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Seal of God
Days before Chad Williams was to report to military duty in Great Lakes, Illinois, he turned on a television and was greeted with the horrifying images of his mentor, US Navy SEAL Scott Helvenston, being brutally murdered in a premeditated ambush on the roads of Fallujah, Iraq. Steeled in his resolve, Chad followed in Scott’s footsteps and completed the US military’s most difficult and grueling training to become a Navy SEAL. One of only 13 from a class of 173 to make it straight through to graduation, Chad served his country on SEAL Teams One and Seven for five years, completing tours of duty in the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Iraq.
Part memoir, part evangelism piece, SEAL of God follows Chad’s journey through the grueling Naval Ops training and onto the streets of Iraq, where he witnessed the horrors of war up close. Along the way, Chad shares his own radical conversion story and talks about how he draws on his own experiences as a SEAL to help others better understand the depths of Christ’s sacrifice and love.
Part memoir, part evangelism piece, SEAL of God follows Chad’s journey through the grueling Naval Ops training and onto the streets of Iraq, where he witnessed the horrors of war up close. Along the way, Chad shares his own radical conversion story and talks about how he draws on his own experiences as a SEAL to help others better understand the depths of Christ’s sacrifice and love.
304 pages, Paperback
First published April 4, 2012
136 people are currently reading
1437 people want to read
About the author
Chad Williams
1 book25 followersChad Williams is a former Navy SEAL, having served his country proudly from 2004-2010. Now engaged in full-time ministry work, Chad uses the training and experience he gained as a SEAL to help communicate the Gospel to others. Chad and his wife, Aubrey, live in Huntington Beach, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
November 15, 2022
Well written, interesting, convicting—this was a very good memoir and I’m glad I read it around Veterans Day!
The Seal training chapters were really fascinating. Wow, they go through so much, but it’s all for the purpose of being ready for the challenges ahead. I really found that practical to think on as a Christian and the spiritual warfare believers face.
I also enjoyed reading how Chad trusted Christ. There is a spiritual battle going on and so many are blinded and looking for fulfillment in empty things. The Gospel of Christ is the key.
This book was a great reminder to me to step out of my own comfort zone. People need Jesus, and He is worth sharing no matter the cost.
The Seal training chapters were really fascinating. Wow, they go through so much, but it’s all for the purpose of being ready for the challenges ahead. I really found that practical to think on as a Christian and the spiritual warfare believers face.
I also enjoyed reading how Chad trusted Christ. There is a spiritual battle going on and so many are blinded and looking for fulfillment in empty things. The Gospel of Christ is the key.
This book was a great reminder to me to step out of my own comfort zone. People need Jesus, and He is worth sharing no matter the cost.
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November 13, 2012As I've stated in other reviews before, 2012 is the year of Navy SEALs autobiography and perhaps the Osama Bin Laden raid by DEVGRU might have had something to do with this sudden market and interests concerning the Navy SEALs. This is an autobiography of a Navy SEAL that became a Christian, though the book begins with the author's high school days of teenage rebellion and silliness. I was surprised how much he spent in the book for that portion of his life. Then it turned towards the direction of how the author wanted to be a SEAL, his parents opposition, which led his dad hiring Scott Helvenston to physically train Chad Williams to be ready for the SEALs. For those who know anything about the SEALs, the name Scott Helvenston should ring a bell, since he was one of the youngest member to join the Navy SEALs at age 17 that became well known for the infamous incident in Fallujah when he and three other security contractors were brutally killed on March 31st, 2004. That event prompted a serious Marine assault on the city that April. Williams describe his sadness of the news of the lost of his mentor days before he left for the Navy, then goes on with his experience going through BUD/S. You wouldn't want to put this book down; every SEALs biography about Hell Week and BUD/S makes me glad that there are some really tough men out there serving to protect our country and national interests. For a man so determine to be a SEAL, the author describes his sudden depression after having arrived at being a SEAL and his life's downward direction before coming to Christ a crusade by Greg Laurie. This conversion led a radical shift in his life and the chapter on him being picked on and physically assaulted by members of his platoon was an unexpected turn in the book. It reminds us that being a Christian light in the military sometimes is it's own war zone for the Christian. His tour in Iraq was mentioned only towards the end of the book. As I read this book I realized just how young this author is and how grateful I am for men like him who served in such a capacity as being a SEAL. I appreciate and was encouraged by his evangelistic zeal, nevertheless I am hoping that he grow deeper and deeper in the WORD of God as he ministers to people (not that I have doubts that he's not, but just praying that he will grow). Too often we can see the Evangelical world be obsessed with young heroes and role models and set them up to fail when we don't equally pray for them more than praise them. Again, this is a good autobiography and I read it under 24 hours because I can't put it down and head to read late into the night and early morning.
