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Sea Stories: My Life in Special Operations Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

William H. McRaven (Author, Narrator), Hachette Audio (Publisher)
4.8 out of 5 stars 7,637 ratings
Editors' pick Best History

Following the success of his number one New York Times best seller Make Your Bed, which has sold more than one million copies, Admiral William H. McRaven is back with amazing stories of bravery and heroism from his career as a Navy SEAL and commander of America's Special Operations Forces.

Admiral William H. McRaven is a part of American military history, having been involved in some of the most famous missions in recent memory, including the capture of Saddam Hussein, the rescue of Captain Richard Phillips, and the raid to kill Osama bin Laden.

Sea Stories begins in 1963 at a French officers' club in France, where Allied officers and their wives gathered to have drinks and tell stories about their adventures during World War II - the place where a young Bill McRaven learned the value of a good story. Sea Stories is an unforgettable look back on one man's incredible life, from childhood days sneaking into high-security nuclear sites to a day job of hunting terrorists and rescuing hostages.

Action-packed, humorous, and full of valuable life lessons like those exemplified in McRaven's best-selling book Make Your Bed, Sea Stories is a remarkable memoir from one of America's most accomplished leaders.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

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  1. Listening Length
    10 hours and 14 minutes
  2. Author
    William H. McRaven
  3. Narrator
    William H. McRaven
  4. Audible release date
    May 21, 2019
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Hachette Audio
  7. ASIN
    B07PZY3KF7
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length 10 hours and 14 minutes
Author William H. McRaven
Narrator William H. McRaven
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date May 21, 2019
Publisher Hachette Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B07PZY3KF7
Best Sellers Rank #6,654 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#7 in Iraq War History (Books)
#7 in Afghan War Biographies
#8 in Afghan & Iraq War Biographies (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
7,637 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book well-written with an engaging style and appreciate how the author masterfully weaves important life lessons throughout. They describe the author as a great leader with a heart, and one customer notes how it provides unique insights into special operations missions. The book is fast-paced and entertaining, with customers praising its courage and selflessness, and one review highlights how it puts controversial and complex issues in perspective. Customers appreciate the humor, with one noting how the author maintains a positive outlook throughout.

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172 customers mention "Inspiration"172 positive0 negative

Customers find the book inspirational, noting how it masterfully weaves important life lessons and excites interest. One customer highlights the expansive experiences detailed with lessons in leadership, while another mentions the practical takeaways that can be applied to life and business.

"...The account of SEAL training tells us much about the incredible rigor of the training that weeds out 80% of men stronger than you or I can imagine...." Read more

"...This book contains first hand information about SEAL training, the capture of Osama bin Laden, and other military maneuvers of recent years!..." Read more

"...from that, the book is an excellent reminder of the courage and determination, and even, often, of the cost these great folks pay to help keep our..." Read more

"Superb account of US military special operations told by a true hero who fought at every level over a spectacular 37 year career!" Read more

162 customers mention "Book writing"155 positive7 negative

Customers find the book well written with an engaging style that is easy to read.

"...It is articulate and detailed and holds your attention. Throughout the book he writes of our servicemen and women and the sacrifices they made...." Read more

"...It was great! McRaven has a very engaging writing style, and he certainly knows how to tell a story!..." Read more

"...the end, it’s about a great man who served his country well and wrote about it well." Read more

"...is a very interesting, uplifting and entertaining book that will appeal to many readers." Read more

92 customers mention "Leader"92 positive0 negative

Customers praise the author's leadership qualities, describing him as a great leader with a heart, an extraordinary person, and a true hero.

"...It is generally upbeat and laudatory of remarkable men and women who have served in our military...." Read more

"...It makes you confident in good and professional men doing the right things for a better future." Read more

"...He takes that same attitude into adulthood to display superb leadership in some very tight situations...." Read more

"This is a great read about a great American hero. Once I started to read his story it was very hard to put down." Read more

70 customers mention "Entertainment value"70 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining and engaging, describing it as an excellent adventure with fascinating content.

"Nothing particularly profound, but an interesting and entertaining recap of a career of hard and necessary work done so that the rest of us could..." Read more

"...Thank you for your service, Admiral, and sharing your amazing adventures. The world is a better place because of you." Read more

"...It is a very interesting, uplifting and entertaining book that will appeal to many readers." Read more

"...His stories are clear, concise and greatly entertaining...." Read more

41 customers mention "Courage"41 positive0 negative

Customers admire the author's courage, humility, and selflessness, with one customer noting how it provides insight into the sacrifices made.

