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Drone Warrior: An Elite Soldier's Inside Account of the Hunt for America's Most Dangerous Enemies – An Unprecedented Story of Classified Missions Against Global Terrorism
A former U.S. Army intelligence and special ops soldier gives a look inside some of the nation’s most secretive military operations.For nearly a decade, Brett Velicovich was at the center of America’s new generation of an arsenal of unmanned aerial vehicles—drones—taking down the world’s deadliest terrorists across the globe. Now this decorated veteran, with journalist Christopher S. Stewart, tells his story in a remarkable book packed with more classified drone operations cleared for public release than any other account ever published, according to the U.S. government. Drone Warrior offers an unprecedented view into the remarkably complex nature of drone missions in the hottest conflict zones today and the rigorous and wrenching on-the-ground decisions behind them.Drone Warrior also chronicles the U.S. military’s evolution in the past decade and the technology driving it. Velicovich considers the future it foretells, and speaks candidly on the physical and psychological toll it exacts, including the impact his missions had on his own life. He reminds us that while these machines can kill, they can also be used to preserve life, including protecting endangered species and supporting humanitarian operations—work he is engaged in today.
341 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 27, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
June 4, 2023
I spent a lot of time thinking about this one and feel that it deserves a solid 4.5 stars.
I got swept up in the storytelling and could relate to a lot of details about my own past. At first, this seemed like it may turn into one of those military brag novels, but I assure you that it is so far from what this book is about.
This book is about what so many of us work towards and the rally many of us heard on 9/11. I felt the same affinity to serve as the author, and he got to make an impact that many of us could only dream of being a part of. He ran himself ragged in the process, but his impact saved more lives than can ever truly be imagined. His frustration and his highs and lows are very clearly depicted and felt through the pages.
I highly recommend this for people who think that no difference or impact has been made and to give hope for the impact we continue to make today and in the future. This was a phenomenal share and I'm happy that even this much of his story could be openly shared with the public.
I got swept up in the storytelling and could relate to a lot of details about my own past. At first, this seemed like it may turn into one of those military brag novels, but I assure you that it is so far from what this book is about.
This book is about what so many of us work towards and the rally many of us heard on 9/11. I felt the same affinity to serve as the author, and he got to make an impact that many of us could only dream of being a part of. He ran himself ragged in the process, but his impact saved more lives than can ever truly be imagined. His frustration and his highs and lows are very clearly depicted and felt through the pages.
I highly recommend this for people who think that no difference or impact has been made and to give hope for the impact we continue to make today and in the future. This was a phenomenal share and I'm happy that even this much of his story could be openly shared with the public.
October 12, 2017
It seems Drones are playing a key role in the military these days so the title of this book “Drone Warrior: An Elite Soldier’s Inside Account Of The Hunt For America’s Most Dangerous Enemies” grabbed my attention and I decided to read about Drones.
This book provides a behind-the-scenes look at Drone Warfare. This memoir provides a first-person perspective of Drone operations. Velicovich was an Army intelligence specialist. The time frame of the book is from 11 September 2001 to the 2010 surge in Iraq. Velicovich joined the Army after 9-11 and was sent to Afghanistan. He became a Delta counterterrorism force member and learned to operate the Predator Drone. He learned to gather intelligence on insurgents, track them, and dispatch special operations teams to capture or kill them. Velicovich points out the pros and cons of the Drones and the ethical dilemmas.
After leaving the military Velicovich uses his expertise with drones to safeguard endangered species from poaching in an African wildlife preserve. The book is well written. Velicovich collocated with Christopher S. Stewart, a Wall Street Journal reporter, to help him with the memoir. The author omitted a lot of details, military ranks, places, and people for security reasons. The book provides lots of real-world examples of the triumphs and challenges faced by the unmanned systems. I think the book would have been enhanced if Velicovich had also discussed the broader operational and strategic role of the unmanned systems.
I had read in the hardbook format and the book is 318 pages long. The book is published by HarperCollins in 2017.
This book provides a behind-the-scenes look at Drone Warfare. This memoir provides a first-person perspective of Drone operations. Velicovich was an Army intelligence specialist. The time frame of the book is from 11 September 2001 to the 2010 surge in Iraq. Velicovich joined the Army after 9-11 and was sent to Afghanistan. He became a Delta counterterrorism force member and learned to operate the Predator Drone. He learned to gather intelligence on insurgents, track them, and dispatch special operations teams to capture or kill them. Velicovich points out the pros and cons of the Drones and the ethical dilemmas.
