What do you think?
Rate this book
Enemies, Foreign and Domestic: A SEAL's Story
Carl Higbie was a member of the the Navy SEAL team that captured the Butcher of Fallujah, only to later be accused of prisoner abuse.
Carl Higbie was on the Navy Seal assault team that captured the most wanted man in the Middle East–the Butcher of Fallujah, Ahmed Hashim Abd Al-Isawi. But instead of receiving the hero's welcome the SEALs deserved, they were charged with prisoner abuse after Al-Isawi alleged they'd beaten him up. Carl Higbie was a witness for their defense at the courts martial. When he went public with his account of what happened, the Navy fought him tooth and nail. But Higbie fought back–and he won.
Carl Higbie was on the Navy Seal assault team that captured the most wanted man in the Middle East–the Butcher of Fallujah, Ahmed Hashim Abd Al-Isawi. But instead of receiving the hero's welcome the SEALs deserved, they were charged with prisoner abuse after Al-Isawi alleged they'd beaten him up. Carl Higbie was a witness for their defense at the courts martial. When he went public with his account of what happened, the Navy fought him tooth and nail. But Higbie fought back–and he won.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published May 10, 2016
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 28, 2016
Outstanding book revealing the depravity of the Obama perspective on the military
June 26, 2016
This book was a bit different then the typical Navy SEAL war hero books we are used to reading after the war on terror in Middle East. Carl Higbie shares some insight into his training but is much less detailed then most books. He also shares some great stories of the action he saw in combat. These stories of training and fighting tell the reader what kind of man and patriot Higbie is. This leads the read to sympathize with Higbie as he depicts his fight against his chain of command to publish a book which allows him to publicly speak out about their terrible treatment of himself and a few fellow SEALS. It is an interesting read because up to this point I've only read the books that tell how great everything is about and within the special operation community. Having been in the military myself I can understand and appreciate Higbie's desire to set the record straight about the politics that lead to bad decisions and lack of support for our troops while in harms way.
May 20, 2017
This was a very good read. It starts with some background in what brought Carl to be a Seal. The difference between serving in the Middle East under Bush and under Obama. How over sensitive to the enemy the military was under Obama. He talks about all he went through to publish his other book. Really gives you insight to some of the things going on that we just aren't aware of as civilians. Thank you for your service Carl!
January 14, 2018
Bravo Zulu
Outstanding read, gives you an inside look at the bureaucracy that disenfranchises too many great servicemen and women. The military is more of a popularity contest than a war fighting machine. A CNO once said that "the Navy should run like a corporation". That was the death knell of the United States military. God help us all.
Stephen L. Thurston
HM1(FMF/SW/AW/CAC) USN ret.
Outstanding read, gives you an inside look at the bureaucracy that disenfranchises too many great servicemen and women. The military is more of a popularity contest than a war fighting machine. A CNO once said that "the Navy should run like a corporation". That was the death knell of the United States military. God help us all.
Stephen L. Thurston
HM1(FMF/SW/AW/CAC) USN ret.
August 11, 2026
I was hoping for more about the courts-martial for the alleged assault of Ahmad Hashim Abd al-Isawi because that’s what it advertised itself as. But it was kind of a mess. It started as a typical military bio, then very quickly went into the events of that capture. The courts-martial was almost an after thought. It defended why he wrote his first book more than anything. I don’t know, this was kind of a hot mess.
February 17, 2024
Well worth the read. We are blessed to have Honorable men serve our country. Our military and the brass don't deserve these men. Thank you, Carl, and those who gave their lives for America like Mosquito. Men above reproach. We don't deserve to have such heroes. Thank God we do.
February 20, 2026
The Story of a Patriot
An excellent story of an honorable man and a patriot who served his country with dedication and honor. A story of how the military swamp wants the status quo to remain so that their career ladder is not hindered in any way! An excellent read!
An excellent story of an honorable man and a patriot who served his country with dedication and honor. A story of how the military swamp wants the status quo to remain so that their career ladder is not hindered in any way! An excellent read!
