What do you think?
Rate this book
The Red Circle: My Life in the Navy SEAL Sniper Corps and How I Trained America's Deadliest Marksmen
BEFORE HE COULD FORGE A BAND OF ELITE WARRIORS... HE HAD TO BECOME ONE HIMSELF.Brandon Webb's experiences in the world's most elite sniper corps are the stuff of legend. From his grueling years of training in Naval Special Operations to his combat tours in the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan, The Red Circle provides a rare and riveting look at the inner workings of the U.S. military through the eyes of a covert operations specialist.
Yet it is Webb's distinguished second career as a lead instructor for the shadowy "sniper cell" and Course Manager of the Navy SEAL Sniper Program that trained some of America's finest and deadliest warriors-including Marcus Luttrell and Chris Kyle-that makes his story so compelling. Luttrell credits Webb's training with his own survival during the ill-fated 2005 Operation Redwing in Afghanistan. Kyle went on to become the U.S. military's top marksman, with more than 150 confirmed kills.
From a candid chronicle of his student days, going through the sniper course himself, to his hair-raising close calls with Taliban and al Qaeda forces in the northern Afghanistan wilderness, to his vivid account of designing new sniper standards and training some of the most accomplished snipers of the twenty-first century, Webb provides a rare look at the making of the Special Operations warriors who are at the forefront of today's military.
Explosive, revealing, and intelligent, The Red Circle provides a uniquely personal glimpse into one of the most challenging and secretive military training courses in the world.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published April 10, 2012
328 people are currently reading
6321 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 256 reviews
December 26, 2015
This memoir is Brandon Webb’s experiences as a Navy SEAL and sniper. He says that he belonged to the most elite sniper corp. in the world. He tells of his grueling years of training in the Navy SEAL’s and the Naval Special Operations. He tells of combat tours in the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan. Later he was the lead instructor in the Navy Seal Sniper Program.
The book is well written and it appears that Webb is very honest and straight forward with his evaluation of himself and others. It is amazing the challenges the Navy SEAL’s put men through in their training. There is lots of interesting information woven into the tales of combat and training along with some humor. I found it extremely annoying to have Webb “talk” about what each chapter contains before the narrator reads the chapter. Between Webb talking before each chapter and the numerous repeating of sentences and information I found myself becoming impatient. The book needed an audio editor to clean up the repeating sentences. The pace is fast and the book is written to keep the reader engaged in the story. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is 13 hours long. John Bailey does a good job narrating the book.
The book is well written and it appears that Webb is very honest and straight forward with his evaluation of himself and others. It is amazing the challenges the Navy SEAL’s put men through in their training. There is lots of interesting information woven into the tales of combat and training along with some humor. I found it extremely annoying to have Webb “talk” about what each chapter contains before the narrator reads the chapter. Between Webb talking before each chapter and the numerous repeating of sentences and information I found myself becoming impatient. The book needed an audio editor to clean up the repeating sentences. The pace is fast and the book is written to keep the reader engaged in the story. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is 13 hours long. John Bailey does a good job narrating the book.
February 5, 2014
I belive that there is a book for every kind of problem, whether that problem be specific or broad. Reading a book is always a good idea. In this case, my problem began with me wanting to join Seal Team Six or just a normal Seal team to begin with. Now, I know hollywood can lie, but death, PTSD, and other fears are terrifyingly real in the military. To help put these fears to ease, I did the best research: read non fiction novels by people who have shared my fears. Since then, I've rad about 5 Seal novels, and The Red Circle is one of the best.
This book stands out in many ways. The quotes were so good i recorded them. The imagery was uniquely descriptive. It teaches very good life lessons and how to deal with obstacles that appear in everday life. I related to it almost perfectly because his career is the exact one i want in the future. Now, this review is a little biased as to it relates to a certain group of people, but this is not the case with the Red Circle. Even if you have no intention of joining the navy, this is still an insighful read.
This book stands out in many ways. The quotes were so good i recorded them. The imagery was uniquely descriptive. It teaches very good life lessons and how to deal with obstacles that appear in everday life. I related to it almost perfectly because his career is the exact one i want in the future. Now, this review is a little biased as to it relates to a certain group of people, but this is not the case with the Red Circle. Even if you have no intention of joining the navy, this is still an insighful read.
October 27, 2015
While vaguely interesting, the book seems more of a self-promotion than anything else. Typically military authors, especially coming from the Teams, are writing because of a significant moment or event that brought about a profound change in the author. This book is nothing like that. While reading it, in fact, I kept asking myself WHY the author even wrote this book. The author spends chapter after chapter writing about the famed Navy sniper school, but offers little in the way of first hand experience using the skills taught there.
The reason for the book finally came in the last pages where he pats himself on the back for 'saving' Marcus Luttrell by teaching him the sniper skills Luttrell used to ultimately save his life (a harrowing true-story described in the book, "Lone Survivor" written by Luttrell).
Of all the military books to read, I put this at the bottom.
The reason for the book finally came in the last pages where he pats himself on the back for 'saving' Marcus Luttrell by teaching him the sniper skills Luttrell used to ultimately save his life (a harrowing true-story described in the book, "Lone Survivor" written by Luttrell).
Of all the military books to read, I put this at the bottom.
April 16, 2012
I picked up this book just for pages 9-167. These pages give a decent account of Webb's upbringing and SEAL training through his (ORE) Operational Readiness Exam which concluded his 18 month workup which is a series of training blocks after he earned his Trident. Honestly, I wasn't really interested in the second half of the book which detailed his time at sniper school and his deployments (full disclosure, I skimmed the pages after 167).
I was more interested in a character study of Webb (I've added his bio to Luttrell and Eric Greitens (The Heart and the Fist)).
I would also like to commend Webb for taking on John David Mann as a collaborator in writing his story. I can only assume that it was Mann that helped get Webb's story down into a structure that lent itself to delivering a cohesive message.
If you are 18 years old, interested in becoming a member of the special forces, this book should be in your library. Not only for the basic insights to SEAL training Webb provides(which you should already be schooled in) but Webb tells you that you need to be far more than you ever thought you could be -or are now. You will need to exceed every physical and mental ceiling that you have ever reached (Webb does a good job of providing examples of the mental and psychological strength needed during training...and applying those lessons to combat situations). I think this is an important lesson for an 18 year old AND a 40 year old (me). Keep pushing. AND Keep training. Webb emphasizes that SEALs never stop training, and also points out that this should be a lifestyle adopted by all (that's what I got out of it) - if you sit behind a computer all day - train your mind (and body)constantly - it's good for your health(obviously) but your psyche will benefit.
One aspect of this story that caused me to think a little too hard about something that I really don't know much about is the following. Webb points out the high level of discipline, self-control, understanding, intelligence and intuition that is needed to be a member of a SEAL Team. There were some instances where behaviors during missions and in training seemed to contradict those qualities. Webb even questioned the abilities of other SEAL Team members and even a full platoon that wasn't up to standards.
