Synopses & Reviews
The first complete history of the U.S. Navy SEALs—from their roots in World War II to their celebrated efforts in the War on Terror—written with the unprecedented cooperation of the Navy. The book will tie-in with a fall 2014 PBS series.
Over the last fifty years, a small Navy unit has evolved into the worlds most celebrated fighting force: the U.S. Navy SEALs. Until now, their stories have been sealed in the chambers of operational secrecy—and the brotherhood of SEAL anonymity. Here, for the first time, Naval Special Warfare Command and more than one hundred former and active-duty SEAL go on the record at last: highly respected retired SEAL Dick Couch and historian Bill Doyle record their stories in Navy Seals and give us the epic chronicle these legendary warriors deserve.
Written with unprecedented cooperation from the Navy, Navy Seals charts the SEALs story, from their origins in the daring commando units of WWII to their coming of age in Vietnam and rise to glory in Iraq and Afghanistan after 9/11. Illustrated with never-before-seen photographs, documents, and archival material, here are the greatest missions of the worlds most legendary special operators—in their own words.
Review
“Captures the essence of Naval Special Warfare from our storied beginnings to the current fight and gives us a glimpse of what the future might bring for the 21st Century Navy SEALs.” Admiral WILLIAM J. McRAVEN (USN, Ret.), former Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command
Review
“Dick Couch, himself a SEAL warrior professional, is THE most respected and prolific writer on all forms of American military special operations. Couch and award-winning author William Doyles book is required reading for todays special operations warriors and those who wish to know more about the Navy SEALs.” Admiral ROBERT J. NATTER (USN, Ret.), former Commander in Chief of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet and Commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Ciommand
Review
“These patriotic sailors do whatever it takes to defend Americas freedom, even if it means paying the ‘ultimate sacrifice, as so many have. I will always cherish the memories and lasting friendships I share with my fellow Trident-wearing brothers who are brought to life in these pages.” Master Chief Bill Bruhmuller (USN, Ret.), founding member of SEAL Team Two
Review
“Couch and Doyle precisely depict many missions, including the famed rescue of Capt. Richard Phillips and the killing of Osama bin Laden. … Entertaining, no-nonsense balancing of legends and martial reality.” Kirkus Reviews
Review
“[The] definitive history of the U.S. Navy SEALs and their forefathers. ... I will always cherish the memories and lasting friendships I share with my fellow Trident-wearing brothers who are dramatically brought to life in these pages.” Master Chief BILL BRUHMULLER (USN, Ret.), founding member of SEAL Team Two
Review
“Essential reading for military buffs. ... Compelling. ... Underscor[es] the bravery that Navy SEALs have engaged in with each operation.” Library Journal
Review
“I am impressed. If you want to read one book about Navy SEALs, this is it.” Master Chief RICK KAISER (USN, Ret.), Executive Director of the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum and former Naval Special Warfare Development Group training chief
Review
“The first comprehensive history of the special operations force. ... Couch and Doyle do a great job of putting the entire story into context.” Military.com
Synopsis
"Captures the essence of Naval Special Warfare from our storied beginnings to the current fight." --Admiral WILLIAM H. McRAVEN
Written with the unprecedented cooperation of the Naval Special Warfare community, this vivid and definitive history of the U.S. Navy SEALs reveals the inside story behind the greatest combat operations of America's most celebrated warriors. Illustrated with forty pages of photographs and based on exclusive interviews with more than 100 U.S. frogmen (including multiple Medal of Honor recipients), here is the first comprehensive history of the special operations force (Military.com).
New York Times bestselling authors Dick Couch--a former SEAL--and William Doyle chart the SEALs' story, from their origins in the daring Naval Combat Demolition Teams, Underwater Demolition Teams, Scouts and Raiders commando units, and OSS Operational Swimmers of World War II to their coming of age in Vietnam and rise to glory in Iraq and Afghanistan after 9/11.
--Admiral ROBERT J. NATTER (USN, Ret.), former Commander in Chief of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet and Commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Ciommand
Synopsis
Written with the unprecedented cooperation of the Naval Special Warfare community, this vivid and definitive history of the U.S. Navy SEALs reveals the inside story behind the greatest combat operations of America's most celebrated warriors.
New York Times bestselling authors Dick Couch—a former SEAL—and William Doyle chart the SEALs' story, from their origins in the daring Naval Combat Demolition Teams, Underwater Demolition Teams, Scouts and Raiders commando units, and OSS Operational Swimmers of World War II to their coming of age in Vietnam and rise to glory in Iraq and Afghanistan after 9/11.
Illustrated with forty pages of photographs and based on exclusive interviews with more than 100 U.S. frogmen (including multiple Medal of Honor recipients), here is "the first comprehensive history of the special operations force" (Military.com).
About the Author
Dick Couch graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1967 and served as a Special Warfare Officer with the SEALs. While a platoon leader with SEAL Team One in 1970, he led one of the only successful POW rescue operations of the Vietnam War. In 1972 he entered the Central Intelligence Agency, where he served as a maritime operations case officer. Couch has spent five of the last fifteen years embedded with American special operation components. His nonfiction books include
The Warrior Elite: The Forging of SEAL Class 228,
The Finishing School,Down Range, Chosen Soldier,
Sua Sponte, and
Always Faithful, Always Forward. He has lectured at the Air Force Academy, West Point, Naval Academy, FBI Academy, and U.S. Marine War College.
William Doyle is the coauthor, with former U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, of American Gun: A History of the U.S. in Ten Firearms. His other books include A Soldiers Dream: Captain Travis Patriquin and the Awakening of Iraq, An American Insurrection, Inside the Oval Office, and A Mission from God (with James Meredith). He served as director of original programming for HBO, and he is coproducer of the PBS special Navy SEALs: Their Untold Story.