August 20, 2018
Chad's colorful growing up and young adult years definitely made this book a page turner! I can only imagine the joy of his parents upon hearing that God had rescued their wayward son. This was a fascinating memoir which I greatly enjoyed.
The four star is mainly because the NIV was quoted. The violence was minimal and not overly descriptive, but I would still recommend this to older audiences.
The four star is mainly because the NIV was quoted. The violence was minimal and not overly descriptive, but I would still recommend this to older audiences.
May 10, 2025
A light, easy read that really pulled me in throughout to continue on reading. Mixed with describing the tough training required to be a SEAL and finding/navigating a faith in Christ, this autobiography was really motivating. I recommend this book especially to young men searching to find their purpose and calling.
December 19, 2022
Phenomenal.
Riveting story that was a page turner for sure. God can use and save even the toughest and seemingly hard-hearted individuals, like Navy SEALs.
Riveting story that was a page turner for sure. God can use and save even the toughest and seemingly hard-hearted individuals, like Navy SEALs.
April 9, 2024
This book was fascinating! Not what I expected but amazingly detailed and convicting! Loved this book so so much!
February 8, 2016
Beautiful testimony to Christ's saving transforming power. Christ died for all. 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already...' John 3:16-18
August 2, 2019
Chad Williams goes from a juvenile childhood to navy special forces to devout Christian, a captivating memoir of his early years. Our path to success and logotherapy were oddly familiar. I went to a party after I finally got into medical school and I wasn't happy at all; so unhappy I chose a different life overnight, it was only when I found a higher spiritual purpose that I was able to find more and more fulfillment in life. Hooyah, Mr. Williams.
April 28, 2021
I have to admit I read through this book really quickly. The details of the seal training were really interesting, but I was so disappointed with the cliche ending. (SPOILER ALERT) Rebellious teen manages to achieve his dreams, but something is missing, finds God and his life is turned upside down, gives up his dreams to become a full-time evangelist, ends book with an altar call. Ugh.
April 3, 2014
What a great book. One of those can't put down kind of books!!!
August 23, 2025
I loved reading about Chad’s road to Christ. He had a lot of up and downs. The sacrifices he made to become a Navy seal, was quite impressive. I don’t know anyone who could go through such torcher to complete the rigorous training to become a seal. As I was reading I kept thinking of all our veterans and servicemen and women. I always tell them thank you for your service. Whether you agree or not with our military’s actions they are doing a job for our country. It doesn’t take much of an effort to say thank you and maybe brighten someone’s day.
As in any job you have to deal with unruly people and the military seems to be no different. Chad had to deal with soldiers that didn’t not agree with his faith. The fact he tolerated this behavior is beyond me.
As in any job you have to deal with unruly people and the military seems to be no different. Chad had to deal with soldiers that didn’t not agree with his faith. The fact he tolerated this behavior is beyond me.
September 13, 2024
4.5
Way better than I was expecting it to be, I actually really enjoyed this book. The entire middle section is basically the History Channel’s “The Selection” which is a miniseries I love. I’m obsessed with SEAL training.
Got a little preachy at the end but it’s called Seal of God, what more do you expect lol
Way better than I was expecting it to be, I actually really enjoyed this book. The entire middle section is basically the History Channel’s “The Selection” which is a miniseries I love. I’m obsessed with SEAL training.
Got a little preachy at the end but it’s called Seal of God, what more do you expect lol
October 30, 2024
2.5 - Ok story, good scripture and message, not the best writer.
July 23, 2024
I entirely lived inside of this book for the last two weeks, both when I was actively reading the words on the page, and when I was simply thinking of the story throughout my day.
Five stars doesn’t do it justice.
Five stars doesn’t do it justice.
September 23, 2012
“The Path Is Narrow…But the Reward is Great”
“Days before Chad Williams was to report to military duty in Great Lakes, Illinois, he turned on a television and was greeted with the horrifying images of his mentor, US Navy SEAL Scott Helvenston, being brutally murdered in a premeditated ambush on the roads of Fallujah, Iraq. Steeled in his resolve, Chad followed in Scott’s footsteps and completed the US military’s most difficult and grueling training to become a Navy SEAL. One of only 13 from a class of 173 to make it straight through to graduation, Chad served his country on SEAL Teams One and Seven for five years, completing tours of duty in the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Iraq.
