Lone Survivor

[mariadietz3217]

Hi everyone...i am sure most of you already read the book...
Finally the world gets to hear and feel the story of four incredible men, along with a helicopter full of brave SEALs that all died on that day....finally you get to hear of the one special man that i lost....

Only Marcus has the right to tell this story...and no one can contradict him because they were not up there....
I can not express to you all, that although i had heard the story and seen first hand the outcome of Danny.....how this book took me back to that battlefield....and allowed me to be in Danny's shoes just for a brief imaginary minute....I can't tell you how many times i wanted to grab him and hold him....and rush in front of him to avoid anymore pain in his body.....

There has been new contraversy surrounding the story told by Marcus...the thing is, this mission was not perfect...there were mistakes made....it is obvious since 11 SEALS got killed in it and Army guys....but the battlefield accounts could not had been more accurate....that was the moral of this story....how 4 men fought against 100+..just that is amazing!!.....Danny believed in Marcus, Danny volunteer and believed in what he was doing...so i believe in him....

One thing that we must learn out of this book...is that there are incredible men out there, with incredible hearts.....that are not scared to face evil....that are not welling to stop at any cost....to make sure the Evil that is in those countries never make it to our country....
I am glad that one man came back from this tragic day...because then there would be no story at all.....Thank you Marcus, Thank you to all the SEALs that died....all 11 of them....How proud i am to be part of this community...

Thank you all for reading this....

[mtgman]

I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but plan to pick it up this weekend. I've heard from other that it's an amazing book. I'm so sorry for your loss, Mrs. Dietz, and can't imagine how tough it must've been to read the story. Our country is so blessed to have men like these protecting us day in and day out. May they rest in peace.

[kali]

One thing that we must learn out of this book...is that there are incredible men out there, with incredible hearts.....that are not scared to face evil....that are not welling to stop at any cost....to make sure the Evil that is in those countries never make it to our country....



Thank you for the reminder that the book is out there. I didn't know it was available.

All of us here pray for your continued strength and the utmost of peace in your heart.

I'm proud to say that I know of you and of your heroism. Yes, a hero because you have suffered the loss of someone more dear to you than your own life.

May God keep you.

[joshdupre]

Well thanks for posting that it was available. I had no idea so hopefully Friday when I go to get the book the bookstore has one in stock cause I'm ready to read it. Sorry for your loss and it's good to hear that regardless the tragedy your spirits are up. Take care...

[tlkennedy5]

I live in a fairly large town (Louisville, KY) and I have been trying very hard to get a hold of a copy of the book. Books A Million, both Barnes & Nobles, and both Borders are all sold out of this book not only in the stores, but also at the regional distribution level. This really shows us how many people are behind our SEALs and troops and supporting them.

[crystalclear23]

Just got the book 3 hours ago, half way through already, he writes very well.
Looking forward to finishing it.
peace chris

[wrestler144]

I tried all the bookstores in my town and they said they were out. Barnes and Noble told me they didn't think it was going to be very good so they didn't get many and then they sold right off the bat. I ordered mine off Amazon. It was cheaper and quicker than getting it at a bookstore. I can't wait to start reading it.

[future_seal23]

i went to barns and noble they said they where out so they ordered and i got it its a great book absolutely great i recommend it to anyone who want to see what real hero's are like

[Illmaxic]

I just finished reading Lone Survivor... I really wish I could say more, but I feel that no words can do enough justice... I can't say how many times I had to choke back tears while reading this book. This is truly a testament to the strength of the human spirit. These men are true heroes, but what hits especially hard is that they aren't your glorified Hollywood heroes you see on the silver screen. These men are your neighbors next door, they are volunteers for this business, they weren't bred into the SEAL culture like the how the Spartans bred their warriors... They willing signed up for it. I can't say enough about the character of these men. My prayers are with them and their families. Everyone should be extremely proud that we have such warriors, who without question or even a second thought, charge into hostile environments and stare death in the face without so much as even blinking.... We are truly blessed to have people like this. Like I said, I wish I really could say more, I could probably go on all day about these fine men, but no ammount of words will ever be enough. I'm extremely sorry for the loss of these men, and I pray that their families will somehow find comfort and peace.

