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Fearless takes you deep into SEAL Team SIX, straight to the heart of one of its most legendary operators.
“As a rule, we don’t endorse books or movies or anything regarding the command where I work—and Adam Brown worked—but as the author writes in Fearless, ‘you have to know the rules, so you know when to bend or break them.’ This is one of those times. Read this book. Period. It succeeds where all the others have failed.” —Anonymous SEAL Team SIX Operator
When Navy SEAL Adam Brown woke up on March 17, 2010, he didn’t know he would die that night in the Hind Kush Mountains of Afghanistan—but he was ready. In a letter to his children, not meant to be seen unless the worst happened, he wrote, “I’m not afraid of anything that might happen to me on this earth, because I know no matter what, nothing can take my spirit from me.”
Fearless is the story of a man of extremes, whose courage and determination were fueled by faith, family, and the love of a woman. It’s about a man who waged a war against his own worst impulses, including drug addiction, and persevered to reach the top tier of the U.S. military. In a deeply personal and absorbing chronicle, Fearless reveals a glimpse inside the SEAL Team SIX brotherhood, and presents an indelible portrait of a highly trained warrior whose final act of bravery led to the ultimate sacrifice.
Adam Brown was a devoted man who was an unlikely hero but a true warrior, described by all who knew him as…fearless.
ERIC BLEHM is the best-selling author of The Only Thing Worth Dying For, which recounts the harrowing story of the first Special Forces A-team to infiltrate Taliban-held southern Afghanistan weeks after 9/11. It was a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller. The Last Season, winner of the National Outdoor Book Award, was named by Outside magazine as one of the ten “greatest adventure biographies ever written.” Blehm lives in California with his wife and children.
Blehm has earned a reputation for both his accuracy and leave-no-stone-unturned approach to nonfiction writing. For The Only Thing Worth Dying For, he interviewed the surviving members of ODA 574, Special Operations soldiers and airmen, key commanders, war planners, and Hamid Karzai. He also scoured the military records and personal writings of the Green Berets involved. This unprecedented access continued with Fearless: Adam Brown’s civilian and military life was recounted to Blehm by family, friends, SEAL teammates, and other members of the military. In addition, he drew from official documents, statements, military records and reports, criminal records, family archives, letters, emails, and journal and diary entries. While writing The Last Season, Blehm pieced together the portrait of Randy Morgenson from journals, letters, photos, and interviews with his wife, friends, and colleagues, as well as by retracing Morgenson’s steps in the backcountry of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
This diligent reportage has made Blehm a recognized voice in many communities, including National Park Service search-and-rescue (the Morgenson investigation was one of the most extensive search-and-rescue operations in NPS history) and various branches of the military, particularly the Special Operations community.
Blehm is also the founder of Molly the Owl Books, the independent publishing company behind Molly the Owl—his popular nonfiction children’s book about a barn owl and her family-which won the 2011 Nautilus Award and the 2011 San Diego Book Award. Currently, he is working on his next nonfiction book, which takes place during the Cold War era.
"I became a writer so I could see the world and experience some of the places and things I'd read about as a kid. My mother died from cancer when I was 17, and toward the end of her life she told me, "If there is something you want to do in life, do it now, because you don't know about tomorrow." She had been a workaholic and was always putting off things like travel for later. Because she didn't get that chance, I have lived my life through her words of wisdom. Don't wait. If you have something you want to do, get on it. One of the best decisions I made was to use my savings to travel around the world for almost a year with my wife before we settled down and started a family. It was a time to slow down after working high-stress jobs right out of college and really relish the experiences.
Although I've been called an adventurer because of the stories I've written in locales ranging from the Himalaya to Iran, I have to say that being a parent is the greatest adventure of all. It's the most amazing, wonderful, exciting, and challenging "journey" that I've ever been on. My hat goes off to parents everywhere who try to make this world a better place by filling it with open-minded, responsible, and kind-hearted kids who will become open-minded, responsible, and kind-hearted adults.
It took me seven years to get through college, working 30 hours a week all the way through. First, however, I moved to Breckenridge, Colorado, to be a snowboard bum. So many people told me, "If you quit school now, you'll never go back." I knew I wanted a higher education, but I didn't know what in, so I followed my heart and eventually ended up graduating with honors from San Diego State University with a degree in journalism and a minor in outdoor recreation.
