Guest review: SEAL TEAM SIX OUTCASTS by Howard E. Wasdin and Stephen Templin

When the USS Carl Vinson recently docked in Pearl Harbor, I signed up for the public tour.   Our guide stated that she could answer almost any question ... but one notable "kapu" (forbidden) was the Navy SEALS' mission to capture Osama bin Laden.   Following this mission, SEALS are a hot commodity.   Timing is everything ... and SEAL TEAM SIX:  MEMOIRS OF AN ELITE NAVY SEAL was previously scheduled to be released shortly after this mission.  Written by former Navy SEAL Howard Wasdin and former Navy SEAL trainee Stephen Templin penned, the memoir shares details of a SEAL's training, mission, and life.    

One year later, Wasdin and Templin teamed up again for a fictional story of those who become SEAL outcasts ... but continue to serve:


Alex Brandenburg: SEAL Chief Petty Officer and Outcasts Team Leader. Disobeyed direct orders by refusing to let a deadly terrorist live to kill another day. Francisco “Pancho” Rodriguez and John Landry: SEAL Petty Officers First Class. Took the pursuit of justice into their own hands with explosive results. Catherine “Cat” Fares. Navy Petty Officer. Holds an unbeatable record for pissing off the top brass with her strongly stated opinions on the combat readiness of women.

The team’s mission: Take out the seven terror merchants vying to take Bin Laden’s place. The team’s status: Expendable.

With no official support from their government and no one to rely on but themselves, the Outcasts must track down each target. Hot on the tail of the third, Brandenburg and the team start to realize that they are closing in on a larger plot, one that puts the security of the United States in dangerous jeopardy. The terrorists are threatening American territory once again, and the Outcasts will have to do what SEALs do best. Whatever it takes to keep their country safe. 

I requested to review this book.   When it arrived, I placed it atop my TBR pile ... but my fourteen year old son absconded with it.   So today I interview Andrew for his perspective of SEAL TEAM SIX OUTCASTS.


Kim:  What interested you in this book?


Andrew:  The title caught my eye.


Kim:  So what did you think of the story?


Andrew:  It was fast read with non stop action.   The book opens with Brandenburg's perspective that SEALs are obsessed with equipment.  The wrong equipment could give the enemy an advantage.   I was also drawn into the moral dilemma of following rules versus taking initiative to do what seems to be right.


Kim:  How did you relate to the characters?


Andrew:  The obvious is that I am a military brat and the characters are military veterans.  I have moved several times and traveled throughout Europe, so I connected with the outcasts' constant movement.  I sometimes get frustrated with bureaucracy and the outcasts had anti-bureaucracy views.   


Kim:  Who do you think would enjoy reading this book?


Andrew:  The same people who enjoy an inside look into how the military operates, especially under duress.   

Mahalo, Andrew, for joining us today!   I am giving away a print copy of SEAL TEAM SIX OUTCASTS to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,


1.  Do you have a favorite fictional character with Black Ops experience?  


I did not read the Bourne books, but I enjoyed the movies with Matt Damon.


2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.


3.  Comments are open through Saturday, June 16, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 17.


Mahalo,


Kim in Hawaii


Check out my pictures from the USS Vinson here and here.