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First SEALs: The Untold Story of the Forging of America's Most Elite Unit MP3 CD – Audiobook, CD

by Patrick K. O'Donnell (Author)

22 customer reviews

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[Read by John Pruden]

From bestselling author Patrick K. O'Donnell comes the untold story of World War II's first special operations combat swimmers - the forerunners of today's Navy SEALs.

In the summer of 1942, an extraordinary group of men - among them a dentist, a medical student, a Hollywood star, an archaeologist, a British commando, and even former enemies of the Allies - formed an exceptional unit that would later become the US Navy's Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL) Teams. Known as the Maritime Unit, it comprised America's first swimmer-commandos, an elite breed of warrior-spies who were decades ahead of their time when they created the tactics, technology, and philosophy that live on in the Navy SEALs and shape the battlefield of today.

During the war, the unit conducted some of the most daring operations behind enemy lines, but after the war its astonishing record was classified, lost, and buried - until now. In First SEALs, Patrick K. O'Donnell tells the remarkable story of World War II's Maritime Unit - one of the greatest untold stories of World War II.

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Product Details

MP3 CD
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.; Unabridged MP3CD edition (October 28, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1483040593
ISBN-13: 978-1483040592
Product Dimensions: 0.5 x 5.2 x 7.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,632,221 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

''A fantastic story of the first SEALs - brilliantly told! A must read.'' --Alex Kershaw, New York Times bestselling author

''A great American writer.'' --Clive Cussler, New York Times bestselling author, praise for the author

''Patrick O'Donnell has set the gold standard for war histories rich in color, drama, and detail.'' --Douglas Waller, New York Times bestselling author, praise for the author

About the Author

Patrick K. O'Donnell is the award-winning author of eight books, including the highly acclaimed account of the Battle of Fallujah, We Were One. He has provided historical consulting for Band of Brothers and multiple documentaries. He lives in Austin, Texas.

Customer Reviews

(22)

4.7 out of 5 stars

5 star		19
4 star		1
3 star		1
2 star		0
1 star		1

See all 22 customer reviews

The historic detail O'Donnell uncovers is terrific.

Theana Kastens

The story is wonderfully written and I found myself engulfed in the tale.

History Buff

This book reads cinematically and is screaming to be a movie!

Frederick Leoanrd

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

An awesome untold story about the origins of the SEALs

By anonymous on October 21, 2014

Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase

An awesome untold story about the origins of the SEALs. Starting in the cool waters of the Shoreham pool in DC the reader is immersed in the what the OSS went through to develop the rebreather and tactics and technology that make up America's first swimmer commandos. I loved the abundance of small vignettes that are carefully woven together to tell this story from commando raids in the Mediterranean to solo rescue missions behind the lines in Albania. What I liked the most is how O'Donnell told the story cinematic yet accurate, even academic manor (never dry but see the sources) evidenced by years of research. I'm recommending it to all my friends and our local history book club."

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

Awesome untold story on the SEALs -- Should be a movie!

By Frederick Leoanrd on October 15, 2014

Format: Hardcover

Brilliantly written by the best special ops historian in America. First SEALS is Extensively researched in every detail--O'Donnell used 10,000 documents to unearth an amazing untold story. I think what I loved the most about this book are the characters -- all larger than life. This book reads cinematically and is screaming to be a movie!

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

O'Donnell continues to impress with First SEALs

By Tom Gulley on October 24, 2014

Format: Hardcover

Just when I thought it would be nigh impossible to top Dog Soldiers, Patrick K. O'Donnell does just that with First SEALs.

Where to begin? Start with an amazing and largely untold story. Throw in a movie star. Set it against World War II.

From the earliest notions of special forces, each stage is met with O'Donnell's characteristic mastery of telling a tale--backed up with the research and insight only possible from a master historian.

I concur with other reviewers--this should be a motion picture. And, it's easy to imagine it as one due to O'Donnell's rare ability to place the reader in the time, place, setting, and mindset of the people involved. And, in my opinion, that's due to the quality of the writing.

Great story. Great writing. Great insights. A pure stimulating pleasure to read. The only question I have of First SEALs is "When's the next book due out?"

They just keep getting better. And, as I mentioned, I didn't think that was possible.

