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American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History [Deckle Edge] [Hardcover]

Chris Kyle , Scott McEwen , Jim DeFelice
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2,713 customer reviews)

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Book Description

January 3, 2012

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.


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Editorial Reviews

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.


Product Details

  • Hardcover: 400 pages
  • Publisher: William Morrow; Hardcover Edition edition (January 3, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0062082353
  • ISBN-13: 978-0062082350
  • Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 1.4 x 9.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2,713 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,025 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

I really like the way he tells the story, no bragging just the way things happened. annette conley  |  235 reviewers made a similar statement
Very honest, well written story. Muzz  |  301 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
495 of 595 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Not Great...Not Terrible... January 7, 2012
By xps 15
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Very broad stroke tale of Chris Kyle's career as a SEAL. Broad in the sense that there is very little detail on actual shots taken/contact with enemies (where he actually engaged targets in his capacity as a sniper).

I was initially going to review the book after having read the first 30% of it which left me a bit disappointed but I decided to give it a chance, and finished it before re-writing my entire review. I fully agree with some of the previous reviews that the writing could have been better and I have to admit that I actually started wanting to skip all the passages written by Chris's wife (Taya) entirely. It does give a bit of perspective on their private life but as a shooter I was more interested in Chris's actual accounts.

I found it very interesting (and initially a bit brazen) how Chris starts his book exactly the same way Carlos Hatchcock* did with his autobiography referencing having had to kill a woman the same way Carlos started his book having had to kill a boy. Later in the book Chris pays homage to Carlos so the similarity became understandable.

* Carlos Hathcock - technically the best sniper ever to have walked the earth and probably the best written Sniper autobiography to date)

Comparing the countless records on fighting in wars like Vietnam compared to modern day warfare in places like Iraq you cant seem to shake the feeling that the enemy guys like Chris face there just aren't cut from the same cloth. The Vietcong were a very formidable enemy, living the war and being excellent at guerilla warfare, tracking, planning and even having some superb snipers in their ranks.
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136 of 170 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable and interesting January 4, 2012
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
While not high prose, this was a quick and interesting read. I totally support our troops and their actions so obviously am positively predisposed. However, I think that the authors story is fascinating and important. What our troops do to protect us should not be forgotten or dismissed. It is a pretty breezy and easy to read account of Chris' tours of duty and participation in many very important activities in the war. It is not a history book but one man's experiences during those historic moments. I found it very informative about a particular aspect of the SEALs and sniping in particular; both topics that I do not know a lot about. I enjoyed it and think that if you are interested in the war and or sniping then this is a worthwhile read. Perhaps if you are an expert it might be detailed enough, but I liked it.

Thanks to Chris and all his brothers in arms for their sacrifice.
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397 of 507 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Remarkable Story of A Truly Remarkable American Hero January 3, 2012
Format:Hardcover
What a remarkable story of heroism, patriotism, and self-sacrifice by an even more remarkable American, Chris Kyle. A Navy SEAL and highly trained sniper, Kyle is even more remarkable in his straightforward admittance that his accomplishments alone are not to be lauded, but the accomplishments and sacrifices of his fellow military men who sacrificed their vision, limbs, and some ultimately their lives in fighting for the freedoms that we often take for granted, yet hold so dear. It may not be much, but here is one American that is forever grateful and thankful to Chris Kyle and ALL of our brave men and women fighting for our country.

Kyle joins the ranks of such American sniper greats as Carlos Hathcock 93 confirmed kills during the Vietnam War, and whose sniper exploits were so eloquently related to the reader in these two books written by Charles Henderson; Marine Sniper: 93 Confirmed Kills and Silent Warrior: The Marine Sniper's Story Vietnam Continues, as well as, other sniper greats such as; Chuck Mawhinney a U.S. Marine with 103 confirmed kills during the Vietnam War and Adelbert Waldron the previous U.S. Military record holder with 109 confirmed kills.

