The Operator: Firing the Shots that Killed Osama bin Laden and My Years as a SEAL Team Warrior
Written by Robert O'Neill
Narrated by Robert O'Neill
5/5
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About this audiobook
In The Operator, Robert O’Neill describes his idyllic childhood in Butte, Montana; his impulsive decision to join the SEALs; the arduous evaluation and training process; and the even tougher gauntlet he had to run to join the SEALs’ most elite unit. After officially becoming a SEAL, O’Neill would spend more than a decade in the most intense counterterror effort in US history. For extended periods, not a night passed without him and his small team recording multiple enemy kills—and though he was lucky enough to survive, several of the SEALs he’d trained with and fought beside never made it home.
“Impossible to put down…The Operator is unique, surprising, a kind of counternarrative, and certainly the other half of the story of one of the world’s most famous military operations…In the larger sense, this book is about…how to be human while in the very same moment dealing with death, destruction, combat” (Doug Stanton, New York Times bestselling author). O’Neill describes the nonstop action of his deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, evokes the black humor of years-long combat, brings to vivid life the lethal efficiency of the military’s most selective units, and reveals details of the most celebrated terrorist takedown in history. This is “a riveting, unvarnished, and wholly unforgettable portrait of America’s most storied commandos at war” (Joby Warrick).
Robert O'Neill
Professor Robert O'Neill is the consultant editor of The Road to Victory and the editor of I am Soldier, both from Osprey.
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Reviews for The Operator
406 ratings35 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Really amazing level of detail. Author / reader was funny and self deprecating at times. Such a great listen. One of my favorites!
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Just the book I needed to listen to..
Especially towards the end when he meets with other 9/11 survivors. I shed a tear or two.
Definitely looking forward to reading of many other stories.1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is a must listen or read which ever you chose
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5well written perfectly read real-life journey , well worth the read.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Awesome book . he did a good job telling the story
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Wonderful book, and very nice hearing the voice of the author. Some authors read with a very boring or monotonous voice, but Robert kept the life in it and made the book a jou to listen too.
Nice anecdotes and what an inspiring story he has to share. You have my respect sir!
Only thing I don't get is the beeping out of the Seal team number. Everyone on the world knows which number is beeped out. So why bother?1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Excellent account of a navy seals journey. Looking for his other book now!
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I loved this book!! His story is amazing! I respect him and his service!!
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Excellent. The author does a great job in the audiobook. Amazing true story of this guy.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great listen. It is always appreciated when author narrates his own book
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great book! It gives a good glimpse of their human side.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Finished in a day. Excellent book highly recommended to anyone
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I’ve read a number of military autobiographies, and it suffices to say that not all great warriors are great storytellers. This work, however, is a great story told very well. The humility and humanity in the author’s voice—written or read aloud—is admirable. The sense of humor is hilarious.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It was so much better listening to the actual author because you get the nuances of his charisma and excitement. Great read
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Being read by the author. Absolutely Awesome!! Thanks Rob O’Neill
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5First. Hand. A punt. Write. And. Read. By. The. SEAL. That killed OBL
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I’m pretty new to audiobooks,but this was amazing.They need to make a movie about this guy’s life.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It's the best book I have ever read! And I am honored to have it read by the same author and main character!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Amazing book and account of the great missions SEALs have carried out. Thank you for your service!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Could not stop listening. Amasing people who’s training & brotherhood kept them alive
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5First, thank you to all our military and families! Second thank you for writing this book. I laughed, I gasped, I cried (more than once). It was amazing to hear all that this American veteran went through, and what his family went through. It is definitely a book you don’t put down, or stop listening to. A wonderful book.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Thank you so much for your service, I wish you and your family well.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It’s amazing where people come from and end up taking part in some of modern historical events. Etching their names in the history books forever. From start to finish this book is a must read.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A lot of people hate on the author and subsequently the book because of the doubt of him being the true shooter to kill bin laden. No matter the truth, it is an excellent book in all other regards and I believe that he is the shooter and even if I’m wrong, it takes nothing away from the enjoyment of the read.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Best Military book I have ever read we all should read this book.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great insight into a tough mentality. This book will get you fired up
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5An American hero thank you Rob for taking the time to record your book it was amazing to hear your story through your voice
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5If you’re a true red blooded American this is for you! USA!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Excellent account of great warriors and bravery. Rob O’Neil is an exemplary example of great men. God bless him and his teammates.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great audiobook! I will now buy a print copy. Fantastic. A must read for anyone currently in the military and who have since discharged.