Part memoir, part evangelism piece, SEAL of God follows Chad’s journey through the grueling Naval Ops training and onto the streets of Iraq, where he witnessed the horrors of war up close. Along the way, Chad shares his own radical conversion story and talks about how he draws on his own experiences as a SEAL to help others better understand the depths of Christ’s sacrifice and love.” (From The Tyndale House Web Site)
My thoughts about the book: The book Seal of God is a book about love, both a man’s love for his fellow human being and God’s love – a love that was so great it led to God sending his son, Jesus Christ to Calvary to die a brutal and tortuous death for our sins so that we might enjoy eternal life. And in this book about Chad Williams, another man had to die a brutal death, his mentor and training partner, US Navy SEAL Scott Helvenston, for Chad to take on the daunting challenge to become a US Navy SEAL and avenge his friend’s death.
The Seal of God is also a story about Chad who saw a seeming senseless act of violence against his friend and he wanted revenge to avenge his friend’s death but he received so much more. He received the gift of repentance and reconciliation between himself and God. And that is just like our God, to take a tragedy and turn it into a testimony of triumph and victory for his glory. And this is a story of triumph. In order to become a Navy SEAL, an elite branch of the Navy that only few can join the ranks of, Chad had to endure their training and discipline so that he could become one. And because his heart was firmly fixed upon a certain goal, quitting for Chad was never an option.
And so Chad endured the rigorous training to become a seal and accomplished his goal. The author in great detail recounts Chad’s story of his wild, rebellious and undisciplined years as a child, growing up in his parent’s home to his enlisting in the Navy and then to his becoming one of the best of the best of the armed forces, that being a Navy Seal. In Chapters 5 and 6 the author writes about how Chad made it through BUD/S and “Hell Week,” which was no easy task, to complete his training and thus become one man of 13 in his class of 173 to graduate as a SEAL.
As you read through the amazing story of how Chad became a Navy SEAL and what he accomplished you also find the Word of God appropriately placed throughout the book to punctuate if you will the importance or significance of what you are reading in each chapter of the book. In Chapter 10 we read about “The Night That Everything Changed;” the night that Chad Williams became a born-again Christian and then after his conversion a “SEAL For Christ,” which is written about in Chapter 12. And so Chad fulfilled the high and noble calling of being a US Navy SEAL and completed his time. But as he shares in the end of the book he is now fulfilling a higher and nobler calling than that of being a Navy SEAL and that is being a full-time servant of Jesus Christ, sharing the “good news” of the gospel with everyone and anyone he can.
What an incredible story! What an amazing transformation of a man! But that’s just like our wonderful God to take the unexplainable and evil circumstances of life that occurred and to choose an unlikely man; to save him, sanctify him and call him to His glorious service. And in Chad’s case God called him from serving in one military force to fight battles and wage war against enemies of our freedom to serve in God’s army and fight spiritual battles and wage war against the enemy of our souls, the very Devil himself. And just as Chad trained hard and served valiantly as a member of the US Navy as a seal he has trained hard and now lives to serve our risen Lord as a “SEAL of God.” I give this book 5*****!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Tyndale Blog Network book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
“Days before Chad Williams was to report to military duty in Great Lakes, Illinois, he turned on a television and was greeted with the horrifying images of his mentor, US Navy SEAL Scott Helvenston, being brutally murdered in a premeditated ambush on the roads of Fallujah, Iraq. Steeled in his resolve, Chad followed in Scott’s footsteps and completed the US military’s most difficult and grueling training to become a Navy SEAL. One of only 13 from a class of 173 to make it straight through to graduation, Chad served his country on SEAL Teams One and Seven for five years, completing tours of duty in the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Iraq.
Part memoir, part evangelism piece, SEAL of God follows Chad’s journey through the grueling Naval Ops training and onto the streets of Iraq, where he witnessed the horrors of war up close. Along the way, Chad shares his own radical conversion story and talks about how he draws on his own experiences as a SEAL to help others better understand the depths of Christ’s sacrifice and love.” (From The Tyndale House Web Site)
My thoughts about the book: The book Seal of God is a book about love, both a man’s love for his fellow human being and God’s love – a love that was so great it led to God sending his son, Jesus Christ to Calvary to die a brutal and tortuous death for our sins so that we might enjoy eternal life. And in this book about Chad Williams, another man had to die a brutal death, his mentor and training partner, US Navy SEAL Scott Helvenston, for Chad to take on the daunting challenge to become a US Navy SEAL and avenge his friend’s death.