After leaving the military Velicovich uses his expertise with drones to safeguard endangered species from poaching in an African wildlife preserve. The book is well written. Velicovich collocated with Christopher S. Stewart, a Wall Street Journal reporter, to help him with the memoir. The author omitted a lot of details, military ranks, places, and people for security reasons. The book provides lots of real-world examples of the triumphs and challenges faced by the unmanned systems. I think the book would have been enhanced if Velicovich had also discussed the broader operational and strategic role of the unmanned systems.
I had read in the hardbook format and the book is 318 pages long. The book is published by HarperCollins in 2017.
January 17, 2019
An amazing read that I didn't want it to end. Drone Warrior completely opened my eyes on how much work, time, effort was involved in UAV operations and it's so detailed in every step to hunt and take out a target. The decisions! Wow. Highly recommended this book!
December 15, 2017
“Hunting terrorists was a rough existence. It was a stressful job and I had to give up a lot to do it right.”
Brett Velicovich joined the Army after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. He wanted to help America fight its enemy. Little did he know that his path in the military would take him to joining the elite 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment – Delta, where he would be an intelligence analyst using drones to gather data and target terrorists. When he was deployed with the group, his entire life centered around hunting down terrorists so Special Forces could go in and capture them. Drone Warrior is his autobiography.
I saw this book mentioned in a news article and also read that it was going to be turned into a movie. I grew up as a military brat, so I keep my eye on military stories. This one seemed really interesting, as there is a lot of conflicting information and views out there about how drones are used by the military. I thought I could learn a lot by reading a first-person account of someone who worked with the people who used the drones.
Despite being 300 pages, Drone Warrior was a fairly quick read for me. Velicovich moves through his story quickly and goes more in-depth during his deployments. He tells several stories of times they hunted down terrorists, found kidnapping victims or prevented trucks with explosives from reaching their destinations.
Read more here: http://sarahannecarter.com/drone-warr...
Brett Velicovich joined the Army after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. He wanted to help America fight its enemy. Little did he know that his path in the military would take him to joining the elite 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment – Delta, where he would be an intelligence analyst using drones to gather data and target terrorists. When he was deployed with the group, his entire life centered around hunting down terrorists so Special Forces could go in and capture them. Drone Warrior is his autobiography.
I saw this book mentioned in a news article and also read that it was going to be turned into a movie. I grew up as a military brat, so I keep my eye on military stories. This one seemed really interesting, as there is a lot of conflicting information and views out there about how drones are used by the military. I thought I could learn a lot by reading a first-person account of someone who worked with the people who used the drones.
Despite being 300 pages, Drone Warrior was a fairly quick read for me. Velicovich moves through his story quickly and goes more in-depth during his deployments. He tells several stories of times they hunted down terrorists, found kidnapping victims or prevented trucks with explosives from reaching their destinations.
Read more here: http://sarahannecarter.com/drone-warr...
July 16, 2017
Very insightful and educational about the war on terror. As a game wardens wife, I love the new roles UAVs are taking on!!!
July 11, 2017
The book WOW'd me! I couldn't put it down! It gives an in depth look at what modern military faces . It's a story of courage and a test of Personal strength. The author made it easy to read and I was transported right alongside . It made me laugh, cry, and bite my nails. Typically not a reader of warfare books, Drone Warrior caught my eye. It left me with a renewed appreciation of our men and women serving. I enjoyed it so much, I picked up a couple more copies for family members. A great read.
May 22, 2018
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
A biography of a man who joined the armed forces after 9/11, and became involved in the development and use of of drones during the war on terror.
A pretty good biography, but I think it's possible some distance from the events might make better, with the benefits of the wisdom of age and perspective.
Still well worth reading for anyone interested in war or technology.
A biography of a man who joined the armed forces after 9/11, and became involved in the development and use of of drones during the war on terror.
A pretty good biography, but I think it's possible some distance from the events might make better, with the benefits of the wisdom of age and perspective.
Still well worth reading for anyone interested in war or technology.