Snowboarding has been my ticket to seeing the world. Surfing has been my yoga. I think it's important to have something in your life that transcends being just a hobby. Something fulfilling, not because of success or accomplishments but simply through the act of doing it. Fishing, not to catch fish, but to be in the wilds ... that sort of thing.
I once jumped into a freezing-cold lake to try to revive a drowning trout. I would rather surf a lesser, uncrowded wave than deal with the vibe of a crowded peak. My idea of a perfect day is doing anything with my family, unplugged from the rest of the world. I believe in karma and the Golden Rule. I like good tequila better than good wine. I can get dressed for almost any occasion in less than five minutes. I've been saying I'll try yoga for about twenty years now. I'd rather fish a wild stream for small fish than a dammed lake for big fish. I actually really like my in-laws, all of them. Hospitals scare me. Oh, and about that trout-it lived to swim another day.
Author’s Note
Adam Brown’s civilian and military life has been recounted to me by his family, friends, and teammates—all eyewitnesses to each event portrayed in this book, including what Adam told them directly about his history and spiritual testimony. I also used official documents, statements, military records and reports, criminal records, family archives, letters, e-mails, and journal and diary entries. Some dates, locations, times, distances, and names (including those of some civilians) have been changed; faces in photographs obscured; and military tactics, techniques, and procedures altered in order to maintain operational security for the safety of the U.S. Navy SEALs and those who work alongside them.
All information about the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, the SEALs, and individuals (including the use of real names) has already been published widely by the media and is deemed common knowledge. Nearly a dozen active-duty SEAL operators—including those in leadership roles—have unofficially, but no less meticulously, reviewed this manuscript for factuality and to point out any issues that might endanger lives in future operations. I have removed or rewritten sections to their approval, and in the few cases of discrepancy among the operators, I went with the majority. Any vagueness in the manuscript is intentional, to protect these men and their allies.
All quotes, slang, inner thoughts, dialogue, and descriptions have been conveyed to me by those intimately involved in the story to the best of their ability and individual memories. Nothing has been contrived, dramatized, or fabricated.
What you are about to read is the account of an American hero who bravely gave permission in his final written requests to share his journey, from small-town America to the gutter to jail to Jesus to war to the top tier of the U.S. military: SEAL Team SIX.
Author's Note xi
Prologue 1
1 Foundations 3
2 Something Special 10
3 The Wolf Pack 21
4 Slipping 29
5 The Dark Time 37
6 In God's Hands 47
7 Kelley 61
8 Rising Up 78
9 Pays to Be a Winner 88
10 A SEAL Is Born 97
11 The Calling 109
12 War 123
13 Something Important 138
14 Green Team 152
15 Top Secret 166
16 Heart of a Warrior 185
17 Objective Lake James 199
18 I Got It! 214
19 Unconquerable Soul 226
Epilogue 241
Afterword 251
Acknowledgments 254
In Memoriam 256
Love, strength, caring, fearlessness, faith, dedication, selflessness, these are all qualities that Adam Brown possessed. As a Navy Seal he epitomized the American warrior. Of the many stories that could be told of the Seals, his comrades invariably pointed to his story as the one they would like told. He was no saint. He would would be the first to admit he had his faults and his demons. Shortly out of high school, he became hooked on drugs, after he failed to find a direction for his life. He fell to the depths of lying to and stealing from his own family to support his habit. The turning point came when his parents realizing they could not help him, turned him in to the police. His mother was overcome as she and her husband watched him being handcuffed and taken to jail. Adam was crushed, but found remorse and the Lord while in jail. He resolved to beat the drugs and to once again become the type of person of whom his parents would be proud. It wasn't an easy road. He was helped by his new girl friend and future wife, Kelley. He determined to enlist in the Navy and become a Seal, the best the Navy had to offer. How could a man who admitted he was addicted to drugs turn his life around and become a Navy Seal? This book is the story of a man's struggle to overcome all odds. He started by devoting his life to faith in God, by not taking no for an answer, by not allowing others to tell him he could not get where he wanted to go. Adam Brown overcame obstacles that would stop most men dead in their tracks. At one point in training he lost the sight of his right eye in a training accident. Instead of giving up he trained himself to use the other eye to aim with, maintaining his marksmanship qualification. Later on a mission, the fingers of his right hand were crushed and nearly severed. He endured the pain of having his fingers reattached and when he found they would not work efficiently, he trained himself to shoot accurately with his left hand. He accomplished all of this with the support of his family, his teammates, and his faith in God. He seemed to be able to overcome any odds, until that night raid in Afghanistan on March 17, 2010. This is a very good book which recounts the life of a man who stood for all the best this country has to offer. He was selfless and brave. A man of faith and family. He was a man to look up to. His story, one that in these times truly needed to be told. The way he led his life was inspirational. A man any of us would be proud to know. This book was provided by the publishers for review.
