about the book
You would think that the seconds before dropping into the Abbottabad Pakistan compound filled with terrorists, the SEAL would be sweating bullets. He wasn’t.
All the SEALS feel it. The One Minute Call—a total calm that comes over the highly-trained and handpicked 24-man team right before the big fight.
Looking through the haze of night-vision goggles, the SEAL puts one foot out of the swooping MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, ready to fastdrop the thirty feet into the deadly compound. After all, SEAL Mark Owen has been training for this mission for ten years. It was time to make al Queda leader, Osama Bin Laden, pay for the 9/11 attack.
Mark Owen is a code name. The Navy SEAL in this account puts the dramatic events into his own words. Over and over again, Osama is spotted and plans are made to capture him. All are wild goose chases and close calls. You’ll learn how Mark and his team continue intensive training and discover the previously unreported missions they succeeded in. Finally, you’ll be there the day the CIA confirms that Osama is in Abbottabad.
And it all almost fails! When the Black Hawk nearly goes down, it could have taken the SEAL Team Six with it! You have to read this heart-pounding account about the exceptional men who risked everything to confront the terrorist mastermind and witness Osama’s final moments.
about the author
The Department of Defense did not want a book written about the taking of Osama Bin Laden. Soldiers have to sign all sorts of legal documents before getting into a special ops group. Mark Owen feels he divulged no secrets. He and his publisher had experts go over the manuscript before it was released. Still he might go to prison for his book. He says all he wanted to do was tell the story of these courageous men.
The Department of Defense confirmed that Mark Owen is really Matt Bissonette, who has been a SEAL for more than ten years. He was effectively pushed out of the SEALS after informally expressing an interest in retiring and starting a business. Now that his identity has been revealed, members of al Qaeda have identified Matt as the one responsible for the death of Osama and have called for revenge.
Matt is the son of missionaries and grew up in Wrangell, Alaska. In the book he talks about his childhood and his long desire to be a SEAL. The first half focuses on the dedication, professionalism, and training of the SEAL team. He also talks about the other missions they went on, including the ship Maersk Alabama hijacking/rescue operation. The second part of the book portrays the SEALS involvement in Operation Neptune Spear. Matt does not regret one moment of his actions—either on missions or writing the book.
No Easy Day is co-authored with well- respected war journalist Kevin Maurer. He has written several adult books which are based on military operations.
Proceeds from the sale of the book are donated to charities for the families of fallen Navy SEALs.
Sources:
Author/book biography : Wikipedia
Author news : The New York Times
Author video interview: 60 Minutes
Co-Author website
Also by Mark Owen:
No Hero : Lessons From a Life Lived at War. Dutton Adult. 2014.
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