May 11, 2016
Navy SEALs are famous for their "never quit" attitude and as Scott McEwen writes in the Foreward Carl Higbie epitomizes that attitude in Enemies, Foreign and Domestic: A SEAL's Story. Higbie's writing is unapologetic and captivating, resulting in a refreshingly honest and eminently readable narrative of his fascinating life, as a SEAL and a civilian. A SEAL's Story takes readers on a literary journey from the battlefields of Bagdad to the cul de sacs of Connecticut.
Higbie's first person account of his time both with and training for SEAL Team 10 is not only incredibly vivid and absolutely believable, but reads as smoothly as the best Tom Clancy or Brad Thor novel. Higbie goes into just enough detail about his missions to keep you on the edge of your seat, but withholds enough to make it clear that most readers lack the requisite security clearance to hear the whole story, making A SEAL's Story that much more enticing.
While much is also withheld about the vaunted Navy SEAL training, Higbie takes readers through enough of his rigorous training to make it clear that much of his audience probably couldn't make it as a SEAL. It is a testament to Higbie's authorship that even when discussing his training, readers are on the edge of the seat.
In perhaps the book's literary apex, Higbie writes "what can be said of BUD/S [which includes Hell Week] that hasn't already [been portrayed in movies or on TV.] It was cold, it was wet, it was sandy. We chafed. The next seven months were about as challenging as could be. And whenever I thought it couldn't get any harder, it did, over and over again... We knew we had it in us; there was never a question." Then Higbie cuts right to graduation. Higbie gives the reader enough to become fascinated by this rigorous training process. Then however, in a stroke of literary mastery not seen since J. D. Salinger's Holden Caulfield, Higbie makes it clear that it is his story and he is going to tell it how he sees fit. Fortunately for the reader, Higbie wrote one of the best books you will read all year.
The book culminates in the capture of the Butcher of Fallujah - the 2nd most wanted man in the world after Osama bin Laden, at the time - and subsequent court martial of several SEAL Team members for allegedly "roughing up" the brutal terrorist, A SEAL's story is engrossing from start to finish. You literally will not be able to put this book down. It seems destined to join American Sniper and Lone Survivor at the pinnacle of Navy SEAL thrillers.
Higbie's first person account of his time both with and training for SEAL Team 10 is not only incredibly vivid and absolutely believable, but reads as smoothly as the best Tom Clancy or Brad Thor novel. Higbie goes into just enough detail about his missions to keep you on the edge of your seat, but withholds enough to make it clear that most readers lack the requisite security clearance to hear the whole story, making A SEAL's Story that much more enticing.
While much is also withheld about the vaunted Navy SEAL training, Higbie takes readers through enough of his rigorous training to make it clear that much of his audience probably couldn't make it as a SEAL. It is a testament to Higbie's authorship that even when discussing his training, readers are on the edge of the seat.
In perhaps the book's literary apex, Higbie writes "what can be said of BUD/S [which includes Hell Week] that hasn't already [been portrayed in movies or on TV.] It was cold, it was wet, it was sandy. We chafed. The next seven months were about as challenging as could be. And whenever I thought it couldn't get any harder, it did, over and over again... We knew we had it in us; there was never a question." Then Higbie cuts right to graduation. Higbie gives the reader enough to become fascinated by this rigorous training process. Then however, in a stroke of literary mastery not seen since J. D. Salinger's Holden Caulfield, Higbie makes it clear that it is his story and he is going to tell it how he sees fit. Fortunately for the reader, Higbie wrote one of the best books you will read all year.
The book culminates in the capture of the Butcher of Fallujah - the 2nd most wanted man in the world after Osama bin Laden, at the time - and subsequent court martial of several SEAL Team members for allegedly "roughing up" the brutal terrorist, A SEAL's story is engrossing from start to finish. You literally will not be able to put this book down. It seems destined to join American Sniper and Lone Survivor at the pinnacle of Navy SEAL thrillers.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews