Product Description
“Since the first navy frogmen crawled onto the beaches of Normandy, no SEAL has ever surrendered,” writes Chuck Pfarrer. “No SEAL has ever been captured, and not one teammate or body has ever been left in the field. Thislegacy of valor is unmatched in modern warfare.”


Warrior Soul is a book about the warrior spirit, and it takes the reader all over the world. Former Navy SEAL Chuck Pfarrer recounts some of his most dangerous assignments: On a clandestine reconnaissance mission on the Mosquito Coast, his recon team plays a deadly game of cat and mouse with a Nicaraguan patrol boat. Cut off on the streets of Beirut, the author’s SEAL detachment must battle snipers on the Green Line. In the mid-Atlantic, Pfarrer’s unit attempts to retrieve—or destroy—the booster section of a Trident ballistic missile before it can be recovered by a Russian spy trawler. On a runway in Sicily, his assault element surrounds an Egyptian airliner carrying the Achille Lauro hijackers.

These are only a few of the riveting stories of combat patrol, reconnaissance missions, counter-terrorist operations, tragedies, and victories in Warrior Soul that illustrate the SEAL maxim “The person who will not be defeated cannot be defeated.”


From the Hardcover edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (68)

High Adventure, Great Courage
I won't repeat what other reviewers have said, except this is a very good book.It's as good as Chickenhawk by Robert Mason, or With the Old Breed, or In the Company of Heroes, by Michael Durant.One theme that seems to recur in all these books is that stupid decisions by politicians and REMF's put these warriors into unnecessary danger for reasons that have little or nothing to do with protecting the US.With Michael Durant, it was a misguided mission to Mogadishu, and some genius sending the Nightstalkers on a raid in the middle of the city in broad daylight, and denying them armor and AC-130's.With Warrior Seal, it's sending the Marines and Seals into Beirut with absurd rules of engagement - they couldn't even shoot thugs setting up mortars or artillery unless they were fired on first.The Seals are supposed to be mobile, but somehow they ended up in trenches like WWI in Beirut.

The author shows how even during "peacetime" the Seals are risking their lives every day.The chapter where he infiltrates into a lagoon in Honduras to scout out a landing zone for the Marines is worth the price of the book.If the giant waves don't kill him and his crew there's a Nicaraguan patrol boat waiting for them.The book reads like a really good suspense novel.

A great, superbly well-written soldier's memoir.
332 pages long and detailing the beginninng, middle, and end of Chuck Pfarrer's 8 year career in the US Navy SEALs, "Warrior Soul" is written by a man who earned his place among America's fiercest warriors. In every section of the book, he knows very well what he's talking about. Beginning with a section on childhood at high school years at the now-defunct Staunton Military Academy, before long Pfarrer leaves college and goes into the Navy.

Funny that so tough a military academy for boys has since become an all-women's college and the site of VWIL, isn't it? In a weird way that sounds like justice in SMA's case.

He speaks eloquently of the numerous trials one must pass to finish BUD/S and then to, at long last, become a full-fledged operator in the SEALs. It is a process that takes years and involves many schools and tests beyond the first one.

I absolutely loved his telling of his time at jump school at Fort Benning, which he and the other SEALs pretty much laughed their way through after the excruciating hell of BUD/S, a school that has had instances where absolutely no one has graduated. When an Army Major 'greeted' him with a stern warning that he didn't want the SEALs pulling any of the stuff everyone knew they could do, he told Pfarrer of a long list of previous SEAL escapades at Fort Benning's paratrooper school. It sounded like something straight out of "The Great Escape", right down to the guy being shown into the commander's office and hearing an Army Major instead of Colonel Von Luger saying there's to be no trouble. But while the Army put their SEAL eggs in different parts of the same basket, they ultimately found one another and, as Pfarrer tells us, continued the SEAL tradition of generally annoying the **** out of the Army while at airborne school. The crowning achievement of airborne school for Pfarrer and the SEALs who were there with him may not have been finishing- it just might have been stealing Sergeant Airborne's hat during a jump.

Pfarrer's notes on the Walker spy ring- I personally hope that rotten blank of a blank gets to fill out paperwork in Hell with Benedict Arnold- were quite eye-opening. One man compromised a whole Navy for more than a decade. Not good, but thankfully even that wasn't enough for the Soviets and their goons to bring NATO down.

This is a fascinating, exceptionally-well written memoir of 8 intense years in the most elite force the United States Navy has. It tells a story that should always be remembered, and closes with words that everyone should hear:

"Hold on to the people you are close to, and love them fiercely. Get up every morning and live like there is no tomorrow. Because one day you'll find it's true."

Good book
This is a pretty good book.It lacks the BS and fluff a-lot of other books have.The author does spend a lot of time talking about Beirut, but I'm glad he did.Despite what the American Psyche wants to believe, special forces and the military in general isn't a whole bunch of action and gratification.A lot of the time its a bunch of hurry up and wait, followed up by a big bundle of politics.I think this book gives a pretty honest look into what most people will never see, although I can't be sure, because I didn't live the life the author chose.

Must Reading!
Warrior Soul tells us about those incredibly dedicated, skilled, and fit (both mentally and physically) men who are the spear points of our protection. Yet, there is a shadow--illumined by this and other similar memoirs: the misuse of these heroes and the horrific waste of their talents and lives by desk-bound "planners," both civilian and military.Thus Pfarrer writes:

"Any faith I had in our war planners, any trust I would ever have again in the command structure, evaporated in that moment." (Kindle location 3602-3606)

Of course, this was the end result of slow pulls on the trigger of doubt--the accretion of many betrayals of these brave men by their comparativelyincompetent superiors. And, more to the point, Pfarrer's conclusion echoes all the special-forces memoirs I have read.

The lesson from all of this (and also from William Manchester's superb biography of Douglas MacArthur, "American Caesar") is that we put too much blind faith in the mantra that tells us that we must have total, unthinking, "civilian control" over our military. In theory, of course, that is correct and that is why our constitution makes the president the "commander in chief," and gives to Congress the power to declare war.

Our nation, however, is no longer the largely agrarian agglomeration of states that it was in the late 18th Century. It is the supreme world power, and when, as Gibbon tells us, we give plaudits to those who lead us in battle, the tendency is to have too many battles. Thus, Charles Edward Montague observed, "war hath no fury like a non-combatant."

We should re-think the absolute inherent in the civilian-control mantra. It has not been the military that has led us into senseless (and now seemingly endless) wars, but the military's civilian masters abetted by a complicit Congress as well as by lackeys in the military command (as H.R. McMaster reveals in "Dereliction of Duty"). The list is legion--over our nation's entire history.

It seems to me that neither our presidents nor our Congresses should be able to "fight" wars (with other's lives, of course) unless the military agrees that the proposed war is both necessary and winnable. And once that decision is made, the war should be won! That is what "Warrior Soul" and similar memoirs tell me, although neither Pfarrer nor the others suggest it.

Edward R. Murrow once observed that a nation of sheep begets a government of wolves. We have been too easy for the politicians to herd into places they want us to be.

Warrior Soul gets a bit dry.
I really enjoyed this book, for the most part.It seemed to ramble in some parts, and get very technical, which lost my interest for a bit. I would recommend it to those who like military stories.I do wonder how the navy and his former seal companions feel about his writing about this? ... Read more

Product Description
Lt. Michael Patrick Murphy, leader of a reconnaissance squad from Navy SEAL Team 10, posthumously received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on 28 June 2005, during a fierce battle with Taliban fighters in the remote mountains of eastern Afghanistan. Michael was the first recipient of the nation s highest military honor as a result of U.S. involvement in Afghanistan. He was also the first naval officer to earn the medal since the Vietnam War, and the first SEAL to be honored posthumously. A young man of great character, he is the subject of Naval Special Warfare courses on leadership, and an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, naval base, school, post office, ball park, and hospital emergency room have all been named in his honor. In his bestselling book, Marcus Luttrell, the only survivor of Operation Red Wings, called Michael the best officer he ever knew, an iron-souled warrior of colossal, almost unbelievable courage in the face of the enemy. SEAL of Honor tells the story of Michael s life and how he came to be that man of selfless courage and honor. This biography argues that his heroic action during the deadly firefight with the Taliban revealed his true character and attempts to answer why Michael readily sacrificed his life for his comrades. SEAL of Honor is the story of a valiant young man, who was recognized by his peers for his compassion and for his leadership, because he was guided by an extraordinary sense of duty and responsibility. Tracing Michael s journey from a seemingly ordinary life on New York s Long Island, to that remote mountainside in Afghanistan, SEAL of Honor portrays how he came the moment of the extraordinary heroism that made him the most celebrated Medal of Honor recipient since WWII. Moreover, the book brings the Afghan war back to the home front, focusing on the tight knit Murphy family and the devastating effect of his death upon them as they watched the story of Operation Red Wings unfold in the news. The book attempts to answer why Michael s service to his country and his comrades was a calling faithfully answered, a duty justly upheld, and a life, while all too short, well lived. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (29)

Disappointing!
After reading 'Lone Survivor', I purchased 'Seal of Honor' to learn more about LT Murphy. Although you can learn more about his early life, the book is poorly written and has some errors (for example, the description of the 3-round volley at his military funeral as a 21-gun salute. 21-gun salutes are executed with field artillery and are only for heads of state and special holidays. Anyone can research the history of the 3-round volley. (7 men firing 3 rounds is, therefore NOT a 21-gun salute).
The book is a bit drippy. I felt like I was reading a book for wide eyed 6th graders. 'Lone Survivor', although overly swashbuckling, is at least co-written with an actual SEAL who can explain with painstaking detail, every aspect of Operation Red Wings.