[Swifty]

I finally picked this book up over the weekend and it is a truly amazing story of some of the bravest men to walk this earth. I can't express enough thanks to the Warriors who gave their lives that tragic day. God bless them all.

Thank you Maria for all of your contributions to me and this site.

[crystalclear23]

I finished the book awhile ago, but haven't had the chance to write on here for a bit.
I to had to choke back tears a few times, but Marcus interspearses the hard parts with humor.
He is a blessing, and so are his fallen team mates. thank you for allowing us another day of freedom.
peace chris

[TheProfessor]

I got my hard cover copy of "Lone Survivor" right before I went on vacation last week and had a chance to read it at my leisure for a change. I must say that Marcus has nailed the age old question that has plagued humanity for a million years. What is murder and what is collateral damage. It is the warrior's dilemma.

Having just finished a doctoral level course in "The Laws of War," I can tell you that Marcus is 100% correct. Yes, had they chosen a different route and it was subsequently discovered, no doubt that the politicians and the media would have pressed charges against them for war crimes.

For those who are not familiar with SEAL history, the exact same situation was presented in Vietnam on a similar operation. This time, the team chose to silence the threat. (see Thanh Phong and the Phoenix Program). 32 years after the incident, it was still being second-guessed. Bad enough living with one's choices under fire, worse still to be hounded and villified by the activist factions in our country for 32 years.

SEAL team 10 lived up to their basic oath, the one they took before they joined the teams and that oath was to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America. Though the US has not signed off on all of the provisions of the Geneva Conventions on civilians and non-combatants, Team 10 chose the high road; the spirit of the law. And they paid dearly for keeping the faith. This is courage. Courage with a purpose. Pure, unselfish courage.

As far as Marcus's writing skills go, there are quite a few words that are not correctly spelled, lots of grammatical errors and clumsy sentence structures, a deficiency that I will happily blame on his collaborator. And he repeats himself a whole bunch. I am sure that Marcus wanted to keep it real, but the SEAL argot used in the storytelling, at times, detracts from the knowledge that all of the characters portrayed in the book are super-educated. Maybe that is just my own academic prejudice showing through.

I'm glad this story was told. My own son is in Kuwait (NMCB-40, a Hellweek casualty of class 259,) and the book is going out to him ASAP. I pray that he never has to make the kind of decision that Team 10 had to make.

Read the book.

Regards,
Bob T.

[kamy]

For those who are not familiar with SEAL history, the exact same situation was presented in Vietnam on a similar operation. This time, the team chose to silence the threat. (see Thanh Phong and the Phoenix Program). 32 years after the incident, it was still being second-guessed. Bad enough living with one's choices under fire, worse still to be hounded and villified by the activist factions in our country for 32 years.



Was this the incident that included Sen. Bob Kerrey?

I also read Lone Survivor and found it to be an incredible, emotional, powerful - yet very impressive - read. It puts everything the SEALs stand for, train for, and aspire to be, in perfect perspective.

I agree that these difficult choices are getting harder by the decade, primarily because of the political climate.

War is ugly. There is nothing nice or civil about it. There's also no such thing as a politically correct war. The sooner those who commit us to war - and those who report the war - understand that fact, the better off we'll be.

In the current climate, winning another war will be very difficult. No soldier/sailor should have to worry about getting sued for his legitimate behavior in the heat of battle. If they do, we're doomed to ever prevail against our enemies.

[Aram]

I caught the interview with Marcus on BreitBart back last month from Drudge. I went out and immediately requested the book.

I haven't received it from the library yet, although I may have to buy it now.

Thanks also from me to all the families that have sacrificed in this conflict.

[FXGuy]

I'm only 1/3 to 1/2 way through the read myself- and yes, from a grammatical standpoint The Proffessor is correct that it has a certain "edge to it" that would at first seem a detraction [No fault of Marcus but to his protege who did the actual compilation] but doesn't that, in and of itself tell us something?

That though the refined exteriors of such heroes portrays itself through their swift actions [and far swifter decisions!] but that there is also that "rough edged" predator that the job requires underneith?

