No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama Bin Laden [NOOK Book]

( 849 )

Overview

For the first time anywhere, the first-person account of the planning and execution of the Bin Laden raid from a Navy Seal who confronted the terrorist mastermind and witnessed his final moment

 From the streets of Iraq to the rescue of Captain Richard Phillips in the Indian Ocean, and from the mountaintops of Afghanistan to the third floor of Osama Bin Laden’s compound, operator Mark Owen of the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Development Group — ...
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No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama Bin Laden

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More About This Book

Overview

For the first time anywhere, the first-person account of the planning and execution of the Bin Laden raid from a Navy Seal who confronted the terrorist mastermind and witnessed his final moment

 From the streets of Iraq to the rescue of Captain Richard Phillips in the Indian Ocean, and from the mountaintops of Afghanistan to the third floor of Osama Bin Laden’s compound, operator Mark Owen of the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Development Group — commonly known as SEAL Team Six — has been a part of some of the most memorable special operations in history, as well as countless missions that never made headlines.

No Easy Day puts readers alongside Owen and the other handpicked members of the twenty-four-man team as they train for the biggest mission of their lives. The blow-by-blow narrative of the assault, beginning with the helicopter crash that could have ended Owen’s life straight through to the radio call confirming Bin Laden’s death, is an essential piece of modern history.

In No Easy Day, Owen also takes readers onto the field of battle in America’s ongoing War on Terror and details the selection and training process for one of the most elite units in the military. Owen’s story draws on his youth in Alaska and describes the SEALs’ quest to challenge themselves at the highest levels of physical and mental endurance. With boots-on-the-ground detail, Owen describes numerous previously unreported missions that illustrate the life and work of a SEAL and the evolution of the team after the events of September 11. In telling the true story of the SEALs whose talents, skills, experiences, and exceptional sacrifices led to one of the greatest victories in the War on Terror, Mark Owen honors the men who risk everything for our country, and he leaves readers with a deep understanding of the warriors who keep America safe.
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Editorial Reviews

The New York Times
The emphasis of…No Easy Day…is not on spilling secrets. It is on explaining a SEAL's rigorous mind-set and showing how that toughness is created. The bin Laden story is the marquee event in No Easy Day, of course. But the formative steps in the author's own story are just as gripping…Mr. Owen's new information about the Abbottabad attack adds a human element to much of what has been previously reported. Even reporting like Peter L. Bergen's in his meticulous book Manhunt does not have this new book's perspective. Mr. Bergen knew what the men had done, but this author knows what at least one of them was thinking.
—Janet Maslin
The New York Times Book Review
Even though we know the basics of the story, Bissonnette takes us on a great ride. This is a book of details. And though many of the specifics are left out—like the identities of Bissonnette and his comrades—there are enough here to bring the mission to life. No Easy Day amounts to a cinematic account of the raid to kill Bin Laden: you feel as if you're sitting in the Black Hawk as it swoops in, peering through the greenish haze of night-vision goggles, wending up the stairs to Bin Laden's lair.
—Dexter Filkins
Publishers Weekly
The arch-terrorist's death was "just another job," according to this gung-ho memoir by a member of the U.S. Navy SEAL Team Six that dispatched him. The pseudonymous Owen's (revealed by Fox News to be Matt Bissonnette) story is “generalized" and scrubbed of “classified information" but authentic enough to provoke Pentagon legal threats and convey a compelling realism. His meticulous narrative of the raid adds new wrinkles to the conventional account—he insists that Bin Laden did not try to fight or hide behind his wives before he was shot, unarmed, while peeking through a doorway (Owen sneers at his unpreparedness)—along with atmospheric details, from the terror of an initial helicopter crash to his cleaning of blood from Bin Laden's face for identifying photos. The raid caps Owen's well-observed memoir of training ordeals, awesome gear, bonding and banter, and special ops in Iraq and Afghanistan; co-author Maurer shapes these missions into tense scenes of strategizing, stealth and action. This is not a reflective book; the righteousness of post-9/11 military adventures is self-evident to Owen, and he worries only about measuring up to the SEAL standard of lethal teamwork. Still, it paints an absorbing portrait of the work-a-day soldierly professionalism that proved Bin Laden's nemesis. Photos. (Sept. 4)
Kirkus Reviews
Books on Navy SEALs have poured off the presses for years, but this one has generated national interest and controversy for a reason the title makes clear. Sensibly, the author (a pseudonym of ex-SEAL Matt Bissonnette) works with military journalist Maurer (Gentlemen Bastards: On the Ground in Afghanistan with America's Elite Special Forces, 2012, etc.), and the result is a fast-paced, professional narrative that will appeal to military buffs as well as general readers. Raised in rural Alaska, Owen yearned to be a SEAL from childhood. He succeeded in 1998, passing the brutal screening and training. After several deployments, he passed another screening to join the SEAL's specialized anti-terrorism unit in 2004. This is a mostly traditional SEAL memoir filled with nuts-and-bolts descriptions of weapons, gear, training, tactics and short, nasty battles in which (unlike the movies) plenty goes wrong, but (like the movies) many bad guys pay the price. The book's second half delivers a precisely detailed, vivid account of the Osama bin Laden mission. Luck, good and bad, plays an essential role in any raid. One attacking helicopter crashed, but the veteran team worked around the mishap. On the bright side, the Pakistani hideout was feebly defended. The author does not deny that the SEALs shot every male on sight, bin Laden included. Since bin Laden was a significant figure, historians will consult this book as a primary source; they, as well as most general readers, will not regret it.
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781101611302
  • Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
  • Publication date: 9/4/2012
  • Sold by: Penguin Group
  • Format: eBook
  • Pages: 336
  • Sales rank: 764
  • File size: 6 MB