Perhaps the individual SEALs are fine members individually, but when combined into a platoon...they don't measure up...I found that interesting.
I'm glad Webb didn't back down in writing about some of the risky behaviors SEALs engage/d in, and I know that fighting men of this level exist on a different plane of risk/reward...and again, I found this all interesting as a character trait study- I in no way mean it to be a criticism of the unit as a whole or individual members.
So, if you are interested in what it takes to become a SEAL read the first half - interested in war stories - the second.
I was more interested in a character study of Webb (I've added his bio to Luttrell and Eric Greitens (The Heart and the Fist)).
I would also like to commend Webb for taking on John David Mann as a collaborator in writing his story. I can only assume that it was Mann that helped get Webb's story down into a structure that lent itself to delivering a cohesive message.
If you are 18 years old, interested in becoming a member of the special forces, this book should be in your library. Not only for the basic insights to SEAL training Webb provides(which you should already be schooled in) but Webb tells you that you need to be far more than you ever thought you could be -or are now. You will need to exceed every physical and mental ceiling that you have ever reached (Webb does a good job of providing examples of the mental and psychological strength needed during training...and applying those lessons to combat situations). I think this is an important lesson for an 18 year old AND a 40 year old (me). Keep pushing. AND Keep training. Webb emphasizes that SEALs never stop training, and also points out that this should be a lifestyle adopted by all (that's what I got out of it) - if you sit behind a computer all day - train your mind (and body)constantly - it's good for your health(obviously) but your psyche will benefit.
One aspect of this story that caused me to think a little too hard about something that I really don't know much about is the following. Webb points out the high level of discipline, self-control, understanding, intelligence and intuition that is needed to be a member of a SEAL Team. There were some instances where behaviors during missions and in training seemed to contradict those qualities. Webb even questioned the abilities of other SEAL Team members and even a full platoon that wasn't up to standards.
Perhaps the individual SEALs are fine members individually, but when combined into a platoon...they don't measure up...I found that interesting.
I'm glad Webb didn't back down in writing about some of the risky behaviors SEALs engage/d in, and I know that fighting men of this level exist on a different plane of risk/reward...and again, I found this all interesting as a character trait study- I in no way mean it to be a criticism of the unit as a whole or individual members.
So, if you are interested in what it takes to become a SEAL read the first half - interested in war stories - the second.
August 19, 2017
The Red Circle is an interesting account of the SEAL and SEAL Sniper training programs and, especially, of Webb's missions overseas. However, my enjoyment of the book was marred by the author's constant bragging and know-it-all attitude. I also hated his regular plugging of books written by other SEALs; I truly do not appreciate advertisements in the middle of my books.
June 6, 2012
Excellence matters.
Brandon Webb's experiences as a SEAL are masterfully recounted in his memoir, THE RED CIRCLE. From page one, he grips you with a tale of stumbling upon enemy contact during the opening days of Operation Enduring Freedom and it becomes nigh impossible to put down from there.
I personally cannot find a flaw with the book. It begins with background on his childhood (which is important--it provides an idea of what shapes the kind of men who become SEALs), goes into his days in search and rescue (and details the pitfalls of the conventional navy, which can be found in all of the services), then transitions to his days as a SEAL, starting with BUD/S and ending with his end of active service and transition into the private sector.
I read most of the book during a long bus ride out to a job, and found myself looking for every opportunity to read it after work. THE RED CIRCLE is a must-read for military enthusiasts and those looking for a glimpse into the world of special operations and snipers.
Brandon Webb's experiences as a SEAL are masterfully recounted in his memoir, THE RED CIRCLE. From page one, he grips you with a tale of stumbling upon enemy contact during the opening days of Operation Enduring Freedom and it becomes nigh impossible to put down from there.
I personally cannot find a flaw with the book. It begins with background on his childhood (which is important--it provides an idea of what shapes the kind of men who become SEALs), goes into his days in search and rescue (and details the pitfalls of the conventional navy, which can be found in all of the services), then transitions to his days as a SEAL, starting with BUD/S and ending with his end of active service and transition into the private sector.
I read most of the book during a long bus ride out to a job, and found myself looking for every opportunity to read it after work. THE RED CIRCLE is a must-read for military enthusiasts and those looking for a glimpse into the world of special operations and snipers.
February 19, 2019
Gave up after 22%. Too much whining. odd for elite military book.
August 23, 2022
I really enjoyed this memoir and learned quite a bit about special ops training. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys learning about the elite forces of the military! Great read! Happy reading!
February 1, 2013
Originally posted on Sarahsbookshelf.com:
I am a big-time fan of Navy SEAL books, although if you met me you’d probably wonder why–-I’m definitely not the stereotypical reader of the genre. That being said, it’s books like this one by Brandon Webb that really cement why I enjoy these books so much. Webb’s message is simple: Excellence Matters. And his words are more than just military-speak.
As with most SEAL memoirs, Webb walks the reader through his time at BUD/S, as well as a few deployments, but what struck me about this book more than others was his time as an instructor. Webb spent the latter part of his military career revamping sniper courses and becoming an excellent instructor himself. Even to a reader not at all interested in the military-aspect of this story, Webb’s discussion of teaching techniques I found to be quite enlightening. I’m an educator myself and it never ceases to amaze me how differently people approach the concept of instruction. As Webb notes, instructors that he had in the past weren’t invested in his success, which was something that never really sat well with him–so he changed it when he could.
This book actually made me cry. As with other memoirs, if I’m enjoying the writing, sometimes I’ll do a little research to find out more information on the author, see if they have a good website/blog (Webb does, by the way). One of the first posts I noticed on his site had to do with a friend who was mentioned and pictured multiple times in his book, Glen Doherty. Doherty was killed on September 11, 2012 in Libya (after the book was published). One of the things that I’ve learned (and now appreciate) is how the SEALs truly live for every day. That pill, I’m sure, can be difficult to swallow with the loss of a close friend, hence my tears on behalf of Doherty.
Unlike other books in the genre, Webb doesn’t spend too much time talking politics or ROE, but rather talks about leadership qualities and the things he learned from various individuals he worked with. I found this book to be enlightening for many reasons, but mostly because I think (as I believe Webb agrees) that we need to change the way our military trains and operates in our changing world. Our wars are not fought the same way that even Vietnam was fought (and Webb gives an excellent example in the final chapter of why this is a very good thing). Another thing that I felt Webb did right was to talk positively about his relationship with his ex-wife. I’m sure it can be quite easy to point fingers and say negative things about a former spouse ("SEAL Team Six" is a good example of this), but it’s much more difficult to stay classy and be kind.
After reading this book, Webb is definitely a guy I’d like to have a beer with. He sounds like a genuinely nice guy with some amazing experience on the field and in the classroom. I’d probably pick his brain about teaching. Webb also created The Red Circle Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) charity that helps SOF family members with funding gaps during times of need. This was an excellent book and I look forward to reading the book that Webb and Doherty co-authored, titled "Navy SEAL Sniper."