"...people-especially young people- the value of hard work, loyalty, selflessness, moral decision making...." Read more

"...Aside from that, the book is an excellent reminder of the courage and determination, and even, often, of the cost these great folks pay to help keep..." Read more

"...Certainly worth reading and it will leave you humbled and in awe. Well done admiral!" Read more

"...His combination of humility, grit, and confidence are out of this world. He ranks with Abraham Lincoln as my favorite American hero...." Read more

30 customers mention "Plot"22 positive8 negative

Customers appreciate the plot of the book, describing it as well-planned and insightful, with one customer noting it provides an inside look at several important special operations missions.

"...It's apolitical; no one is faulted for mistakes or differences in their philosophy or actions. Several chapters stand out...." Read more

"...at the center of a lot of things that were important, performed by extremely accomplished and brave men. And he tells great Sea Stories...." Read more

"...A lot of unnecessary details. Also Bill went out of his way to congratulate the millennial generation...." Read more

"...captures and embodies American duty, patriotism, resilience and ingenuity. Recommended." Read more

22 customers mention "Pacing"18 positive4 negative

Customers appreciate the book's pacing, describing it as a fast read that flows well.

"...He begins his journey as a boy with a loving family and a personal affinity for the joys of boyhood in its simplicity and joyful abandon...." Read more

"...It does take a strong union of people to defend the darkness in this world. Job well done...." Read more

"...The view is more command centric and shows how a good commander deals with failure and how to grow talent by empowering subordinates...." Read more

"...grabs you from the first page to the last, There is humor, sadness, defeat and victory sprinkled among the pages...." Read more

19 customers mention "Humor"19 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, with one mentioning that the author's self-deprecating style made parts smile-inducing, while another notes how the author manages to find the positive in everything.

"...It is generally upbeat and laudatory of remarkable men and women who have served in our military...." Read more

"...yourself to great inspirational tales that even, occasional, evince some humor...." Read more

"...a personal affinity for the joys of boyhood in its simplicity and joyful abandon...." Read more

"A great read from a true American hero. Laugh, cry, and cheer !" Read more

I Have a New American Hero
5 out of 5 stars
I Have a New American Hero
When Amazon offered a bargain on the Kindle version of this book, I asked a friend who's a retired Navy Captain whether he thought I would like it. He replied that, considering the author, yes, I would probably like it a LOT. This book is the inspiring story of a genuine American patriot. I would read any book Admiral McRaven would write. The attached photo is of his medals, and I'd bet he has plenty more great stories to tell.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Flightmedic
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks for his service
    Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Just finished Sea Stories. This book will take you from basic SEAL training to the White House and you will want to go. Excellent inside information on how operatoons are planned and how to do ones best to Bring Them Back Alive! Cannot recommend it higher! Thanks Admiral for a great read.
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  • Quicksilver Messenger Service
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sea Stories. Great Read
    Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    GREAT READ! Couldn't put the book down. Read some chapters twice. Everyone can benefit from this book. We have in many cases stopped teaching people-especially young people- the value of hard work, loyalty, selflessness, moral decision making.
    Just look at the state of society today and the models we have in politics, sports, entertainment.
    The 70's were called the "me generation". With all the self adulation and primal screams what do we call the self center people of today?
    Read the book.
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  • steven souder
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great view through a leaders eyes.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    There are many warriors , but it takes a special man to be a leader of warriors. Thank you Admiral McRaven. scs
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  • METAL JEFF
    4.0 out of 5 stars A different perspective
    Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    The book started out great and kept it up through most of it. It got overkill with the titles of people and 3 letter government agencies. A lot of unnecessary details. Also Bill went out of his way to congratulate the millennial generation. From his perspective he has a very valid point but from my perspective and most people's he's wrong. He said millennial are very open and don't see race or color. They don't ? Wow ! They sure as hell do . To a millennial everything is about race and separation of people into labels or groups. Where Bill gets confused is in the military or even on a sports team people do stop seeing race between their teammates. They start seeing just another teammate that they care about as equally as they next. I was in the Navy and I played sports. The Admiral is only seeing the millennial through the scope of his position in the Navy. To me the millennial generation is worse than the baby boomers , both horrible generations of Americans. Also this book coming from the perspective of an Admiral is far different from other books like The Last Punisher , American Sniper , Lone Survivor etc. Those books were written buy guys who were directly in the trenches of combat . The Admiral really wasn't . He was a mission planner for the most part and very good one. Like any book there are faults and strong points . This is a good read and I thank Admiral McRaven for his service and sacrifice . He's A great American .
    7 people found this helpful
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  • C Wm (Andy) Anderson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fighting Evil & Terrorism In the Age of Qaddafi; Arafat; Bin Laden
    Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    As a former sailor, I am addicted to sea stories. My favorite were told to my shipmates and I by a Gunner’s Mate I nicknamed Seattle McFall due to one of his sea stories. Of course, my life was changed a great deal by that man. In fact, I am only alive due to an action he took on February 24, 1972 while my ship was enroute to Cuba, but that story will have to wait for another time.