Meet the Author

Mark Owen is a former member of the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Development Group, commonly known as SEAL Team Six. In his many years as a Navy SEAL, he has participated in hundreds of missions around the globe, including the rescue of Captain Richard Phillips in the Indian Ocean in 2009. Owen was a team leader on Operation Neptune Spear in Abbottabad, Pakistan, on May 1, 2011, which resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden. Owen was one of the first men through the door on the third floor of the terrorist mastermind’s hideout, where he witnessed Bin Laden’s death. Mark Owen’s name and the names of the other SEALs mentioned in No Easy Day have been changed for their security.

Kevin Maurer has covered special operations forces for nine years. He has been embedded with the Special Forces in Afghanistan six times, spent a month in 2006 with special operations units in east Africa, and has embedded with U.S. forces in Iraq and Haiti. He is the author of four books, including several about special operations.
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Table of Contents

Author's Note 9

Prologue: Chalk One 15

Chapter 1 Green Team 27

Chapter 2 Top Five/Bottom Five 45

Chapter 3 The Second Deck 64

Chapter 4 Delta 78

Chapter 5 Point Man 96

Chapter 6 Maersk Alabama 116

Chapter 7 The Long War 133

Chapter 8 Goat Trails 154

Chapter 9 Something Special in D.C. 180

Chapter 10 The Pacer 200

Chapter 11 Killing Time 227

Chapter 12 Go Day 249

Chapter 13 Infil 269

Chapter 14 Khalid 283

Chapter 15 Third Deck 293

Chapter 16 Geronimo 299

Chapter 17 Exfil 321

Chapter 18 Confirmation 329

Chapter 19 Touch the Magic 347

Epilogue 363

Confirming Sources 375

About the Authors 379

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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 849 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(528)

4 Star

(177)

3 Star

(68)

2 Star

(28)

1 Star

(48)

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 849 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted September 5, 2012

    I've read a lot of the reviews for this book and most of them ar

    I've read a lot of the reviews for this book and most of them are not actually reviews but just opinions on the author's motives. Just about every poor review that is on this site does not actually mention having read the book, but just bashes the author.