The Seal of God is also a story about Chad who saw a seeming senseless act of violence against his friend and he wanted revenge to avenge his friend’s death but he received so much more. He received the gift of repentance and reconciliation between himself and God. And that is just like our God, to take a tragedy and turn it into a testimony of triumph and victory for his glory. And this is a story of triumph. In order to become a Navy SEAL, an elite branch of the Navy that only few can join the ranks of, Chad had to endure their training and discipline so that he could become one. And because his heart was firmly fixed upon a certain goal, quitting for Chad was never an option.
And so Chad endured the rigorous training to become a seal and accomplished his goal. The author in great detail recounts Chad’s story of his wild, rebellious and undisciplined years as a child, growing up in his parent’s home to his enlisting in the Navy and then to his becoming one of the best of the best of the armed forces, that being a Navy Seal. In Chapters 5 and 6 the author writes about how Chad made it through BUD/S and “Hell Week,” which was no easy task, to complete his training and thus become one man of 13 in his class of 173 to graduate as a SEAL.
As you read through the amazing story of how Chad became a Navy SEAL and what he accomplished you also find the Word of God appropriately placed throughout the book to punctuate if you will the importance or significance of what you are reading in each chapter of the book. In Chapter 10 we read about “The Night That Everything Changed;” the night that Chad Williams became a born-again Christian and then after his conversion a “SEAL For Christ,” which is written about in Chapter 12. And so Chad fulfilled the high and noble calling of being a US Navy SEAL and completed his time. But as he shares in the end of the book he is now fulfilling a higher and nobler calling than that of being a Navy SEAL and that is being a full-time servant of Jesus Christ, sharing the “good news” of the gospel with everyone and anyone he can.
What an incredible story! What an amazing transformation of a man! But that’s just like our wonderful God to take the unexplainable and evil circumstances of life that occurred and to choose an unlikely man; to save him, sanctify him and call him to His glorious service. And in Chad’s case God called him from serving in one military force to fight battles and wage war against enemies of our freedom to serve in God’s army and fight spiritual battles and wage war against the enemy of our souls, the very Devil himself. And just as Chad trained hard and served valiantly as a member of the US Navy as a seal he has trained hard and now lives to serve our risen Lord as a “SEAL of God.” I give this book 5*****!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Tyndale Blog Network book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
August 12, 2014
From the moment you pick up Seal of God by Chad Williams, you will be completely hooked until the very end. We all have an interest in things we don't know an awful lot about, the secret training required of Navy SEALs, the bond that is created once you have passed all the grueling training that would leave most of us in the dust, but there is something honest about the story that Chad Williams shares about his own journey in trying to find something to fill the empty hole in his life. This is a true story of how one SEAL found God and how he is using his testimony to change lives forever.
Chad Williams wanted more than simply going through the motions required of us all. You attend school, graduate, head to college and plan on gaining an education that will set the foundation for the remainder of your life. But somewhere along the way, Chad realized he wanted something more than what everyone was doing. He wanted to make his life count for something more than a paper you hang on the way. He wanted to be able to look back and be amazed he did something that only a handful would ever dream of doing. He wanted to become a Navy SEAL.
His father was less than thrilled to learn that Chad was giving up on the college dream to pursue something he didn't believe Chad could do. Mostly into hanging out with his skateboarding buddies, partying from the success he found at being a professional skateboarder and earning sponsors like Vans, Chad enjoyed the popularity and fame that came from that but something was still missing. He vowed he would endure whatever Hell the military would put him through just to make it to the end, despite what his father felt was sure to be a bonafide attempt and failure. In fact before Chad even made it to training and enrollment, his father, contacted a Navy SEAL and begged him to show Chad he didn't have what it took to even begin this journey into the military. The man agreed to meet Chad and invited him to "come and play" via an email. Was Chad up for the challenge?
The challenge would be something that would change not only Chad, but his father and the man who would train him and become his mentor through Chad's entire journey, US Navy Seal, Scott Helvenston. What started out as an effort to make something of himself to be proud of, would take him into a journey of darkness and horror beyond anything most of our minds can't comprehend and in the end would leave him a far different man than he ever dreamed possible.
