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Searching... Hardwood Creek Library (Forest Lake) | SCD 956.70443 KYL 9 DISCS | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... R.H. Stafford Library (Woodbury) | SCD 956.70443 KYL 9 DISCS | Searching... Unknown |
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Summary
Summary
The deadliest sniper in American military history tells his astonishing story. A tale of discipline and training, sacrifice and honor that offers an inside look at modern warfare, including operations Iraq and Afghanistan.
Summary
NOW A BLOCKBUSTER MOTION PICTURE DIRECTED BY CLINT EASTWOOD--NOMINATED FOR SIX ACADEMY AWARDS, INCLUDING BEST PICTURE
From 1999 to 2009, U.S. Navy Seal Chris Kyle recorded the most career sniper kills in United States military history. His fellow American warriors, whom he protected with deadly precision from rooftops and stealth positions during the Iraq War, called him "The Legend"; meanwhile, the enemy feared him so much they named him al-Shaitan ("the devil") and placed a bounty on his head. Kyle, who was tragically killed in 2013, writes honestly about the pain of war--including the deaths of two close SEAL teammates--and in moving first-person passages throughout, his wife, Taya, speaks openly about the strains of war on their family, as well as on Chris. Gripping and unforgettable, Kyle's masterful account of his extraordinary battlefield experiences ranks as one of the great war memoirs of all time.
Author Notes
Chris Kyle 1974-2013 Chris Kyle was born in Odessa, Texas on April 8, 1974. As a young man, he hunted deer and pheasant and rode bulls and broncos in rodeos. He studied ranch and range management at Tarleton State University before returning to ranching and then enlisting in the Navy. He joined the SEALs in 1999 and served four combat deployments before retiring in 2009. During his service, he earned a reputation as one of America's deadliest military snipers with 160 confirmed kills. Iraqi insurgents nicknamed him the Devil of Ramadi and put a bounty on his head. In 2008, he managed to kill an insurgent from about 2,100 yards away. During his service, he received the Purple Heart, two Silver Stars and five Bronze Stars for Valor.
After retiring from the Navy, he ran Craft International, which provides military, law enforcement, and civilian training, as well as private security and protection. He also devoted much of his time to helping fellow soldiers overcome the traumas of war. In 2011, he created the Fitco Cares Foundation to provide veterans with exercise equipment and counseling. He believed that exercise and the camaraderie of fellow veterans could help former soldiers ease into civilian life.
His first book, American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History, written with Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice was published in 2012. His second book, American Gun: A History of the U. S. in Ten Firearms, was released in 2013. In the summer of 2012, he appeared on the reality television show Stars Earn Stripes. He was killed along with Chad Littlefield on February 2, 2013 by Marine veteran Eddie Ray Routh at Rough Creek Lodge shooting range. The reason for the killing is unknown, but Routh is suffering from PTSD. Kyle was buried on February 12, 2013, at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, Texas.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (2)
Publisher's Weekly Review
One of the most feared soldiers to ever set foot on the battleground that was and still is Iraq, Kyle recounts his bloody tales of war with deadly accuracy. Skillfully narrated by John Pruden, these fascinating war stories offer insight into the perils of modern combat. Pruden's tone is that of a Navy SEAL: calm, cool, and collected. And he never falters in recounting the author's impressive skills on the battlefield-skills that gave Kyle the most career sniper kills in United States military history. While Kyle's story is gripping in its own right, Pruden's outstanding narration brings the story to life with brutal realism. Pruden is a man possessed in this account; he embodies Kyle from start to finish. The result is truly chilling listening. A William Morrow hardcover. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Library Journal Review
Iraqi insurgents called him "The Devil," but to American and coalition forces fighting in Iraq, U.S. Navy SEAL sniper Kyle was a guardian angel. The native Texan delivers a mesmerizing and solidly built personal narrative of a little-known but fascinating aspect of the war. The honesty, humor, and details of Kyle's life remind one of Charles Henderson's classic Marine Sniper about the late Carlos Hathcock. VERDICT This well-crafted story makes one laugh and cry and is essential for understanding those who have given themselves to the American military in the long struggle against terrorism. John Pruden's masterly narration is well paced and incorporates a skillful use of accents. Highly recommended. [The Morrow hc, published in January, was a New York Times best seller.-Ed.]-Scott R. DiMarco, Mansfield Univ. of Pennsylvania Lib. (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