Great Book!
I knew most of the details of Operation Red Wings from "Lone Survivor". But this book shows another side of the story, the side we don't think about when reading about our warriors overseas.It showed the life of LT. Murphy before he was a SEAL and his family's struggle when he is killed.The author did a great job with this one.

Born to Serve
This a good read, and I especialy would like to see people read it who believe they've had a bad day whenthey miss their lunch break, or get a flat tire on the way home! This should be required reading in High School!

should be read by every high school junior in the USA
Short and briefa story of commitment, courage, integrity and honor.No one can understand the dedication required by a Special Forces operator until this is read.And no one can understand the life of Michael Murphy until this is read.Bravo, Mr Williams.a great story about a great American HERO.

SEAL of Honor
Gary Williams' book SEAL of Honor on the heroic sacrifice of U.S. Navy SEAL Lieutenant Michael Murphy is part biography, part history, and part leadership primer, and may be appreciated on all these several levels.Michael Murphy stands tall as a role model for all generations.SEAL training is described in meticulous detail and the book includes a cursory recounting of SEAL deployments throughout the Global War on Terrorism with particular focus on the engagement of Lt. Murphy's final operation.Of real value though, are the quoted speeches and documents wherein SEAL leaders impart the tenets that make their community elite.Mining this book for those nuggets of wisdom, combined with the example of the short life well-lived by Lt. Murphy, are what recommends this book to the reader. Knowing that there are individuals who still hold their word as their bond and who willingly go in harm's way for a shared ideal and a greater good brings a sense of comfort when surveying the general state of self-serving entitlement that seems the norm in today's American society.America is a better place because of Lt. Murphy and his comrades and it is definitely worth reading about and celebrating his life.Any inspiration imparted to the reader can only help improve our nation's future. ... Read more

Product Description
The complete package for the serious exercise enthusiast interested in obtaining the fitness level required by Navy SEALs

Whether you want to be a Navy SEAL or just be as fit as one, here’s your chance. The Complete Guide to Navy Seal Fitness, Third Edition has returned with updated BUD/S workouts, an instructional DVD, and the latest entrance requirements from the Navy. With this program, you will be ready for any military training or physical challenge in the world. Train with the world’s fittest and strongest individuals: the US Navy SEALs!

This complete package includes:
• Updated step-by-step instructions to help the fitness recruit on their path to SEAL entry
• Bonus DVD instruction on swimming, running, and exercise
• New beginner workouts for those who need to lose 20 pounds or more
• A special 12-week plan for the Navy Special Operations EOD, SWCC, Diver Physical Screening Test
• New information for optimal weight loss from a certified nutritionist

Written by a top SEAL instructor, The Complete Guide to Navy Seal Fitness, Third Edition, is the advanced exercise program that can walk you through the no-frills workout that has conditioned some of the best bodies around. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

Follow it exactly
Bought this book for my son.He worked on his own and passed his PST, and joined the Navy SWCCC program.His SEAL mentor recommended this book and my son pretty much followed it to the letter, nutrition advice and all.His PST score improved dramatically and keep in mind he was in pretty good shape to pass it in the first place.The variation of routines was great, and it was all explained well.I've used some of the things from it, and it about 8 weeks I've gone from not being able to run 1/2 mile to running 3 miles and I am OLD.My overall level of fitness is up to.My son loaned his copy of the book to a friend to prep for Marine basic, so I'm buying my own copy of the book.You won't look like a body builder.My son has several friends who hit the weights hard, and when you look at them all together, you would definitely say my son could kick the weight lifter's tails.Hard to describe really, but it's a look of total overall fitness.Awesome book, so awesome, I'm buying two...

Not for the weak...
If you follow the workouts in this book you WILL get into the greatest shape of your life!Stew Smith lays out an extraordinary workout program in this book.You will not need a gym membership, weight set in your basement, or any other expensive equipment.The only thing you need is swimming gear and running gear, and you probably already have that stuff.Oh wait, you will also need determination and a positive attitude because you will be pushing yourself to your limits.

I have been doing modified versions of Stews workouts with my oldest son.We will start using the "12 weeks to BUD/S" workout next week after he graduates from High School and we can coordinate our schedules to get these grueling workouts in every day.His plan is to become a Navy SEAL after he graduates from college.I was a Navy diver a long time ago and my plan is to just get into great shape because I am getting older and I still have three younger sons to keep up with after my oldest leaves the nest.It gets harder every year...

The modified versions of Stews workouts we have been using vary day to day.We normally go hit the Appalachian trail (which is close to our home) and run on the trails.We get in a good stretch, then start running.We hit numerous places on the trail to stop and workout.The workout is so much better with a great view!We will do pushups, pullups, 8 count body builders, mountainclimbers, sit ups, etc.Then we start running again until we hit our next workout spot.We normally run a minimum of 5 miles and stop for workouts 5 or 6 times.Other days we hit the lake and go swimming.

The book lightly covers nutrition.By that I mean it does not give detailed meal plans, but rather gives general guidelines for nutrition.The general guidelines mention things like don't eat fried chicken, instead eat skinless chicken breasts, or use more healthy oils like canola or olive oil instead of vegetable shortening.His general guidelines are good, but nutrition could easily fill up 4 or 5 books on its own.So if you were not aware that fried chicken or vegetable shortening was a poor choice, you should probably pick up a sports nutrition book like The U.S. Navy SEAL Guide to Fitness and Nutrition or Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook.

The nutrition aspect of this workout is important.If you follow Stews workout you will be burning huge amounts of calories and will be eating more.I have increased my portions at each meal, snack on almonds and fruit all day, and still lost a few pounds.The big changes are when I step onto my bodyfat scale and I can see my bodyfat and visceral fat going down while my muscle mass increases.I am not sure how many calories I am taking in each day, but it is a lot, and I am still seeing great progress due to the tough workouts.Plus I feel fantastic.

This book has a lot of value if your goal is to get into good enough shape to become a Navy SEAL, or a member of any Specwar outfit.It also has great value if your goal is to just get into fantastic physical condition.The workouts in this book will require some commitment and dedication if you plan on completing them.But if your goal is to be in great shape, thats an easy trade-off and in my opinion well worth it.

Review of The Complete Guide To Navy Seal Fitness
I highly recommend this book.In the age where circuit training is really becoming a fad, this book definitely makes sure that you will see results.Anyone who is looking for something to pair with something like P90X or the Insanity Workout Program, this book is a must. **WARNING** Not for the faint of heart...

Warrior training
Can't beat it for the price. The dvd isn't much, but hey it was just a bonus. The book breaks down basic navy seal training using running swimming and body weight exercises and stretches. In addition there is a series of challenging programs from beginner to super tough. I am not looking to become a Navy Seal just a fitness junkie; The only reason I didn't buy it from Amazon is cause it wasn't available at the time. The bottom line is that it belongs in your fitness library so when you do 50 pushups and think this is an accomplishment you can read it and laugh at yourself (or cry).

Outstanding!!
I am glad that I made this purchase. The DVD is a great bonus too! ... Read more

Product Description
With a postscript describing SEAL efforts in Afghanistan, The Warrior Elite takes you into the toughest, longest, and most relentless military
training in the world.

What does it take to become a Navy SEAL? What makes talented, intelligent young men volunteer for physical punishment, cold water, and days without sleep? In The Warrior Elite, former Navy SEAL Dick Couch documents the process that transforms young men into warriors. SEAL training is the distillation of the human spirit, a tradition-bound ordeal that seeks to find men with character, courage, and the burning desire to win at all costs, men who would rather die than quit. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (103)

Great book
I haven't read a book since I was in elementary school, and now I am 23 and a college graduate. I got this book as a recommendation from a friend. I am honestly surprised at how good this book is. It has every little detail about the day to day routine of what these trainees go through, and I can't put it down. I highly recommend this to anyone even remotely interested in the armed forces.

Much ado about everything
The book tells you what it is like to go through BUD/s.I would like to have be given some hints on how to survive the experience.The author includes a lot of detail in a chronologic manner but somehow fails in nuance and color.Needs more smells and pain.However, for anyone interested in the teams, this will tell you how it is.Worth the money and the book was received earlier than expected and in fine shape.

Operator 1030

A select few
It seems to me you have to have a particular reason for picking up this book. Mine was an interest in understanding what it takes to be "elite." The book can be inspirational or damning in terms of what you have done with your life! It's amazing what people are willing to do if motivated...! These "warriors" represent the best we can attain as human beings physically, psychologically and intellectually. These are truly the best of the best of the best.