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

O'Donnell Continues His Streak as One of Our Foremore MIlitary HIstorians

By D. G. Mitchell on October 24, 2014

Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase

Patrick K. O'Donnell always gives his readers great research, wonderful story-telling and engaging writing. His credibility as a historian is unblemished and his contributions to 20th century military history is significant. With First SEALs, however, O'Donnell has surpassed his prior works and delivered his finest work of scholarship to date. Mining largely untapped, and certainly unexhausted resources, O'Donnell gives his readers a brilliant exploration of the birth and evolution of the SEALs during WWII. First SEALS is exciting and eye-opening, and a must-read for anyone who studies military history and for anyone who just wants an exciting reading experience!

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

Top praise for First SEALs

By J.Boswood on November 11, 2014

Format: Hardcover

Another great book from Patrick K. O'Donnell! The attention to historic detail is unmatched as is the way O'Donnell is able to combine the details with the amazing story. First Seals tells an outstanding story of the birth of the U.S Navy SEALs and the men who forged the path for other generations to follow. A joy to read and it kept me actively engaged from start to finish. Well done Sir!

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

Great obscure history

By James Noel Smith on November 28, 2014

Format: Hardcover

A tightly written and fascinating account of an obscure corner of WW2 history, complete with eccentric driven characters and astounding stories of courage, survival and tragedy. The adventures of Hollywood star Sterling Hayden (I had only known him before reading this book as the nutty cigar-chomping general in DR. STRANGELOVE) were like a real-life GUNS OF NAVARONE. Amazing stuff. An important contribution to the history of the vast panorama of World War Two. Even if you consider yourself well-read on the subject, you might be surprised by this one.

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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

A literary tour du force!

By History Buff on October 15, 2014

Format: Hardcover

An expertly told story about a piece of American history that could have easily been lost. The story is wonderfully written and I found myself engulfed in the tale. Jack Taylor is the ultimate survivor! The book is yet another stellar piece of work by Patrick K. O'Donnell. The detail and intimacy allowed by the personal interviews was far beyond what most historians could achieve. Although many interviewed were O'Donnells personal friends he managed to deliver an unbiased book that provides a balanced view of the units strengths and weaknesses . Once I cracked the spine I could not put it down.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

A Riveting Tale

By Douglas Waller on December 14, 2014

Format: Kindle Edition

The SEALs you’ve seen rescuing hostages all over the world and hunting down Osama bin Laden had a beginning. In First Seals, Pat O’Donnell, whose World War II books and oral histories have become a national treasure, traces the idea for an elite Naval force back to the early 1940s and the intrepid commandos of Wild Bill Donovan’s Maritime Unit in the OSS. It’s fascinating reading.

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See all 22 customer reviews (newest first)

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

Another O'Donnell Classic

Patrick O' Donnell is a master of his craft. His newest effort is one of his finest. The heroism, bravery & the willingness to test new technology/training methods by these men... Read more

Published 13 days ago by Travis H. Aldous

Four Stars

I am still looking for more on the Pacific teams WW11

Published 21 days ago by Gloria F Smith

Not the normal History Book, Not the Normal SEAL books we've come to...

I received this book on Christmas morning, and had Duty (Marine Corps) the following day, I started reading it and couldn't put it down, within about two and half to three hours I... Read more

Published 1 month ago by Hoffnuts 0331

a nice christmas present

I can't tell because this will be christmas present. However, from the first glance, it seems to be a good read.

Published 1 month ago by Peck H.

Five Stars

Interesting read of the foundation of our moden day Seals. Historical facts that are seldom known.

Published 1 month ago by Gregory Marcum

who is in Special Forces and He loved it!

Gave it my Son,who is in Special Forces and He loved it!

Published 1 month ago by William Clifford

O'Donnell hits another home run!

Not only did I totally enjoy the book I had the opportunity to interview Patrick O'Donnell on my radio show, Clay and Marty Show, after reading it! Read more

Published 1 month ago by Marty Pay

Tough to get through

I found the topic quite interesting but the book difficult to read. It almost felt like hearing first person accounts about deeds of derring do from aging verterans -- accounts... Read more

Published 1 month ago by MPT

Excellent book

I loved this book--it was O'Donnell's best yet! It's great that people are finally getting to hear these untold stories of America's first frogmen. Read more

Published 1 month ago by DC

Obviously another well written work by O'Donnell. With all ...

Obviously another well written work by O'Donnell. With all the emphasis on the modern SEAL teams many don't know of their historical beginnings. Well researched.

Published 2 months ago by Dave Wilson