I received Seal of God by Chad Williams as a purchase and did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review. I had the rare opportunity to witness Chad Williams speak at our church in California, and he is both engaging, charismatic and convincing. His testimony speaks of the love of friendship, the bond of brothers the SEALs share, the price of revenge, and the cost of loss of life of those we love and admire. It is a heart-breaking journey into the darkness of finding it all, achieving success and winding up empty when you arrive because the fulfillment we find when we rise to the top of corporate ladders is empty and the only thing there is people trying to knock you off and take your place at all costs. This is an eye opener for any one looking to find purpose in their own life. For Chad Williams, the journey wasn't an easy one, one he might not want to take again, but it is one worth all the blood, sweat and tears he faced to get where he is today. In my opinion, well worth every 5 out of 5 stars. For those looking at what it really takes to get into the Navy SEALs or to find purpose in your own life, check this one out.
Chad Williams wanted more than simply going through the motions required of us all. You attend school, graduate, head to college and plan on gaining an education that will set the foundation for the remainder of your life. But somewhere along the way, Chad realized he wanted something more than what everyone was doing. He wanted to make his life count for something more than a paper you hang on the way. He wanted to be able to look back and be amazed he did something that only a handful would ever dream of doing. He wanted to become a Navy SEAL.
His father was less than thrilled to learn that Chad was giving up on the college dream to pursue something he didn't believe Chad could do. Mostly into hanging out with his skateboarding buddies, partying from the success he found at being a professional skateboarder and earning sponsors like Vans, Chad enjoyed the popularity and fame that came from that but something was still missing. He vowed he would endure whatever Hell the military would put him through just to make it to the end, despite what his father felt was sure to be a bonafide attempt and failure. In fact before Chad even made it to training and enrollment, his father, contacted a Navy SEAL and begged him to show Chad he didn't have what it took to even begin this journey into the military. The man agreed to meet Chad and invited him to "come and play" via an email. Was Chad up for the challenge?
The challenge would be something that would change not only Chad, but his father and the man who would train him and become his mentor through Chad's entire journey, US Navy Seal, Scott Helvenston. What started out as an effort to make something of himself to be proud of, would take him into a journey of darkness and horror beyond anything most of our minds can't comprehend and in the end would leave him a far different man than he ever dreamed possible.
I received Seal of God by Chad Williams as a purchase and did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review. I had the rare opportunity to witness Chad Williams speak at our church in California, and he is both engaging, charismatic and convincing. His testimony speaks of the love of friendship, the bond of brothers the SEALs share, the price of revenge, and the cost of loss of life of those we love and admire. It is a heart-breaking journey into the darkness of finding it all, achieving success and winding up empty when you arrive because the fulfillment we find when we rise to the top of corporate ladders is empty and the only thing there is people trying to knock you off and take your place at all costs. This is an eye opener for any one looking to find purpose in their own life. For Chad Williams, the journey wasn't an easy one, one he might not want to take again, but it is one worth all the blood, sweat and tears he faced to get where he is today. In my opinion, well worth every 5 out of 5 stars. For those looking at what it really takes to get into the Navy SEALs or to find purpose in your own life, check this one out.
December 12, 2015
I think it's important to note that this isn't just a book about a U.S. Navy SEAL. It's important to note that the book's title, SEAL of God, implies that it's related to religion. Chad Williams DOES make a point to talk about his childhood and what a hellion he was, and it's important to get that backstory because we see the transition of how God has changed his life.
And yes, it's inspiring that someone made it through BUD/S because the training for that is intense, but it has to be because otherwise, how would we have such an elite team of special forces? It's great to read about how someone served our country and did so much and experienced so much to keep us safe. It is inspiring and motivational and uplifting.
However, this is a book about Chad Williams sharing his testimony of how he was before he became a Christian and how he was after God changed his life. It's 2/5 military and 3/5 God.
If you're looking for something more along the lines of Lone Survivor or Seal Team Six, this may not be the book for you.
However, if you're looking for insight into a unique minority in the military - Christian soldiers - then this is definitely the book for you. It's a reminder and testimony to Christians and non-Christians everywhere that God can take anyone and use any circumstance to work in them for the greater good, and Chad Williams is no exception: teenage hellion to Navy SEAL to working in full time ministry.
And yes, it's inspiring that someone made it through BUD/S because the training for that is intense, but it has to be because otherwise, how would we have such an elite team of special forces? It's great to read about how someone served our country and did so much and experienced so much to keep us safe. It is inspiring and motivational and uplifting.
However, this is a book about Chad Williams sharing his testimony of how he was before he became a Christian and how he was after God changed his life. It's 2/5 military and 3/5 God.
