Fearless: The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team SIX Operator Adam Brown

There are many books available today about uncommon warriors fighting the global war on terrorism and, given that we remain in the long war against violent Islamic extremists, there are likely to be many more. Adam Brown, a son of the South from rural Arkansas, was a warrior on another level altogether, and we should thank Eric Blehm, the author of Fearless: The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team SIX Operator Adam Brown, for shining a bright but even-handed light on not only a remarkable warrior, but an extraordinary human being. Fearless is absolutely worth the read. Blehm adeptly brings to life a complex, flawed Adam Brown, indeed, a gentle soul battling insatiable demons. An all-too-common story, after graduating from high school and struggling to find himself, Adam instead finds an unrelenting crack cocaine addiction. Finally sick and tired of being sick and tired and facing the downward spiral of life as an addict, Adam gives his life to Christ. And on his way out of this vortex of despair, he hears the call to serve and not as a minister or missionary, but as a U.S. Navy SEAL! With the blessing of his beautiful and loving wife, Kelley, his second strongest supporter, Adam enters SEAL training at age 25, the oldest of 145 students to begin phase I of his Basic Underwater Demolitions / SEAL (BUD/S) class. BUD/S proves only a speed bump for Adam as he overcomes one obstacle after another along his newfound path to success in the Navy. Those challenges prove easily surmounted with his faith in God and what can only be described as ‘otherworldly’ mental toughness, strength and endurance. Despite suffering multiple injuries in training and on deployments, the right-handed (and right-eye-dominant) Adam seems to grow even stronger. Undaunted and, well, fearless, he seeks ever greater challenges, eventually volunteering for U.S. Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG), or DEVGRU (SEAL Team Six), the elite and highly secretive counterterrorism unit. Hobbled by his injuries, but as determined as ever, a now one-eyed (left eye) and left-hand-shooting Adam makes it through the grueling DEVGRU selection process and then deploys into the fight as a Tier One operator. Pursuing the worst of hardened Taliban fighters on what would be his final mission, he and his teammates find their adversary holed up in a compound in the Pech River Valley in eastern Afghanistan, inarguably the most dangerous corner of the most dangerous country on earth. Adam characteristically volunteers to move to the very tip of the spear and is killed almost instantly in a hail of gunfire. Another American warrior felled by an insurgent’s bullet. To simply view Adam’s death as that of another intrepid special operator killed in action, though, is to ignore so much of what made this man special. His Christian faith and his devotion to his family truly set him apart. And he refused to include the word ‘can’t’ in his lexicon, even studying for an undergraduate degree into the wee hours of the morning before going to work as a SEAL, and then aspiring to one day attend Harvard Business School! When he was home, Adam was always 'there' for his wife and children but, being the committed SEAL he was, he wanted to be 'there' for his teammates. On that direct action raid, deep in the Hindu Kush mountains, on March 17, 2011, Adam demonstrated the extent of that commitment. In a selfless act, he diverted the fire being directed at his teammates towards himself and, as a result, died fighting for his last breath. He laid down his life for his friends. Synthesizing research and interviews into a deeply engaging story while treating us to an insider's view of the SEAL Team Six brotherhood, Eric Blehm deserves much praise. But it is God who ultimately deserves the credit for allowing us to bear witness to Adam Brown, to see him model his faith, and to be inspired by him. Yes, an angel walking the earth in human flesh and readily exposing those flaws that made him human, but always, always striving to overcome them to be the man God wanted him to be. Finally, in an age when we are starved for real heroes to look up to, Adam Brown comes along and reminds us that we need look no further than those angels among us. We are only left to eulogize this man who offered us so much. Dead at 36, Chief Special Warfare Operator Adam Lee Brown's legacy lives on in his lovely wife and children… and of course, his SEAL teammates. Thank you, Eric Blehm. We must never forget.