Riveting Tale of Heroicism
One of the best books I've read in a while.Mr. Couch's detailed explanation of the hardships endured by SEAL trainees really makes one appreciate these true American patriots.As a former SEAL himself, he spares no detail in his descriptions, providing the gritty details of day-to-day lives of the trainees.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning about the physical and mental strength needed to pursue this lifestyle, and the true makings of heroes.It is not an easy path by any means, and many get left behind for the slightest weakness.

This book definitely lives up to its reputation for being one of the top books in its field, and is highly recommended.

The only easy day was yesterday.Now there is an understatement!
First off, let me just say if you are interested in becoming a SEAL, know someone who is or wants to become a SEAL, are just interested in elite warrior teams, or just like to read about how people can endure incredible amounts of physical and mental torture at the hands of loving instructors, then you need to read this book.

I have read a few books about the SEALs.I was under the assumption that BUD/S and Hell week were the pinnacle of the incredibly tough and demanding training these men have to endure.I was wrong.BUD/S training lasts about 6 months, Hell week happens before month 2.And the pace never lets up.This book covers the additional training these men receive after BUD/S training.They must also complete STT, (SEAL Tactical Training) US Army Airborne training, and a host of other choices like language schools, sniper school, SDV (SEAL Delivery Vehicle) etc.After BUD/S training it will be at least 6 months of arduous training just to get to the point where they have their review board and are deemed qualified to receive their SEAL Trident.Then its another year or so of training before they will deploy somewhere and start earning their keep.That is at least two years, and sometimes even more, before these guys are ready to go start contributing to the war on terror, or whatever other international problem we may have that needs special attention at the moment.

I was pleasantly surprised to read about the SEALs "zero tolerance" for alcohol related offenses.After seeing Hollywood characterize these men as hard drinking Rambo types, and after reading about some of the SEALs in Marchinkos books, you would think drinking was a requirement.But the newer policy makes a lot of sense.These men are incredibly well trained, why would you allow someone like that to possibly get drunk and lose control?That would be a scary thought.It is already pretty scary thinking about how well trained these men are, and the calm level of control they maintain.I feel sorry for anyone that is not on their side.

I have a renewed interest in the Navy SEALs at the moment.Many, many years ago, right after I finished Navy dive school (which I absolutely loved, maybe I am a glutton for punishment?) I started to seriously think about going to BUD/S.There were a few reasons why I decided not to go, and I put that part of my life behind me.Instead of being cold, wet, and tired, I started a family and had 4 boys.My oldest just turned 18 and was accepted to a great military college in Virginia.His plan is to get his degree (which I have told him was non-negotiable, a degree is a must) and then he plans on becoming a Navy SEAL.Its funny how fate keeps bringing this back into my life.That is why I read this book.

I have given this book to my son to read.If he is still set on this course after reading it, I will help him to prepare for his journey.I know I can help him to get to an even higher level mentally and physically and that will be of some help to him.I can only hope it will prepare him for what he will have to overcome.

Getting back to the book, I have an even higher opinion of these men than I did before I started reading this book.I am very proud of what they do and I am even prouder that they are on our side!The level of professionalism these men achieve and maintain is incredible.It is hard not to stand in awe of what they can accomplish. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (43)

Entertaining Romantic Suspense
Somehow I managed to read these books out of order. This is book number 5 in the series and I read this one second after Clint's story. I enjoyed Clint's story enough to give Ms. Leigh another chance. Although I have to say she's not my favorite r ...more Somehow I managed to read these books out of order. This is book number 5 in the series and I read this one second after Clint's story. I enjoyed Clint's story enough to give Ms. Leigh another chance. Although I have to say she's not my favorite romantic suspense author, she still weaves a good tale of danger and romance.

I read this book quit a while ago so most of the details elude me. But I remember enjoying this story more than Clint's. His story got too much into BDSM which I'm really not into, in fact was quite a turn off.

However, "Killer Secrets" was a little more tame it still did have too graphic sex scenes that occurred too often. It got to the point where it was almost taking away from the story and was just unrealistic.

Having that said, Ms. Leigh created good characters with lots of chemistry and humorous banter. I adored Ian's character and thought he was the perfect alpha male, as Ms. Leigh is good at creating. I normally don't care for heroines who try and play the hero role but Kira was tolerable and didn't get on my nerves too much.

All in all, this was a good book. Good enough for me to pick up another one by Lora Leigh.

Erin Kern
Author of Looking For Trouble

Love Lora Leigh books!
Enjoy a great romantic mystery with Lora Leigh.Her stories move quickly, and are truely a getaway for your mind.Her sories have it all: romance, secrets, intrigue, happy ending, and a yearning for more.

Another success story by Lora Leigh
This story Killer Secrets is part of the series of Elite Ops. The main theory of the series was going after a certain group of people who had kidnapped some women, and done terrible things in this story they go after a drug lord who had been part of that group, and who had also capture one of their own and hadhim for months torturing him. It was also found out that one of the team members was the illegitimate son of the drug lord, and so he decides to leave the team and went and confronted his father, and pretended to care and work himself into the business of his father, and slowly took it down. Of course in the process of doing this, he meet other agent who found out what he was doing, and a love story develops and if you want to know what happen you will have to read the story.

Sit back and hold on!
I love Lora Leigh.She blows you away with her strong characters and plot lines.I can't wait to meet all the men and their women from this series.Ian and Kira are daring and kept me up all night reading this tale of lust, love and family ties.

Killer Secrets Review
I'm a Lora Leigh fan and this book did not disappoint.In the first few pages, I did get a bit lost in the plot but that did not last long.I am anxious to buy more of the series. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (40)

Hidden Agendas: More like Creepy Agendas
I could not get through this book.I love a book with great sex scenes and good writing.But these were really cheesy and overdone.There was no time really spent developing a rapport between the characters after they hadn't seen each other for 5 years.

The first scene with them alone together at her house and he was trying to 'sex her up' but he ended up sounding like a gross and creepy perve.Not like a suave seducer.He didn't come off lusty but just plain gross, just as a crass jerk who doesn't know the first thing about talking dirty or seduction.And I usually love the intimate/erotic parts in books.So, please don't write off my review as the reader just didn't know what she was getting or doesn't like erotica, I do.There was no conversation between them, the first time they were alone, hadn't seen each other in 5 years.No getting to know each other again, nothing, just straight to him overdoing it and putting the 'moves' her and basically saying literally 'you know you want it'.I think Leigh knew it was creepy too because the heroine's reaction was in fact, disgust.So I thought, hey, maybe that was the point...but it put me off big time to the rest of the book.I lost all respect for Kell and he didn't let up on the creepy/pervy antics either which I found to be immature.

I wanted to give this two stars because the writing was decent but I just can't.I can see where she wanted to take it but it was rushed and hurried.Plus if I saw her use the euphemism for a woman getting aroused as 'creamed' one more time I was going to throw up.Completely tacky.

The heroine seemed to be two different people, a scared girl, naive, virginal and a girl who didn't care, wanted adventure.I think the author had a rough time developing exactly what she wanted her to be and she failed.Emily came out seeming like a bratty ingrate and Kell a creepy perve...

I don't think I'll be reading more of Leigh's novels, but I might try another in the future.

Extremely Hot
I could not put this book down.I had not read a lora leigh book before. But I must say I definitely will be buying more of her books.

Great Read
I'm an avid Lora Leigh fan and this is one of my favorites. With my own personal background in the military the Seals Series sparked my attention and I've read them all since. As with all her steamy novels this one too is a great book to curl up with almost make you want to find your own with a cajun accent ;)

Hidden Agendas
Hidden Agendas was an awesome book, i have not read one bad book by Ms. Leigh.The characters Kell and EMily are so captivating.. She draws you into this story, has passion, hot sex and more.A must read book.You will not be dissapointed...

The Thing Is If You Like S.E.X...
and lots of it, then this is the book for you.

I'm a Leigh fan, but I've found that I enjoy her books more when there's an actual plot attached. Taming the Beast and Elizabeth's Wolf - Leigh at the top of her game.

In Hidden Agendas, however, Leigh would have you think this book is about keeping our heroine from the clutches of her Senator father's enemies. I'm here to assure you that it is NOT.

It was so obvious that what little "plot" there was in this book was just tossed in as a filler, not anything remotely contributing to the progression of the story -- which, mind you, is all about the sexual awakening of our heroine.

Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike this book. I liked the characters and the sex was HOT, but sorry I wanted more from Leigh. I KNOW she's capable of writing steamy hot erotic romances with lots of meat and emotion so I don't think I'm being unfair with this review. Elizabeth's Wolf is one such example. It was my first book from her and it got me hooked on her stories from the first chapter. After I finished it, I had to check out her back list.

Now if this was the first Leigh book I read ...? Well, can't say I wouldn't pick up another of her books but I wouldn't be in any rush.

I will continue to read the series, and I'd recommend others to read this book. Just don't pick up it expecting anything more than an on-going, if titillating, romp in the hay.




... Read more

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Customer Reviews (16)

Worth the $
This book goes beyond basic definitions and instructions. It truly helps you build a more proactive and healthy lifestyle whether or not you want to be a seal or not, and you get out of it like many work out guides what you put into it. Worth the $ IMO

Great book for basics of fitness and nutrition
This is a great book that explains more than just the basics but not so much that you become lost in the science.Everything is well explained for anyone to understand.It's basically broke into two major sections: Fitnessa and Nutrition.The fitness section includes backround information on how exercise effects the body and includes exercise plans, warmups, stretches - pretty much everything to get started.The nutrition section accomplished the same as the fitness section.This book will become a resource for my household for years to come.

