuff about the informant being a member of Doctors Without Borders and how the CIA wouldn't normally do that because it's bad to make use of NGO's as cover is maybe factually true and is probably written in some manual or memo as a big no-no but that didn't stop them from doing this exact thing and setting up a vaccination program to get DNA testing from the kids living in the walled off compound in Abbottabad to execute the Bin Laden raid. It really sucks it's own dick in regards to putting the us govt in a good light.
December 19, 2021
Nunca pensé que encontraría un libro del estilo de Tom Clancy que estuviese a la altura. Y, con este, lo he hecho. Aunque es cierto que esta no entra tanto en la parte de alta política/diplomacia/espionaje.
Una historia trepidante, contada alrededor de un pelotón de SEALs luchando contra el terrorismo, pero que incluye muchos medios más. A lo largo de la historia, los protagonistas se convierten en tu familia y hay escenas que consiguen emocionarte como muy pocos libros que he leído.
Una americanada, pero de las buenas, con el oficial líder nato, el suboficial experto y con mano derecha, los marineros motivados y diestros, capaces de operar a la perfección sin supervisión. Y unos jefes que saben dejar trabajar a los «tácticos».
Una historia trepidante, contada alrededor de un pelotón de SEALs luchando contra el terrorismo, pero que incluye muchos medios más. A lo largo de la historia, los protagonistas se convierten en tu familia y hay escenas que consiguen emocionarte como muy pocos libros que he leído.
Una americanada, pero de las buenas, con el oficial líder nato, el suboficial experto y con mano derecha, los marineros motivados y diestros, capaces de operar a la perfección sin supervisión. Y unos jefes que saben dejar trabajar a los «tácticos».
February 5, 2019
Very disappointing I must say.
However, the best part of the story is a quote:
Live your life that the fear of death never enters your heart. Trouble no one about his religion. Respect others in their views and demand they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, and beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and of service to your people. When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home.
However, the best part of the story is a quote:
Live your life that the fear of death never enters your heart. Trouble no one about his religion. Respect others in their views and demand they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, and beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and of service to your people. When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home.
September 16, 2019
This book is about the lives of NAVY SEALS and what they do away from home behind enemy lines, along with what they and their families have to go through in their lives. This book is truly amazing, filled with realistic battles, strategies, family life, action, and sacrifice. This book (and movie) are based off of real SEALS and attacks. This book shows us how grateful we are to have these people protecting us and puts us right in the center of these real american superheroes lives. I rate this book 5/5, it's truly amazing and I recommend reading it.
July 13, 2021
Steven Weber does an exceptional job reading this. He’s very believable and captivating, though I do wish the plot had a little more to it than it did. I liked the characters, some of whom were fleshed out to be rounded and dynamic, but it literally seems like the most basic plot line. I get that the movie and the book are highlighting the heroism of our Navy SEALs — and both do that exceptionally well — but they could’ve been more amplified with a better storyline that wasn’t predictable.
Honestly, it’s more like a 3.5-star rating with a rounding up for the heroism.
Honestly, it’s more like a 3.5-star rating with a rounding up for the heroism.
November 26, 2022
This is a highly entertaining action-filled novel with easily imagined descriptions of equipment, environment, and combatants in such locations as Costa Rica, Somalia area around Baja California, San Diego (Coronado), submarines, and other ocean-going vessels and advanced military equipment. There is an intense description of a rescue mission for a severely abused hostage victim.
The Code Word Operation that is invoked because of the horrendous threat to our domestic security results in a tragic loss of a central character and results in a heart-rending description of the memorial service.
I was able to watch the movie 🎦 but I do not think I could understand all that is happening had I not read 📖 the 📙 book!
The Code Word Operation that is invoked because of the horrendous threat to our domestic security results in a tragic loss of a central character and results in a heart-rending description of the memorial service.
I was able to watch the movie 🎦 but I do not think I could understand all that is happening had I not read 📖 the 📙 book!
December 7, 2022
This author (Dick Couch) is much stronger with non-fiction and that’s underscored here in this work of fiction that is very much much grounded in his own experiences as a Navy Seal. The largely military aspects of this book are excellent - detailed but sharp with lots of layers and textures. This is true not just of the combat and operational dialogue but also of the relationships among the team members. What feels less authentic is the non-Navy relationships. Very little or forced character development. Still an excellent read. 4.5 ⭐️s.
November 3, 2020
Action movies, when they are good, are a strong entertainment and distraction. Also the books on which these films are based.
Dick Couch’s book “Act of Valor,” George Galdorisi kept me entertained to the extent that I could not leave it.
The only bad thing is the confusion in the book between some features of Costa Rica and Méxlco. I'm not going to see the film but I think they should have better advisors on some things.
Dick Couch’s book “Act of Valor,” George Galdorisi kept me entertained to the extent that I could not leave it.
The only bad thing is the confusion in the book between some features of Costa Rica and Méxlco. I'm not going to see the film but I think they should have better advisors on some things.
July 4, 2021
I don't get the Tom Clancy Presents, if its not To Clancy's book why write is name on the cover in such a huge font?
I think Dick Couch did a poor job describing special unit soldier life. The descriptions and the characters are flat, the good guys are all good, no sharp edges. when you describing seals warriors as superheroes you are doing something wrong. They are people just like me and you, that is what make them even more heroic.
I think Dick Couch did a poor job describing special unit soldier life. The descriptions and the characters are flat, the good guys are all good, no sharp edges. when you describing seals warriors as superheroes you are doing something wrong. They are people just like me and you, that is what make them even more heroic.
November 4, 2019
An ok book. Its clearly written as a bit of propaganda/hero work, so none of the characters really shows faults or fails to live up to the ideal. Tom Clancy is an expert at his art and the writing and scene setting is very well done. Probably worth reading if you haven't seen the movie, but not different enough that I'd bother reading it after seeing the movie.
June 24, 2021
Highly-recommended. Tom Clancy's name will bring a lot of folks in, which is probably why it's there, but Galdorisi and Couch are the ones who do the writing, and they have supplied a taut military thriller that Clancy would be proud of. Rocket-ship pace, good humanisation of the Bandito SEAL Team members, lots of cool tech and eye-popping action scenes. This is a good one.
October 15, 2021
I really shouldn't read any book that starts "Author X presents:". What you get is a poorly put-together book sold on the premise of the introduction "written" by Author X. It's a publishing company scam. I only read this one because I got it for free. I guess it's my own fault...
The story lacks structure and the pace is all over the place.
The story lacks structure and the pace is all over the place.
October 15, 2022
This is the book that started it all. It was because of this one book that inspired me as a dyslexic to want to read. 8 years and over 800 books later as a United States Navy veteran, a business owner, and a forever learner I have to say thank you Dick Couch. Perhaps none of the above would have happened if you hadn't had written this one book.
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