23 out of 25 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 25, 2012
I've read a lot of these books, and as I know an ex-Seal, I usually look at these books as crossing the boundaries of what should and should not be discussed. This book was written for all the right reasons in my opinion. What a phenomenal story that shows the true power of persistence and faith. I truly feel lucky to have been able to read this story.
15 out of 16 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 25, 2012
To have gone from nothing to this tier one operator is amazing. I have no words to describe this book. Deserves more than a 5 star rating.
11 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 31, 2012
I have not been so affected by a book...since reading Marianne Pearl's "A Mighty Heart" (about the kidnapping and murder of her husband, "Wall Street" reporter Daniel Pearl, by terrorists in Pakistan).
I have never been so moved by a book as I was by "Fearless". When I reached the last couple of chapters I was sobbing. My heart ached for his wife and children, mother and father, brother and sister...my heart ached for the rest of us, who will now...never chance meeting Adam Brown or have the privilege as those who did.
I have never been so inspired by a book....I have a reserve which I draw from to push myself harder when need be and only excuses can detour me otherwise...
This reserve has a new mantra...Adam Brown, Adam Brown, Adam Brown...
Eric Blehm has brought us a gift with the story of Adam Brown.
Adam made one bad decision in his life... Adam by far... made more honorable and great decisions throughout his life. I no longer can say "I can't"...Adam has made me realize I want to be a better person....Faith, family and country have always been important to me...yet, I now know, I can always kick it up a notch.
Eric Blehm has skillfully brought to light this humble hero and I feel the urgency to know the names of all these heroes...quietly they serve us and fight for our freedom. Their names should constantly be rotating through our thoughts and hearts...they have given and continue to give us our lives while interupting or giving up theirs.
If I could sum up Adam Brown in one descriptive word...perhaps, disciplined? Committed? Courageous? So many more as they adaquately describe him...but "heart" is what made Adam Brown all those things....Adam put his heart into everyone and everything.....Adam put his heart in and then gave his heart to...America and Afghanistan.
9 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 26, 2012
Great book, very inspirational.
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 7, 2012
Got about 50 pages in and felt the bile rising in my throat from all the religious references. Great book for jesus freaks and hand waivers but definitely not for me.
5 out of 44 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 20, 2012
MY REVIEW: This book was truly amazing and it's because it is about an amazing man who, against huge odds, became a Navy Seal and protected our country against the evil. I knew when I saw the book that it was going to be a great story, but I was unprepared for the odds that Adam Brown went through to get where he was.
Spoiler Alert: I ususally try not to give away too much of the book, but it's hard not to in reviewing this book. If you don't want to know details, please skip down to my recommendation. Adam Brown was a boy who pushed the envelope and I was amazed at some of the high places he decided to jump from! As a Mom, I can just imagine the terror he struck in his mother's heart when he would do these things. One thing everyone in the book commented on was his good heart and his love for others. However, he got caught up with a girl that got him hooked on drugs and suddenly, Adam had a monkey on his back. He got clean, had a family friend vouche for him, and went into the Navy. His goal was to be a Navy Seal and, against a lot of odds, he did just that! He was injured severely several times, but instead of taking disability, he kept on keeping on. His tenacity was so inspiring!! Unfortunately, Adam died serving his country by flushing out a terrorist cell. I can't tell you how many tears flowed down my cheeks while reading this.
Recommendation: I highly recommend this book! It shows what our brave men and women go through to protect our country. It also shows what their families go through while their loved ones serve. I also loved how Adam's Christian faith was always at the forefront of his life. I had a hard time putting this book down because it was such a great story and well written. Fearless was inspiring, funny, and heart-wrenching. Do get a copy and read it!
