Book Report - "American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History" by Chris Kyle
As a follow up to last month’s military-oriented book, I decided to read another military piece in the form of Chris Kyle’s autobiography “American Sniper.” It serves as an interesting lens into the life of a Navy SEAL both in and out of the military.
The book gives an account of Kyle’s early life, his enlistment, his tenure as a SEAL, and a bit of his post-military activities. If you’re a military buff or want to know more about life in the armed forces, it’s probably great. Kyle strips out a lot of the Hollywood influence of modern war movies and gives a seemingly accurate representation of the day to day during the Iraq war. Ironic, given Hollywood later made a movie based on the book. I haven’t watched it, but it definitely looks dramatic.
Some of the struggles that Kyle details are likely universal to all military members and their families. The brotherhood of military service causes strife with Kyle and his wife, and his mixed loyalties are simultaneously tragic and relatable. There are some emotional and poignant moments that really underscore the sacrifice that people make when they join the military.
Refreshingly, there is quite a bit of lighthearted humor throughout. I’ve been exposed to a lot of military memoir-type media and so many of them are very dark and serious. I realize that war is often dark and serious, but I just can’t take that much melancholy in one sitting as a casual observer. American Sniper does contain some serious segments, but there are jokes and trivializations just as much. At one point, Kyle suggests “The joke was that President Bush only declared war when Starbucks was hit. You can mess with the U.N. all you want, but when you start interfering with the right to get caffeinated, someone has to pay.”
One thing I can tell you from listening to American Sniper is that SEALS are wild. I’m talking next level crazy. I mean this in the most respectful way possible. They’ve made enormous sacrifice for their country, and that allows us to have the sort of freedom and privilege that I try not to take for granted. HOWEVER, these people are insane. Grueling physical training is fun. Getting shot at is exciting. Killing the enemy is a novel challenge. I do not understand it, but I’m glad we have these people on our side.
The stories that Kyle tells about his fellow SEALS and other members of the service give a well deserved memorial for those that didn’t make it home, and honors those who did. I can see why that could have been an important factor in his writing this autobiography. It’s one thing to want to tell your own story. It’s another, more admirable thing to bring back the stories of those who couldn’t tell it themselves.
In short, Kyle gives a really interesting retelling of some of the highs and lows of his military service. At the same time, this is an autobiography. It’s still just someone’s life, and not a drama. It isn’t super exciting, and that’s probably a good thing for what this book is intended to be. Don’t go into this book expecting something like a real life Captain America. Kyle did some amazing things, but he’s still just a Navy SEAL recounting some of the experiences he had.
The book gives an account of Kyle’s early life, his enlistment, his tenure as a SEAL, and a bit of his post-military activities. If you’re a military buff or want to know more about life in the armed forces, it’s probably great. Kyle strips out a lot of the Hollywood influence of modern war movies and gives a seemingly accurate representation of the day to day during the Iraq war. Ironic, given Hollywood later made a movie based on the book. I haven’t watched it, but it definitely looks dramatic.
Some of the struggles that Kyle details are likely universal to all military members and their families. The brotherhood of military service causes strife with Kyle and his wife, and his mixed loyalties are simultaneously tragic and relatable. There are some emotional and poignant moments that really underscore the sacrifice that people make when they join the military.
Refreshingly, there is quite a bit of lighthearted humor throughout. I’ve been exposed to a lot of military memoir-type media and so many of them are very dark and serious. I realize that war is often dark and serious, but I just can’t take that much melancholy in one sitting as a casual observer. American Sniper does contain some serious segments, but there are jokes and trivializations just as much. At one point, Kyle suggests “The joke was that President Bush only declared war when Starbucks was hit. You can mess with the U.N. all you want, but when you start interfering with the right to get caffeinated, someone has to pay.”
One thing I can tell you from listening to American Sniper is that SEALS are wild. I’m talking next level crazy. I mean this in the most respectful way possible. They’ve made enormous sacrifice for their country, and that allows us to have the sort of freedom and privilege that I try not to take for granted. HOWEVER, these people are insane. Grueling physical training is fun. Getting shot at is exciting. Killing the enemy is a novel challenge. I do not understand it, but I’m glad we have these people on our side.
The stories that Kyle tells about his fellow SEALS and other members of the service give a well deserved memorial for those that didn’t make it home, and honors those who did. I can see why that could have been an important factor in his writing this autobiography. It’s one thing to want to tell your own story. It’s another, more admirable thing to bring back the stories of those who couldn’t tell it themselves.
In short, Kyle gives a really interesting retelling of some of the highs and lows of his military service. At the same time, this is an autobiography. It’s still just someone’s life, and not a drama. It isn’t super exciting, and that’s probably a good thing for what this book is intended to be. Don’t go into this book expecting something like a real life Captain America. Kyle did some amazing things, but he’s still just a Navy SEAL recounting some of the experiences he had.
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