March 9, 2019
Great exposition of the personal experience of a drone target designator. Very readable. The author probably could have included more on how the various systems for cross-indexing information were developed and used. Nevertheless, a ring-side seat in the war against Islamic terrorists from 2004 to 2914.
July 6, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. You really get to see what goes on before, during, and after drone strikes. It shows that drones protect American soldiers and America. Highly recommended.
April 15, 2020
TERRIBLE
September 16, 2021
I listened to this book on mp3. Interestingly, the author speaks at the beginning and end of the novel's narration.
This is a fascinating look into UAV's (unmanned aerial vehicles), aka drones, by a person who was involved in military operations in Iraq, Somalia, and Nigeria. The book was vetted by the U.S. government to be sure that not too much secret information was given away. Some names were changed as well.
This is as much a personal story as it is an account of the military operations conducted using drone surveillance. As such, the book becomes a little repetitive as the author becomes exhausted, obsessed with catching the "bad guys," and dehumanized. While it is an accurate look at what PTSD looks like, it is such a recurring theme that it diminishes for the reader the impact of the effect it had on Velicovich.
One thing that I learned is that the drones you and I can buy are nothing like the drones the military uses. Theirs are high-tech machines and as such are not readily available to the public.
The accounts of how military intelligence worked to capture or kill high-priority targets in the war on terror are detailed and instructive. It sounds as if the ability of the military to gather data about anyone is quite impressive. The intrusion of the competing agencies and various bureaucracies to diminish the effects of this intelligence gathering is predictable and sad.
I did like how the author talks about how innocent lives were occasionally killed in these operations. He attempts to deal with the implications of this guilt but it is noteworthy that the efforts are so team-driven that there always is someone else in the team to blame.
The best part of the book is the ending. The author has decided to use drones to protect endangered species in Africa. Whether or not this effort was able to be implemented remains unresolved at the end of the book, but it is a great idea for catching poachers.
This is a fascinating look into UAV's (unmanned aerial vehicles), aka drones, by a person who was involved in military operations in Iraq, Somalia, and Nigeria. The book was vetted by the U.S. government to be sure that not too much secret information was given away. Some names were changed as well.
This is as much a personal story as it is an account of the military operations conducted using drone surveillance. As such, the book becomes a little repetitive as the author becomes exhausted, obsessed with catching the "bad guys," and dehumanized. While it is an accurate look at what PTSD looks like, it is such a recurring theme that it diminishes for the reader the impact of the effect it had on Velicovich.
One thing that I learned is that the drones you and I can buy are nothing like the drones the military uses. Theirs are high-tech machines and as such are not readily available to the public.
The accounts of how military intelligence worked to capture or kill high-priority targets in the war on terror are detailed and instructive. It sounds as if the ability of the military to gather data about anyone is quite impressive. The intrusion of the competing agencies and various bureaucracies to diminish the effects of this intelligence gathering is predictable and sad.
I did like how the author talks about how innocent lives were occasionally killed in these operations. He attempts to deal with the implications of this guilt but it is noteworthy that the efforts are so team-driven that there always is someone else in the team to blame.
The best part of the book is the ending. The author has decided to use drones to protect endangered species in Africa. Whether or not this effort was able to be implemented remains unresolved at the end of the book, but it is a great idea for catching poachers.
September 26, 2021
I started reading military books while doing research for a war story I was writing. I read a lot of sniper books, and since I did mention Black Ops and drones in some of my novels, I figured this might be a good book to read.
And it's not bad. Most soldiers are not good writers. They're blunt and to the point, without a lot of artistry. This is one of the better of those books.
Velicovich did a number of tours in Iraq helping hunt down the worst of the ISIS terrorists using drone technology - not the wimpy little drones you take cute videos of the countryside with, but 5-foot military drones that can spy on you from miles up, and you'll never know it. This kind of stuff makes all those doomsday anti-government armageddon freaks with their tank-laced compounds even more idiotic and asinine, because the government's not going to come nicely knocking on your door in your warped little view; they're going to blast you into orbit from 11,000 feet with a projectile and you'll never know it was coming until you're 200 feet in the air with your ass on fire. Because that's part of what they perfected in Iraq.
