The Sheriff of Ramadi: Navy SEALS and the Winning of al-Anbar

I found Dick Couch's experience in and around Ramadi as told in these pages to be very informative and telling, too. Dick relates what worked (and what didn't work) when the SEALs were made responsible for training indigenous Iraqi troops in the area of Ramadi as well as for when and how the SEALs volunteered to support the Army-led effort to retake Ramadi and leave it in the Iraqi's hands.There are many first person stories told here. Dick did a masterful job of allowing these individuals to speak to the reader. This is also a very informative read. The dedication, sacrifice and creativity of the SEALs and their fellow war fighters are related here in detail.

Well-written. Easy to follow, understand the operations; not dramatic.

I wish Dick Couch had simply told more stories about exactly what the SEALS and other soldiers did in Ramadi. There's are a lot of pages devoted to introductions and history. About 50 pages. Some of the times when he's quoting the SEALS who took part in taking back Ramadi, it's great information and interesting, but sometimes it sounds like someone made their PR person send in a quote.

The only reason I gave it 4 stars is that I have read every Dick C book and some of the info was redundant but probably necessary for the first time reader of one of his books.

For those with an interest (either personal or professional) in contemporary military affairs, this is a keeper. (I first borrowed it from my local library, and then ordered a copy for my bookshelf.)While Couch tells a superb story about the SEALs in Iraq (his initial point of reference as a journalist on assignment), he also tells an excellent story about context -- at a number of levels. While there are a number of excellent close-up and first-hand stories about combat in Iraq and Afghistan, this is among the very best I've read.

Not an action book, but a good account of the campaign and the history of the region. Well written. LtCol Sherrell

This is the worst Special Operations book I've ever read. If you want an exciting look at Navy SEAL operations in Al-Anbar province, definitely look elsewhere. I've read other books by this author (Chosen Soldier, Sua Sponte) and enjoyed them, but this is terrible.He's taken what should be an extremely exciting subject (the Battle of Ramadi) and made it painfully boring. It contains almost no accounts of the actual fighting by men who were there, instead leaning heavily on interviews with officers engaged in the planning phase. You're subjected to a short, dry, and completely unnecessary history of the Navy SEALS before the author wanders his way through information about SEAL operations in Al-Anbar and the composition of SEAL units. Much of the information throughout the book is repetitive and is delivered as dryly as possible.Often when it looks like the book may begin to be interesting, he launches off on another boring tangent. "Now would be a good time to examine..." "Now we'll take a look at the composition of..." "Now would be a good time to review..." Seriously, it's like the author's catch phrase and it detracts from the book having any sort of coherent narrative.I've read every Special Forces, Navy SEAL, and Army Ranger book I can put my hands on and so far this is the only one that has completely failed to maintain my interest to any degree whatsoever. I was planning on getting "The Warrior Elite" and "The Finishing School" but may have to rethink that based on just how dismally the author performed for this book.I have more fun filing my taxes than I did reading this.

Strategic view of the war in Iraq. This gave me an opportunity to gather a broader view of the enormity of efforts and sacrifices of our Armed Forces. It made me feel really good about the cooperation between different branches and specialties. Deeply grateful for their dedicated effort and sacrifices that allow me to enjoy the FREEDOM here in the USA.

Interesting read, thoroughly enjoyed it!

i own most of d.couchs non-fiction books on the navy seals as well as the special forces and mainly enjoyed them a lot, his book on the selection to be a special force soldier is a must be for all who are interested in the military but the above book is no fun to read at all !it is slow moving, states to many times the same things ( i don`t want to say facts !) and does not provide what i thought will be the main topic of the book, navy seals in ramadi !a different title might work, disappointment now !