Into the Fire

Under the pseudonym Mark Owen, this newly retired Navy SEAL, member of SEAL Team Six among other elite groups represented by acronyms, writes of the intense and specific training and development of the most elite forces in the world. Although No Easy Day is presented as the actual account of the killing of Osama bin Laden, it is so much more. To this group of specialized fighing men the actual operation which resulted in bin Laden's death was no more or less typical in preparation and training than other rescues or kill orders. The only thing that separated the mission from others was the extreme secrecy and selection of individual SEAL team members and the resulting execution of orders within the borders of Pakistan where bin Laden lived apparently unhampered.

The first chapter sets the stage for the dangerous situation confronting the Chalk One group as they approach the target compound. Leaving the reader on the precipice of danger, the account then moves to the training for other missions and the graduations of levels for SEALs to get to yet another specialized group. If nothing else, these next chapters reveal the hearts and souls of "the brotherhood" of extremely talented, courageous, and team-oriented men called to be SEALs. Those whose philosophy and motto is "The only easy day was yesterday." repeatedly train and go on unique missions. Train and go on unique missions. Over and over again. Always in the "readiness" and combat state of mind, these men only know "vacation" in an abbreviated form. Giving additional credit to Army Rangers and Delta Force in this book, the reader realizes these soldiers are special, elite, brave, multi-talented, and every other form of superlative that could be applied to those who do the most dangerous missions, the dirty work under the radar, the hidden things that keep our nation safe. They deserve all the acclaim and notoriety that accompanies the moniker Navy SEAL and Special Forces, but they prefer anonymity.

What provoked the inherent risks and the inspiration for No Easy Day were the multiple incorrect accounts of what really happened on the mission which resulted in the death of al Qaeda terrorist Osama bin Laden, known to them as UBL. Not only was the government responsible for publicizing incorrect information but also, of course, the media claimed to have the inside story. Mark Owen decided to expose some of the false reports and give a general and careful reckoning of the events preceding and involving the death of bin Laden.

Accompanied in the writing of this novel by Kevin Maurer, the author of four books about Special Forces who spent many years embedded with the Special Forces in Afghanistan, the account reads as smoothly as a story even without the contractions in the dialogue. It's well told and good reading.

My only complaint is the use of and tribute to "luck". Luck had nothing to do with some of the amazing occurrences noted in this book.

Most of the proceeds from No Easy Day will go to honor the fallen and the families of slain SEALs lost since 9/11 listed in the final pages of the book.

Buy it. Read it. For them.   

Father, you know each one's heart and soul. All of us. All the time. I pray for each member of our Special Forces, for "Mark Owen" and Kevin Maurer, asking you to reach them for you. May they know you the way you want to be known. May they see your divine hand in all they do. May they give credit to you for preserving their lives. May they experience the joy and profound meaning of who you made them to be. And may the deep joy that comes from knowing the true Savior belong to them for the rest of their lives. I ask it all in the Name of Jesus, Amen.