    I've read the book. He claims that no classified information was used. He claims only unclassified and already made public information was used. So all those reviews that criticize him for divulging information are clearly wrong and written by people who are reacting without all the facts. If he put classified information in that book, I'm sure he'll experience the full wrath of the Obama and Holder Department of Justice.

    I see no dishonor in this account. There are a lot of people who have retired from the military after having fought in battles overseas and have written their memoirs. There is nothing wrong with that. I'm tired of the military top brass and the president's administration using these events to propagandize; we do not get the truth from the government, no matter whose administration it is. Remember Jessica Lynch? We did not get the truth about her capture or rescue from the government. The best account is from guys like this one.

    This is a great book, well written and with lots of personal details that make this guy seem real and human. We tend to view Navy SEALS as superhuman superheroes and don't really give them credit for the real difficulty and physical sacrifice they make. Great job!

    146 out of 165 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 5, 2012

    The Unknown Navy Seal

    I purchased this book today and read it in about 3 hours. Mark Owens speaks in a first person narrative and the reader can share with the excitement and terror of what happened in Abbottabad on May 1, 2011. I want to point out that with the NookBook, there are photos included at the end of the Epilogue.

    135 out of 141 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 4, 2012

    Entertaining and exciting read...

    Regardless if the author's possible legal problems as a result of writing this book, I found this to be a fast and exciting read. I read another book on the account of the Bin Laden mission, which was good...but, I found this version to be so much more engaging and personal. If you are a military buff and/or somebody interested in the events of this mission, you'll find this book worth the time. I enjoyed every aspect of it from recollections of training and application into 'Green Team' and through the personal accounts of his real world missions. Well written and well told!

    101 out of 112 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 4, 2012

    Informative

    Just read this book. Great book! It satisfied my desire to know how this mission was accomplished. Very detailed.

    73 out of 89 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 5, 2012

    This book is now one of my favorites of all time. There are so m

    This book is now one of my favorites of all time. There are so many people saying negative things about this book and the author; Saying he had no right to write a book about one of his SEAL missions. However, I don't see why it is such a big deal that he wrote about this specific mission when the majority of the information about the Osama Bin Laden raid has already been released by The President and his people.
    No Easy Day is a must read in my opinion.

    55 out of 68 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 7, 2012

    Big talkers

    I doubt ifnegative reviewers read the book and definitely don't speak for combat vets. I've done 3 tours in Afghan and politics (as the author indicates) is not a factor on the ground. Yet, politicians profit from our suffering. What national security breach do you think was made in the book...specifics please? Do you know what is CLASSIFIED? The motivation of ignorant haters is simple...blind defensiveness because the author isn't star struck BY Obama and told the truth. Although the author didn't praise Obama he was fair. Thecampaign is using this heroic act by theseals tothis day on campaign events! Have u heard Biden (UBL is dead and GM alive). The president wrote of audacity of hope. The audacity of the obama lemings to question the authors patriotism because he didn't get a chill up his leg or faint over this president or any other politician for ten years while he was putting hislife on the line for our country is sad. Talk after you have made even afraction of such sacrifices. Crawl out of the family basement or (as i saw at the occuppy olympia protest) stop sucking cheese whiz out of a can and do something to contribute to others for a change. Trying to block free speech isn't working for you and isn't a good look.

    49 out of 67 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted September 4, 2012

    Phenominal and engaging story oof courage and devotion....amazin

    Phenominal and engaging story oof courage and devotion....amazing detail, and a great story that all Americans should be proud of ...I am thrilled that this man has the courage to share his story with us....BRAVO !

    43 out of 55 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted September 5, 2012

    Remarkable

    Remarkable
    This is just a page turning book. I have so much respect for these guys. It is good to know the "actual" events, which for the most part are exactly what has been reported on television and other media. I don't know what all the hype is about the book revealing anything classified. I do worry for the safety of the author, his family, and SEAL friends and their families. My only complaint is that it would have been perfect if not for the unnecessary "political jabs"at the President after having so eloquently stating that politics had nothing to do with the book. I loved it.