Our men of the Blue-n-Gold are some of the best educated, wrapped steel fit men this planet will ever know- but the job requires not that a machine stay perfect in the confines of a magazine or motorpool; but to be let loose to think and act and "stoop" to the level of our enemies in the hopes that they will will them before they surely would kill us.

Marcus reminds us all through his "imperfect" prose that he and his fellow Teammates are and were all too human. I would venture to say that he proved to us in his writing that they were all vastly more human than the scum that so wantonly took the lives of all those men that day.

He also reminds us [especially those of this forum] that none of us can "just give up".

One more house call-
One more table bussed-
One more push up-
One more mile-

And as Dear Maria has just as equally shown...

One more loss-
One more heartbreak-
One more soul-

One more time.

The men [Marcus included] of Team 10 would not want anyone to see them as "victims" of what we have come to call a tragedy.

Tragic- yes. Most certainly.

But each one volunteered to do that which needed doing- to do that which meer mortals would fear to tread. To do without question that which others would shurely question later.

And they went out with no other objective more prevailent than success- if not in the mission, then within The Teams.

As I see it, Operation Redwing wasn't successful in terms of their mission perameters.

But when all else failed, they did their extreme best to see that their brother[s] made it home.

Team 10 may not have completed the mission objectives- but at their base, they never failed their oath and they never failed their cause.

Indeed- they never failed us.

FX Out.

[skyline_350gt]

good book although I was a little confused, because i had just read **** Couch's "Warrior Elite" and it seamed like I was reading it all over again through Luttrell's training. even though Luttrell was rolled in training alot of the things that he wrote were from class 228, which he was not part of until after hellweek. Maybe i am mistaken, either way im not an avid reader i actually think besides the Holy Bible, Lone Survivor is probably the only book in my house. but this book kept my attention for 2 1/2 days. Great book tells a great story that needed to be told.

[mariadietz3217]

Thank you all for reading this book..and learning more of what my husband did and what these silent warriors do everyday.....this book was a window to reality..of what goes on out there..and how men volunteer to do the job...at any cause.

Warm Regards,

Patsy Dietz

[smcoussens]

Thank you all for reading this book..and learning more of what my husband did and what these silent warriors do everyday.....this book was a window to reality..of what goes on out there..and how men volunteer to do the job...at any cause.

Warm Regards,

Patsy Dietz


Patsy:

I am at a loss for words. To say I am sorry for your loss seems so hollow. Danny and his fellow SEALs were amazing men. I hope and pray that Marcus' book helps to bring you peace.

I have read Lone Survivor twice now and have been telling everyone I know to buy it. I have never read a book that brings out such raw emotions time and time again. I laughed. I cried. And I bawled my eyes out. And bawled some more. But mostly I was proud of Danny and his fellow SEALs.

Thank you for sharing Danny with us. I have no doubt that he has inspired other young men to follow in his footsteps to become a SEAL. An important and wonderful legacy, indeed.

Sharon
smcoussens@aol.com

[rrbonnell12]

Hi everyone...i am sure most of you already read the book...
Finally the world gets to hear and feel the story of four incredible men, along with a helicopter full of brave SEALs that all died on that day....finally you get to hear of the one special man that i lost....

Only Marcus has the right to tell this story...and no one can contradict him because they were not up there....
I can not express to you all, that although i had heard the story and seen first hand the outcome of Danny.....how this book took me back to that battlefield....and allowed me to be in Danny's shoes just for a brief imaginary minute....I can't tell you how many times i wanted to grab him and hold him....and rush in front of him to avoid anymore pain in his body.....

There has been new contraversy surrounding the story told by Marcus...the thing is, this mission was not perfect...there were mistakes made....it is obvious since 11 SEALS got killed in it and Army guys....but the battlefield accounts could not had been more accurate....that was the moral of this story....how 4 men fought against 100+..just that is amazing!!.....Danny believed in Marcus, Danny volunteer and believed in what he was doing...so i believe in him....

One thing that we must learn out of this book...is that there are incredible men out there, with incredible hearts.....that are not scared to face evil....that are not welling to stop at any cost....to make sure the Evil that is in those countries never make it to our country....
I am glad that one man came back from this tragic day...because then there would be no story at all.....Thank you Marcus, Thank you to all the SEALs that died....all 11 of them....How proud i am to be part of this community...