Not Just for Navy SEALs
This book is in a very easy to follow format.The first part of the book focuses on physical fitness.This section not only explains the workouts, but also how to reach your goals with these workouts.The second part focuses on nutrition.Technical terms are used, but enough explanation is given.If you understood high school biology, you should have no problems following along.The nutrition section is very realistic.Most nutrition guides only tell you to eat heathy.This book gives you the nutritional value of snacks that are not the most healthy and explains how to burn it off.There are some chapters that are SEAL-specific, like mission preparation. These chapters may not apply to everyone, but they do make good reading.

Kindle Edition Formatting Great
I just wanted to comment on the formatting of the Kindle edition of this book.It is done very well.I have purchased many Kindle books that contained charts or tables that were very hard to read.

The formatting of this book was designed specifically for the larger DX Kindle.But I'm currently using the Kindle app for the iPhone (as I gave my regular Kindle to my son to take with him to Iraq), and it looks great.

Good book but misleading
This is a great book with a lot of information but I would say that this is more of a textbook and not a workout book.This would be a good book for beginners who have never made a fitness regimen or for people who are looking for more technical information on fitness. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (14)

Seal Warrior
Service was prompt & very good as usual; book was in great condition; & book was very well written

Fast read
Tom did a good job with this book. I was there and it was almost exactly as I remembered it

Worst I Have Ever Read
I have never read a bad SEAL book until I picked this up. Sadly, I'm sure there is a fascinating book in this story and some truly heroic men, but the author totally ruined it with his constant attempts to be cute and impress the reader with his studliness. What amazes me is that it actually got published. I took a chance on the small sample I downloaded to my Kindle and lost badly.Regretfully I gave up and ditched it at about the halfway point.

Chest Thumping
I always had a high opinion of Seals, right up until I read this book.

Just for the record, for the vast majority of veterans, a tour was at least one full year (Marines, 13 months), not six months.So this talking about doing 3 tours was actually one and a half in everyone else's book.

His bragging about his swordmanship with the ladies is just that, bragging.It is pitiful when an author brags about sex he paid for.Most of us are mature enough to understand that men will entertain themselves in off duty time.The details really don't add anything substantial.

But back to his combat experiences.They motor out into the delta on a boat for the night, set up an ambush that typically outnumbers the VC by about 2:1.They then blast the hell out of them from the ambush.(which is excellent tactics and the way wars are best fought).But then to start bragging that they are the baddest warriors on the planet?Wait a minute, who were they killing?He keeps saying those VC were hardcore experts, but he says they walked around talking, playing radios, carrying their rifles over their shoulders.Sounds more like the teenagers the cadre recruited from the villages.I don't think I would be bragging how I was the baddest warrior on the planet after I sprung an ambush on a group like that.

He states over and over that Seals are the best warriors on the planet.Really?What does he base that on?One night hit and run operations?I think the LRRP's and Marine Recons might have a slightly different opinion.

Honestly?I think the Seals did a helluva job.But this guy is so full of himself he does the Seals a disservice.40 years later most of us are really not interested in reading about his sexual exploits.14 guys armed to the teeth with claymores, M-60's, Stoner LMG's, M-16's and hand grenages blowing the crap out of 4 VC does not make one the baddest warrior on the planet.

Seal Warrior - A solid read
I love Vietnam books and especially books about Spec Op types and this is a good one. Thomas Keith is obviously the real deal. He is a tribute to what is right about America and the fighting men who make it possible now and in the future. At times I found it a little slow, but he documents what it takes to be a SEAL and what they do for a living. That, is incredible! I'd have liked it more if more of Keith showed through in the writing and less of a professional writer. Keith could hold us spell bound for sure, I think the interpretation slowed it down a bit. But my hats off to him, his story and all the men like him. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (62)

Clint was hot! But Morgana got on my nerves
Let me just say that I kind of liked the book just a few things that aggravated me. First off I'm noticing a theme in all of Laura's book that bothers me. (Abuse of some kind)Either the Hero or heroin of the story has been abused in some way. I get that everyone needs to have a background story but I think that she needs to switch things up a bit.

Also I was hoping for a real Dom/sub relationship. I thought Clint was Hot and wow but Morgana was annoying. I didn't hate the book I thought it could have been better.

A tedious read...
A good romance will usually take me 2 or 3 days to finish... this one is taking about 2 weeks. I haven't finished it yet but I probably will only because I'm curious about one thing... who the mole is. Usually, I like the characters but in this case no one is likable. There is no subtlety... I feel like I'm being hit over the head with a blunt instrument - repeatedly. Many scenes are repetitive and down right boring... yes, I got it the first seven million times - they lust after each other, now move on! There has to be more to the romance than that. I like the Navy SEALs which is why I picked this one up but I won't bother with the rest of the series.
...
Ok, I'm done. I can't finish this book! The characters are vapid, the story is disappointing (I found out who the mole is and it's an incidental character... no reason for it to have any emotional impact on the main characters or me.) and the sex scenes are boring, repetitive, faux BDSM. I dislike both Morgana and Clint (does the author use a "what's your stripper name?" generator to name her characters?) and couldn't care less whether or not they get the happily ever after. I want my money back.

Damaged but Redeemable.
Clinton McIntire had agreed to chaperone his best friend, Reno Chavez's, little sister, Morganna Chavez's,eighteen birthdayparty - and that was when he noticed her...she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.She had been a part of his life...for all of hers - she was not only his best friends little sister but also his sisters best friend.That was the night she told him that `she had always loved him' and that was the night he kissed her for the first time.Three years later, she was tried...tired of her job and tired of waiting on Clint.She joined The Law Enforcement Academy.

Now five years later, Clint was at one of his favorite clubs, Diva's, but he hadn't expected to find Morganna there.He stood in the corner of the club for over an hour watching her.He had come looking for a woman, like the other men in the club - and now he had found her, even if his conscience disagreed.He knew the rules of the club, since her collar had no leash - she was unclaimed.His reputation as a Dom was well known in the club and tonight Morganna would know it as well.But his past haunts him, loving her is the only fear he has and claiming her here in this place would allow him to have her.

This was Morganna's first assignment with the Atlanta division of the DEA and she was at Diva's looking for the supplier of the latest date rape drug.Then she saw him, Clint, so she tried to duck into the ladies room - she didn't make it.He grabbed her and pulled her into his personal sex room.She had known he was very sexual but, she never known it went to that extent.

Now with her life on the line, Clint has to keep her close to protect her.- but keep her distance from his heart.

I also read Reno's Chance from Honk If You Love Real Men.That was a short novella; this is a full blown story.It is typical Lora Leigh.The background sets up an environment that supports the intense sexual tension.The hero is damaged, but redeemable.

Enjoyable reading :)
This is so out of my usual reading style but was told it was good to read. So I gave it a shot and found I did really enjoy the book. While it was full of erotic stuff I didn't think it was in bad taste. I wasn't a quick read book for me but I liked it and I will be looking into some of her other books as well. This is a good book to read if you want to get out of the stuffy same old same old. It was yummy fun :)

Pretty Good
Reading these for entertainment - not so much worried about the reality of when/when this team is working 'cases'.

Have not read the first story about Reno yet.I read this book first and have since purchased the next 4 books - some labeled as Seals and some as Elite Ops.

I did like most of the interaction between Clint and Morganna.However as a negative, the waiting 10 years to hook up was a bummer.Could have set this story at least five years earlier (oh well, a minor point).

I also liked that Morganna had a strong confidence level and is working and training in law enforcement.As a negative, towards the end of hte book she is starting to get wishy washy about maybe she isn't cut out for the risker assignments.

344 pages. ... Read more

Product Description
Four US Navy SEALS departed one clear night in early July 2005 for the mountainous Afghanistan-Pakistan border for a reconnaissance mission. Their task was to document the activity of an al Qaeda leader rumored to be very close to Bin Laden with a small army in a Taliban stronghold. Five days later, only one of those Navy SEALS made it out alive.

This is the story of the only survivor of Operation Redwing, SEAL fire team leader Marcus Luttrell, and the extraordinary firefight that led to the largest loss of life in American Navy SEAL history. His squadmates fought valiantly beside him until he was the only one left alive, blasted by an RPG into a place where his pursuers could not find him. Over the next four days, terribly injured and presumed dead, Luttrell crawled for miles through the mountains and was taken in by sympathetic villagers who risked their lives to keep him safe from surrounding Taliban warriors.

A born and raised Texan, Marcus Luttrell takes us from the rigors of SEAL training, where he and his fellow SEALs discovered what it took to join the most elite of the American special forces, to a fight in the desolate hills of Afghanistan for which they never could have been prepared. His account of his squadmates' heroism and mutual support renders an experience that is both heartrending and life-affirming. In this rich chronicle of courage and sacrifice, honor and patriotism, Marcus Luttrell delivers a powerful narrative of modern war. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1219)

Life Changing
I have read many military books over the years but none have had the impact on me that this book did.Every person I know that has ever read it is forever changed. Be warned though, after you finish the main battle portion of the book, you will definately need to take a break, catch your breath and have a drink!