I am a big-time fan of Navy SEAL books, although if you met me you’d probably wonder why–-I’m definitely not the stereotypical reader of the genre. That being said, it’s books like this one by Brandon Webb that really cement why I enjoy these books so much. Webb’s message is simple: Excellence Matters. And his words are more than just military-speak.
As with most SEAL memoirs, Webb walks the reader through his time at BUD/S, as well as a few deployments, but what struck me about this book more than others was his time as an instructor. Webb spent the latter part of his military career revamping sniper courses and becoming an excellent instructor himself. Even to a reader not at all interested in the military-aspect of this story, Webb’s discussion of teaching techniques I found to be quite enlightening. I’m an educator myself and it never ceases to amaze me how differently people approach the concept of instruction. As Webb notes, instructors that he had in the past weren’t invested in his success, which was something that never really sat well with him–so he changed it when he could.
This book actually made me cry. As with other memoirs, if I’m enjoying the writing, sometimes I’ll do a little research to find out more information on the author, see if they have a good website/blog (Webb does, by the way). One of the first posts I noticed on his site had to do with a friend who was mentioned and pictured multiple times in his book, Glen Doherty. Doherty was killed on September 11, 2012 in Libya (after the book was published). One of the things that I’ve learned (and now appreciate) is how the SEALs truly live for every day. That pill, I’m sure, can be difficult to swallow with the loss of a close friend, hence my tears on behalf of Doherty.
Unlike other books in the genre, Webb doesn’t spend too much time talking politics or ROE, but rather talks about leadership qualities and the things he learned from various individuals he worked with. I found this book to be enlightening for many reasons, but mostly because I think (as I believe Webb agrees) that we need to change the way our military trains and operates in our changing world. Our wars are not fought the same way that even Vietnam was fought (and Webb gives an excellent example in the final chapter of why this is a very good thing). Another thing that I felt Webb did right was to talk positively about his relationship with his ex-wife. I’m sure it can be quite easy to point fingers and say negative things about a former spouse ("SEAL Team Six" is a good example of this), but it’s much more difficult to stay classy and be kind.
After reading this book, Webb is definitely a guy I’d like to have a beer with. He sounds like a genuinely nice guy with some amazing experience on the field and in the classroom. I’d probably pick his brain about teaching. Webb also created The Red Circle Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) charity that helps SOF family members with funding gaps during times of need. This was an excellent book and I look forward to reading the book that Webb and Doherty co-authored, titled "Navy SEAL Sniper."
January 31, 2014
I don't usually read non-fiction military books, so this is the first for me. I read it with the intent to understand how the minds of highly trained soldiers work, more than I wanted to know about SEAL training. I was really impressed on how well written this book is. Its informative, well organized and was narrated in a riveting way. I found myself enjoying it and not just once remarking to myself how it was more exciting than most fiction I've read ( I am a big fan of heroic fantasy ). Remembering that the things that happened in the book happened in real life was sometimes a sobering thought as I read about the deaths and the gruesomeness of war.
Most of what I learned from this book is about standing your ground in the face of obstacles, the importance of training ( mentally and physically) , having good leadership and importantly excellence matters. Lessons even regular civillians can also use in day to day living.
This book is not my usual cup of tea, but it was a really damn good read!
Most of what I learned from this book is about standing your ground in the face of obstacles, the importance of training ( mentally and physically) , having good leadership and importantly excellence matters. Lessons even regular civillians can also use in day to day living.
This book is not my usual cup of tea, but it was a really damn good read!
November 17, 2014
Wow, I just finished this book after reading nothing else for the past two days. Brandon Webb gives a rare look into the depth of training our Navy SEALs go through and the early days of Afghanistan. His life experiences are simply astounding, from being left on an island in the Pacific, to a four day patrol in Afghanistan.
This is a fast read and well paced. The writing is good and clear, easily giving you the facts and setting the scenes. He also never comes across as "look at how freaking awesome I am," like some other memoirs do. (cough Marcinko cough)
He gives a good view into the tough training not only of BUD/S, but of the sniper course as well. He also gives you a front row seat of the early months of Operation Enduring Freedom, taking down caves and other targets. After reading this you will have a new appreciation for the SEAL snipers.
Thank you Mr. Webb for your service and this book.
This is a fast read and well paced. The writing is good and clear, easily giving you the facts and setting the scenes. He also never comes across as "look at how freaking awesome I am," like some other memoirs do. (cough Marcinko cough)
He gives a good view into the tough training not only of BUD/S, but of the sniper course as well. He also gives you a front row seat of the early months of Operation Enduring Freedom, taking down caves and other targets. After reading this you will have a new appreciation for the SEAL snipers.
Thank you Mr. Webb for your service and this book.
September 9, 2012
I rarely read non-fiction, but after seeing Brandon Webb on FOX News discussing the theater massacre in Colorado, and the mention of his book, I thought I'd check it out. The reviews were mostly 5 stars, and I've always been curious about the Navy SEALs, so I downloaded the free sample.
Many of the reviewers on Amazon mentioned that once they started the book, they couldn't put it down, and I found that to be very true for me too. I read the sample and immediately purchased the book. I just finished it before writing this. Fascinating and riveting are two of the best words I can use to describe this book.
In addition to being a great read, I learned a lot. There are principles and mindsets in this book that everyone should apply to their lives with regard to striving for excellence. These guys are almost superhuman, and have an iron will that most don't. Much respect to the author and the other SEALs mentioned in the book. Thank you for your service to our country.
Many of the reviewers on Amazon mentioned that once they started the book, they couldn't put it down, and I found that to be very true for me too. I read the sample and immediately purchased the book. I just finished it before writing this. Fascinating and riveting are two of the best words I can use to describe this book.
In addition to being a great read, I learned a lot. There are principles and mindsets in this book that everyone should apply to their lives with regard to striving for excellence. These guys are almost superhuman, and have an iron will that most don't. Much respect to the author and the other SEALs mentioned in the book. Thank you for your service to our country.
October 28, 2015
This is not a book about what life in the Navy SEALs is like. This is not a flash-bang book about killing the enemy or the life of dangerous heroics.
This book is simply about Leadership and Excellence. Two qualities that the Military excels in teaching, but not everyone excels in learning. Chief Webb has done a remarkable job in detailing the qualities of Leadership, good and bad. In short, he has achieved excellence in this book, which was his only mission.
That said, his writing style is similar to Marcus Luttrell's. This isn't Shakespeare, or even Tom Clancy. This book reads like it was written to convey a message, which it does exceedingly well. Put his style aside, and read the book for the lessons it contains and you will not be disappointed!
This book is simply about Leadership and Excellence. Two qualities that the Military excels in teaching, but not everyone excels in learning. Chief Webb has done a remarkable job in detailing the qualities of Leadership, good and bad. In short, he has achieved excellence in this book, which was his only mission.