First and foremost, I'd like to thank the author for sharing with the world his phenominal book about Adam Brown, a true American hero, father, friend, husband, son, uncle and brother to his fellow SEALS. Secondly, THANK YOU, ERIC, for including the comments made by one of the SEAL Team Six operators who was killed last August. He was from my hometown, didn't know him or his remarkable family, attended his funeral service with his brother SEALS, and was humbled by the experience as I knew I was in the presence of greatness. I will never forget it, and was honored to attend his beautiful church service. I could not wait to receive this book on my Kindle when it was published. This is truly one of the most AMAZING books I have ever read, right up there with LONE SURVIVOR, SEAL OF HONOR and SERVICE. I read this book in a day and a half, I just could not put it down. It is easy reading and will engross you page after page. If there is one book that needs to be read, THIS IS IT. Please read this book and enjoy the life of Adam Brown. Then read the other three above which are on par with this one, each paying tribute to the SEALS mentioned in those books. Adam Brown was truly a one-of-a-kind man, the type of man who makes you proud to call him your friend. Overcoming his demons with drug addiction and arrest, he finds God and his path in life by joining the United States Navy and after years of hard work and some possibly career-ending injuries, eventually becomes a proud and elite member of SEAL Team Six, the most prestigious Special Warfare group hands down. I'm not going to rehash the story as so many other reviewers did, but I will say that EVERY high school student in the United States should be required to read this book and learn about Adam - the kind of selfless and God fearing man he was, generous to a fault, a true, kind and gentle friend who helped and cared about everyone who he crossed paths with in his short life, one of the best husbands and fathers I have ever read about, and an American hero. If everyone could turn their life around and be just like Adam, the world would be a much better place. I truly wished I had known him. My life would have been so much richer for it. Adam was a man of God, husband, father, son, US Navy SEAL, friend and HERO to all who knew him, as well as a TENDER WARRIOR. His faith in God never waivered, and carried him through his life. Get to know him too by reading this book about Adam that will leave YOU, the reader, wondering why YOU aren't like Adam Brown. This book is incredibly inspiring, and it just may make you strive to be a much better person like Adam was. Even though the words THANK YOU are so inadequate, I THANK YOU, Adam, for your service, humanity and the kind and humbled person you were. I can't wait to meet you on the other side and shake the hand of the man who gave his life so selflessly for us Americans as well as protecting his fellow SEAL brothers in the heat of battle. Heartfelt gratitude and prayers all around to everyone who contributed to this book, and there are many, but especially to Kelley, who my heart just bleeds for. I will always pray for Kelley, Nathan and Savannah, Adam's entire family, Adam's brother SEALS, those SEALS who went before him as well as after, who made the ultimate sacrifice so I and my family can live freely in the United States of America, the greatest country in the world. I just so wished there were more pages to this book, as I so hated to see it end, but will read it again and pass it on to my 17 year old son to show him how awe-inspiring Adam was. I can only hope, wish and pray that my son turns out to be the kind of man Adam was. Then I know my job as his Mom was well worth it. THANK YOU, Brown family and United States Navy SEALS (the BEST OF THE BEST!), for sharing your Adam with the world. He will never be forgotten and will be truly missed. GOD BLESS you always for protecting us.

Fearless was not what I expected. I've read several other military hero stories and most of them started the book at the beginning of their military career or basic training. As I got deeper into the first several chapters, I wondered if I purchased the wrong book. How could anyone have a drug problem and not only become a SEAL, but excel at it and ultimately become an amazing person and a true hero? As I listened (I bought the audio) to the story unfold, I actually began to dislike Adam for what he was putting his family through and for throwing away his life, all in the name of drugs. He started out to be such a strong and wonderful boy. At first I wished he had never met his 'girlfriend'--the one who began his downward spiral into the drug world, but I had to ask myself--would he have become the man he had become without that experience? Did that reconfirm his beliefs and his honesty and self sacrifice? He ended up with an outstanding SEAL career, even after so many injuries and issues that were thrown his way. Three quarters of the way into the book, I was literally in tears as I was driving. Even though I knew what was coming, it just broke my heart to hear about the courage and selflessness that led to his death, and, of course, to hear about his family's reaction and devastation. Having a young son in the military who has just returned from Afghanistan, this hit me very hard. All I can say is thank you, not only to Adam, but to his family, for the sacrifice they have made. Adam sounded like an amazing and spiritual person who always wanted and tried to do the right thing. His story should be told in every drug rehab facility--required reading in fact! This book will have you laughing, cheering, and crying. If you are not religious, some of the book may put you off. For me, it just reaffirmed my beliefs, especially hearing about the amazing things that occurred after his death. Rest in peace, Adam, and thank you for not only your service and sacrifice, but for wanting your story to be told--all of it--no matter the shame it may bring you. Your shame was removed by your amazing SEAL career and the person you became because of it.