If you're looking for something more along the lines of Lone Survivor or Seal Team Six, this may not be the book for you.
However, if you're looking for insight into a unique minority in the military - Christian soldiers - then this is definitely the book for you. It's a reminder and testimony to Christians and non-Christians everywhere that God can take anyone and use any circumstance to work in them for the greater good, and Chad Williams is no exception: teenage hellion to Navy SEAL to working in full time ministry.
January 6, 2013
My review can be summed up in five words Could.Not.Put.It.Down!
Seal of God first fascinated me because here was a SEAL proclaiming Christ. The graphic details of SEAL training and what these guys go through to protect our freedom alone make this book worth your time to read.
I also could not put Seal of God down because I think we all see a little bit of ourselves in Chad’s walk with God. We try to live life on our own, go down the wrong path, and even become so bold to shake our fist at God, but God is a patient loving God who is always there for us. After Chad accepted Christ there was a time where Chad wanted to change his path and all indications pointed to the fact that God was going to make this change happen. When right at the last moment, Chad discovered it was God’s plan for him to stay where he was. So many times in our life we struggle with feeling like the rug had been pulled out from underneath us, but we have to trust that God has a bigger plan in mind.
This is a perfect book for Christians and Non-Christians alike. Seal of God would make a wonderful gift.
Seal of God first fascinated me because here was a SEAL proclaiming Christ. The graphic details of SEAL training and what these guys go through to protect our freedom alone make this book worth your time to read.
I also could not put Seal of God down because I think we all see a little bit of ourselves in Chad’s walk with God. We try to live life on our own, go down the wrong path, and even become so bold to shake our fist at God, but God is a patient loving God who is always there for us. After Chad accepted Christ there was a time where Chad wanted to change his path and all indications pointed to the fact that God was going to make this change happen. When right at the last moment, Chad discovered it was God’s plan for him to stay where he was. So many times in our life we struggle with feeling like the rug had been pulled out from underneath us, but we have to trust that God has a bigger plan in mind.
This is a perfect book for Christians and Non-Christians alike. Seal of God would make a wonderful gift.
March 11, 2016
I want to thank my sister for giving me this book. She met Chad at a church function and received an autograph copy for me. What a great story! We are all rebellious people. We are all like sheep going astray. (Is 53:6) We need guidance, we need hope, and we need a savior to Shepard us out of this war torn world. Chad was (is) one of the best of the best. From his early teens though he needed guidance. He received that from an unlikely mentor, Scott Helvenston, US Navy SEAL. The Navy gave him guidance, the SEALs gave him purpose, and God gave him life. What a great story of Chad's testimony through life's challenges and the ultimate encounter with the creator of all, Jesus. Whether you are a civilian, a Sailor, or Military service member, whether you are a Christian or you are still seeking life's answers, this is a great book. It was a quick read and one that I could not put down. May God continue to bless you Chad. May God truly bless the reader of this wonderful story of completion.
June 26, 2022
audio book - if you read any reviews of this book, you'll see that the mission behind this book is to share the word of God and the author's conversion to it. It is helpful to understand this going in; it is not a book about the Seal experience per se. All roads lead to conversion as part of God's plan and the need to proselytize and share the good word. If this is not your cup of tea, I'd suggest skipping the book. I picked this book up on a whim, and it is not my cup of tea. Having said that, I did finish the book. As a story, it suffered from having the author as the narrator. While I understand this gives it more authority, the narration is not strong. Unfortunately, the author's actions also highlight some of the reasons people will have a hard time with the story. Once saved, the mission to preach and save others, is relentless, to the point of obnoxious.
April 10, 2013
2/3 description of Williams's life leading up to, training for, and getting into the SEALs. 1/3 description of his difficulties and triumphs after conversion, as he learns to trust God's plan for his life.
The long section about BUD/S was very interesting and offered the most compelling reading. The book overall is a little light on heavy theology but I found it encouraging nonetheless. Highly recommended to those who wish to read a Christian's account of what life is like in the military, or for those who enjoy exercising like SEALs. I don't think I'd ever want to actually go through Hell Week, but I most definitely will be doing this at some point: http://www.teenbodybuilding.com/brent....
The long section about BUD/S was very interesting and offered the most compelling reading. The book overall is a little light on heavy theology but I found it encouraging nonetheless. Highly recommended to those who wish to read a Christian's account of what life is like in the military, or for those who enjoy exercising like SEALs. I don't think I'd ever want to actually go through Hell Week, but I most definitely will be doing this at some point: http://www.teenbodybuilding.com/brent....