That said, his writing style is similar to Marcus Luttrell's. This isn't Shakespeare, or even Tom Clancy. This book reads like it was written to convey a message, which it does exceedingly well. Put his style aside, and read the book for the lessons it contains and you will not be disappointed!
December 21, 2014
An interesting, well-written memoir. It's about, as the title says, the author's life as a Navy SEAL sniper and sniper instructor. It's a vivid picture of the life and challenges faced by that very small community of strong, smart, driven people.
I gave this three stars instead of five because of one thing, a homophobic joke that really left a bad taste in my mouth. It was ironic that around the time I read this, I saw a news story about the coming out of a transgender woman who, as a man, had retired from the Navy as a high-ranking SEAL and had earned one of the country's highest decorations for outstanding valor.
I gave this three stars instead of five because of one thing, a homophobic joke that really left a bad taste in my mouth. It was ironic that around the time I read this, I saw a news story about the coming out of a transgender woman who, as a man, had retired from the Navy as a high-ranking SEAL and had earned one of the country's highest decorations for outstanding valor.
September 4, 2012
I'll keep this review short and sweet-- I really liked this book, but not necessarily for the usual reasons.
Aside from the stories of Webb's experiences in training and in life, which I found to be enjoyable, what I appreciated most was the distinction of what makes for good leadership. The book's main theme of striving for excellence rang throughout, and it was a great message to carry along.
Aside from the stories of Webb's experiences in training and in life, which I found to be enjoyable, what I appreciated most was the distinction of what makes for good leadership. The book's main theme of striving for excellence rang throughout, and it was a great message to carry along.
December 12, 2014
While it ends abruptly and is lacking in certain areas description wise, this book is a great read and is full of interesting ballistic facts.
June 20, 2021
toooooo much BS
March 16, 2024
This was an excellent biography about the main guy who arguably had the most impact on the SEALS. The books shared so many fascinating facts, gives glimpses of what training to be a SEAL is all about, and what it looks like to endure and strive for excellence. It was very easy to read this book and not put it down. Would definitely recommend!
April 2, 2015
Honestly, this book came as a refreshing breath of air after reading American Sniper. I enjoyed A.S. by Chris Kyle but reading Webb's account of his Navy SEAL training, time in the war and subsequent life I realized that I just liked Webb better. Shallow as that sounds. I'll explain more...
Brandon Webb was a Navy SEAL and a head instructor in the sniper corps before heading to the private sector. He has many accomplishments including helping revamp the SEAL sniper training course and thus helping hundreds of SEALS in their careers. He helped train Chris Kyle and worked closely with Marcus Luttrell.
His book felt a bit long in the beginning but also kept my interest. He grew up an extremely active, wild kid- skiing in Canada at the age of 5, spear fishing and running a boat off the coast of California during his teenage years...craziness! Its always fascinating to me to hear these stories and see that what these guys did for hobbies and jobs directly helped them during their SEAL training. Webb excelled in the diving portions of his training because of his past.
Webb seemed genuinely humble about his life and accomplishments. He often highlighted his failures and struggles in a constructive way- no false humility there. He had less of a 'good ol' boys' mentality. He occasionally would take great risks by standing up to superior officers if he thought something was wrong, unwise or unfair. This took balls and also seemed downright idiotic at times.
A couple of my favorite quotes:
"It's a strange thing, war: men of honor, fighting for their country. We see ourselves as the good guys, fighting for a just cause. I know I certainly believed we were the good guys there in Afghanistan, and I still do today. Then again, these guys' grandfathers had thought they were the good guys, too. I suppose we are all heroes of our own story."
"A free society looks like it rests on big principles and lofty ideals, and maybe it does for much of the time. But in the dark times, those times that count most, what it comes down to is not reason or rhetoric but pure commitment, honed over time in to the fabric of excellence. Why am I telling you this? Because it matters."
Brandon Webb was a Navy SEAL and a head instructor in the sniper corps before heading to the private sector. He has many accomplishments including helping revamp the SEAL sniper training course and thus helping hundreds of SEALS in their careers. He helped train Chris Kyle and worked closely with Marcus Luttrell.
His book felt a bit long in the beginning but also kept my interest. He grew up an extremely active, wild kid- skiing in Canada at the age of 5, spear fishing and running a boat off the coast of California during his teenage years...craziness! Its always fascinating to me to hear these stories and see that what these guys did for hobbies and jobs directly helped them during their SEAL training. Webb excelled in the diving portions of his training because of his past.
Webb seemed genuinely humble about his life and accomplishments. He often highlighted his failures and struggles in a constructive way- no false humility there. He had less of a 'good ol' boys' mentality. He occasionally would take great risks by standing up to superior officers if he thought something was wrong, unwise or unfair. This took balls and also seemed downright idiotic at times.
A couple of my favorite quotes:
"It's a strange thing, war: men of honor, fighting for their country. We see ourselves as the good guys, fighting for a just cause. I know I certainly believed we were the good guys there in Afghanistan, and I still do today. Then again, these guys' grandfathers had thought they were the good guys, too. I suppose we are all heroes of our own story."
"A free society looks like it rests on big principles and lofty ideals, and maybe it does for much of the time. But in the dark times, those times that count most, what it comes down to is not reason or rhetoric but pure commitment, honed over time in to the fabric of excellence. Why am I telling you this? Because it matters."
September 7, 2021
"I was an uncontrollable adolescent with a tough as nails dad. Military life set me straight. I wanted to be the best so I became a Navy SEAL. BUD/S was really hard, but everything that came after was even harder. When I finally became a SEAL my buddies shaved my pubes and glued them to my face and it was then that I learned humility. I went to Afghanistan. I went to Iraq. I was very humbled to receive the Navy Cross even though I should have gotten the Bronze Star but I got drunk and punched some Air Force Major in the face. Harold Smith currently residing at 742 Evergreen Terrace Springfield Minnesota was a complete piece of shit and got in my way until I had him sent to Bahrain. Chris Kyle and Marcus Luttrell owe me their lives due to my exemplary instruction and for that I am very humble. My friends and I have all started our own businesses and our successes are due to our being excellent. And our humility. Give us money."
All kidding aside, a decent memoir of yet another SEAL with a book deal.
All kidding aside, a decent memoir of yet another SEAL with a book deal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2016
This book took me SO incredibly long to read...
Which is really strange for me, if I had to be honest... Because I really enjoyed every piece of the book. It was generally interesting for me to read this book and Webb's experiences, particularly because my father used to be a member of the U.S. Air Force... So in that case, it made it easy to create a lot of connections (Even if this focuses on the Navy SEALS), which helped the book get my attention even more.
In general, I don't think there is anything cynical or negative I could say about the book. It's combined with amazing stories of adventure, and enjoyable witty humor. It got into large detail about onto every topic it mentioned, and all in all, it was interesting to see what the life and spirit of a Navy SEAL is like.