Heart stopping
I read this book over a 10 hour flight, and I did not put it down once..by the time I was done the plane was landing....I don't care if you support the war or not, these guys are straight F***ing amazing, courageous...words don't even describe them. For you who live in a box and don't believe there are things that go bump in the night, and must be dealt with a special type of soldier...read this book. It will about bring you to tears the courage and sacrifice of these selfless men. The most amazing book I have ever read.

Amazing
Simply put, an amazing story of faith, courage, brotherhood, and humanity.Thank you Marcus for sharing your story.

Story of a Modern Day Hero!!!!
One of the most enjoyable books I have read recently.I heard Mr. Luttrell speak and the book is wonderful to read as his story is remarkable.I am so glad we have men like Mr. Luttrell in our military.He is a rare breed and it gives me goosebumps just thinking about his story!!!Way to go Mr. Luttrell....I know you don't think so but you are a Modern Day Hero!!!

The audio book is very exciting
I listened to this while I was in Afghanistan as a MOT member. I was currently training to become a member of a special unit when I got back, and this book was very motivational when I listened to it in my sleeping bag in the LUP's. The story is told very vividly and realistic. The only thing I remember on the negative side is his useof some weird equipment names (especiallyhis sniper rifle if I can remember correctly) which I have never heard about before and I suspect are bogus names. Probably just because of opsec? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (184)

Seventh Heaven
As dominant as a story could be, I was transported to the feet of death. I loved this film. Essential to any collection.

did not complete purchase
have already reported this...did not complete purchase..it could not be shipped .it was to be a gift.please stop asking about it.. take me off your follow up list. thanks

Dark, anachronistic and...optimistic
Since I live in Sweden, I find it difficult to review this movie. Ingmar Bergman's masterpiece "The Seventh Seal" has been shown innumerable times on Swedish television, until it has become a pop culture phenomenon (the movie is parodied as often in Sweden as in the US or Britain). Also, the actors speak with a very old fashioned diction and enunciation, making the movie involuntarily humorous to modern viewers - provided you understand Swedish.

As a kid, I intensely disliked "The Seventh Seal". I was bored by it, and considered the plot incomprehensible. There are also scenes that resemble those of a horror movie. As a history-obsessed adult, I was more struck by the anachronisms. The main character, Antonius Block, is a knight returning from the crusades in Palestine. However, the plot is obviously set during the 1350's, at the time of the Black Death. By then, Palestine had been in Muslims hands for generations. The last crusader stronghold, Acre, fell already in 1291. And while crazy flagellants may have existed even in Sweden, they are usually associated with Spain. Some also claim that the chess game in the movie is played according to modern rather than medieval rules. But the most obvious anachronism is that neither Antonius nor his squire Jöns seems to believe in God - an impossibility in medieval Europe. Indeed, Block sounds like a modern existentialist!

But then, that's the point...

"The Seventh Seal" is really a philosophical movie about the human condition. The medieval setting is symbolic. Indeed, I suspect Ingmar Bergman quite deliberately chose a stereotyped, dark image of the Middle Ages as a backdrop to his story. There is also an obvious contrast between the medieval darkness, Block's existential anxiety and the lighter attitude of some of the other characters.

So what is the message, then? Despite the morbidly dark atmosphere (made worse by the fact that the movie is black and white), "The Seventh Seal" is actually quite optimistic. I took me years to really realize it, though.

Antonius Block gets in serious trouble already at the start of the story, when Death himself comes to take him away. During a classical stand off, Block challenges Death to a game of chess. If Block wins, he and his companions are free to go. If he looses, they will all die, but the game will at least have bought Block some time to solve the riddle of existence. During the respite, Block and Jöns journey through an absurd, apocalyptic landscape. Old scores are settled and some villains are roughed up. Block becomes friendly with two travelling actors, Jof and Mia, who seem to symbolize purity and innocence. (The names Jof and Mia are an obvious reference to the Biblical Joseph and Mary, "Josef" and "Maria" in Swedish.) Naturally, Death wants to kill both Jof, Mia and their little toddler (Baby Jesus?). At the last moment, the knight attempts to cheat in the chess game, thereby distracting Death, which enables the actors to get away to safety. Death eventually wins the game, but Block is satisfied nevertheless: he will die, but at least he saved Jof, Mia and their child. At the end of the movie, the entire landscape virtually lightens up, as Jof and Mia come out of the dark woods. Even the death of Block and his travel companions is suddenly seen from a more optimistic angle, as Jof retells a vision of how the knightly travelling party is dancing in the skies. Although led by Death to an uncertain fate, Block is somehow the winner. He failed during the "holy" crusades, and even lost his faith in God, but as a last act, he at least saved the innocent and pure.

What more can be asked for?

The Seventh Seal
During the Black Death's ravaging of Europe in the 1300's, the noble knight Antonius Block is returning home to his castle in Sweden after a several year long crusade to Palestine. Riding a few steps behind him is his squire Jöns, not quite the idealist that his master is, but still a good man in his own right. A day's ride from home, Death appears, declaring to the weary knight that it is his time and that he will have to follow him to the lands beyond the great veil. Block (played by the amazingly skilled Swedish actor-noble Max von Sydow) knows that Death is fond of chess, so through a little negotiation he manages to make a deal with Death that through a game of chess, they'll decide if the Reaper can take Block with him or if he gets a delay.

We then follow Block and his squire on their road towards their home, en route they meet up with a troupe of travelling jesters whom they eventually extend their protection to. Block is disillusioned by life and so low that he is even unsure of God's existence! He meets up with Death several times to get confirmation that God exists, and once Death asks; "Don't you ever stop asking? To which Block's eternal European Faustian answer is "Never!" with such feeling that it shakes me to the bone. From time to time throughout the film, we return to Block and Death playing their game of chess, but only one of the jesters with the ability to see beyond the veil can see Death seated on the other side of the board, to the others Block appears to be playing a solitary game. The film gives, to me, an excellent view of what life in medieval Sweden might have been like, in addition to being an excellent drama for this twisted age as well.

The film contains a lot of humour despite its existential and deadly serious religious theme. This is pretty much the film version of the European Faust-cycle, and contains such added bonuses as an all-European cast and being made by the hands of a director whose sympathies were squarely in the Axis camp prior to and during WW2. A must-see, in other words, for anyone remotely interested in religion, history or existentialism. 5 stars and beyond.

3 stars out of 4
The Bottom Line:

An interesting fable that asks a lot of questions, The Seventh Seal would be a better movie if Bergman knew anything about chess (or if it was a little bit more engaging) but it's worth a watch nonetheless. ... Read more

Product Description
In America’s new war, the first guns in the fight are special operations forces, including the Navy SEALs, specially trained warriors who operate with precision, swiftness, and lethal force. In the constantly shifting war on terror, SEAL units—small in number, flexible, stealthy, and ef?cient—are more vital than ever to America’s security as they take the battle to an elusive enemy around the globe.

But how are Navy SEALs made? Dick Couch, author of the acclaimed Warrior Elite, follows SEALs on the ground and in the water as they undergo SEAL Tactical Training, where they master combat skills such as precision shooting, demolitions, secure communications, parachuting, diving, and first aid. From there, the men enter operational platoons, where they subordinate their individual abilities to the mission of the group and train for special operations in specific geographic environments.

Never before has a civilian writer been granted such close access to the training of America’s most elite military forces. The Finishing School is essential reading for anyone who wants to know what goes into the making of America’s best warriors. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

The Well Disciplined Warrior
I am a veteran of the Army. My dad got real excited when I told him I was enlisting in the Navy back in '73. However, I couldn't get through the Navy eye requirement, even in '73. So, I have a soft spot for the Navy, which is why I read 'Rogue Warrior' years ago. If you have family reading night, especially if you have a son that's thinking Spec Ops, buy Cpt. Couch's book. Cpt. Couch is an excellent counter-weight to Lt. Com. Marcinko's "Win any way that you can" anti-terrorist mentality. Lt. Com. Marcinko's "Old school" approach probably worked well in his "frontier days" of Spec Ops. However, with the 24 hour news cycle, Lt. Com. Marcinko's tactics would probably land us in front of the UN Security Council, right where no Spec Ops warrior would want to be. Cpt. Couch writes about warriors who follow instructions given by emminently qualified combat leaders. Warriors who expect to win in any endeavor, whether its taking out the trash or Somalian pirates There don't appear to be any Preston Pinkerton III type leaders (Rogue Warrior) in todays Spec. Ops community. I loved it!

Great follow through on the long, hard road to becoming a Navy SEAL.
This is a very good and informative book.At first I was a little disappointed because it did not seem to have the same page turning, do not want to put the book down interest as the first book I read by Dick Couch, which was The Warrior Elite: The Forging of SEAL Class 228. But I guess that is just because the writing in Warrior Elite covered the much more exciting, chilled to the bone, totally exhausted, BUD/S training.Seriously, that is a hard topic to compete with.

