Description

“Captures the essence of Naval Special Warfare from our storied beginnings to the current fight.” —Admiral WILLIAM H. McRAVEN

Written with the unprecedented cooperation of the Naval Special Warfare community, this vivid and definitive history of the U.S. Navy SEALs reveals the inside story behind the greatest combat operations of America's most celebrated warriors. Illustrated with forty pages of photographs and based on exclusive interviews with more than 100 U.S. frogmen (including multiple Medal of Honor recipients), here is "the first comprehensive history of the special operations force" (Military.com).

New York Times bestselling authors Dick Couch—a former SEAL—and William Doyle chart the SEALs' story, from their origins in the daring Naval Combat Demolition Teams, Underwater Demolition Teams, Scouts and Raiders commando units, and OSS Operational Swimmers of World War II to their coming of age in Vietnam and rise to glory in Iraq and Afghanistan after 9/11.

About the Author

Dick Couch served as a Special Warfare Officer with the SEALs after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy. While a platoon leader with SEAL Team One in 1970, he led one of the only successful POW rescue operations of the Vietnam War. His nonfiction books include The Warrior Elite, The Finishing School, and Chosen Soldier.

William Doyle has written or cowritten seven books, including PT 109: An American Epic of War, Survival, and the Destiny of John F. Kennedy and American Gun: A History of the U.S. in Ten Firearms (with “American Sniper” Chris Kyle). He served as director of original programming for HBO and was coproducer of the PBS special Navy SEALs: Their Untold Story. He lives with his family in New York City.

Praise For…

“Captures the essence of Naval Special Warfare from our storied beginnings to the current fight and gives us a glimpse of what the future might bring for the 21st Century Navy SEALs.” — Admiral WILLIAM H. McRAVEN (USN, Ret.), former Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command

“The first comprehensive history of the special operations force. ... Couch and Doyle do a great job of putting the entire story into context.” — Military.com

“Dick Couch, himself a SEAL warrior professional, is THE most respected and prolific writer on all forms of American military special operations. Couch and award-winning author William Doyle’s book is required reading for today’s special operations warriors and those who wish to know more about the Navy SEALs.” — Admiral ROBERT J. NATTER (USN, Ret.), former Commander in Chief of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet and Commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Ciommand

“[The] definitive history of the U.S. Navy SEALs and their forefathers. ... I will always cherish the memories and lasting friendships I share with my fellow Trident-wearing brothers who are dramatically brought to life in these pages.” — Master Chief BILL BRUHMULLER (USN, Ret.), founding member of SEAL Team Two

“Couch and Doyle precisely depict many missions, including the famed rescue of Capt. Richard Phillips and the killing of Osama bin Laden. … Entertaining, no-nonsense balancing of legends and martial reality.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Essential reading for military buffs. ... Compelling. ... Underscor[es] the bravery that Navy SEALs have engaged in with each operation.” — Library Journal

“I am impressed. If you want to read one book about Navy SEALs, this is it.” — Master Chief RICK KAISER (USN, Ret.), Executive Director of the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum and former Naval Special Warfare Development Group training chief