It was something very unique, nothing I have ever read before. That meant a lot to me, since most books are repetitive nowadays. (In my opinion, that is).
Which is really strange for me, if I had to be honest... Because I really enjoyed every piece of the book. It was generally interesting for me to read this book and Webb's experiences, particularly because my father used to be a member of the U.S. Air Force... So in that case, it made it easy to create a lot of connections (Even if this focuses on the Navy SEALS), which helped the book get my attention even more.
In general, I don't think there is anything cynical or negative I could say about the book. It's combined with amazing stories of adventure, and enjoyable witty humor. It got into large detail about onto every topic it mentioned, and all in all, it was interesting to see what the life and spirit of a Navy SEAL is like.
It was something very unique, nothing I have ever read before. That meant a lot to me, since most books are repetitive nowadays. (In my opinion, that is).
June 18, 2015
Fascinating.
May 6, 2018
Excellence matters. That’s the message of Brandon Webb’s book and life as a U.S. Navy SEAL. No matter what your occupation is, no matter what your hobby is, excellence matters. This belief can propel individuals or groups to accomplish outstanding things. Accomplishing outstanding things gives purpose to the limited time we have. Webb’s accomplishments in the military are fascinating and impressive to me.
Webb grew up in Canada and California. He was always athletic and played sports constantly. Living in California, he got a job as a young teenager working on a diving ship. At around age 16, after his father had some financial trouble in the construction business, the family took one year to sail around the world. Webb and his father would argue over decisions involved in navigating the waters. The tension mounted, and his father essentially kicked him off the boat. Webb made it back to California, continued working on the diving ship, and then joined the military.
In the Navy, he began as part of Search and Rescue before applying to basic underwater demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training. The six-month Seal screening process is notoriously difficult, and something like 80% of all participants drop out by ringing a brass bell. Reading Webb’s description, I mentally tallied all the points along the journey at which I would have failed.
First, the physical demands. Applicants must pass a physical screening test before they can even check into the program. These are the requirements with competitive requirements in parentheses:
• 500-yard swim, breaststroke or sidestroke in 12.5 minutes or less (9 minutes)
• 42 pushups in 2 minutes (100)
• 50 sit-ups in 2 minutes (100)
• 6 pull-ups from dead hang (12)
• 1.5 mile run in boots and pants in under 11.5 minutes (9 minutes)
Entrants with competitive scores are three times more likely to complete the program than those meeting only the minimum requirements. Again, these are the absolute minimum requirements to even begin the program. They do not take into account the physical training that takes place during the program. During the six-month program, Seals will run hundreds of miles and perform thousands of pushups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and other activities. They will run in boots on sand. They will carry 300-pound logs, heavy inflatable boats, and/or their rucksacks with maybe 40-80 pounds of gear.
So Seals are in unbelievable shape. But the physical misery doesn’t end at exertion. They are frequently freezing cold because much of their exercise takes place in or near the Pacific Ocean. They are sleep-deprived. During the infamous “hell week,” which is the third or fourth week of training, the Seals are literally running and exercising for five days straight. From sundown on Sunday until the end of Friday, they will receive no more than about 5 hours of sleep in total. Sleep deprivation is considered by some to be a form of torture.
Second, and perhaps more important, the mental demands. The instructors are literally yelling and cursing in the faces of the Seals. They are never offered any encouragement—other than to quit by ringing the bell. Every fear imaginable is faced by a Seal at some point. They are sent through a POW camp in which they may be beaten, not fed, water boarded. They are stuffed into small boxes. Webb describes as his most vivid memory of POW camp being stuffed into a 3x3x3 box for a few hours. He developed a leg cramp that could be easily alleviated by straightening the leg. This couldn’t be done in such a small space. He says it was very hard for him to keep it together. Seals jump out of airplanes and parachute to the ground. They swim under massive ships to place or remove explosive devices. They always use live rounds in their training.
These are the fears they face and the risks they take just in their training. Webb passed the Seal training. He says the average athletic male can physically complete the training. (I’m not sure about that.) He says what is really required is unparalleled mental toughness and the certainty of knowing you can complete the task, whatever it may be. Webb says he never had a moment of piercing doubt or uncertainty. Instead, he got the “fire in the gut.” He became pissed at the instructors who yelled at him and tried to get him to quit. He would not quit until he was dead.
After BUD/S, Webb eventually became a sniper. Sniper training is also intense, but mostly because of the mental aspects. Webb claims intellectual capacity is the most important trait of a sniper, followed by patience, then physical ability. What people unfamiliar with firearms and shooting may not realize is the level of complexity and science that goes into making an accurate shot at long distances, which are roughly 1,000 yards or more. There is elevation, windage, internal and external ballistics, barometric pressure, temperature changes, the Coriolis effect, and more. The Coriolis effect is basically the rotation of the Earth for which adjustments must be made. At shorter distances the Coriolis effect is negligible and can largely be ignored. At long distances, there may be a second or more of delay between firing the gun and the bullet actually impacting the target. In the interim, the Earth has rotated, so your target is literally in a different spot from where you were aiming even if stationary. The magnitude of the Coriolis effect changes depending on your latitude. As I understand it, if you are in the Northern Hemisphere and ignore the Coriolis effect, then this should be the outcome of your shots: facing North misses left, facing South misses right, facing East misses high, facing West misses low.
Seal training never ceases. But after completing the selection process, Webb was deployed to Afghanistan. He completed missions in the mountains, which involved gathering intel, sweeping buildings, taking hostages, and shooting hostiles. He was under enemy fire a number of times, but I don’t remember him sustaining injuries to himself. Once, while investigating a terrorist training compound, he noticed a detonating device linked to mines over which his Humvee had just driven. Fortunately, the mines were not properly wired. This was just one more fear-inducing, death-defying activity in the life of a Navy Seal.
Such a life is not conducive to a family. Though he has three kids, Webb and his wife divorced. Webb eventually became an instructor at the Seal sniper training program. He then opened his own business which trains military and law enforcement to effectively shoot.
Webb is a former Navy Seal. So is Marcus Luttrell (his story was recently made into a movie starring Mark Wahlberg). So was Chris Kyle (deadliest sniper in U.S. history with over 150 confirmed kills). There are approximately 2,500 active Navy Seals divided among 9 teams. To a man, they pursue excellence.
Memorable quotes:
“There is a common misperception that to make it through SEAL training you have to be a superathlete. No so. In its purely physical requirements, the course is designed for the average athletic male to be able to make it through. What SEAL training really tests is your mental mettle. It is designed to push you mentally to the brink, over and over again, until you are hardened and able to take on any task with confidence, regardless of the odds—or until you break.”
“People have asked if I ever thought about quitting during the SEAL training, if I ever had one of those dark-night-of-the-soul moments you hear about, those moments of piercing doubt and anguished uncertainty. The answer is Never—not once. . . . [S]omething else happened instead: I got what we call a fire in the gut.”