I believe my first impression was wrong, because this book is described as the ongoing training of Navy SEALs.And that is exactly what Dick Couch delivers.The writing is very in-depth and really gives you a pretty good understanding of what these men go through.The training they receive is incredible, no wonder they are that good!

This book does not cover actual battles, but it does cover everything that goes into making these warriors ready to participate in actual battles.When I read Warrior Elite I was cold and tired almost the whole time.Not because I was actually cold and tired, but because the writing was good enough to actually make me feel some of what these men endure.I was a Navy Diver many, many years ago.I can still clearly remember every time I had to break the ice to get into the water.I know what it is like to be really cold.But not at the level these men endure.I was cold for hours, but then took a hot shower.These guys have to endure days of round the clock cold and tired.I cannot imagine what that must be like.

I did not feel as cold reading this book, but I could feel the tiredness.The training evolutions they have to complete last weeks at a time and are usually running at least 12-16 hours a day or longer.That pace is kept up 6 or 7 days a week.I have nothing but respect for what these men can achieve.

I guess its time to read the third book in this series, Down Range: Navy SEALs in the War on Terrorism.I am sure it will be interesting too.

Ok followup to The Warrior Elite: The Forging of SEAL Class 228
Ok followup to The Warrior Elite: The Forging of SEAL Class 228.Follows and details the training program from the time SEAL candidates finish Hell Week/BUDS to when they finally get their Trident and then the specialty training before getting to their TEAMS.Not as dramatic and exciting as The Warrior Elite, filled with all the SEAL designations and terms, no actual combat scenarios.

Good read if you want to know exactly what happens until officially a SEAL. Otherwise a dry technical read.

Would recommend book: Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of Seal Team 10 by Seal Marcus Luttrell or The Warrior Elite: The Forging of SEAL Class 228 or Suffer in Silence by David Reid

The Making of a SEAL.
Dick Couch not only presents descriptions of the advanced training that a graduate of BUD(S) training gets; but he adds insights that only a SEAL can express.One of my sons is a Navy SEAL and the book provides me with knowledge that helps me understand the Special Warfare mentality.I thorougly enjoyed the book and refer to it to find out what my son is really up to when he tells his wife that he is "going on a hike" tomorrow.

As Advertised
The Finishing School is the second book in a three book series showing the evolution of sailor in the United States Navy from a Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) trainee to an operation SEAL. The series begins with The Warrior Elite which documents a single evolution through the basic training regime imposed on applicants and the third, Down Range, provides a sampling of real world SEAL operations with some cameos by individuals from the other books now that they have reached active SEAL Teams. This second book details the advanced training that BUD/S graduates receive in the fairly new SEAL Qualification Training (SQT). This is the potential SEALs last formal training environment before earning the official designation of SEAL and then being sent to an operational unit.

The Finishing School is not a demanding read but those who desire a fast paced page turner should instead seek out another author. Dick Couch is a retired Navy SEAL Captain and CIA officer (presumably Special Activities Division but don't quote me). Because of this and the obvious degree to which he makes clear that the majority of this book was done with official co-operation Couch keeps the tone factual and mild. Most of the individuals in the book are assigned pseudonyms by the author where possible and he skillfully skims over the more specific, and therefor sensitive, tactics employed by the program instead choosing to paint a broad picture for the reader. This is a primer on the program which creates Navy SEALs and type of men that are involved in it, not a behind the scenes exposé or a "tell all" by a community veteran. There is neither an agenda nor a fascinating personal narrative, this is simply a factual and well paced overview of the SEAL community's training pipeline. When it comes to providing a reliable and meticulously fact checked picture of a process often obscured by myth, disinformation and rampant second guessing by the peanut gallery this book is indispensable.

Those with an interest in the US military's special operations community in general or the Naval Special Warfare community specifically should read this book. While the first book, Warrior Elite, provides a more approachable narrative of personal struggle this book is a dryer window into the more advanced training given to SEALs. Most of those that are to wash out of the program have already done so which makes this book less a study of the individual and more the study of what it is the Navy considers to be important skills for 21st century special warfare operators and the best method in which to teach those skills. Be warned though: there is little action in this book so if you desire stimulating recounts of combat or hope for juicy secrets or allegorical lingo you will be disappointed.
... Read more

Product Description
"A wonderful read…. An historical novel of the highest quality."—Iain PearsRich in sensuous detail, this first novel brilliantly captures the political and social upheavals of the waning Ottoman Empire. The naked body of a young Englishwoman washes up in Istanbul wearing a pendant inscribed with the seal of the deposed sultan. The death resembles the murder by strangulation of another English governess, a crime that was never solved. Kamil Pasha, a magistrate in the new secular courts, sets out to find the killer, but his dispassionate belief in science and modernity is shaken by betrayal and widening danger. In a lush, mystical voice, a young Muslim woman, Jaanan, recounts her own relationships with one of the dead women and her suspected killer. Were these political murders involving the palace or crimes of personal passion? An absorbing tale that transports the reader to nineteenth-century Turkey, this novel is also a lyrical meditation on the contradictory desires of the human soul. Reading group guide included. Includes the first chapter of the next Kamil Pasha novel.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

Strange present tense
I'm not sure why I bought this. I guess it sounded interesting. Which, I think it might be, if I could get past the author's use of present tense and third-person narrator. I simply could not get past page three because I was so distracted by this awkward combination. I don't mind present tense in an autobiographical or nonfiction book. But here, it just seemed like an awkward stylistic decision that didn't work.

Sultry, Exotic
The writing is gorgeous, the story sensual and mysterious and the setting exotic (19th century Turkey). Kamil Pasha is a fabulously complex character. Because of this very novel I am going to plan a trip to Turkey. Her descriptions of ancient environments are hauntingly atmospheric. Very entertaining way to get educated, too.

Sultan's Seal
It took a little bit longer to receive the item than I had hoped for, but it was exactly as described.It arrived in perfect condition.I would definitely order from them again.

A Darn Good First Novel
Mysteries are a dime a dozen. Mysteries in an exotic place in a bygone age executed with an eye for detail and adherence to cultural accuracy are much harder to come by.

You'll probably like this book if you like straight forward whodunnits set in an exotic location. No CSI, no gadgets, no technical wizardry, just plain unraveling of a mystery.Still, the character of Kamil Pasha is engaging, and I'm hoping that White will develop him and fill him out.I thinks she's chosen a great location and a good time period to give herself plenty of room to develop a great character.

If you don't like period pieces, the middle east, lack of technical wizardry, or everyday experiences in your stories, then you probably won't enjoy this book.

Drew me in
I searched for mysteries set in Istanbul because I just visited the city.This one fit my profile for a good book - detective, murder mystery, exotic setting which I could learn more about.

This book started out slow for me.I thought of "ditching" it several times. I'm glad I didn't.When I got to about page 100, it started to draw me in.By page 150 I could hardly put it down.Having just finished it, I'm interested in reading Jenny White's second book.

I think I didn't like the book at first because it isn't a typical American "fast read" detective novel.Ms. White's writing is more elegant, complex, and subtle.I came to find it lovely, once I understand her approach. ... Read more

Product Description

The fact of the Lost Ark of the Covenant is one of the grant historical mysteries of all time. To believers, the Ark is the legendary vesel holding the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. The Bible contains hundreds of references to the Ark's power to level mountains, destroy armies, and lay waste to cities. The Ark itself, however, mysteriously disappears from recorded history sometime after the building of the Temple of Solomon.

After ten years of searching through the dusty archives of Europe and the Middle East, as well as braving the real-life dangers of a bloody civil war in Ethiopia, Graham Hancock has succeeded where scores of others have failed. This intrepid journalist has tracked down the true story behind the myths and legends -- revealing where the Ark is today, how it got there, and why it remains hidden.

Part fascinating scholarship and part entertaining adventure yarn, tying together some of the most intriguing tales of all time -- from the Knights Templar and Prester John to Parsival and the Holy Grail -- this book will appeal to anyone fascinated by the revelation of hidden truths, the discovery of secret mysteries. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (85)

The arch iswhere it belongs
This book came to me. Unexpected at 1$! It is priceless.
The opening chapter is magnificent whereas the end is a little bit fuzzy.
The other chapters repeat themself a lot. Nevertheless, the book
leaves you with a lot of open questions and your own quest.
A must for the reader in between.

Excellent book
Excellently written overview of extensive research into the various issues of interest, specifically: Templars, Ark of the Covenant, etc. Highly recommended!

Entertaining and informative, but could be just a big, crazy make-'em'up
Right off the bat, let me say that Hancock spins a good yarn, but whether or not that yarn rings true is quite another matter.

Hancock has, over time, been vilified by archaeologists the world over for his lack of scholarship . . . and they might be correct in doing so, but Hancock does fabulous job of engaging the reader.His writing skill is top-notch, as is his storytelling ability.Although his theories and scientific approach might be considered more imagination and myth, he covers a lot of interesting information, including but not limited to religion, Europe, the Crusades, the Knights Templar, the Chartres Cathedral, Chretien de Troyes, Jerusalem, the Dome of the Rock, Egyptian technological advancement, Moses, etc.The hodgepodge of weird and interesting stuff you heard about and saw as a kid all comes together here.