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 17, 2012
I laughed. I cried. I hugged my husband and son harder. Adam Brown and his teammates are true warriors. Adam's strength and courage are like nothing I have ever seen before. Read this book. You will not regret it.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 15, 2012
Adam Brown did this: he lived with all his might while he lived. That is one thing that shines through Blehm’s book Fearless. It was refreshing to read of a man who knew his strength was from Another. It seems Adam’s life could be summed up in this, “not I, but Christ.” Funerals are telling of a man’s life and it was clear where Adam wanted the spotlight shined at his. Going from crack addict to elite SEAL operator is humanly impossible. There was a lot of brokenness in Adam’s life and he wanted those things known so that His Savior’s grace would shine.
Adam Brown was a man alive. He understood and lived what most of us just long for. His life was marked with that rare sort of determined abandonment to mediocrity that looks to some like simple recklessness. Recklessness it was not. He understood that life was a gift and that every good and perfect gift was from above. He treasured his wife and children. He treasured the breath he was given and the tremendous giftedness he possessed. Fearless tells of a man with a rare, deep maturity that blends together things that don’t seem like they should go together. Meek and bold; humble and tenacious; longing to show compassion and tenderness –how many shoes did he give away to Afghan children!? Yet, he was ready to deal lethal violence for those to whom it was due. Chesterton’s comment seems to capture well the warrior ethos that Adam possessed. He fought not so much out of hatred for the enemy in “front” of him, but out of love for what was “behind” him- his family, his brothers in arms, his country.
“No matter what my spirit is given to the Lord and I will finally be victorious,” wrote Adam. He understood that death had lost its sting because Christ conquered sin and death once for all. And so his funeral, where his body was laid to rest was not an act of closure. Rather -as much of his life- it was an act of defiance. Death will not have the final say for those like Adam Brown whose hope is in the Lord of Life.
Note: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. The opinions and review of this title are entirely my own.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.About the Book (from publisher): Fearless takes you deep into SEAL Team SIX, straight to the heart of one of its most legendary operators. An absorbing chronicle of heroism and humanity, Fearless presents an indelible portrait of a highly trained warrior who would enter a village with weapons in hand to hunt terrorists, only to come back the next day with an armload of shoes and meals for local children. It is a deeply personal, revealing glimpse inside the SEAL Team SIX brotherhood that also shows how these elite operators live out the rest of their lives, away from danger, as husbands, fathers and friends. Fearless is the story of a man of extremes, whose courage and determination was fueled by faith, family, and the love of a woman. It’s about a man who waged a war against his own worst impulses and persevered to reach the top tier of the US military. Always the first to volunteer for the most dangerous assignments, Adam’s final act of bravery led to the ultimate sacrifice. Adam Brown was a devoted man who was an unlikely hero but a true warrior, described by all who knew him as fearless. My thoughts: First of all, a caution - There is some rough or course language at a few points. This is not prevalent and is indicative of the occasion - unredeemed. Now about the book and the life and men it is about. This is a biography. A story of the courage of a man and of men. It is also a stronger story of redemption. A lost soul is redeemed by a Saviour, Jesus Christ. And a struggling, lost individual who is given a chance to redeem himself personally by that "second chance" repeated more than once by other men and by his work. It is about a dark period in the life of Adam Brown. But you see his childhood. You see how he comes through and out of that dark period by the grace of God and the support and love of a woman. You see a man who seeks constantly to prove himself and who seemingly doesn't let fear get in the way of making it to the top. I can't really say more and certainly can not say it better than the publisher has in the overview of the book (see above). I can say, though, that it awes me to think that American men can push themselves to such physical, mental, and emotion limits and still push on. It awes me the sacrifice they are making to provide a safe America and a safer World. I would say this is basically a man's book. It will appeal mostly to men. However, it behooves all Americans to know this story. And to know the story, the book should be read. Is this "Southern Lady of-a-certain-age" glad she read it? Yes! You see, I had no concept of what our military endured and sacrificed for us until I read it. Now I've had a glimpse into that world. Disclosure: I was provided a complimentary copy of Fearless by the Publisher, WaterBrook Press and Blogging for Books in order to provide an honest review. I was in no way compensated and under no obligation to render a favorable review.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 5, 2012
"Fearless" by Eric Blehm is a book that details the life of Navy SEAL Team SIX Operator, Adam Brown. Let me start by saying that this book was not at all what I expected - it was so much better! What I expected was all military, war, and battle stories, but this book starts at the very beginning of Adam's life, chronicling his intense love, commitment, and drive to accomplish his goals. The story of Adam Brown sees us through the full scale of emotions, but through it all we see an amazing man, driven by love for his family, friends, and God.
