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rmversluis's review against another edition
4.0
Very impressive book and career and excellent storyteller. It would have been five stars if he had given credit to Obama and deigned to speak his name.
papidoc's review against another edition
5.0
I wasn't sure what to expect from McRaven's Sea Stories, but having heard him speak and read other works by him, I thought it worth the time to check it out. I wasn't disappointed. If you are looking for a serious historical analysis, or an in depth study of special operations, this isn't it. If, however, you are interested in a fireside chat with one of America's pre-eminent special forces operators, this is your book.
Basically, in Sea Stories McRaven reflects and recounts his involvement in various experiences that helped set the course of his life. These range from childhood adventures, through training and injuries, and finally to his oversight of the raid that led to the final fate of Osama bin Laden. I thoroughly enjoyed it, learning more about McRaven the man, and at times feeling like we were sitting side-by-side in a couple of armchairs in front of a fire enjoying a conversation together. That the audiobook was read by the author himself made it even better. Those he is clearly not a professional narrator, he did a fine job and the memories clearly evoked something deeply personal for him. One of my favorites so far this year!
Basically, in Sea Stories McRaven reflects and recounts his involvement in various experiences that helped set the course of his life. These range from childhood adventures, through training and injuries, and finally to his oversight of the raid that led to the final fate of Osama bin Laden. I thoroughly enjoyed it, learning more about McRaven the man, and at times feeling like we were sitting side-by-side in a couple of armchairs in front of a fire enjoying a conversation together. That the audiobook was read by the author himself made it even better. Those he is clearly not a professional narrator, he did a fine job and the memories clearly evoked something deeply personal for him. One of my favorites so far this year!
ae_kay's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
katiep858's review against another edition
5.0
A really good read! Enjoyed hearing about Admiral McRaven's courage and adventure and how he has helped shape current US history.
gwa2012's review against another edition
3.0
The title says it all. This is a book of personal anecdotes from Admiral McRaven’s career with a few leadership lessons sprinkled in. It is well written and entertaining (if not slightly incredible) from start to finish. Worth a quick read to humanize flag officers.
artemis31's review against another edition
4.0
Loved it. This man was in charge of some of the most famous US military operations in recent history - including the rescue of Captain Phillips (they made a movie about this) and killing Bin Laden. Many more operations are told in such exciting detail that you feel like you are the one in the control room watching a truck on the screen to call an air strike, freezing for hours lost in some ocean in a mini submarine, or sweating in the forest in the Philippines. I envy to gain and sustain this intense need for adventure so that I too can have such exciting tales to tell around the dinner table while smoking cigars and drinking whiskey. The next great generation - there’s a lot to live up to. 4 stars because the patriotism was a bit heavy at the end.
andrewk35's review against another edition
4.0
Sea Stories: My Life in Special Operations by Admiral (retired) William McRaven.
"Hope is not a strategy."
From sneaking around an officers club in post war France to sneakiny unto an Air Force base as an adolescent, and receiving advice from a school foootball coach, we as readers get pretty charmed in the upbringing of a man who will go on to become one of the longest serving Navy Seals during his 37 years of service.
I had this book on my shelves awhile but after stumbling across his commencement speech to UT graduates, McRaven himself an alumni and later chancellor, I figured I'd prioritize his book. It's a pretty good speech and it's available on YouTube if you're interested.
His life is nothing short of remarkable, and yet he presents the stories fairly humbly. For example, he mentioned as a SEAL he enjoyed jumping out of airplanes but never got a knack for the precision gliding that others had. In the same story he suffers a midair collision that impacted his parachute deployment and landing, nearly severing his spine and causing catastrophic, but not career ending injury. He mused that while his pelvis was over five inches out of placeand his abdominal muscles were essentially shearing, he could wiggle his toes. Knowing this, he thought he could persevere.
He continues to present this mantra, never quitting, never ringing the bell, throughout his long career. Whether it's the famed Hell week of the Navy SEALs selection program, or pounding rip its while rehearsing and preparing for the raid that would result in Osama Bin Laden's death.
The writing is clear and exciting and Admiral McRaven often extolls the virtues and capabilities of those around him that he entrusted and empowered under his command rather than discuss his own merits and virtues.
I'm giving this 4 star admiral 5 stars.
"Hope is not a strategy."
From sneaking around an officers club in post war France to sneakiny unto an Air Force base as an adolescent, and receiving advice from a school foootball coach, we as readers get pretty charmed in the upbringing of a man who will go on to become one of the longest serving Navy Seals during his 37 years of service.
I had this book on my shelves awhile but after stumbling across his commencement speech to UT graduates, McRaven himself an alumni and later chancellor, I figured I'd prioritize his book. It's a pretty good speech and it's available on YouTube if you're interested.
His life is nothing short of remarkable, and yet he presents the stories fairly humbly. For example, he mentioned as a SEAL he enjoyed jumping out of airplanes but never got a knack for the precision gliding that others had. In the same story he suffers a midair collision that impacted his parachute deployment and landing, nearly severing his spine and causing catastrophic, but not career ending injury. He mused that while his pelvis was over five inches out of placeand his abdominal muscles were essentially shearing, he could wiggle his toes. Knowing this, he thought he could persevere.
He continues to present this mantra, never quitting, never ringing the bell, throughout his long career. Whether it's the famed Hell week of the Navy SEALs selection program, or pounding rip its while rehearsing and preparing for the raid that would result in Osama Bin Laden's death.
The writing is clear and exciting and Admiral McRaven often extolls the virtues and capabilities of those around him that he entrusted and empowered under his command rather than discuss his own merits and virtues.
I'm giving this 4 star admiral 5 stars.
crypto_ceejay's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent stories. Inspiring, patriotic. True heroism.