That's what really keeps you reading: Hancock's concentration of interesting information, all tied up with a bow.Secret societies, freaky ancient technology, the ark that burns off Nazi faces, hidden symbols and clues, exotic locales.All there, along with the investigative travels of Graham Hancock.It's like investigative fringe history . . . and it's all interrelated.

The only downside to the book is the ending which, after all Hancock's searching, leaves the reader dissatisfied.To paraphrase Hancock's closing chapter: "I've pinpointed the location of the ark, but I'm not allowed in to see it.In fact, no one is.The end."Me, I would have considered hiring a few mercs to bust on in, to see what's what, sacrilege aside.

You'll definitely learn quite a few things when you read "The Sign and the Seal."Definitely worth a look.

Where Is The Ark?
Devil's Verse: Natasha Azshatan Unlocks Ancient Mysteries, Reveals Secrets, And Wrestles With Demons As She Fights To Stay Alive

In The Sign And The Seal, Journalist and explorer Graham Hancock takes the reader along on his real life quest to find the legendary ark of the covenant.He follows clues in the bible and in other ancient writings, including the legend of the holy grail, which Hancock asserts is actually a literary map which leads to the ark's location.He uncovers clues left by the Knight Templers that were carved in stones across Europe and eventually to Axum Ethiopia where a secluded tribe of Ethiopians claim to posses the Ark inside their temple. This is a fun read.Whether the ark is in Axum or not, the journey is epic.

Great Seller!!!
My book was delivered as advertised and is a great read too! Thank You Very Much!! ... Read more

Product Description

In today's superheated business climate, executives and managers are under increasing pressure to squeeze every last drop of productivity out of their people. Built around inspiring stories from both the military and business worlds, Leadership Lessons of the Navy SEALS outlines a step-by-step approach to boosting morale and increasing productivity in any business organization.

Customer Reviews (4)

Outstanding!
I am a career firefighter and have seen far too many examples of weak leadership.I figured the seals were a rather successful organization to look into.Although our jobs are different, there are many parallels.This is a great book for anyone who works in a team enviroment and wants to make their organization more successful.

Make a decision
If you are looking for a book on leadership this book will do more than you could imagine. If you could get a sneak peak into an elite group to see how they work together what would you pay? Better yet what would you learn? If you read this book you will find out. The book is written so it is easy to understand and follow. The book uses stories as ways to convey why something should be done as a leader. The biggest message that I got was doing something and moving is better than doing nothing and sitting, make a decision and go from there. You will not be dissapointed.

After I read this book I bought the cds and put them on my ipod. I listen to this book at least once a month. The voice of the reader is compelling. I look forward to traffic.

One of the Best Books I have EVER read.
I am a profession College Coach. I have read many books on so called "Leaders" in the sports World. Wooden, Knight, Bryant, Hayes, Lombardi, Coach K, Dean Smith, Patino could all learn something from this book. This book gets to the point and proves the correct and effective technique. I have read maybe 30-40 books on leadership and coaching and I will say that this book is the best book I have ever read. After reading this book I gave a copy of it to all of the Coaches in my Athletic Department, and my Assistant Coaches. I can tell you not one person has not thanked me for getting them this book.

If you are a professional business man or woman, a coach, a community leader, teacher, you need this book!

Great book on leadership
Got this book as a gift since I just happened to get out of the military and now work for a software company. This book goes chapter by chapter explaining how leadership is perceived and how it should be. The author explains different leadership qualities as well as leadership styles. ... Read more

Product Description
A seal at school!

What happens when Sammy, the adventurous seal, leaves the zoo for the day? He goes to the city, finds a school full of kids and new things to do--and he even learns to read!

Customer Reviews (16)

This deal hasn't been sealed
Andre the Famous Harbor Seal is a lot better. This book is a failure in comparison.

A nice intro to reading book
I ordered this book for my daughter; and she likes reading about how Sammy the Seal spends an afternoon outside of the zoo in the big city.

Sammy the Seal
I bought this book for my grandson.He is beginning to read.He really enjoyed this book!

Sammy the Seal is COOL!!
My sons absolutely LOVE this book.Whenever it is time to read a story, Sammy Seal makes the heap and I always cave in and read it.For a little book, it's quite detailed with great artwork and a wonderful plot!

Cute book!
This book is really cute and the illustrations are fabulous. I can't wait to hear my 6 year old read it to me. ... Read more

Product Description
FEAR HAS A WAY...

Lucy Donovan always gets her man.As a fiercely independent CIA agent, she's survived hundreds of death-defying missions.But her latest may just get her killed.Weighed down with a secret she's desperate to keep, the last thing Lucy needs is to be sent undercover with a man who brings out the best--and the worst--in her.

OF GETTING YOU KILLED

Navy SEAL Gus Atwater never turns down an assignment, even if it means working with the only woman he's ever loved and lost.So with a volatile mix of desire and distrust, Lucy and Gus confront their tangled past.Pretending to be man and wife is risky enough, but now the clock is running out.As their mission escalates from desperate to deadly, will Lucy's secret expose them both? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

A Solid Story

I liked this book, the story, but have some problems with the heroine, Lucy.The suspense is good, the settings vivid.The hero, Gus, is a sweet hottie and I liked him very much.Lucy, however, is too...much.She's too hard, she's too relentless, and until the end of the story, she's too selfish.I didn't like her in DON'T LET GO for those same reasons.

However, I wish there were more stories in this series, follow-ups on the main characters previously introduced, and I really think Drake Donavan deserves his own story.

If you haven't read Ms. Melton's Navy SEAL series, you're missing out on some good entertainment.

Shelley Dawn, author of Sweet, Sweet Jessie and Dark Nights

4 Hearts from The Romance Studio!
Ms. Melton makes scenarios come alive whether in an office or in the middle of the jungle. The romance between Gus and Lucy is hot and fun reading as they find time for pleasure in the middle of all the stress. This is a great tale of two young heroes who put everything they have into the job they do for the country they love. Ms. Melton's plots are never predictable which makes her books a delight to read. - Dee Dailey

Not very good
Never did I think I would rate a Marliss Melton book this low!It took me four days to read this and at the time I was laid up with a broken leg so I had A LOT of reading time.Just couldn't get into this one.

Lucy Donovan is a CIA agent.On a mission she meets up with her old college boyfriend, Gus, who is now a Navy SEAL.They're partners on the mission. There was no explanation of their previous relationship and why and how they broke up.What exactly happened with the bombing of 8 years ago?What were their lives like over the past eight years?I never got a feel for Gus or Lucy's personality or character because they were cardboard.I've read all the books in this series and "Forget Me Not" is one of the best books I've ever read hands down. I figure this book was a fluke.

Good solid entry in the series
James "Gus" Atwater, Navy Seal, is assigned to work with Lucy Donovan in Show No Fear, Marliss Melton's seventh entry in her Navy Seals series. Lucy also happens to be Gus's old love from college. Lucy abruptly broke the relationship off in college and they went their separate ways; Lucy to the CIA and Gus to the Seals. He has managed to keep track of Lucy over the years and has watched concerned as she risks her life time and again for various causes. They meet up again when Lucy has been captured in Venezuela by the Elite Guard and has been held prisoner and tortured.

After ten months of recovering from her injuries and working through some post traumatic delayed stress; Lucy and Gus are paired for a rescue mention in Columbia. Lucy is having a few flashbacks, but she refuses to let fear sideline her. As Lucy and Gus work undercover with a UN group to save some hostages, they manage to rekindle their romance.

Melton has a tight plot with strong believable characters. This entry into her series is a gem!

Surprisingly Good Read
Marliss Melton delivers a well done book.It is very gratifying to pick up a volume this far along in a series and not be able to put it down. Not many authors of late have been able to accomplish this."Show No Fear" is exactly the type of story that makes you want to go and pre-order the next book in the series because you have just become re-invested in the characters and can't wait to see what happens next.Any Melton fan that has not picked up this volume yet should do so. ... Read more

Product Description
With compassion and an unswerving regard for the truth, veteran journalist Mark Seal lays bare the deeply moving, inspirational story of Joan Root, a dedicated environmentalist and Oscar-nominated wildlife filmmaker. He covers her early days in Kenya as a shy young woman with an almost uncanny ability to connect to animals; her whirlwind courtship with the dashing Alan Root, their marriage, and the twenty years of nonstop adventure and passionate romance that followed, both in Africa and around the world; the shattering disintegration of the marriage and partnership; and Joan’s triumphant struggle to reinvent herself as the protector of her lakeshore community’s fragile ecosystem—a struggle that would lead to her tragic death in January 2006. Joan Root dreamed of a bright future for Kenya, a country blessed with unmatched beauty but scarred by decades of colonization and a culture of corruption. She spent her life fighting to make that dream a reality. Her life ended too soon, but “thanks to Seal’s meticulous re-creation, her extraordinary life lives on.” (People, four-star review)Amazon.com Review
Book Description
For readers of the bestselling White Mischief and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil--Vanity Fair contributing editor Mark Seal tells the mesmerizing story of the captivating life and shocking death of world-renowned naturalist Joan Root.

From her passion for animals to her storybook love affair to her hard-fought crusade to save Kenya’s beautiful Lake Naivasha, Wildflower is naturalist, filmmaker, and lifelong conservationist Joan Root’s gripping life story--a stunning and moving tale featuring a remarkable modern-day heroine.