    42 out of 49 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 5, 2012

    Great book!

    The UBL raid is only part of the book and is very interesting. The rest of this book gives insight into the daily life and astounding dedication of these men. Many former military men and women have written books, I'm not sure why people are so upset about this one. It does not bash Obama at all; even if it did, this is America and we are entitled to our own opinions. Great book, amazing men.

    22 out of 27 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 5, 2012

    Great for any military junkie or anyone who wonders what Seal Team 6 is like!

    I couldnt put this book down! I loved how he kept the boring stuff out of the book. Lots of action! Lots of humor as well! Nothing he said about tactics and what they did would be considered TOP SECRET! As a fellow GUN NUT i loved his pics. My only complaint is it was too short, but even if it was 700 pages i'd still feel it was too short! Do yourself a favor and buy the book its worth the 13 bucks!!

    21 out of 26 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted September 4, 2012

    I'm going out tonight to purchase and am very much looking forwa

    I'm going out tonight to purchase and am very much looking forward to the read. Shame on all of you REMF's that want to sit back and criticize this front line veteran for sharing his insight and feelings. Unlike our worthless POTUS he has earned that right and unlike the info flow from our politicals in the White House nothing was said that would endanger anyone other than himself which is nothing new to this warrior.

    21 out of 49 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 6, 2012

    I remember well the night Obama announced to the world on live T

    I remember well the night Obama announced to the world on live TV that bin Laden had been killed. The way he delivered his speech that night full of “I”s, you would have thought he personally put on a uniform and fired the shot! Thank you “Mark Owen” for finally setting the record straight! I thank you for your service and those of your SEAL brothers as well, and all the men and women in uniform that put their lives on the line every day to keep America safe. I found the book to be very well written and interesting to read.

    20 out of 33 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 5, 2012

    Waste of money

    You can learn about as much about the raid watching Discovery Channel documentaries. He didn't divulge any national security secrets. He just wants to make a bunch of money. Besides CNN reported it was 366 pages and this is 208. Where are the rest?

    19 out of 76 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 5, 2012

    Thank you

    I applaud this man. Obama lied to the country about the
    truth of this day. A true man in uniform protects his country in more ways than one. Risking his safety so that americans can be saved from government made ignorance is a brave thing. My tax dollars support you good sir.

    18 out of 44 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 6, 2012

    Fascinating read! Could not put it down. He was there. He has

    Fascinating read! Could not put it down. He was there. He has a right to tell the story. I saw no political bias one way or the other nor did I learn any details that hadn't already been talked about. It was a well written book and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the mission from someone who was there! Think it is well worth the time and money.

    17 out of 21 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 5, 2012

    Great book!

    Thank you SEALS!

    15 out of 23 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 4, 2012

    I've only read what the sample allows (the first chapter) and I

    I've only read what the sample allows (the first chapter) and I can already tell you that this book is well worth the $12 that you're going to spend on it. Very insightful on the mind that it takes to be a Navy SEAL Team Six Member

    14 out of 23 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 4, 2012

    I have not read the book yet. However I think it is probably wr

    I have not read the book yet. However I think it is probably written because of Obama's details of the raid that has all but destroyed any secrets the SEALS had in their operations. I understand many are discussed with the claims that Obama made in his efforts to gain points with the US public.

    14 out of 59 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted September 5, 2012

    A SEA STORY by Joseph Pignataro and NO EASY DAY are two of the b

    A SEA STORY by Joseph Pignataro and NO EASY DAY are two of the best Naval books out there. I liked A SEA STORY abit more even though it's less action, just as incredible though!

    13 out of 19 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 5, 2012

    Very good

    This was a very good book

    12 out of 17 people found this review helpful.

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