Never Give Up A person should never give up, no matter what the circumstances. Fearless by Eric Blehm is a true story about a man named Adam Brown who never gave up. Reading this book has inspired me to always give my best. Adam’s family motto in the book is, “You gotta do what you gotta do, and when you’re done, you’ll be stronger” (12). Fearless starts out with a young man named Adam who lives in Arkansas. He was always small, but he never let that stop him from doing something no matter what it was. He found some things that messed up his life, but he would soon find that they actually help his journey through life. He joined the Navy and became a Seal overcoming all odds. He had done more than proven himself worthy. Adam ended up paying the ultimate sacrifice fighting for his country. Personally, I liked the writing story of Eric Blehm and the detail he brought into the book by giving information about Adam’s daily life and where he grew up and lived later in life. Eric put some very small details in the book, but not so much that they made the story boring. I was always wondering what would happen next and it really grabbed my attention throughout the book. His choice of words and sentence structure flowed really well and the book never once got boring to me. I would definitely read another book from Eric Blehm. This novel exceeded my expectations and really captured my attention. It is easy to tell that Eric Blehm put in a lot of research and time in this novel. Everything he put in the book actually happened to Adam Brown during his life and even after. The information never had repetition throughout the book. The novel was clean and well written throughout the whole thing. Eric Blehm’s tone changed throughout the book because there are very different scenarios and stages in Adam Brown’s life. His tone would either be exciting or calm. It would be exciting when Adam was in battle and calm when he was home with his family. The author’s tone helped my reading experience by keeping my attention on the story the whole time. It never got in a rut of the same kind of tone. I believe that most males would find this book appealing and that most people serving in the military would as well.

This is a fabulous book. It is a true story of someone that can turn his life around with the help of our Lord.

I enjoyed every page. You know what’s coming towards the end but it still wrecks your heart. RIP Adam Brown