Velicovich takes you through several tours, marking the people they captured and how it was done as a coordinated team among several different branches of military, and how the technology was used both for helping the good and weeding out the bad. He documents his difficulties breaking away from the adrenaline rush, even though it was killing him, and moving back into civilian life, and finding a way to use his special training to help others - such as stopping poachers in Kenya, and rooting out Boko Haram.
One of the better books if you're interested in spy tech, military tech, or books about the war on terror. Worthwhile read.
And it's not bad. Most soldiers are not good writers. They're blunt and to the point, without a lot of artistry. This is one of the better of those books.
Velicovich did a number of tours in Iraq helping hunt down the worst of the ISIS terrorists using drone technology - not the wimpy little drones you take cute videos of the countryside with, but 5-foot military drones that can spy on you from miles up, and you'll never know it. This kind of stuff makes all those doomsday anti-government armageddon freaks with their tank-laced compounds even more idiotic and asinine, because the government's not going to come nicely knocking on your door in your warped little view; they're going to blast you into orbit from 11,000 feet with a projectile and you'll never know it was coming until you're 200 feet in the air with your ass on fire. Because that's part of what they perfected in Iraq.
Velicovich takes you through several tours, marking the people they captured and how it was done as a coordinated team among several different branches of military, and how the technology was used both for helping the good and weeding out the bad. He documents his difficulties breaking away from the adrenaline rush, even though it was killing him, and moving back into civilian life, and finding a way to use his special training to help others - such as stopping poachers in Kenya, and rooting out Boko Haram.
One of the better books if you're interested in spy tech, military tech, or books about the war on terror. Worthwhile read.
September 6, 2017
this is one of the most interesting books in its genre as most special ops book are based on the encounters of the "operators", not intel. it's kinda sparse on the details, but I guess that is how it was allowed to get published, but it has the minimum information to understand.
It also could be the first american Special Ops book I read, that is very neutral to Arabs and Muslims. the writer didn't generalize and despite what he felt during the missions and the losses he and his working circle suffered, he didn't generalize the hate towards the Arabs or Muslims. I personally respect that.
The book gives a brief look at the unit and teams conducting surveillance and special operations in a well written book that grabs the attention throughout its entirety. It also sheds the light on the struggle during and after those missions. I thought giving the nature, safety, and remote status associated with conducting those missions would have less of an impact than being on the field.
Giving the nature of the stories in the book, it kinda slows down at the end. It's full of thrill and attention grabbing stories while he is in the unit, and a bit tedious after he gets out and I can only feel that it was virtually the same problem he faced during and after his enlistment was done.
It also could be the first american Special Ops book I read, that is very neutral to Arabs and Muslims. the writer didn't generalize and despite what he felt during the missions and the losses he and his working circle suffered, he didn't generalize the hate towards the Arabs or Muslims. I personally respect that.
The book gives a brief look at the unit and teams conducting surveillance and special operations in a well written book that grabs the attention throughout its entirety. It also sheds the light on the struggle during and after those missions. I thought giving the nature, safety, and remote status associated with conducting those missions would have less of an impact than being on the field.
Giving the nature of the stories in the book, it kinda slows down at the end. It's full of thrill and attention grabbing stories while he is in the unit, and a bit tedious after he gets out and I can only feel that it was virtually the same problem he faced during and after his enlistment was done.
November 15, 2020
One Man’s War Against Terrorists
I bought this book some time ago, but decided to read it after reading reports about how Azerbaijan used drones extensively during its recent war with Armenia. I was hoping to find out how drones are used in combat, but discovered that this book focuses on how drones are used to hunt down and capture or kill terrorists.
Still, this is a well-written book that held my attention throughout its entire narrative. In this book, Velicovich describes his experience as one of America’s elite drone operators. There’s plenty of action and excitement to satisfy those seeking a good true-life action read. Velicovich is honest about the toll that his work took on him on multiple levels, which provides the reader with a well-rounded perspective on the work drone operators do.
The one drawback to this book is the amount of profanity in it. I understand that profanity is very common in the military, but I still found it unnecessary to tell this story. Still, I highly recommend this book for those who wish to know more about the role drones play in America’s ongoing War on Terror.
I bought this book some time ago, but decided to read it after reading reports about how Azerbaijan used drones extensively during its recent war with Armenia. I was hoping to find out how drones are used in combat, but discovered that this book focuses on how drones are used to hunt down and capture or kill terrorists.