Customer Reviews (25)

Incredible book about life in Africa
This is an incredible book. For its brevity, it managed to squeeze in and illuminate complicated personal, environmental, and political issues. Joan Root, the subject of the book, was a fascinating and admirable woman and it's clear this book was a labor of love from an author who first learned about her when writing an article about her horrible death for Vanity Fair. This book made me want to know more about Joan, and her husband Alan, and see the incredible films they made together. It's too bad it took her death for the spotlight to be focused on her struggle to preserve the beauty of Africa and to care for its wildlife.She was a truly compassionate and unique woman. As for drawbacks, I wish the book had gone into more detail about Joan's relationship with the animals and the land that took up a large part of her life, since that was so close to her heart. She rehabilitated wildlife and considered her property a haven. The book feels somewhat unbalanced because it focuses so much on Joan's personal life and dramatic interaction and conflicts with her husband (later ex), Alan, and David Chege, two important men in her life, and doesn't explore as fully her interaction with the wildlife and the land she cared so much for. This, to me, would have made this well-written book even better!

An Extraordinary Betrayal
Alan Root was the love of Joan's life, and she waited for his return through extra-marital affairs and a second marriage to a woman dying of cancer. It wasn't until eighteen years after he left her, and admitted that he had impregnated another woman shortly before his second wife's death, that Joan finally removed his belongings from the house. Joan Root was an intensely private person.For Alan Root to have encouraged and provided material for a biography that included their correspondence and her diaries was the ultimate betrayal. The book left me with the overwhelming feeling that she had devoted her life to a man and a cause she couldn't win, and would never have wanted the journey documented.

Remarkable Story
This is a great book about the life of an amazing woman.She lived a life that I could only dream of living.Her murder is very saddening and its hard to believe that this still goes on, even in the present day.She was strong and she knew that she had to do something to save the lake.
It is sad because she was fighting for a cause that no one seemed to share but now, in 2010, the Lake is in big trouble and is drying up.It baffles me how it took this long to see what is going on, they write this article as if this is new news. I love the title "Flower Farms may be killing Kenya's lake Naivasha"...MAY BE?????Isn't that what Joan said years and years ago?
[...]

It is a shame that Joan was murdered and that her killers are still roaming this world and it is even worse that the cause she fought for and she died for is still not recognized as a major problem until it is too late.You would think in this day and age that something could be done to save this lake.

Regardless, it is a great book and I highly recommend it.Julia Roberts is starring in the movie that is still in production but I look forward to seeing it...

Wildflower: An Extraordinary Life and Untimely Death in Africa
I loved the story of the adventures of Allan and Joan Root.The explanations of the beauty and the dangers of Africa were wonderful.Joan was an extraordinary woman who did for everyone despite the hardship.

No Surprises Here
Joan Root was born in Africa in 1937, the daughter of wealthy parents who presided in Kenya.She grew to love and have great compassion for the land and the animals where she lived.She maried a flamboyant outgoing man named Alan Root.
Together, they filmed incredible scenes of wildlife, animals, rivers, lakes, plants, and all sorts of life in Africa.These early videos became famous world wide and were seen in movies and television, highlighted in magazines and newspapers from the 1950's to the 1990's, and brought them money and fame.
Their life as a couple is also highlighted throughout the book as they were so different, yet had so many similarities, especially the love of the land of Africa.
There are no surprises in this book, as the cover and back side tell it all.The informtion is extremely interesting as the author examines why and how this couple lived as they did.
I don't remember why I decided to read this book.None the less, I found it enjoyable, but it wasn't in the category of "gosh, I just can't put it down!" ... Read more

Product Description
Since the US Navy SEALs came into existence in 1983, they have become famous for their daring missions, advanced and unconventional tactics, hard training and hard-fought successes. SEALs have taken part in numerous conflicts ranging from Grenada in 1983, the invasion of Panama and operations in Somalia, Bosnia, Haiti, and Liberia. Most recently, SEAL units have participated in the ongoing missions of Operation Enduring Freedom in the war in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in the war in Iraq.

Now in paperback, this bestselling book from respected authors Mir Bahmanyar and Chris Osman offers readers afocus on modern combat operations between 1983 and 2006, examining various combat operations, the Navy SEAL training regimes, and the development of tactics and weapons. It includes first-hand accounts from SEALs on the ground, including revealing accounts from those currently involved in operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. This is an eye-opening insight into the shadowy and mysterious world of the US Navy SEALs, guaranteed to appeal to anyone with an interest in modern military operations, current events, and even those interested in becoming a Navy SEAL. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Comprehensive
This book is a very good compilation of SEAL mission Profiles. Plenty of new and updated information and pictures; not just the same old contemporary photographs seen in every other Special Operations book.

Informative and simple
For anyone interested in the U.S. Navy Seals this is only a snap shot of what they have done. Nevertheless, there is some great information in this book.

Great Navy Seal Book
This is a great book about the Navy Seals.It has lots of colored pictures and has a lot of info about the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.It is a must have for Navy Seal enthusiasts or anyone who wants to learn about Navy Seals.

AWESOME! If you're interested in SEALs, buy this now
This is the authority on SEALs. It's the best reference I have seen on them and has tons of really great photos you won't see anywhere else.

If you buy this you will be happy. Wait till you see the goat as a battering ram hahaha.

Buy

Overall good description on what it takes to be a SEAL
I found this book to be a great model for anyone who would even consider The Navy's elite training and lifestyle. The introduction of BUD/S is a very detail oriented on what exactly these men have to go through just to carry the SEAL trident. With that in mind the personal acounts given by SEALs themselfs gives great imagery on the strenous activity and dedication focused on the team aspect in BUD/S three phases in becoming a SEAL.
The whole process can be summed up with a couple of words from SEALS themselfs: "The only easy day was yesterday"
Overall a good depiction on what type of Men it takes to be a SEAL and the special tatics used by the best. ... Read more

Product Description
In America’s battle against al-Qaeda and their allies, the goal of the Navy SEALs is to be the best guns in the fight—stealthy, effective, professional, and lethal. Here for the first time is a SEAL insider’s battle history of these Special Operations warriors in the war on terrorism.

“Down range” is what SEALs in Afghanistan and Iraq call their area of operations. In this new mode of warfare, “down range” can refer to anything from tracking roving bands of al-Qaeda on a remote mountain trail in Afghanistan to taking down an armed compound in Tikrit and rousting holdouts from Saddam Hussein’s regime. It could mean interdicting insurgents smuggling car-bomb explosives over the Iraqi-Syrian border or silently boarding a freighter on the high seas at night to enforce an embargo. In other words, “down range” could be anywhere, anytime, under any conditions.

In Down Range, author Dick Couch, himself a former Navy SEAL and CIA case officer, uses his unprecedented access to bring the reader firsthand accounts from the warriors in combat during key missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Couch creates a pulse-pounding, detailed narrative of the definitive engagements of this war, while painting an unusually intimate portrait of these warriors in the field. The performance of the SEALs in difficult, changing environments—in the heat of the Afghan desert, in the snow-packed Hindu Kush, on the high seas, and in the urban chaos of Baghdad—has been nothing short of extraordinary. The SEALs, coordinating with other American forces, the CIA, and foreign special operations units like the Polish GROM, have once more shown their genius for improvisation and capacity for courageous action in leading the fight against this new and vicious enemy.

The first battle history of its kind, Down Range is a riveting close-up of some of America’s finest warriors in action against a deadly foe.



Also available as an eBook


From the Hardcover edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (31)

Disappointing
I am a great supporter of our military people but find this work by Mr. Couch to be little more then a puff piece hardly worth the time to read. The Seals are a well trained force who don't need or deserve the gratuitous treatment that Mr. Couch provides in this book.

Great Read!!!
Anyone wanting to read this book should absolutely read Warrior Elite & The Finishing School before reading this.I have seen several reviews speaking poorly of the author because he doesn't reveal some kind of classified information in this book.There are two main reasons this type of criticism should never be written.The first is that revealing classified information will get you a very quick trip to federal prison.The second and to me more important reason is that he is writing a book about some of the most elite and greatest warriors the world has ever known.To reveal any classified or sensitive information could & probably would put these great warriors at greater risk than they are already in.To do so is not only irresponsible but outright cruel to these great warriors and there families who pray for there safe return.This book is a great read though.

God bless our troops
Good first time read, but check out The Warrior Elite also by Captain Couch.
PS, God bless the Families of Michael Murphy, Matthew Axelson, and Danny Dietz

Down Range Review
Personally I would have enjoyed more reports of actual action involvements. Although there were numerous reporrts of Seal involvements the narrative,for me , became slowed down and complicated by the frequent acromyms and description(s) of command decision chains. Am looking forward to strarting "Chosen Soldier" next

Humbling to Read About Such Dedicated Service
Apart from being exciting and informative,it is impossible to put down this book without the utmost respect for the men serving our country (and indeed all of mankind) in the world's most dangerous places.This is real, these men are heroes, and we must all hope that they succeed in their missions.Clearly, we couldn't put our hopes in any better warriors. ... Read more