Adam Brown was one of the elite of the elite, a member of SEAL Team SIX, the counterterrorism unit that has among its accomplishments the capture of Osama bin Laden. Brown was also a man with a history of addiction and all that attends it--theft and broken relationships and devastation. Most important of all, Brown was a man who had experienced grace and forgiveness through a relationship with Jesus Christ. His story, told by Eric Blehm in the book Fearless, is making waves today, having established itself on the New York Times list of bestsellers. In many ways Fearless is typical for the biography of a warrior. It tracks Brown through his childhood and then, once he had made up his mind to join the Navy, through bootcamps, other forms of training, and eventually, through deployment in South America, Afghanistan and Iraq. Along the way we read of his brutal battle with addiction to crack cocaine, an addiction that followed him and haunted him even years after he had been through recovery. We also read of how he came to faith, eventually following the example of his parents and mentors, giving his life in service to Jesus Christ. Brown's life came to an end on March 17, 2010, the day he was gunned down in the mountains of Afghanistan, losing his life in service to his country while destroying a dangerous terrorist cell. Of course his story continues in this book and in the lives of his wife and children and friends. Eric Blehm has penned a powerful book in Fearless. It is well-written and tells an intriguing story of a fascinating individual. I would suggest that the main reason for the book's appeal is in Brown's quirky character. He was a fearless warrior and one with an impossibly high pain threshhold. He was one of those people who seemed to live his life in overdrive, doing things that appear to be fool-hardy or near-impossible or, in all likelihood, both. He was an eminently likeable guy. A second reason for its success is that it has been written to appeal to both men and women. Sure, there is a fair bit of military action, a component that men tend to enjoy more than women, but so much of what SEAL Team SIX did remains classified that Blehm has had to focus less on missions and more on the colorful cast of characters that always surrounded Brown. This makes it a character-driven book led by Brown but pausing as well to introduce other fascinating people. And then there is the appeal of a story of redemption, a man emerging from the depths to become a real man, one who had learned to cast off the utter selfishness of addiction so he could love and serve others. He was able to do this only after encountering the God who is so much stronger and more powerful than the addiction that had gripped him for so many years. I feel as if I am sticking my neck out a little in expressing the one disappointment I had with this book: the lack of spiritual depth. Yes, Brown and his family are Christians, but the faith the author describes is as much about platitudes ("Adam is watching us from heaven and smiling...") than the beautiful depths of the Christian faith. Don't hear me say that I doubt Brown's faith; I do not doubt it at all. But I guess I am always on the look-out for the biography of the Christian soldier (or Christian athlete or...) who has a really deep faith, who does more than express that "Jesus has a plan for my life" and repeat basic Christian truths. There are very few like that and I have often wondered why that is. In this case, it is notable that Eric Blehm is not a Christian (saying in the Afterword that he has not opened a Bible in twenty-five years), so perhaps he just does not understand what Christians are telling him about their faith. Perhaps he has distilled what people have said into convenient catchphrases. I don't know. In reading Fearless you will encounter a genuine conversion story, but you will not encounter a great depth of truth beyond that. It's a little bit disappointing in that regard. Fearless is a story that had to be told, and though it is a difficult story to hear, passing as it does through terrible addiction and ending in death, it is both powerful and inspiring, and I am glad to recommend it to you. Do note that there is some rough language in the book--this is the navy after all. There is nothing outrageous, but it still contains words you would not want your children to repeat.

To My Sons, The story of Adam Brown is about learning to love others more than you love yourself. Adam Brown is a Navy SEAL who was killed in Afghanistan while attacking an enemy compound. His story is important because it shows how people can redeem themselves and that being a Christian does not mean you are weak. I've often thought about how to live as a Christian man and how to over come my many short comings. Adam's story demonstrates that faith is for everyone and that when you forget yourself you become Fearless. "Nothing can take my spirit from me, exclude your spirit, let it shine for all to see." Adam Brown Adam discovered faith when he was in jail. He had hit rock bottom, living in crack houses and robbing his friends and parents to pay for his crack addiction. With nothing but the clothes on his back and support from family and friends who still supported him Adam turned away from his addiction and put all his trust in Christian faith. Adam learned to trust in the Lord with all his heart and in all his ways acknowledged him. He went to Christian rehab, became a speaker for faith and after having a few setbacks joined the Navy to become a SEAL. The key lesson Adam learned during this time was that you can overcome many things in life, including injuries and setbacks. Just come back more determined and try harder. This lesson served him well during his career and helped him overcome multiple career ending injuries. You do what is right every time, not matter what. As a Christian Adam knew that God is watching us all the time. Knowing this Adam became a Christian warrior. While on deployment in AFG Adam shared his food and give shoes to kids, making a lasting positive impression even on the enemy. He also helped the lower ranking guys with the trash, remember God is watching ALL the time not just when others are watching you. Showing his respect of others no matter what the rank or social standing. He said being a Christian made his life easier as because it gave him a high standard to live by and only gave him the choice to do the right thing. What did I learn from this book and how will I use it? I love reading books about great people, and this book was more instructive than most. Adam was a real person with more faults than others. But unlike most people he was able to overcome himself to learn to care for others more than he cared for himself. This made him great. This is why he was a beloved person in his community and how he made a difference. Being a member of the SEALs wasn't he greatest accomplishment. Adam true mission was to show that faith is for the strong and the weak. He was weak when he discovered Christ, but it wasn't until he was strong that he could learn to live the disciplined and joyous life as a Christian. I have used this book a stepping stone in my own journey of faith. I know that Christians aren't weak, they are strong, forceful and Fearless.