Still, this is a well-written book that held my attention throughout its entire narrative. In this book, Velicovich describes his experience as one of America’s elite drone operators. There’s plenty of action and excitement to satisfy those seeking a good true-life action read. Velicovich is honest about the toll that his work took on him on multiple levels, which provides the reader with a well-rounded perspective on the work drone operators do.
The one drawback to this book is the amount of profanity in it. I understand that profanity is very common in the military, but I still found it unnecessary to tell this story. Still, I highly recommend this book for those who wish to know more about the role drones play in America’s ongoing War on Terror.
July 20, 2023
Esta lectura no ha merecido la pena. Lo elegí como parte de algunos intereses personales, pero la obra carece de interés. Básicamente, el autor cuenta en primera persona en capítulos muy descriptivos, su experiencia dentro del ejército estadounidense, hasta llegar a ser controlador de drones bélicos.
El estilo carece de una visión personal o una descripción de unas sensaciones. Prácticamente todo lo que se narra es una secuencia de acontecimientos e hilo cronológico de cómo fue ascendiendo peldaños en su carrera profesional. Además, él mismo anuncia al comienzo de su obra que el texto ha sido "censurado" en las partes necesarias por los administradores del ejército, para poder ser publicado. De manera que esto ni siquiera es una investigación periodística que bordee el límite entre lo legal e ilegal.
Incluso aunque os guste conocer el mundo de la nueva forma de hacer la guerra, este no es el libro más adecuado para ello. Me sorprenden las altas puntuaciones que ha recibido de la comunidad.
Lo he terminado, sí, y he encontrado un par de episodios que buscaba. Por todo ello, 1.5 ⭐
El estilo carece de una visión personal o una descripción de unas sensaciones. Prácticamente todo lo que se narra es una secuencia de acontecimientos e hilo cronológico de cómo fue ascendiendo peldaños en su carrera profesional. Además, él mismo anuncia al comienzo de su obra que el texto ha sido "censurado" en las partes necesarias por los administradores del ejército, para poder ser publicado. De manera que esto ni siquiera es una investigación periodística que bordee el límite entre lo legal e ilegal.
Incluso aunque os guste conocer el mundo de la nueva forma de hacer la guerra, este no es el libro más adecuado para ello. Me sorprenden las altas puntuaciones que ha recibido de la comunidad.
Lo he terminado, sí, y he encontrado un par de episodios que buscaba. Por todo ello, 1.5 ⭐
April 15, 2018
This insightful book caught me by surprise. I was worried it would too technical or to bragging. Instead we are treated to wonderful story telling with insight into the mindset our soldiers face. Velicovich starts with his enlistment and progression into the new field of UVA's. We are taken along on his missions as he studies targets through constant drone surveillance in what he calls a darker version of the Truman Show.
In Velicovich's stories he shares his successes and failures. He doesn't hide the mental and physical toll that his job was taking out of him. He opens up about how addicted he became to the missions and his deployments. As his family grew fainter to him as he focused on his team. He writing was so poignant at times I wanted to reach through the book to give him a hug. It was ultimately his ability to recognize his mistakes that leads him from the military into the growing private done uses.
I am so glad to have won this interesting book with the goodreads giveaways.
In Velicovich's stories he shares his successes and failures. He doesn't hide the mental and physical toll that his job was taking out of him. He opens up about how addicted he became to the missions and his deployments. As his family grew fainter to him as he focused on his team. He writing was so poignant at times I wanted to reach through the book to give him a hug. It was ultimately his ability to recognize his mistakes that leads him from the military into the growing private done uses.
I am so glad to have won this interesting book with the goodreads giveaways.
September 12, 2018
For many years after 9/11, like many Americans I was left to wonder how the war on terror was progressing. It’s a difficult thing to measure, especially since such a war requires utmost secrecy from our military, and the enemy is evolving and mysterious. Drone Warrior provided an in-depth account of one aspect of that war through the eyes of Brett Velicovich, leader of an anti-terror drone team in hot pursuit of fundamentalist scumbags. The book has plenty of gripping action as terrorists are hunted from the sky and then taken down by ground operators, but the reader gets much more than that. We experience Brett’s mindset from beginning to end as he endures his unyielding desire to give everything he has for the cause. For those who think only soldiers who get shot at get battle fatigue, think again. The military is a tough job at all levels, it’s not something I could ever do, and I’m grateful that people like Brett can serve and make a real difference out there. A highly recommended and very informative read. Thanks for your service Brett!
