SERVICE: A Navy SEAL at War - Review

A few weeks ago I was contacted to do my first book review. I am a huge reader, but generally I tend to stick to fiction. So when I was asked to review SERVICE: A Navy SEAL at War I was a little hesitant, but I agreed. I am so glad I did. Marcus Luttrell, with James D. Hornfischer, returns to tell his own extraordinary war stories and those of others who have chosen to serve. His first book (Lone Survivor) is now definitely on my to read list! Some of the summaries below are taken from the email sent to me from the publishing company so you can see in detail what the book entails.

Marcus Luttrell became a combat-trained Navy SEAL in 2002 and served in many dangerous special operations assignments around the world. He was deployed to Afghanistan in the spring of 2005. He was awarded the Navy Cross for combat heroism in 2006 by President George W. Bush, and received his discharge from the Navy in June 2007. For more information, please visit http://www.marcusluttrell.com/.

After nursing his mind and body back to health, Luttrell returned to war. The book deals with his recuperation, training and redeployment. You meet the SEALs he served with, the ones by his side and the ones who were an intregal part if his rescue the year before.

Reading about missions in Afghanistan was both fascinating and difficult for me. Seeing what these men (and women) dealt with on a daily basis is something I haven't heard much in detail. As most spouses know our significant others are sometimes hesitant to share the gritty details of war with us once they return home. This book provided me with insight that I had only light detailing of previously. The missions his team encountered, the casualties and the fatalaties, painted a vivid picture in my head on the experience these men experienced.

Luttrell reaches a point where his body cannot continue as it had been. Years of being a SEAL and previous combat injuries stop him from going out on missions with SEAL Team 5. He begins to work behind the wire helping oversee the difficult task of mission planning and implementation.

Luttrell also shares stories of brave warriors who served with him all over the world, including:

· The legendary SEAL master chief who showed him how America’s greatest warriors must put their lives on the line for a mission larger than themselves

· The Afghani tribesman who gave him shelter when his hopes were dimming on a distant mountain—and traveled to America five years later to deliver a powerful message

· The dedicated Air Force pilots who took part in the epic combat search-and-rescue mission to find his teammates in Afghanistan, searching relentlessly night after night until the last sliver of hope disappeared

· The ex-Mormon missionary and his five-man team who flew a helicopter on the impossible midnight rescue mission to take Luttrell off that mountain

· The SEAL senior chief petty officer who helped Luttrell kill the stigma of being the lone survivor

· The decorated 89-year-old Marine Corps veteran whose example of peace and grace helped Luttrell get past his conviction he wouldn’t see age 40, and past his regrets after going through the crucible of close combat

Returning home and leaving military life, Luttrell began a quest to understand why a rare few choose to risk their lives to serve their country. Now married and a father, Luttrell also looks at the women who marry SEALs. The book features four women who discuss in their own words the challenges and rewards of being married to a serviceman. Those chapters were some of the hardest to read, two of the stories featuring SEAL widows. I had tears in my eyes as I read firsthand their experiences as a SEAL wife, from beginning to end. You see as Luttrell begins to transition into civilian life.... marrying and starting a family, writing his books and speaking across the country about the SEALs and their experience, something most people knew next to nothing about.

I see posts all the time of people asking for a new book to read, I highly recommend SERVICE: A Navy SEAL at War to any and all of you looking. The book has powerful messages, meaningful stories and a deep insight for those who chose to serve.