    I served in the Navy from 1970 to 1980. In 1972 my gunboat went on special ops in and around Cuba. Of course, as a cook aboard the gunboat, I was not privy to much of what we were doing, except that it was prompted by actions taken under the leadership of Fidel Castro in an illegal action against reputed freedom fighters seeking to overthrow Castro’s regime. At times, we worked with members of the Navy Seals.

    The only thing I recall in my conversations with one of the Seals is that he didn’t appear any different from you or me. I state this with all respect. He just seemed to be like anybody else, except, there was no evidence of his being out of shape. Mind you, I am certain he was skilled in fighting and so forth. But, he never acted or appeared as such. To his credit.

    My point is, when I found William H. McRaven’s book, “Sea Stories,” available on Amazon Kindle, I snapped it up, as well as the Audible edition.

    If I had been the editor or publisher, I might have advised McRaven to devote a few less pages to his touching tribute to his father and to his youth. Then again, though, these pages were interesting and inspirational, so I don’t want to come across as critical. Besides, his tribute to a coach resonates with me, almost as well as it did to McRaven.

    Aside from that, the book is an excellent reminder of the courage and determination, and even, often, of the cost these great folks pay to help keep our country safe and secure. Read on to learn more, if you wish, or simply buy the book and treat yourself to great inspirational tales that even, occasional, evince some humor.

    Sometimes that humor helps, because it follows events that came when some special operations didn’t quite go as planned.

    BLUSH FACTOR: If rough language offends you, be forewarned. However, in this book, I WOULD recommend reading it to everybody you know. Bleep out the eff-words if you wish, but even children, in my humble opinion, should have an honest understanding of warfare and the war against terrorism. I know that I, myself, would have appreciated a more honest understanding before I enlisted. I was more like that guy born on the fourth of July – Ron Kovic.

    WRITING & EDITING: This is much more than a memoir, even if it is very much just that. It touches all of the emotions. The editing is first-rate.

    BOTTOM LINE:

    I initially wanted to rate it four stars but, in considering all of my emotions while reading, and listening to Mcraven narrate his own words, I can only rate this five stars out of five. I thak him for his service and for his reminder of what it means to be a member of the greatest generation – which is not reserved merely for WWII vets. It includes anybody going through the sacrifice and courage that he bears witness to.
    188 people found this helpful
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  • EMDER
    5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic read!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Awesome stories by a true American hero. Certainly worth reading and it will leave you humbled and in awe. Well done admiral!
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  • Rafael Perlmutter
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a life!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    There’s no action novel that can imitate the exceptional life Admiral Mc.Raven has lived. This book is a page turner that when it ends makes you want more.
    It makes you confident in good and professional men doing the right things for a better future.
    Helpful
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  • Wade Priddy
    5.0 out of 5 stars As advertised
    Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Nothing particularly profound, but an interesting and entertaining recap of a career of hard and necessary work done so that the rest of us could sleep soundly in our beds.
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Larry Graves
    5.0 out of 5 stars execlant
    Reviewed in Germany on August 7, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Execlant
    Report
  • Leitor Kindle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Top
    Reviewed in Brazil on September 15, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Livro muito bom
    Report
  • Julio Monge Rios
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome stuff
    Reviewed in Spain on July 1, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Great book
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  • Aditya
    4.0 out of 5 stars A candid insight into the complex world of armed forces
    Reviewed in India on July 11, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    From a civilian perspective, stories of the valour in uniform are lionised and rightly so.
    This book is not so much about the heroism itself, it gives an inside peek into the mental aspect of the way of working. The story portrays a positive picture of the mechanism of operations.
    All the chapters are well written. The beginning is a bit slow and for a civilian it could be a drag. But the true ‘project management’, i.e. the coordination of operations is the biggest takeaway. I’d recommend this book just for chapters on rescue of Captain Phillips and capture of Bin Laden.
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  • Mr Richard
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well Worth a Read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 22, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    After, watching McRavens famous lecture to the students of Texas State University. His book is a very interesting and humbling read, with some very wise words for us all.
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