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First of all, let me confess that I read the book only because I saw the movie. I am a fan of Clint Eastwood as a director. His war movies Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima, which showed the same battle from American and Japanese viewpoints - and stressed the human element in both of them - I consider to be worthy additions to the genre. So I expected more of the same in this movie - however, I was sorely disappointed. The protagonist came across as a psycho, and it was not sure whether Clint was rooting for him, or showing us the futility of his battle. Some critics have said that Kyle was an egotist. While I have never known a SEAL who wasn’t, the book does little to dissuade that opinion. In the section on equipment he says that his headgear of choice was a baseball cap because ‘you look so much cooler wearing a ball cap.’ He also wasn’t above expressing the typical enlisted man’s tongue-in-cheek scorn of officers with such remarks as ‘but then I’m just a SEAL and obviously don’t understand those sorts of complicated issues’. To start with this book is poorly written which makes it a pain to read, but the real point taken from this book is just how clueless the author can be. Like you and I doing our job, that’s what Chris did: his job. People might or might not agree with his cold-blooded attitude toward the people he killed. But before you throw that stone let me ask you something: if you disagree with Chris why didn't you stand to protect this country?
To begin with, I'm not sure who to credit for this bit of writing; I suspect that Kyle contributed little but the anecdotal accounts and his name to the effort, as two other names are listed with his on the cover. Interestingly, his wife is not given any co-author status although she provides significant input throughout the book.
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His unwavering loyalty to his country. He pushes himself to the limits and then goes past them when he needs too. Then I felt that he put that same country ahead of his family time and time again. It amazes me that someone can have so many experiences that should show their own hypocrisy yet they still fail to realize it. If the U.S. was invaded by a foreign army that claimed we were just inherently evil and deserved to die wouldn't this author think we'd have the right to defend ourselves? I know I would defend our country, and I know if I was Iraqi and some foreign invader came in to steal my property and freedom then I'd defend myself as well. With all this good stuff going on, You'd think I was living a fairy tale or a perfect life. And maybe I should be. But real life doesn't travel in a perfect straight line; it doesn't necessarily have that "all lived happily ever after" bit. You have to work on where you are going. Verrier, Richard (April 23, 2014). "Eastwood starts shooting 'American Sniper' at Santa Clarita ranch". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved August 5, 2014.
He was tough though. I don't think he needed to overly emphasize those facts. He wrote about hell week in the SEALs and that part of the book was excellent. So you knew he was "Badass" without him having to point it out to you. The Navy credits me with more kills as a sniper than any other American service member, past or present." I don't know if they paint Chris Kyle in the movie as he has bared himself in the book. I'm curious enough that I do want to watch the movie now though. In the book Kyle's words are his own. He is not politically correct, and the writing is not smooth and polished. The one thing it is though is honest. It's almost as if he is sitting with you telling you his stories.American Sniper is Chris Kyle’s account on the Iraq war where he’s deployed 4 times. To most people one time is more than enough. You serve your country, do your duty the best you can and then return home. But not for Chris. He needed to be there among his fellow countrymen, covering them, taking fire for them and protecting them with his life if it meant that was the last thing he'd do. It was very familiar reading Chris's experience and understandings and recognizing myself when I join the Marine Corps both to fight for my country and to prove myself right before the first gulf war. I was both a patriot and a romantic. Now I am neither, but instead I wish for liberty for all people and see that most evil and suffering is caused by governments going to war for their various agendas - rarely for defense of their people which is the only valid reason for violence. This book made me sad - both for the Americans who were killed or maimed, and for the people who are killed and maimed by the Americans. Delgado, A.J. (July 30, 2013). "Justice for Jesse: Ventura Was Right in His Lawsuit". National Review Online . Retrieved January 26, 2015. My only quibbles with the book are I wish he had used less profanity. I know that's how soldiers talk and I don't want to rob the book of Chris's personality (which comes out abundantly in the volume). I just thought it was a bit excessive.
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