Not many of us know the details of being in the armed forces, or the struggle of having a loved one who serves our country. It is not something that can be understood without having experienced it, but in Chris Kyle’s autobiography American Sniper, he gives a detailed account of what life is like as a U.S. Navy SEAL that gives readers some insight into what life is like for the American soldier.

Kyle walks the reader through his life, beginning with his early childhood as a Texan boy. He had originally thought he would wind up as a cowboy running his own ranch, but in his early twenties he was introduced to the idea of serving in the military. Kyle, who never backed down from a challenge, was immediately drawn to the idea of becoming a Navy SEAL, which is one of the most taxing, challenging military careers one can choose.

Kyle takes the reader through BUD/S, the beginning of training for those who aspire to become Navy SEALs. He recalls both the physical and mental beatings he received from his commanders meant to harden men into tough soldiers. Kyle progresses through all the levels of training and eventually qualifies to be a SEAL member. Throughout his military career, Kyle adds to his skill set by attending other specialty schools such as navigation school. Based on the title of the novel, one can easily guess what Kyle’s best skill was: sniping. Kyle became widely known as the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history, racking in 160 confirmed kills. Kyle describes his most memorable battles, sniper shots, and comrades. He mostly talks about his life on the battlefield, but he also mixes in personal moments with his family and wife, Taya.

American Sniper invites readers into a world that is unfamiliar and outright terrifying. Kyle tells his story with blunt honesty, sparing the reader nothing by sharing even the most horrific moments of war. Kyle’s story is given a soft touch by his wife Taya, who provides written excerpts of what life was like while her husband was on tour and the dynamics of their family when he would return. Kyle’s writing style is refreshing, allowing the reader to easily connect and understand the often complicated sides of war. The novel is a complete success in my opinion, with Kyle having expertly combined the facts of war with personal experience. Chris Kyle is an inspiring hero who demonstrates how with perseverance, tough skin and a “no such thing as failure” attitude, anything is possible.          

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