June 18, 2022
For nearly a decade, Brett Velicovitch was at the center of America’s new generation of warfare: an arsenal of unmanned aerial vehicles—drones—taking down the world’s deadliest terrorists across the globe. One of the few elite members in the entire military with the authority to select targets and issue death orders, he and his small intelligence team worked in concert with the human and technological network of America’s intelligence assets-analysts, spies, informants, and the military’s most elite and secretive operations-to stalk, capture, and eliminate high-value targets in Al Qaeda and ISIS.
Now this decorated veteran, with journalist Christopher S. Stewart, tells his story in a remarkable book packed with more classified drone operations cleared for public release than any other account ever published, according to the U.S. government. Drone Warrior offers an unprecedented view into the remarkable complex nature of drone missions and the rigorous and wrenching on-the-ground decisions behind them.
Now this decorated veteran, with journalist Christopher S. Stewart, tells his story in a remarkable book packed with more classified drone operations cleared for public release than any other account ever published, according to the U.S. government. Drone Warrior offers an unprecedented view into the remarkable complex nature of drone missions and the rigorous and wrenching on-the-ground decisions behind them.
January 16, 2018
An excellent read that I could not put down. The technical and logistic details of how the drone war really works is fascinating. Also the absolute souless cruelty of these redicalized killers is once again revealed. But I was also struck by the side story of the author himself in his journey through the Army. Lots of ups and downs and false starts before he becomes "DELTA" via the mysterious "Mr White". Through it all his passion as a soldier never fades. These are truly special people and we owe so much to soldiers like this. As one can imagine his personal life completely fades away and like many of his peers his re-entry to civilian life is not easy but he eventually makes a good transition.
July 24, 2018
Drone warrior is a great book that fits a niche often left out by most modern warfare authors. Most don’t understand the drone programs intent. Many believe it’s just about targeted killing of terrorists. That’s true but it’s also much more as explained by one who lived and breathed this platform for years. Brett Velicovich a 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment (Delta) or (The Unit) soldier brings the reader to a life of unparalleled mystery and extreme secrecy. A organization so secret that the U.S. military doesn’t even acknowledge it even exists. He lifts the veil on a world most have never even heard about, let alone seen. Helping us understand the life of a Drone Warrior and elite soldier.
October 18, 2017
Well written and addictive. Reads like a good episode of Homeland, but the bigger picture or lesson if you will, is not very clear. Is it that it's tough to be a soldier? That seems to be the biggest focus.
I came away with the message that drones have changed warfare radically because they provide real-time intel from above. That obviously helps to 1. locate and analyse assets and behavior, and 2. coordinate interventions.
Drones are yet another source of data for soldiers and there'll be more and more data sources, in the form of sensors and other. Those combined with big data analysis will improve efficiency of soldiers, but will the "good guys" continue to be the ones with the newest technologies, or will be see situations where the "bad guys" have the advantage? And in the latter case, would the well educated westerner be able to compete with technology?
I came away with the message that drones have changed warfare radically because they provide real-time intel from above. That obviously helps to 1. locate and analyse assets and behavior, and 2. coordinate interventions.
Drones are yet another source of data for soldiers and there'll be more and more data sources, in the form of sensors and other. Those combined with big data analysis will improve efficiency of soldiers, but will the "good guys" continue to be the ones with the newest technologies, or will be see situations where the "bad guys" have the advantage? And in the latter case, would the well educated westerner be able to compete with technology?
April 16, 2018
Heroism Exposed
There is a tremendous amount of work by the US special forces and warriors in clandestine operations in multiple government organizations for which this book is used to slightly open the door of the “Box” to give the reader a glimpse. Well written to describe the heroism and horrors of fighting evil people using drone technology in other countries so that the US does not experience the same level of day to day atrocities experienced by people in many parts of the world. Well written and great insight as a warrior is born and then finds a career outside of military conflict to continue to positively impact his world.
