Harry V. Keefe '39 Library Media Center, Boston Latin School: Wolfpack Reads!

Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell – 6/5 Stars

Published in 2007 by Little, Brown and Company
Genre: Nonfiction
Reviewer: Zihang Z., Class II

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Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell stands as one of the most realest books out there. Told in a humble, smart, and humorous way, common people are able to resonate with the hardships and moments of vulnerability dealt by Marcus and his fellow comrades. 

That is not to say that Marcus and his men are ordinary people. These men are heroes. They lived and served to their fullest potential, upholding Navy SEAL standards and excellences till their last moments. They persevered. And they were absolutely relentless. I thought raw determination was only found in movies or books or quotes. Yet, Marcus’s men fought like hell until they could not. Sustaining a bullet to the head, a grenade on their legs, couldn’t not talk nor flee… “But can you fight, sir?” “Roger that.”

Only one man survived, the only reason this story is able to be written down. After being blown away and falling unconsciously to a pit, Marcus Luttrell is all alone in a silent, foreign, and hostile world. In his attempts to survive, the Tablian army was relentless and tailing behind the backs of Marcus Luttrell. Broken bones, twisted muscles, shot by a sniper, no water, no food, no sleep, yet still moving. Many times he fell hundreds of feet down the mountains, and every time he got back up.

Back at home, the media declared Marcus’s death. Families, friends, comrades, teammates, coaches, mentors grew in despair as each day passed. Yet, Marcus defied the odds. It was the ‘What If?’ that kept Marcus alive.

A must-read book. A book that will keep you on your feet.