Thank you all for reading this....

I am sorry for your loss, I am a disabled, retired, Army Ranger and I think the service did your husband and His team a disservice by not making sure the communications gear funtioned properly. Secondly I am sure those guys fought like lions up there, but the story, I think do to a poor editing job, had a lot of techincal errors in it. I am sure most operaters will see after they have read it. I knew a couple of guys from "Blackhawk Down" and they also fought like lions as well and were also not taken care of by the leaders by not planning for the worst case scenario. The Brits in the SAS always plan for everything to go wrong and they tend to come out better when the chips are down. All my love to you and yours and know that all the members of the SPECOPS community have you in our prayers. I lost my wife to a VA hospital after she served 22 years in the service.

[rrbonnell12]

I know some of you operaters have seen many errors in the book will one of you seals that have seen the errors please write me and let me know if it was the story or the editor that screwed it up.
Captain Bonnell
RRBONNELL12@COMCAST.NET

[sealpup121]

Maria I don't know if you are aware of this but there is considerable interest in a movie based on the book going on here in Hollywood.

[smcoussens]

I doubt Hollywood could do justice to Marcus' story. I hope they leave it alone. Nothing can compare to the book or the memories of these warriors.

[sharkman6]

Ms. Dietz,

I am sorry for your loss and in awe of the sacrifice that was made by those men in that barren mountain moonscape. There is no finer example of the courage of the American military man and the humanity that is exemplified in the actions of these brave warriors. I hope you find comfort in that and the knowledge that so many of us in this nation are so very thankful.

My best wishes to you,

Michael

[mariadietz3217]

Thank you everyone again for reading this book...and keeping these guys alive within you.

I did hear for the longest even when the book was still under process that a Hollywood director was trying to make a movie based on it...I just hope that they do not make it all Hollywood with special effects and all that sort of stuff...because in reality Danny and the guys...did not have that out there...they were four men fighting against evil with the skills they learned through training...and their hearts.

Time will tell.......

[drewgupt]

It was an awesome book.

A movie may be a good thing, so we can visualize it better.

[zkmanz]

Ms. Dietz,
I just wanted to say that your husband story is truly inspirational and he is a true American hero that all should strive to be like. I am deeply sorry for the loss of your husband. I wish you all the best in life and a life full of memoris of Danny.

Thanks
Kevin
Alexandria, VA

[CE1_DILLE]

I could not put this book down. It is one of the best books I have ever read. I can only hope to have the courage and mental strength that all four of those SEALs had. I am sorry that this great nation lost three of its best. I am sorry and offer my condolences to the families and wives.

[FXGuy]

Maria I don't know if you are aware of this but there is considerable interest in a movie based on the book going on here in Hollywood.

With a small amount of chagin [Mz Patsy, please feel free to keep me honest- confirm or deny anything I might say to preserve the truth] I offered to write the screen play based on Marcus' events of that tragic day/week.

Mz Patsy and I both wholeheartedly agreed that if/when Marcus was ready to tell this story "visually" it should be with Marcus fully involved and under whomever and whatever he wanted.

I offered to write this simply because I know the system when it comes to scripting and as was mentioned already previously- this is a human interest [one might even say Soul Searching] story and not a "Hardware" film full of turbans and CGI gyrojet missiles...

Having read what I've read, having Patsy explain just a small piece she was willing to express- I doubt my ability to do Marcus & his team justice; I'm good, but to write it with the best interplay of people and events I'm afraid it would run on either a stilted Heartbreak Ridge or someother "Jiffy-Pop" air job like Top Gun.

This kind of tragidy has no "happy ending" as Hollywood is so oft to write.

There were lessons learned; there was incredible hardship that Marcus alone has full faculty to recollect and there were incredible life lessons we could all benefit from.

But I also share Marcus' convictions concerning the media [at large] and an unsypathetic press- I personally would paint them as evil Secular Progressive Scum...

If/When this were to be made as a film, so long as Marcus, Patsy and those family and friends of the fallen benefit from it I'd be THE very first to stand in line and pay my $15 to see it.

Anything less and I'd be sorely dissappointed.