There is a tremendous amount of work by the US special forces and warriors in clandestine operations in multiple government organizations for which this book is used to slightly open the door of the “Box” to give the reader a glimpse. Well written to describe the heroism and horrors of fighting evil people using drone technology in other countries so that the US does not experience the same level of day to day atrocities experienced by people in many parts of the world. Well written and great insight as a warrior is born and then finds a career outside of military conflict to continue to positively impact his world.
December 29, 2017
Insightful
A great personal view into a world most will never see or know about. Warfare will continue to morph into these types of engagements but most of the population will still picture WW 2 or Vietnam when they think of war. This book unfortunately leaves a lot out due to classified information but provides enough insight to allow the reader to get a real sense of the suffering and then the rebirth the author goes through. My constructive criticism is that the writer needs to develop other phrases to describe “armed to the teeth”. The phrase is overused.
A great personal view into a world most will never see or know about. Warfare will continue to morph into these types of engagements but most of the population will still picture WW 2 or Vietnam when they think of war. This book unfortunately leaves a lot out due to classified information but provides enough insight to allow the reader to get a real sense of the suffering and then the rebirth the author goes through. My constructive criticism is that the writer needs to develop other phrases to describe “armed to the teeth”. The phrase is overused.
April 10, 2022
A rare look inside the life of the early "drone" program from an intelligence perspective from pre-recruitment until after calling it quits. The story and storytelling are simple and straightforward with many parts seeming rehearsed. Though cautiously written, it is not too bland. The author isn't very emotive or evocative, but still blends in personal reasons for why he made the decisions he did: to enlist, to go back again and again, to spend long hours well past rational limits.
He's a different kind of modern hero.
He's a different kind of modern hero.
October 2, 2024
Drones, whether they are handheld launched or UAV’s seem like the future of warfare,
. I am happy that Brett at the end was able to use his knowledge to open his own business to use his knowledge on drones in other areas like wildlife conservation and protecting animals against poachers. It was also interesting hearing his viewpoint on the Obama administrations policy on drones and how the threshold to sign off on drone strikes lowered the longer the conflicts went on.i also think it was sad and ridiculous he got paid $6 an hour to risk his life and sanity.
. I am happy that Brett at the end was able to use his knowledge to open his own business to use his knowledge on drones in other areas like wildlife conservation and protecting animals against poachers. It was also interesting hearing his viewpoint on the Obama administrations policy on drones and how the threshold to sign off on drone strikes lowered the longer the conflicts went on.i also think it was sad and ridiculous he got paid $6 an hour to risk his life and sanity.
May 22, 2018
Messrs Velicovich and Stewart provided an eye-opening look at this newest form of warfare, including details of drone usage, as well as the successes and failures of the various forms of intelligence-gathering.
This is a fast-moving read - not a text book.
I would have given this four stars, but I expect better writing from a professional journalist.
I received a free copy for review purposes.
This is a fast-moving read - not a text book.
I would have given this four stars, but I expect better writing from a professional journalist.
I received a free copy for review purposes.
January 5, 2021
This book was an easy read and kept my attention the entire way through. In other military books I've read, the authors can sometimes overwhelm the reader with facts, names, and places. I felt like this book kept things moving, didn't bog the reader down with facts and it read more like a story than just facts listed in chronological order. It really gave insight into a rather unknown world of spying, drones, and gathering intelligence. Great read!
August 20, 2017
Loved this book. I didn't really understand how UAVs were being used in the war on terror and now I do. And I have an appreciation for the men and women that have to do it to keep the world safe. Also, I was happy to read at the end how they are being used for other non-war purposes as well. Worth the read if you want to see how the art of war is changing.
September 10, 2017
Fascinating book as gives great insight into the day to day stress of the Iraq war, amongst othersThe author and his colleagues come across as very honorable but subject to amazing physical and mental stress, with often great detriment to their private life. People who are anti - American by reflex should read this. A true American Hero.
October 16, 2017
Brings the wars of the Middle East to our eyes...the stresses that our soldiers undergo...the technology that tries to offset the inhuman treatment which ISIS subjects both their own countrymen and our soldiers...and the damage that our soldiers carry around in their minds. Finally, the author leavs us with some hope for the positive use of drone technology.
A good read.
A good read.
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