Selection of 5 Military Books
The holidays are coming and so are the moments of relaxation. And as often, we take the opportunity to buy a few books that end up in various states: some haven't even been opened, others barely started, and others almost finished with just a few chapters left! This year, we decided to do things right and recommend a few books that we enjoyed and are sure you'll want to finish! (Discover the books on our online store by clicking on their cover).
- American Sniper
The autobiographical account of the most famous American sniper: Christopher Scott Kyle, known as Chris Kyle, author of more than 250 lethal shots and who perished at home in the United States, assassinated by an ex-marine he was trying to help. After 4 rotations in Iraq, it's a grim irony, isn't it? This account traces almost the entire life of Chris Kyle, from his childhood in Texas to his deployments in Iraq, through his wife's anxieties, his BUD/S training, and the strong significance of being part of the Navy SEALs, one of the elite corps of the American army, and fighting, in that order, for God, country, and family. Chris Kyle, called "Legend" by his comrades and "al-Shaitan," the devil, by his enemies, is one of those personalities you either love or hate, but his story cannot be dismissed as he is the perfect symbol and progeny of modern and Western war culture.
- Lone Survivor
Many war books sometimes leave a bitter taste, as if American firepower was unstoppable, unshakable, disregarding all feelings, with the impression of already knowing the end. But the Red Wing Operation of June 28, 2005, will remain apart. Marcus Luttrell, a member of the Navy SEALs, will be the only survivor of a commando of four operators deployed in the Afghan mountains. After a fierce battle, which saw the death of nearly 19 of his companions, he will be saved by an old Afghan Pashtun tradition. He, the American, overtrained Navy SEAL, will owe his life to a 2000-year-old custom. This book could be divided into two parts: Marcus Luttrell's childhood and his journey up to the Red Wing Operation. For those who have seen the adapted film (Lone Survivor, by Peter Berg, released in 2013), this book will give you a different and much more complete, and complex, vision of the entire operation. A fascinating and captivating account.
- Fallujah!
For me, THE must-have of the selection and one of the books I preferred to read. This book deals with the entry of GIs into the Iraqi city of Fallujah in 2004 and the harshness of the battles between over-equipped American soldiers and determined militiamen. This book is raw and depicts with the power of words what war really is. But not modern war, no. Urban warfare, intense, narrow, dirty, psychologically suffocating, and physically exhausting. The author describes with precision the battles, both night and day, the injuries, the traps, and all this kind of "mess" of a murderous city that never sleeps and where death awaits you at every corner or behind every house door. And among all this, hallucinatory scenes: soldiers dancing, carefree enemies making jokes, abandoned dogs following you, houses collapsing under shells and bullets... in short, a burning, brutal account that doesn't pull any punches.
- Marius
This autobiographical book traces the youth of Alain A., a small-time thug from the northern districts of Marseille who became Marius, one of (the?) most emblematic Marine commandos and the most well-known military figure of the French army to the general public. Marius explains to us, with honesty, passion, and value, his journey and everything he endured and went through to get to where he is. This account resonated with many soldiers who read it and is probably the most personal book of the selection. When a small-time crook decides to take his life into his own hands and earns the green beret of the Marine Commandos, one can only be admiring. Respect Marius. And thank you.
- The One That Got Away
We often talk about the GIGN, the SEALs, the Delta Force, or the Marine Commandos. But the operators of the British SAS (Special Air Service) are also part of the elite of elite soldiers. Chris Ryan, ex-SAS turned novelist, is the author of this book and retraces the mission of the Bravo Two Zero patrol in which an 8-man commando is infiltrated behind enemy lines in Iraq in 1991, with the mission to destroy and sabotage specific targets. Of these 8 men, only one will escape: Chris Ryan. This authentic account keeps us on the edge of our seats throughout and shows us what some men are capable of doing. Isolated, without resupply, and with only his mental strength, Chris Ryan delivers a true field testimony, a real lesson in courage and dedication from a mission that, even today, has left him with several psychological and physical scars. Cheers Ryan!
We hope this small selection will make you want to dive into one of these accounts. Feel free to leave your opinions in the comments!