[skyline_350gt]

i read yesterday movie rights went to universal pictures.

[smcoussens]

i read yesterday movie rights went to universal pictures.


Okay, I know nothing about this movie stuff...so somebody help me here:

With the book, is it some automatic thing with the publisher to have movie rights sold?

Is this something that Marcus wants to happen? Did he have any say in this?

I see a lot of people making money on this *movie* but not the families.

And Marcus won't take any money from the book and is donating the money to the military nonprofits.

Until Marcus AND the families support a movie, I won't either.

I just don't think a movie can possibly convey the importance of the men lost, or The One who survived.

IMHO. Out.

[smcoussens]

I guess it's a done deal?

From the homepage:

http://navyseals.com/hollywood-takes-taliban-tome-lone-survivor

[FXGuy]

Okay, I know nothing about this movie stuff...so somebody help me here:

With the book, is it some automatic thing with the publisher to have movie rights sold?

Is this something that Marcus wants to happen? Did he have any say in this?

I see a lot of people making money on this *movie* but not the families.

And Marcus won't take any money from the book and is donating the money to the military nonprofits.

Until Marcus AND the families support a movie, I won't either.

I just don't think a movie can possibly convey the importance of the men lost, or The One who survived.

IMHO. Out.

#1- If a manuscript [aka "book", "short story", "article"] is set up with a publisher [not to be confused with a publishing house- different entity with similar goals] often the publisher [not to be confused with the author] may option the author to have the book "optioned" as a script.

Most people are unaware that it takes a skilled person to convert a literary work into a screen-ready film script. What you read and invision in your mind is instantaneous based on your ability to both interpret, imagine and then "intellectually manifest" the intent of the author's writing in a literary work- it most often does not translate onto the visual medium where an "autuer" [or "director"] makes his/her visual interpretation to the material "tangible" to the eye.

The rights to option a film script is not "automatic"- nor is the production company, distributor or actors/actresses, special effects crews [something I'm incredibly well versed at].

Take a look at information concerning the film Blade Runner [Harrison Ford] the author of "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" pulled the plug several times on the scriptwriter trying to interpret his work and the film companies associated with the film [there were 3] were teetering on wealth and bankruptcy every third week during preproduction.

Nothing in the Film Industry is "automatic" except for the armorer's flashy machine guns.

#2- Unless someone looks out for the financial prosperity of "The Families" or Marcus himself "no"- they will not profit substantially by the film [that's why lawyers and producers are like roaches in Hollywood- and they have equally reprehensible characteristics].

One way that at least Marcus can benefit from the parasites of Hollyweird is to make certain he receives "Gross Profit" points on the film "Net" Profits will get him nothing [ask me some day about "Above the Line" and "Below the Line" costs- there's some imaginative reading right there!]

As to conveyance of emotion and the heroics of Team 10- look to types like Gary Cooper, Randolph Scott, Audey Murphy [yes- THE Audey Murphy, the Medal of Honor recipient.] and their work in the film industry.

It CAN be done- but will the Hollyweird elite do it as truthful to the men, the image and the honor [which includes their distrust of the media]?

I doubt it.

FX Out

[smcoussens]

Thanks for the info FX. :)

[RyBaK77]

I finished the book over the weekend. Like everyone else on this site I thought it was a great emotional book about a lot of extraordinary people, the 4 SEALs, the men who came to rescue them, and the villagers that saved Mr. Luttrell's life.

As far as sentence structure and grammar, I thought it added a genuine flavor to the book that usually gets cleaned up through the editing process. It was a complex story told in a very down to earth way.

I too was a little confused about the details of Indoc when Mr. Luttrell didn't join 228 until later, but he does thank Mr. Couch for providing details that he didn't have. AND Mr. Luttrell does state that he put the BUDS section in the book to give everyone an idea of the training a SEAL goes through. And outside of us, who else has memorized Warrior Elite?

My heart felt condolences and gratitude to all the family members affected by the events of this mission.

When politicians send our men and women into harms way they should back off and let the military do their job. Iraq and Afghanistan should be known as West California and East Virginia. AND for every slur the media throws at our troops they should thank the soldiers/sailors/marines for defending their right to slur. God bless our troops and god bless America!

