Roan+M’s+Book+Review



American Sniper is an autobiography of Chris Kyle. The book is meant to leave the reader with the sense that he is notorious for his skills and bravery in the military. He is known as the most lethal sniper in the US military. That is impressive and is what prompted me to actually read this book. Although I love the story of heroes I really like to see what makes them who they are. This book left me wanting a little more of that, and not completely satisfied. First, there was not enough action packed adventure to draw me in and keep my attention. I wanted to go into battle with the character and see what he did, just as it happened. Who called the hit, how he was informed, all the protocols and checks you go through as a sniper. I wanted to see the emotional prep you would have to go through before, during and after each mission. There was not enough of that for me. This book does offer a detailed account of his military career. It does talk about the techniques he uses, the firearms he uses, and it describes his battles, but it describes them as if he was writing a report on it. It lacked all the adrenalin, all the fear, the close calls and almost misses. It lacks all the stuff that makes us human and makes a hero who he is. His emotional battle is absent, his internal conflict, missing. I thought this book could use a little more. In conclusion, for some readers they like the emotionless details, as if the event was just being told by a narrator. Not me, I like the emotional stuff. I want to feel at if I was with him on his missions, and not as if I was a bystander. I like to be drawn into the characters drama, his turmoil and see how he comes out on the other side. That is what I wanted to read, but that is not what this book offers. I recommend this book to the ones who want to see it from the sidelines not the front line.