December 3, 2023
A skateboarder in Huntington Beach, Chad Williams decides to go into the Navy and his only goal in life is to be a Navy Seal. Seal Of God, tells the experience of Navy Seal training, "I never came close to quitting.
I would not allow that thought to even enter my mind. The way I looked at it, there was not way out of h*** week..
To me, it was almost like I had been placed in a concentration camp. Prisoners of war who are thrown into concentration camps have no way out.
They have no other options than to be there. To take whatever punishment is handed out to them and to survive. That is the attitude I adopted.
H*** week became something I had to do and had to live through."
I would not allow that thought to even enter my mind. The way I looked at it, there was not way out of h*** week..
To me, it was almost like I had been placed in a concentration camp. Prisoners of war who are thrown into concentration camps have no way out.
They have no other options than to be there. To take whatever punishment is handed out to them and to survive. That is the attitude I adopted.
H*** week became something I had to do and had to live through."
October 5, 2013
Great story, and a book for men.
March 28, 2025
Self-righteous. First SEAL memoir I did not enjoy and considered not finishing. Evangelicals ruin EVERYTHING.
January 4, 2019
I really liked this book! the way it was written it was very easy to get sucked into this man's story about his life before and during his time as a navy seal. Chad Williams is the main protagonist in this book. One of my favorite parts of this book was how it reflected on his life when he was growing up as a teenager, when he was growing up he was enrolled in multiple activities such as baseball but when he lost the passion for baseball he decided to focus on a different hobby skateboarding, he was pretty decent at it and was making a decent amount of money, he would participate in commercials for Go-Gurt and Sonic he was involved in 8 commercials throughout his life and he would go on out of state trips with an extreme sports team. He was very good at doing what he did he was a professional amateur. He was the teams only teenager and he was very dedicated to skateboarding and all of the fame it gave him. He would practice in the mornings before school and as soon as school was over he would be practicing until 9 or 10 pm under street spotlights. The only negative side to how much he was skateboarding was that he strongly disliked having to do academic work and he had a bad habit of never doing any of his homework and he was able to pass his classes with D's and C's. Throughout the story, it talks about experiences that Chad went through growing up and the experiences he had when he was a Navy Seal. One of the craziest parts in the book was when Chad's mentor Scott Helvenston was ruthlessly murdered and the only thing Chad was able to do was to watch in terror as his mentor was killed, Chad was watching it on the TV when it happened, this was one of the biggest turning points in the story it motivated Chad to finish his training as a navy seal which is said to be some of the most grueling and difficult training anyone has to endure that only 13 from a class of 173 students or trainees advanced to make it to the graduation and complete the training as a whole.
I feel like you will enjoy this book if you have family in the navy and you're curious to as what the training would somewhat be like or want more insight on how tough the journey it was for a navy seal that has already been through it all and faced the trials no man would be willing to face with a choice. You could also enjoy this book if you're into autobiographies and the story of veterans or people who have served our country. A book I think I can compare to this book would be American Sniper an autobiography written by Chris Kyle. Seal Of God is more of a book for teenagers or students in high school that would be interested in learning more about the navy and the story of a navy seal that was once in the navy. It talks about his time throughout high school and what he was doing with his spare time. American Sniper, on the other hand, is more focused on a more mature story about a man who went through a very tragic time during and after his time as a navy seal. It didn't focus on his time as a teenager as much as Seal Of God does in his story.
I feel like you will enjoy this book if you have family in the navy and you're curious to as what the training would somewhat be like or want more insight on how tough the journey it was for a navy seal that has already been through it all and faced the trials no man would be willing to face with a choice. You could also enjoy this book if you're into autobiographies and the story of veterans or people who have served our country. A book I think I can compare to this book would be American Sniper an autobiography written by Chris Kyle. Seal Of God is more of a book for teenagers or students in high school that would be interested in learning more about the navy and the story of a navy seal that was once in the navy. It talks about his time throughout high school and what he was doing with his spare time. American Sniper, on the other hand, is more focused on a more mature story about a man who went through a very tragic time during and after his time as a navy seal. It didn't focus on his time as a teenager as much as Seal Of God does in his story.
March 22, 2022
I really liked this book. It was well written, and there were some awesome ideas in it. It was really cool to hear about what SEAL training was like, and what kind of mental fortitude and teamwork that the trainees needed in order to pass all the tests and trials that they went through. The writing was great and engaging, and it kept me turning pages. Chad's description of his relationship with his mentor Scott was also touching and encouraging, and the strength and discipline that Chad and Scott had was inspiring to me. His testimony of how he came to Christ was also really cool, and was an "only God" moment. It's amazing how God can touch the hearts even of people who look like they're far away from Him.