One particular aspect that I liked about how this book was written was the occasional viewpoint expressed by Kyle's lovely wife, Taya. Although both she and Kyle allude to problems both faced concerning each other and his absence during his military service, one can't help but realize what a truly remarkable women Taya is and Chris is a damn lucky man to have her. I am quite sure that God has and will continue to smile upon the both of them.
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18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Honest February 6, 2013
Format:Hardcover
If you are looking at these reviews to help decide whether you want to buy the book or not, I wouldnt waste my time. Most are thoughtful but some are just silly. "Poorly written" is popular, which makes me laugh and just shake my head. This book was written by a Navy SEAL. Not Tom Clancy. The same reviewers are probably disappointed at the lack of acting talent when they watch Kim Kardashian. Really folks? Some of the other comments are personally offensive to me. This book is written in what I would call a sort of "conversational style". In other words, he writes like he talks. He is telling you a story or collection of them. I found his honesty refreshing. He makes no bones about the fact that he loves his job. He wasnt the best father or husband at times. He doesnt like politics, etc. I liked his sense of humor. I liked his discussion on his gear and weapons. He put things in his book that he was constantly asked about. Thats why they are there. One reviewer said the book was too "technical" and he couldnt follow it. Another said it was written by someone in grade school. What the ??? So all I can say is if you are interested in the life of a Navy SEAL, grab it. If not, why would you condsider it in the first place? Chris Kyle, rest in peace and God bless the men and woman who serve, and have served, this country.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars Review
Too long... Interesting read from a real Seal but could have been shorter and better written. I think more pictures would have been a plus.
Published 3 hours ago by WwII buff
1.0 out of 5 stars Don't rate the book based on the service of the author
We all owe Chris Kyle, as we owe all who serve us. But sadly, all we know about him comes directly from him or his wife. Read more
Published 12 hours ago by Matt J. Davenport
4.0 out of 5 stars Good Insight
I think Chris and everyone who contributed to this auto-biography did an excellent job. It provides insight to the public about the War on Terror and gives thought and appreciation... Read more
Published 15 hours ago by Cdnflygirl
4.0 out of 5 stars not bad......
good book. as far as i know, he tells you about war, you protect the people you are there with......i plan on reading this book again this summer.
Published 17 hours ago by siddartha
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!
Anyone who is interested in learning about SEAL`s involvement in the Iraqi war should read this. CHIEF Kyle tells a brilliant story of actions he was involved in and his wife... Read more
Published 1 day ago by Mark Archambeau
4.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Excellent book, easy reading and obviously it comes straight from the heart of Mr. Kyle. I loved this book and recommend it for everyone.
Published 1 day ago by Michael Chase
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Well written in detailed average man terms, meaning we can all enjoy it without being dazzled by someone's colorful vocabulary. This is a must read
Published 1 day ago by Christopher Nichols
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
Book was good end of book disappointing wish he would of wrote more about craft and his long lasting seal friendships forget about the gun stuff at the end
Published 1 day ago by RALPH AYERS
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read!!
Excellent read. Gives a whole new respect to what our military elite go thru from training to the actual time spent in the fire fights. Read more
Published 1 day ago by C SCHAAP
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for Americans
Chris' story is the story of a true American icon. Not perfect, not simple. This country lives another day because of men just like him.
Published 1 day ago by Monty Grubbs
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Topic From this Discussion
crude language
Thanks for the info. It's hard to find reviewers who mention language for military books but this is useful to know.
Dec 18, 2012 by Tenacious Jay |  See all 3 posts
what happened to carlos heathcock?
Carlos Hathcock had 93 confirmed kills and had an actual kill total well over 200. I am not sure of the exact number. Chuck Mahwinney (I know I misspelled that) had if I am not mistaken 105 or 109 confirmed kills and many, many more unconfirmed ones. Carlos was a Marine and Chuck was Army.
Jan 1, 2012 by Shawn Kovacich |  See all 9 posts
So, how will you show your displeasure over the lies this author has told?
For all those who don't know Chris Kyle claims to have punched Jesse Ventura to the floor in a bar after Ventura bad mouthed the SEALS. Ventura says he's never met Kyle and is suing Kyle for defamation of character.
Aug 29, 2012 by Flip |  See all 7 posts
"Survivor's Guilt" by Vince Palamara relates to this book Be the first to reply
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