“This is something that sets SEAL training apart from most other military training: Everything we do, we do with high-speed live fire, real bullets—hundreds of thousands of rounds.”
“‘First and foremost? Intellectual capacity.’ When people ask what it takes to become a Navy SEAL sniper, that’s my first answer. Don’t get me wrong: You have to be physically tough. Our training demands that every graduate be one of a unique breed, willing to snake his way through treacherous urban war-zone terrain or crawl the hot desert floor for hours, slow as a snail and often through his own bodily waste, sometimes withstanding days on end of unendurable physical hardship, to set up his target. Still, the physical ability is maybe 10 percent of it. Most if it is mental.”
“We each got a sniper M-14, a Remington .308 bolt gun, a Remington .300 Win Mag, and a .50 cal, along with scopes and ammo.”
“[T]he terms SNAFU, ‘situation normal: all fucked up,’ and FUBAR, ‘fucked up beyond all repair,’ both originated in the military during World War II.”
“If intellectual capacity is a sniper’s foremost qualification, the number two trait is patience.”
“Hunting deer is typically much harder than hunting people. People get lazy. Not so with wild animals; their instincts are honed to a razor’s edge. Taking our snipers out into the wild, having them stalk a live animal, get it on target, and stop a beating heart for real—it was phenomenal training . . . .”
“Our students blew the minds of some local hunters, too, because we were nailing deer at distances like 600 to 800 yards.”
“First was complete and total confidence. Not arrogance or cockiness, but an absolute, unshakable confidence in their ability to perform regardless of adversity. . . . It’s an attitude that says, I will win no matter what. These people didn’t just want to win, they expected to win. When they went out to compete, they had already won in their minds. . . . The other common trait was that they all did some kind of mental rehearsal—closing their eyes and practicing their winning game in their heads, over and over again.” – Webb discussing the two common traits of Olympic gold medal winners as discovered by Lanny Bassham
Webb grew up in Canada and California. He was always athletic and played sports constantly. Living in California, he got a job as a young teenager working on a diving ship. At around age 16, after his father had some financial trouble in the construction business, the family took one year to sail around the world. Webb and his father would argue over decisions involved in navigating the waters. The tension mounted, and his father essentially kicked him off the boat. Webb made it back to California, continued working on the diving ship, and then joined the military.
In the Navy, he began as part of Search and Rescue before applying to basic underwater demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training. The six-month Seal screening process is notoriously difficult, and something like 80% of all participants drop out by ringing a brass bell. Reading Webb’s description, I mentally tallied all the points along the journey at which I would have failed.
First, the physical demands. Applicants must pass a physical screening test before they can even check into the program. These are the requirements with competitive requirements in parentheses:
• 500-yard swim, breaststroke or sidestroke in 12.5 minutes or less (9 minutes)
• 42 pushups in 2 minutes (100)
• 50 sit-ups in 2 minutes (100)
• 6 pull-ups from dead hang (12)
• 1.5 mile run in boots and pants in under 11.5 minutes (9 minutes)
Entrants with competitive scores are three times more likely to complete the program than those meeting only the minimum requirements. Again, these are the absolute minimum requirements to even begin the program. They do not take into account the physical training that takes place during the program. During the six-month program, Seals will run hundreds of miles and perform thousands of pushups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and other activities. They will run in boots on sand. They will carry 300-pound logs, heavy inflatable boats, and/or their rucksacks with maybe 40-80 pounds of gear.
So Seals are in unbelievable shape. But the physical misery doesn’t end at exertion. They are frequently freezing cold because much of their exercise takes place in or near the Pacific Ocean. They are sleep-deprived. During the infamous “hell week,” which is the third or fourth week of training, the Seals are literally running and exercising for five days straight. From sundown on Sunday until the end of Friday, they will receive no more than about 5 hours of sleep in total. Sleep deprivation is considered by some to be a form of torture.
Second, and perhaps more important, the mental demands. The instructors are literally yelling and cursing in the faces of the Seals. They are never offered any encouragement—other than to quit by ringing the bell. Every fear imaginable is faced by a Seal at some point. They are sent through a POW camp in which they may be beaten, not fed, water boarded. They are stuffed into small boxes. Webb describes as his most vivid memory of POW camp being stuffed into a 3x3x3 box for a few hours. He developed a leg cramp that could be easily alleviated by straightening the leg. This couldn’t be done in such a small space. He says it was very hard for him to keep it together. Seals jump out of airplanes and parachute to the ground. They swim under massive ships to place or remove explosive devices. They always use live rounds in their training.
These are the fears they face and the risks they take just in their training. Webb passed the Seal training. He says the average athletic male can physically complete the training. (I’m not sure about that.) He says what is really required is unparalleled mental toughness and the certainty of knowing you can complete the task, whatever it may be. Webb says he never had a moment of piercing doubt or uncertainty. Instead, he got the “fire in the gut.” He became pissed at the instructors who yelled at him and tried to get him to quit. He would not quit until he was dead.
After BUD/S, Webb eventually became a sniper. Sniper training is also intense, but mostly because of the mental aspects. Webb claims intellectual capacity is the most important trait of a sniper, followed by patience, then physical ability. What people unfamiliar with firearms and shooting may not realize is the level of complexity and science that goes into making an accurate shot at long distances, which are roughly 1,000 yards or more. There is elevation, windage, internal and external ballistics, barometric pressure, temperature changes, the Coriolis effect, and more. The Coriolis effect is basically the rotation of the Earth for which adjustments must be made. At shorter distances the Coriolis effect is negligible and can largely be ignored. At long distances, there may be a second or more of delay between firing the gun and the bullet actually impacting the target. In the interim, the Earth has rotated, so your target is literally in a different spot from where you were aiming even if stationary. The magnitude of the Coriolis effect changes depending on your latitude. As I understand it, if you are in the Northern Hemisphere and ignore the Coriolis effect, then this should be the outcome of your shots: facing North misses left, facing South misses right, facing East misses high, facing West misses low.
Seal training never ceases. But after completing the selection process, Webb was deployed to Afghanistan. He completed missions in the mountains, which involved gathering intel, sweeping buildings, taking hostages, and shooting hostiles. He was under enemy fire a number of times, but I don’t remember him sustaining injuries to himself. Once, while investigating a terrorist training compound, he noticed a detonating device linked to mines over which his Humvee had just driven. Fortunately, the mines were not properly wired. This was just one more fear-inducing, death-defying activity in the life of a Navy Seal.
Such a life is not conducive to a family. Though he has three kids, Webb and his wife divorced. Webb eventually became an instructor at the Seal sniper training program. He then opened his own business which trains military and law enforcement to effectively shoot.
Webb is a former Navy Seal. So is Marcus Luttrell (his story was recently made into a movie starring Mark Wahlberg). So was Chris Kyle (deadliest sniper in U.S. history with over 150 confirmed kills). There are approximately 2,500 active Navy Seals divided among 9 teams. To a man, they pursue excellence.
