Chris Kyle’s book American Sniper is a shocking insight to the life of a Navy Seal Sniper while on deployment. This autobiography illustrates not only the problems faced by Kyle after putting away his gun, but while thousands of miles away from home protecting those he called brothers.
Kyle discusses his life from before he enlisted in the SEALS up to his time at home when he decided he can help those who had the same problems as himself.
During his four tours during the Iraq War, Kyle earned the accolade of most Career Sniper Kills in United States history. Becoming known as “Al-Shaitan” or “The Devil” to the insurgents, Kyle served as a watchful eye over the soldiers in the streets below in Iraq. Kyle talks about the mere seconds he has to decide whether or not a person is a friend or foe before he pulls the trigger.
War has an everlasting impact on those that experience it. “MY REGRETS ARE ABOUT THE PEOPLE I COULDN’T SAVE—Marines, soldiers, my buddies. I still feel their loss. I still ache for my failure to protect them,” and sadly, Kyle was no stranger this effect. The haunting details about his time overseas that were carried back home to his wife and children. People believe soldiers are made of steel, but reading through the perspective of the men on the other side, you begin to see that there is only a certain amount of death and horror that single person can take in their life.
This book represents the story of only one man among the hundreds of thousands that have worn our flag into battle. “I’ve lived the literal meaning of the ‘land of the free’ and ‘home of the brave.’ It’s not corny for me. I feel it in my heart,” whether or not the average American citizen believes that we belong in the war doesn’t matter, because the people overseas all believe and fight for the same thing, so why should we not share the same beliefs?

Reviewed By: Paul Culmone