I have to admit, that this book sucks you in from the beginning. Even though it is essentially a biography of Adam Brown's life, it has all of the suspense, intrigue, and empathetic qualities of a good novel. This book pays amazing tribute to Adam Brown, and proves that not only was he a great father, friend, and an upstanding member of society, but that he was someone we can all look up to - he was a true hero.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone - It is an amazing book about an amazing man.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 1, 2012
I missed my opportunity to be a warrior for my country, but Adam Brown inspires me to be a better husband, a better father, and a better patriot. Thank you, Eric, for telling Adam's story. It is a powerful testimony of God's redemptive work in the life of a man who was not perfect, but stayed the course.
"Although a righteous person may fall seven times, he gets up again, but the wicked will be brought down by calamity." - Proverbs 24:16
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 16, 2012
One of the best books ever. It truly tells of the love of God and hoe God used him to save so many lives while being a deadly killer in war. Giving shoes out to the children who had none in the war ridden proidences of Afganistan. A real man of courage and such strong values.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.When I read about this book from the author that email that was sent to me. I was like yes I want read about this. I really did enjoy it. It about the life of a Navy Seal named Adam Brown. It take you though this live from when He was born to when he died. The story starts out with an interview kind of setting. Though it goes though from How his parents meet and then and it goes though focus on Adam life. I really is a good read. It got to my emotions a bit twice though out the book. There are somethings that Adam does that are strange but also some really bad things. You will be surpirese to see where he end up being. It quite amazing at what he was able to to do and fight though to get there. If you want a good read and Non Fiction book this is a good one to pick up and read. It read though this family and teammates and friends.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 27, 2012
I have already recommended this book to my friends. The book is written so that it just keeps flowing as you read it. You don't want to put it down. What a remarkable story and to know that it is true! This book helped me understand a little more what our service men and women go through and why they are willing to sacrifice all that they do. I also appreciate that the Brown family was willing to share their family story so others can be inspired and realize what is truly important in life. It touched my heart in so many ways reading his story and it made me realize there are so many deserving heros in our land that we don't even know about. I think it was very well written and handled all sensitive areas extremely well.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 6, 2012
Thank
you for sharing this story of an American hero, very well written. A must read for all!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 2, 2013
I enjoyed reading the life story of this Navy Seal. It is amazing what God can do when He changes a life. What this man did for our country is truly commendable.
As far as reading this book goes, it was not my favorite. I kept finding myself wanting to hurry and get through it so that I could read another book.
I believe most of my lack of enjoyment came from the amount of military terms in the book. I believe this would be a very enjoyable read for someone who has had experience in the military themselves, or has had a family member in the military.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 3, 2012
The book moves a bit slow in the beginning as it is an account of just how messed up Adam Brown's life had become. The constant and continuous relapsing into drug use was a bit monotonous and has the average reader screaming, "alright already!, we get it, he's messed up, move on to the redemption stuff!".
Once you get to the turning point in his life and the training he, and every other special operator, had to endure, one is left with a question; how could somebody seemingly so uncoordinated and reckless, albeit gung ho, make it into a brotherhood of individuals who count on each other not to be uncoordinated and reckless? The authors account of Adam Brown's training, his mishaps (stabbing himself between the eyes) and his obvious disregard for his own safety make this an interesting story of a very human individual who, against seemingly insurmountable odds, had an amazing drive and character that propelled him to the highest levels of the spec ops community and have him regarded with tremendous respect amongst the relatively small band of quiet professionals that Adam Brown operated with.
The story is very human with a bit too much bible thumping, in my opinion, but beyond that this story had me balling like a baby at the end and thankful for men like Adam Brown and his teammates.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 21, 2012
Do not waste your time
1 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 3, 2012
Book wasn't too bad, but it appears to be written for money... I really respect the man Adam Brown, but question the reasons for which the book was written. A little too religous for me. Still a good read for me....
1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
Fearless takes you deep into SEAL Team SIX, straight to the heart of one of its most legendary operators.
“As a rule, we don’t endorse books or movies or anything regarding the command where I work—and Adam Brown worked—but as the author writes in Fearless, ‘you have to know the rules, so you know when to bend or break them.’ This is one of those times. Read this...