I would recommend it to anyone who's interested in developing mental toughness, discipline and strength, and to anyone who wants to learn about how living a life for God brings true fulfillment.
Some key takeaways:
I would recommend it to anyone who's interested in developing mental toughness, discipline and strength, and to anyone who wants to learn about how living a life for God brings true fulfillment.
Some key takeaways:
January 8, 2020
So Much More Than I Expected
First, thank you, Chad Williams for so selflessly giving of yourself to see that our country is still free. That each of us is free to choose so many things: what we believe, where we worship, go to school, live, work, get the education we want and can choose our own career.
A remarkable book. I was a little skeptic to read this, thinking he’s going to be preaching and working on saving everyone who does read it. I was hooked from the first page because it goes into his life as a kid, the trials of being a student and teenager, then the dedication and unbelievable amount of work it takes to train to be “the very best”. Yes, there is some scripture thrown in, but this book is primarily about his life, how and why he’s made the choices he has, and how he continues doing so even the path isn’t always easy.
I highly recommend this for any one. As a teacher, I believe those in high school would enjoy it. So many can connect to the temptations and unknowing in the teen years and still enjoy reading about his military life. How each step has led him to where he is today.
First, thank you, Chad Williams for so selflessly giving of yourself to see that our country is still free. That each of us is free to choose so many things: what we believe, where we worship, go to school, live, work, get the education we want and can choose our own career.
A remarkable book. I was a little skeptic to read this, thinking he’s going to be preaching and working on saving everyone who does read it. I was hooked from the first page because it goes into his life as a kid, the trials of being a student and teenager, then the dedication and unbelievable amount of work it takes to train to be “the very best”. Yes, there is some scripture thrown in, but this book is primarily about his life, how and why he’s made the choices he has, and how he continues doing so even the path isn’t always easy.
I highly recommend this for any one. As a teacher, I believe those in high school would enjoy it. So many can connect to the temptations and unknowing in the teen years and still enjoy reading about his military life. How each step has led him to where he is today.
December 5, 2016
This a very interesting book that I found that I related with from reading the first couple of chapters. After reading the first chapters of the authors life in California that was full of partying and for him trying to be professional skate border as well as fishing out in the ocean for big game fish. After reading about this and herring about some of the thoughts and wants that the author wanted in life I soon relized that these were some of the same thoughts and things that I wanted in life. After reading about him finally deciding to go in to the seals and start buds class he soon become under his own retreats and soon became a reborn Christian. This soon sent his hole life into a compleatly different road and soon devoted his life to God. This soon started to cause fights inside the seal teams that he was own and he sought to leave the teams early. This request was denied and he was forced to serve fo another year. After leaving he soon become a pastor preaching his faith and began to write this book.
July 24, 2024
A story blending a walk in the world and a walk with God. I have a profound respect for anyone who can make it through SEAL training. Still, as Chad found out, choosing Yeshua (Jesus) in a world that hate Jesus is not an easy thing. This memoir (and testimony) is a quick read that details what it is like to have faith around the faithless. Even people who claimed to be Christians in this book failed each other, and themselves by not doing the right things.
I learned a lot from reading this book. Choosing God over the world is not easy and a person will suffer for it. This is a good thing. If a "Christian" suffers adversity for their faith, their reward will be great, and it means they are on the right path. I recommend this book to people who like stories about SEALs, military books, war books, Christian literature, testimonies, memoirs, or even war history.
Happy reading.
I learned a lot from reading this book. Choosing God over the world is not easy and a person will suffer for it. This is a good thing. If a "Christian" suffers adversity for their faith, their reward will be great, and it means they are on the right path. I recommend this book to people who like stories about SEALs, military books, war books, Christian literature, testimonies, memoirs, or even war history.
Happy reading.
September 15, 2020
I've read several books by Navy SEALS and this is a good one. Chad talks honestly about his bad choices in life as well as the adversity he faced when he became a Christian. I read this book straight through in several hours! This is a biography, not a book on how to train to be a SEAL. I did enjoy his chapters on going through BUDS training, and he talks briefly about some of his missions while serving as a SEAL. He also writes extensively about his life and how bad he was and how he repented and turned his life over to the Lord. I really enjoyed this book.
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