Memorable quotes:
“There is a common misperception that to make it through SEAL training you have to be a superathlete. No so. In its purely physical requirements, the course is designed for the average athletic male to be able to make it through. What SEAL training really tests is your mental mettle. It is designed to push you mentally to the brink, over and over again, until you are hardened and able to take on any task with confidence, regardless of the odds—or until you break.”
“People have asked if I ever thought about quitting during the SEAL training, if I ever had one of those dark-night-of-the-soul moments you hear about, those moments of piercing doubt and anguished uncertainty. The answer is Never—not once. . . . [S]omething else happened instead: I got what we call a fire in the gut.”
“This is something that sets SEAL training apart from most other military training: Everything we do, we do with high-speed live fire, real bullets—hundreds of thousands of rounds.”
“‘First and foremost? Intellectual capacity.’ When people ask what it takes to become a Navy SEAL sniper, that’s my first answer. Don’t get me wrong: You have to be physically tough. Our training demands that every graduate be one of a unique breed, willing to snake his way through treacherous urban war-zone terrain or crawl the hot desert floor for hours, slow as a snail and often through his own bodily waste, sometimes withstanding days on end of unendurable physical hardship, to set up his target. Still, the physical ability is maybe 10 percent of it. Most if it is mental.”
“We each got a sniper M-14, a Remington .308 bolt gun, a Remington .300 Win Mag, and a .50 cal, along with scopes and ammo.”
“[T]he terms SNAFU, ‘situation normal: all fucked up,’ and FUBAR, ‘fucked up beyond all repair,’ both originated in the military during World War II.”
“If intellectual capacity is a sniper’s foremost qualification, the number two trait is patience.”
“Hunting deer is typically much harder than hunting people. People get lazy. Not so with wild animals; their instincts are honed to a razor’s edge. Taking our snipers out into the wild, having them stalk a live animal, get it on target, and stop a beating heart for real—it was phenomenal training . . . .”
“Our students blew the minds of some local hunters, too, because we were nailing deer at distances like 600 to 800 yards.”
“First was complete and total confidence. Not arrogance or cockiness, but an absolute, unshakable confidence in their ability to perform regardless of adversity. . . . It’s an attitude that says, I will win no matter what. These people didn’t just want to win, they expected to win. When they went out to compete, they had already won in their minds. . . . The other common trait was that they all did some kind of mental rehearsal—closing their eyes and practicing their winning game in their heads, over and over again.” – Webb discussing the two common traits of Olympic gold medal winners as discovered by Lanny Bassham
February 3, 2018
One of the best Special Ops Forces books I have read, something I was surprised to realise, given that the deployment part comprises a relatively short part of the book, the vast majority being dedicated to training which led to Mr Webb becoming a SEAL sniper, and Mr Webb’s subsequent work at the sniper school and in the private sector after leaving the Navy. Where this book is rather different from others is the depth in which it deals with the training part. I was aware of the (in)famous BUD/S course, but Mr Webb’s book deals with it in great detail, which makes the reader realise, almost feel, the excruciating pressure, both physical, but above all mental, under which the candidates are put, and which they need to withstand in order to pass. The same detail is applied to the other trainings the author attended – whether Navy SAR, or the sniper training. This was the second book, the other being Howard Wasdin’s SEAL Team Six, which made me realise how short some of the SEAL operational careers can be. In Mr Webb’s case, his post-training deployment lasted less than two years, an amazingly short time, bearing in mind the long years of training which made him a fully trained SEAL operator. At least in Mr Webb’s case his training and operational deployment did not go to waste. US Navy got its money’s worth through his years training SEAL snipers, some of whom became known to the wider public in their own right – Marcus Luttrell (“Lone Survivor”) and Chris Kyle (“American Sniper”). Whether Brandon Webb is an excellent writer, or the book’s style has been the product of John David Mann, is immaterial. The book is written in an interesting language, full of unusually intellectual observations. Appreciated is the fact that religious and patriotic elements, present in so many similar books, gave way to the focus on excellence. After all, it is this latter trait which makes a great performer in any field – a conclusion reached by Mr Webb in the final phrases of the book.
May 15, 2018
The Red Circle by Brandon Webb is the non-fiction story recounting the life of the world-famous Navy SEAL sniper and instructor himself. The action starts immediately, as you are thrust in to a battle he was involved in during his time in Afghanistan. After this, he goes back to his very earliest memories and catches back up through his entire life, filled with many hardships and struggles, which ultimately led him to the man the world knows today.
I thought the book was very packed with his crazy stories from around his life, but I would have to say my favorite was during the BUD/S phase of his SEAL training. He was going through many internal conflicts, but he demonstrated how never giving up will yield the greatest reward. Brandon has to survive in the mental, physical, and emotional aspect from all his training and being deployed overseas while his family is waiting for him at home. The author writes using information from the events around him and his internal thoughts to show how he was reacting to everything around him. This reminds me of other war stories like American Sniper and Lone Survivor who recall the actions the authors took and the thoughts in their head during their struggles.
If you liked American Sniper or Lone Survivor, you will love this book. Anybody who likes real life accounts of enlisted men and their overseas conquests won't be able to put this book down. I recommend this book to anyone thinking about joining the armed forces or special forces, or anybody looking to figure out what life in the service is like overseas and in the Middle East because Brandon explains both of these in depth and even more throughout the book, along with incredible, almost unbelievable tales he tells you about. This book is a great story filled with terror, intrigue, perseverance , and the never-ending determination for a great man to protect the people and the country he loves.
I thought the book was very packed with his crazy stories from around his life, but I would have to say my favorite was during the BUD/S phase of his SEAL training. He was going through many internal conflicts, but he demonstrated how never giving up will yield the greatest reward. Brandon has to survive in the mental, physical, and emotional aspect from all his training and being deployed overseas while his family is waiting for him at home. The author writes using information from the events around him and his internal thoughts to show how he was reacting to everything around him. This reminds me of other war stories like American Sniper and Lone Survivor who recall the actions the authors took and the thoughts in their head during their struggles.
If you liked American Sniper or Lone Survivor, you will love this book. Anybody who likes real life accounts of enlisted men and their overseas conquests won't be able to put this book down. I recommend this book to anyone thinking about joining the armed forces or special forces, or anybody looking to figure out what life in the service is like overseas and in the Middle East because Brandon explains both of these in depth and even more throughout the book, along with incredible, almost unbelievable tales he tells you about. This book is a great story filled with terror, intrigue, perseverance , and the never-ending determination for a great man to protect the people and the country he loves.
January 3, 2019
The Red Circle
Book CoverThe Red Circle by Brandon Webb is a riveting read from start to finish. Webb's writing style is largely conversational, which is a great fit for the content of the book.
