SEAL Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy SEAL Sniper

I've never rolled my eyes so many times while reading a book. Sure, there are some entertaining and interesting parts of this book. However, those parts are overshadowed by the author's extreme narcissism. Shoot, Wasdin even references the movie "Navy SEALs" in the first chapter. Sheesh.

Honestly, reading this was like listening to a college drop-out go on and on about how awesome he was in high school during his lunch break from Jiffy Lube.

For those you wants to know about the rise of a Navy SEAL should get this book. The author Howard E. Wasdin narrates the story of his life from ground zero till the highest point of his life as a kid, teenager, enlisting in the Navy, reenlisting as a SEAL, his war memoirs till his graduation as a Dr.

Wasdin narrates in a such a way where the reader has a clear view and understanding of his story. Supplied with a detailed explanation for every military abbreviation narrated, will never leave the readers puzzled.

Wasdin gives a thorough detailed insight on his SEAL training and challenges he faced, the missions his carried out to protect his country. He shares the bone chilling story of the Battle of Mogadishu, Operation Gothic Serpent to be specific which was carried out on 3 Oct 1993. The mission was to capture the key members of the late Somalian warlord Mohamad Farrah Aidid. The mission was only suppose to be completed within 1 hour but instead the US military was pinned down by Somalian militias within Aidid's most powerful district which is the Bakara Market.

Wasdin's narration does not only reflect his patriotism towards his nation, but he is also an icon of inspiration to other fellow Americans and the rest of the world who is planning on endeavoring into the world of military.

A must buy and read book!! Double thumbs up and hats off to Howard E. Wasdin!

If you want to believe that because he was in SEAL Team Six it automatically means that he understands the intricate complexities of the entire geo-political-strategical scheme of the planet, go ahead and read this book. Never mind that Wasdin does not understand the history of the Middle East or Africa, because by being a SEAL, one is injected with all the knowledge of the world, and therefore when he only blames other countries and liberal US politicians for the problems of the world, it is perfectly legitimate. Now, of course I'm being sarcastic for a reason, and it is this: If you want a cool story about the bravest baddasses in the wold, you'll love this book, but there are plenty more about that same topic, to be found from the Spartans, Genghis Khan, and even the many other SEAL memoirs, but almost all have in common the belief in the moral superiority of their country over others, without knowing anything about the others. One example: Wasdin places so much blame on the Italians and the Russians for assisting the warlords of Somalia, never mentioning the hundreds of millions of dollars in weapons and training the US supplied that country's dictator, Siad Barre, between the 1970s and 1991. Those weapons and training we provided were just as instrumental in fomenting terror as the weapons and training provided by the Italians and the Russians, but because Wasdin omits this inconvenient fact, it must mean that he did zero actual research on this topic, and instead relied on his patriotism to find the truth. Don't believe him. The world is much more complex than can be explained through the prism of American nationalism.

If "Seal Team Six" was a movie, I envision it staring Dane Cook and Jesse Metcalfe, produced by Michael Bay and set to the soundtrack of Lincoln Park. It would cost millions to make, but be slammed by critics and make barely any money at the box office.

There are elements of the military I will never understand. I get that. But I really felt uncomfortable that an elite military member was bragging about such acts he says are just part of military life that I believe are a rare exception to the people that serve our country. He made Seal Team Six seem like a wild frat, were the guys high-five over dying prisoners, beat-up a guy in a bar for bashing America, torture animals, fight police officers and, overall, consider themselves above the law because they're SEAL TEAM SIX. You're not patriotic, you're just a d-bag.

Frankly, I had a hard time trying to respect these men. Wasdin's attitude ruined it for me. (The cocky tone of the guy reading this on audiobook didn't help). I found his ego insulting to the men and women that have honorably served our country with respect and dignity.

I suspected that all the hype about this book was unfounded, and I was right. While the narrative is interesting, it is not compelling and seems disjointed, sort of like a conversation with your teenage daughter - too many "oh, and this one time, we ..." as transitions. The account of the Mogadishu conflict was the best part of the book, but the writing in that section suffers from the same affliction. This isn't a book I would recommend that my friends buy, but would be happy to let them read my copy if they insist. On the plus side, it is satisfying in conveying a biting criticism of the Clinton administration in its handling of Somalia et. al.

Good sometimes comes from a bad situation. In Howard Wasdin's case, the bad situation was an abusive stepfather. The good that came from it? Young Wasdin developed an unusual mental toughness that prepared him for adversity that most of us could not even begin to comprehend--his training and eventual deployment as a Navy SEAL.

The book covers the arc of Wasdin's life, from birth to his post-military career. In this way, the title is somewhat misleading, although the subtitle clears it up. The book is not about the exploits of SEAL Team Six broadly, but rather about one member of that team and a few of his closest associates (whose identities are protected through the use of pseudonyms). These guys are total studs. The book is divided into three parts.

In Part One, we read about Wasdin's early life, his training at BUD/S and his participation in Operation Desert Storm as a member of SEAL Team Two. For those who have not read Dick Couch's book, Warrior Elite, the material on training will be informative. But for those who are already familiar with SEAL training, there is not much new here. But the rest of the chapters in the section are compelling enough.

The action picks up in Part Two. Wasdin is selected for SEAL Team Six. He goes to sniper school and becomes one of the best shots in the world. Three chapters cover his mission in Somalia, leading up to the Battle of Mogadishu. The momentum builds in these chapters for those who are familiar with the story of Black Hawk Down. You can see what is coming.

In the Part Three, Wasdin shares his viewpoint on the Battle of Mogadishu in what may be the best chapter in the book. It reads like an action thriller, with just the right amount of detail. It is the climax of Wasdin's story. The final three chapters cover the aftermath of the battle, his return to civilian life, and his personal life up to the present day. There are multiple redemptive themes here that tie the book together nicely. By this time, you feel like you know Wasdin, and you care about him. I found certain portions quite moving.

SEAL Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy Sniper was a page-turner for me. Howard Wasdin is a true hero, and I am better for having read his story. Someday I hope to buy him lunch and thank him in person for his service to our country. Highly recommended.

I enjoyed SEAL Team Six. It starts off telling the beginning of an actual combat story but then transitions to his childhood. From there it continues to talk about his growing up, and his training in the military. Finally, about 150 pages in, he resumes his story about his combat in Mogadishu.

I guess I was slightly disappointed because I thought the book would be more like Black Hawk Down, but found that it mostly talks about the training and process of getting into SEAL Team Six. HIs description of the selection and training process was very intriguing though, and kept me reading even though it wasn't what I was expecting from the book.

Overall though, it was an informative and entertaining book.

If you want to read a great book;;;; this is the one . Great service and quick delivery !!

I like most military true stories especially about the elite warriors who have this kind of training. My appreciation for their effort and skill is unbounded.

I enjoyed the genuine story of the author. I consider the author to be an unsung hero to the USA!