Marine Sniper: 93 Confirmed Kills (Paperback)

~ (Author) "A GENTLE BREEZE rustled the white feather in the Marine sniper's floppy hat as he watched the land below through the telescopic gun sight..." (more)
Key Phrases: sniper hooch, watch the cross hairs, sniper warfare, Marine Corps, Viet Cong, Carlos Hathcock (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

He's silent, invisible. He lies in one position for days, barely twitching a muscle, able to control his heartbeat and breathing. His record has never been matched: 93 confirmed kills. This is the story of Sergeant Carlos Hathcock, Marine sniper, legend of military lore. **MASS MARKET PAPER**

About the Author

Charles Henderson is a veteran of more than 23 years in the United States Marine Corps, with a distinguished career spanning from Vietnam to the Gulf War, after which he retired as a Chief Warrant Officer. In addition to writing his own books and for various publications, he also runs his family's cattle enterprise in Peyton, CO. He is also the author of Silent Warrior, the continuing story of Carlos Hathcock, and Marshalling the Faithful. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (January 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425103552
• ISBN-13: 978-0425103555
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (222 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #247,509 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perhaps the best book I've ever read, June 7, 1997

By A Customer

Practically everyone who knows me has heard me rave on and on about this book. I read it for the first time about 4 years ago, after picking it up while browsing through the bookstore. I read the excerpt at the front recounting the Vietnamese general's final moments and I was hooked. I recently finished it again, and it was even better this time. Everything that happens to Hathcock seems like something out of a movie; something no mortal man could survive. I learned to respect the discipline and will-power of a well-trained Marine, and was left in awe of the effectiveness of the sniper. Charles Henderson does his part, too. He not only tells Hathcock's incredible story, but makes it an immersive, addictive one to read. Through his clear and descriptive writing, the reader is transported back in time to the dark "Charlie"-filled jungles of Vietnam, where he lies beside the sniper known as "Long Tra'ng" and experiences not only the satisfaction of a well-placed shot, but also the emotional struggles that a man must deal with when he takes the life of another one. Undoubtedly a timeless classic

40 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A STORY OF SELF DISCIPLINE AND HEROISM, March 26, 2001

By	Gerard T. McGuire (Halifax, Pa. United States) - See all my reviews

There are few books that capture the essence of a Marine the way that this tale does. Gunny Hatchcock was more than a Marine, he was also a heroe and a pioneer. His mastering of the sniper craft and his eventual legend were responsible for the ultimate success of the Marine Corps sniper program.

Charles Henderson does an admirable job with this book but realistically it is a story that sells itself. This narration details some of the many missions Hatchock underwent during two tours of Vietnam. It chronicles the more often than not painful self discipline that made Hatchcock the deadliest sniper in Vietnam. The author also peppers the account with enough of Hatchcock's personal life to show what a great man and Marine he really was.

The tale is amazing enough in relaying how great of a shot that Hatchcock was but the true mark is hit in that is shows that Hatchcock was a devoted Marine. To say he was dedicated would be a dramatic understatement. The tale of his stalking the Vietnam general and the patience it took to get that one shot is worth reading the book alone. It is a testament to not only his training but his own self discipline.

The book reads in a flash. I have read it several times and it hasn't lost any interest. A must read for Marines, military and history buffs, and just anyone curious about a tale of a hero.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Read Silent Warrior instead, September 2, 2004

By	Thomas H. Savery (Loganville, Ga) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the original book, written about Carlos Hathcock in 1985.
A second book, also written by Charles Henderson called Silent Warrior in 2000, is also about Hathcock. Some of this book is cut and pasted in the second book.

This book however does not have the detail on the background on some of Hathcock's greatest kills, The Frenchman, the Apache, the North Vietnamese General, and the Chinese Colonel.
It does go into more detail on the heartbreaking aftermath of what happened after Hathcock saved the lives of 7 burning Marines on an APC where he himself, by hanging around on the APC to save the others got burned over 93% of his body. His iron will and a bunch of friends kept him in the service until 1979, when he was retired as 100% disabled, due to MS that had kicked in due to his injuries.

Both books are good, but given the choice of reading only one, I would read the second book rather than this one.