We get a thorough insight into Webb's thoughts and experiences as he navigates his tumultuous childhood, BUD/S training and eventually the deployment in Afghanistan. As an individual, his work ethic and results are admirable, from redesigning an entire curriculumn to train better snipers to relentlessly looking for ways to challenge the status quo to get his desired result, Webb is a true Navy SEAL.
Personally I've never read Lone Survivor so when he talks about a lot of the stuff related to the book, it was unfortunately lost on me. It was particularly enjoyable to see small snippets of Webb's own life thrown in like his nickname - Dirty Webb.
These small snippets humanized the man and gave an insider look into how he survived deployment in Afghanisatan and BUD/s Training
RATING: 4/5
Pros
Easy to read
Conversational style of writing makes it easy to get into the story
Interesting and intimate look into the Navy Seals
Personal anecdotes are interesting and well spaced out throughout the story
Cons
Story is a little long for what its worth
It is unnecessarily draggy at points
Conclusion : If you like biographies with a military slant, this is probably a great book for you! Otherwise, it might be worthwhile to consider other books.
Book CoverThe Red Circle by Brandon Webb is a riveting read from start to finish. Webb's writing style is largely conversational, which is a great fit for the content of the book.
We get a thorough insight into Webb's thoughts and experiences as he navigates his tumultuous childhood, BUD/S training and eventually the deployment in Afghanistan. As an individual, his work ethic and results are admirable, from redesigning an entire curriculumn to train better snipers to relentlessly looking for ways to challenge the status quo to get his desired result, Webb is a true Navy SEAL.
Personally I've never read Lone Survivor so when he talks about a lot of the stuff related to the book, it was unfortunately lost on me. It was particularly enjoyable to see small snippets of Webb's own life thrown in like his nickname - Dirty Webb.
These small snippets humanized the man and gave an insider look into how he survived deployment in Afghanisatan and BUD/s Training
RATING: 4/5
Pros
Easy to read
Conversational style of writing makes it easy to get into the story
Interesting and intimate look into the Navy Seals
Personal anecdotes are interesting and well spaced out throughout the story
Cons
Story is a little long for what its worth
It is unnecessarily draggy at points
Conclusion : If you like biographies with a military slant, this is probably a great book for you! Otherwise, it might be worthwhile to consider other books.
October 8, 2025
This is not a genre that grabs my attention but I was gifted this book from a friend and colleague that shared training duties with me. I was happily surprised to find this book to be a real page turner.
To be fair, this is more of a memoir than it is a self-help guide to be a more effective instructor (although there is a little of that towards the end). I found myself really captivated by the Webb’s experiences as a young man, student, operator and finally as an instructor. I found a lot of similarities to the instructors I’ve encountered in my career. Plus the stories are interesting, exciting, and frustrating (at times).
I do not instruct for the military, but I do instruct for a high risk, high stress, high performance industry so there are many parallels. My industry is also shifting from a “sink or swim” mentality to a positive instruction mindset and we are experiencing higher success rates and better performance as a result.
If your looking for a guidebook on improving your training abilities or program, this isn’t your book. If you’re interested in reading a compelling autobiography with some observations the traits of effective and terrible instructors then this is for you.
To be fair, this is more of a memoir than it is a self-help guide to be a more effective instructor (although there is a little of that towards the end). I found myself really captivated by the Webb’s experiences as a young man, student, operator and finally as an instructor. I found a lot of similarities to the instructors I’ve encountered in my career. Plus the stories are interesting, exciting, and frustrating (at times).
I do not instruct for the military, but I do instruct for a high risk, high stress, high performance industry so there are many parallels. My industry is also shifting from a “sink or swim” mentality to a positive instruction mindset and we are experiencing higher success rates and better performance as a result.
If your looking for a guidebook on improving your training abilities or program, this isn’t your book. If you’re interested in reading a compelling autobiography with some observations the traits of effective and terrible instructors then this is for you.
August 7, 2017
Brandon Webb's has definitely led a most unusual and interesting life. How many teens take a year off school to sail the Pacific in a sailboat only to get kicked off the boat by their pissed off father and have to find their own way back to the States? I will say that I enjoyed both , "American Sniper," and, "Lone Survivor," more than this book (they were both more compelling although they both got politically preachy at times). That said, I'm glad I read it. The training program for snipers was very interesting to read about as were the many incidents of poor leadership Webb cites he had to deal with in the military. Those incidents made Webb's narrative much more real for me; I could relate to him even though I've never served in the military. The most important thing I learned from this book was a quote from Brandon Webb that I've hung up on my classroom wall: "Whatever it is that you do, you are making a stand, either for excellence or mediocrity." That's life summed up in 16 words. That quote/idea/belief inspired me. When I get tired or lazy, I read that quote and think about what Brandon Webb has accomplished.
March 9, 2020
I enjoyed reading this book. It follows a man named Brandon Webb throughout his life. It shows how his hardships as a child prepared him for the brutal training of what it takes to become a seal. And then his time in Afghanistan fighting the Taliban, finding crucial intelligence, and destroying thousands of Taliban and Al Quado rifles. I found it interesting when he talked a lot about “hell week”. Although not very comparable in any way, I keep on making connections to our conditionings in the summer at 5 in the morning. It was interesting to see how he developed because the book starts back in his childhood and how rough and divided his life was because trouble with his parents. I thought that it was interesting to see how the anger from his childhood affected him later on in choosing to become a Navy Seal. I thought that the pace was kind of slow. It sped up later in the book and that's when I was able to sit down and read it easier. I would rate this book at a ⅘ stars because I was kind of able to connect with his desire to get to his childhood goal of being one of the world's greatest fighters.
September 3, 2021
Four years ago I read “The Killing School”, written by Brandon Webb and John Mann. I still remember how impressed I was with this book. Somehow I recently decided to sign out TKS from the library and I noticed they had “The Red Circle” by the same guys, so I signed it out as well. I started TRC and before I knew it was deep into it. I finished it just days later. Unlike TKS, TRC is a memoir that covers life growing up as well as all of his SEAL tracing and sniper training. TKS focuses totally on sniper school and focuses on four specific snipers, one of which is Canadian.
Interestingly enough, Brandon must have been born Canadian as his father and part of his extended family are Canadian and he grew up in Canada until his family moved to the states while he was a youth. However, he never mentions this, so I guess he is now 100% American.
In any case, this was a really good read. I like how he will mention something, add “more on this later”, then it is elaborated on later on. He also references a few book that have been instrumental in the sniper course. They were probably mentioned in TKS as well. Highly recommend, although it is probably not for everyone.
Interestingly enough, Brandon must have been born Canadian as his father and part of his extended family are Canadian and he grew up in Canada until his family moved to the states while he was a youth. However, he never mentions this, so I guess he is now 100% American.
In any case, this was a really good read. I like how he will mention something, add “more on this later”, then it is elaborated on later on. He also references a few book that have been instrumental in the sniper course. They were probably mentioned in TKS as well. Highly recommend, although it is probably not for everyone.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 256 reviews