The Last Punisher is a thrilling true-story combat novel spiced with psych and philosophy for good measure. The book records Kevin Lacz’s first deployment with SEAL team THREE in Ramadi (surprise!). It starts off with a few-pager “before I was a SEAL” bio, rushes through his time in BUD/S, and then jumps into the juicy stuff: his time in Ramadi from beginning to end. The book ends with a concise and satisfying “life-after-war” chapter. The structure kept the book tightly-scoped: combat in Ramadi – the good, the bad, and the ugly, and the writing suited it: concrete, fast-paced, to-the-point, and shorn of sermons.
Between the moments of action and the long, tense, chair-gripping moments before, Lacz and his editors do a great job of breaking the story up with little vignettes – drinking binges with his SEAL bros that turned into a non-cringey moment of recognition of camaraderie or the time he choked during SEAL training that made sure he wouldn’t when he was barreling down a corridor in Ramadi. There’s insight in these, but he doesn’t come off as preachy. Instead, it feels more like an old vet’s sitting before us regaling us with his tales, confident that the action will speak for itself. By-and-large, it does.
What makes the story even juicier is the hearing about the now household names pre-fame: the now legendary, and somewhat controversial, Chris Kyle, the now-astronaut, Jonny Kim, and his supervisor, Jocko Willink. I respect Lacz for not trying to name-drop – when these guys pop in the story, there’s good reason, and when they’re not necessary, they fade into the background, allowing the storyline to plow forward at its addictive, adrenaline-pumping pace.
There are moments of respite and reflection, descriptions of taking showers in Euphrates sludge and napping in recently commandeered houses, but these are sparse. For me, I think this was one of the books greatest shortcomings – it was too myopic. I get that he wants to tell a good war story, but is blowing-out doors or sitting atop sniper posts all that war’s about? There’s a lot of time trudging around on edge – and nothing happens. There’re the quiet meals in the mess hall. The odd moments of laying down in bed and feeling the intensity of everything that’s transpired roaring back into consciousness. The raw feelings of exhaustion and resentment. Petty conflicts between bros.
The other drawback was the disdain or indifference he had for the locals. I’ve never been at war, so I can’t claim to relate to the immense psychological pressures present and the difficulty for adjusting the optics. However, on that account, I’m quite charitable to all veterans who’ve been at war: I get the resentment and scorn. But, as someone whose friend wasn’t permanently maimed by insurgents, my optics are a little different. I’ve researched a fair bit about the war in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the cavalier, yee-haw, let’s fucking-do-this and forget about the deplorable locals is misguided. If locals aren’t willing to fight and die for the vision of the country the US brought, what chance of success do you think there is?
To Lacz’s credit, his disdain was competent based – the Iraqis he worked with were cowardly, unprofessional, and inept. As they grew, however, Lacz started to hold them in higher regard. He also respected immensely their interpreter, Moose, who was a capable and smart soldier.
With regards to the muj, as he called them, there was no mercy. They were “bad guys” – and I think that this oversimplifies the conflict and the combatants therein. Yes, the SEALs were more professional, often times frustratingly so when he thought about the fact that he had to spare the insurgents’ unarmed friends when they came to rescue the body, whereas the insurgents would try to IED or ambush them when they came to retrieve their own, but that doesn’t negate the shared aspirations the two had: both him and his enemies were patriots, both sought the highest good, and both were willing to die for their loved ones. Instead of subtlety, it was “bad guys” and “good guys.” Welcome ‘50’s Cowboys-and-Indians think.
And then there’s the treatment, or lack-there-of, of the locals. The people living in Ramadi are passed without mention except when he has to raid a house and have to detain them or shut them up so they can set-up their positions. Outside of that, there seems to be no world outside of his squad and the insurgents they’re hunting down. The focus might’ve been editorial or it might’ve been psychological: Lacz was there to kill bad guys for America – he didn’t seem to care much for the Iraqis and their plight. Strange for a country claiming to rescue and uplift a people.
Despite the lack of subtlety, the book was a gripping, action-packed read levied by the vignettes spread throughout. It’s left me with a strengthened respect for our veterans, for their skill, for their professionalism, for their courage, for their sacrifices. I’d say it’s necessary, all-be-it somewhat inflating, reading for anyone involved in the Iraqi conflict, especially Americans to help us understand the true cost of our freedoms and luxuries. But, I would say that the picture here is terribly incomplete. For a more robust picture, I’d suggest reading, “The Wars of Afghanistan” by Peter Tomson for a big picture of the complexities of the wars in the Middle East and “Where Youth and Laughter Go” by Seth Folsom.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Frequently bought together
This item: The Last Punisher: A SEAL Team THREE Sniper's True Account of the Battle of Ramadi
$11.39
Only 5 left in stock (more on the way).
+
$10.94
In Stock
+
$12.49
In Stock
Total price: $00
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Videos
Page 1 of 1Start OverPage 1 of 1
Videos for this product
0:32
Click to play video
First hand story from a SEAL TEAM SNIPER! Great read!
Leonor Carreno
About the author
True blue American hero!
What a great read! Been on the wait list since it was announced!!!Kevin "Dauber" Lacz your book is in amazing company and an honored place in our home!Thank you for a great journey and your unending dedication!
Top reviews from other countries
Lee
The title is not great, but the story is excellent and well written
Reviewed in Canada on November 26, 2020tantan
Good book if you enjoy readimg about military stuff
Reviewed in France on December 17, 2018
Honeybal Lektor
"War is a cruel reaper" (S. 264)
Reviewed in Germany on February 22, 2017
