Howard E. Wasdin

Let me clarify one thing, this book is not a novel. It is an autobiography. You can't expect a man to treat himself impartially no matter what the event. For the people criticising Wasdin for not towing their own political line or not reflecting their own sociopolitical commitments, guys face the reality: he did what he felt was right. This is not his attempt at a self-exoneration but a memoir of what he achieved during his career as an elite Navy SEAL.

The value of this book lies in Wasdin's show more ability to achieve what is otherwise lacking from many similar SEAL memoirs. He provides an insight into how a common man becomes a SEAL through a rigorous and thoroughly herculean criterion of mental and physical training-and all this before BUD/S itself.

Regards Wasdin's missions, he underscores his commitment to the ideals and policies which led to them being formed and how he later retrospectively analyzed what could have gone better. His account of Operation Black Hawk Down is as agonizing as it is poignant. Overall this is a great read which offers an insight into two-three decades of American military history from one of the men who made it. show less

The SEAL part of the story is fun - I love hearing about the SEALs program and what those guys do; what a kick it must be to train as a SEAL and/or a search/rescue Navy guy. But beyond that it amazes me how obtuse these SEAL guys are... and so far they all seem to be cookie cutter one dimensional "bros", railing about the lib'rul media and kickin' ass for their "brothers" while not giving a second thought to *what* they are doing. Great example in the book... the SEAL bros are in a bar show more drinkin' and have a truly bro bonding experience, when a couple of Tunisian born soldiers exclaim "maybe the USA should mind their own business" so , yup, you guessed it: that can't be allowed, we're the US of A, WE"RE #1! so the SEAL bros whup the Tunisian solciers' asses for saying such an awful thing about their country and their fellow SEALs! How dare they!!?! Never once does he ever ask himself... "hey, why exactly *are* we in this country killing and attacking people?"... or... "what is it we're doing that makes them say that?"... Nope, no need, Wasdin just can't understand why foreigners might not be happy with them... why, they are there to HELP the foreigners! Must kick ass! Hooyah Sargent!

Summary: SEAL stories are sooooo much fun as long as you don't actually think about what's going on in the story. Hence, I loved this book, at least 3/4 of it, and I recommend it to anyone who loves reading about the BUDS program. But if you're trying to understand middle-east politics and war and why the USA is invading countries... then, nah, this ain't it. show less

Several books about the elite Navy SEALs have been released since the killing of Bin Laden, but this book wasn't one of those rushed to print to capitalize on those headlines. This book tells the personal story of one of the SEAL Team Six members, Howard Wasdin. Some readers may not like everything about Wasdin, but that doesn't seem to be the purpose of the book. He's not running for office. This book is his story, and provides insights into what it's like to become and serve as a member of show more the Navy SEALs. You really have to marvel at the dedication and the never-quit, never-say-die attitude of the men who make up these elite fighting teams. The description of his time in Somalia is an excellent description of how difficult the job of the military is in these wartime experiences. At times, the book reads as if it's a recitation of his personal diary rather than a polished professionally written novel, but the style works and keeps you engaged. show less

Howard Wasdin adapted his "SEAL Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy SEAL Sniper" for a young adult audience and in the process makes a rare entry of a military history book into the YA category. Along with his co-write Stephen Templin, Wasdin narrates a first-person account of his growing up, his SEAL training, action in Desert Storm, and the Battle of Mogadishu. The action moves quickly, and should keep a YA reader engaged.

Wasdin doesn't whitewash the end of his time as a SEAL. While not show more painting a negative picture, he gives the reader a full view. (I won't share the ending.)

Oddly, Wasdin seems to (basically) credit his abusive home life for instilling him with the perseverance and grit needed to endure the challenges of SEAL training and service. As a parent of children in a functioning household, I wished that he could have given himself a little more credit. (There are plenty of kids in abusive households... not many of them turn into SEALs.)

This being said, I'm very happy to see engaging young adult non-fiction on the bookshelves and have passed the book on to my kids.

(Disclosure: I received a copy of this work via the LibraryThing Early Reviews program.) show less