RyBaK77

[cadre5]

A friend of NavySEALs.com and former Teammate of Petty Officer Luttrell's recommends you see this interview: http://www.breitbart.tv/?p=1774

[Aram]

I had to come back by and say this; I picked up the book today finally, after waiting for it.

I'm about 1/4 through it and I can already see this is a book where I'll laugh and cry. And also, learn a bit more of what it's like to call a SEAL father, husband, son, etc.

I honestly cannot say enough about what I've read so far, and I know it will only continue to be that way.

[coopholysin]

Ok well this is my husbands account (for some reason I cant activate mine) but I wanted to say that Lone Survivor was a life changing book for me!
My husband of 2 years is about to go to buds and I was not 100% about it untill I read this book. These men do SO much for our country! They have amazing discipline and perseverence and still are sooo humble, gracious, and human. I feel so honored to have a husband that wants to do this. These men are amazing elite warriors! Marcus says in the book how his rifle stayed with him after falling down the mountain and that you can believe what you will but his faith will forever remain unshaken. WOW! He also says that he knows his God is behind him in this war because he took such good care of his gun. I dont think that anyone can read this and think otherwise! Danny Deitz was a hero and I have soo much respect for any one who gives everything for billions of people they dont know. I have even more respect for the wives of these warriors. Yall are the unspoken heros and do sooo much for our country. I am amazed at the strength that yall have. I hope to have that. Someday I hope to stand with yall and say that I am a proud wife of a SEAL but untill then yall will always be in my prayers. I can not express my gratitude! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

[MIDNUOFI]

I was so excited to buy this book. I put in a pre-order on amazon a month before it was published. The moment I got it I started reading it and finished it soon after. This story is truly amazing. It definetely got a hold of me emotionally. I am very sorry for your loss Mrs. Dietz, Danny sounded like a very strong human being. Marcus is a very strong writer and I truly am proud to have people like him and everyone he fought with out there guarding us every day. I hope to one day be part of their community and fight alongside the most amazing fighting force in the world. Thank you to everyone fighting for our country. May our colors fly forever...FREEDOM FOREVER

[HONEY4112002]

I think I'm going to order it from Amazon.com.

[scskowron]

I read the book a few weeks ago, and I thought it was a really good book.
Perhaps the most amazing part of the book was the firefight on the mountain, where those four guys used every last ounce of their strength - literally - before they died. I'd say that most people would quit after taking a little flak or a bullet, but those guys fought until the death. I forget who it was, but one of them got a bullet straight through the chest and he stood up and continued fighting. That shows tremendous courage.

There were a few problems with the book, mainly the grammar wasn't the best and the fact that a lot of it was rehashed from The Warrior Elite, although I think it was pretty honest, so I enjoyed it for that reason. The book encouraged me in the goal (which I already had) to become a SEAL.

[mariadietz3217]

Hi Everyone...

i know little details about the movie..Marcus has been real busy and haven't had a chance to talk with him. He made sure that he got a good director that respected the guys..and made sure that the movie only focused on the guys with dignity and honor!! I trust Marcus..he knows what he is doing...

People are asking if the profits of the movie is going to the families of June 28th, the answer is No....but Marcus has a foundation set up..and i know the book profits went there...i am not sure where the movie ones will go...but if he gets anything it will go again in that foundation he set up.

Thanks again for reading the book...and keeping these guys memories alive.

[smcoussens]

Patsy,

Thank you for the update about the movie. I was worried about a movie distorting the truth, but I am relieved that Marcus will be involved to make sure that doesn't happen.

If you have a minute, I have a message/information to pass along to you. Since I can't PM you, could you email me when you have time?

Thank you!

Sharon
smcoussens@aol.com

[tadpoleintraining]

I just wanted to say to Mrs. Dietz that Danny is my personal hero. I think about him everyday, his strength, resolve, courage, and honor. whenever I feel I that something is too hard or my training hurts too much I remember his story and tell myself Danny wouldn't quit, Danny would finish no matter what. With out ever knowing it he made me a stronger better person. I will always be grateful to him for his inspiration.

[smcoussens]

Here is a very good (and long) interview with Marcus:

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/229332.aspx