SEAL!: From Vietnam's Phoenix Program to Central America's Drug Wars

What I like about SEAL! is that it describes how Mike Walsh went from Vietnam painted-face, hard-living Commando to a leader of men with a sense of discretion and valor. His maturity as a fighting leader carries the day as he leads reconaissance missions on Grenada that did not go awary and even standing firm on ground truth before the pressures of senior leaders, which he did before the Panama raid on Noriega's plane at Punta Paitilla. LTCDR Mike walsh is a great military leader and human being we should all strive to emulate. The way he wanted to run the Punta Paitilla missions should be "SOF 101" for every warrior.

The best scene in the book, is the story of the SEAL who gets injured and is paralyzed. Walsh describes the invisible drive that makes a man a Navy SEAL, and that how when EVERYONE had counted this man "out", gone from the teams forever, that he slips from his chair into the pool and begins to swim and while everyone is stunned, raises his arm and cries HOOOYAHH!, the SEAL war cry. I don't do the scene justice so you are going to have to read it, but it makes the book entirely worthwhile.

As the book ends, Walsh describes boldly his change to a new set of values and he makes no hesitation to describe how his belief in God makes him a better SEAL and human being. If I could order every man and woman in the U.S. military to read this book, I would!

Airborne!

The only thing wrong with this is that it is Mr. Walsh's only book. It is one of the better books I've read on Viet Nam. It is one of the few Spec Ops books that continues on to the near-present. I've given away most of the war story books after reading them. This is one I've kept and read several times. I highly recomend this book.

First and foremost this is a true life story that depicts events of an extraordinary nature. I can account for the fascination this book inspires because, not only am I ex military, I happen to know personally one of the individuals who fought aside our author in Vietnam. And yes, this person is pictured and mentioned in the book.

My (above mentioned) friend was the person who gave this book to me to read. After reading it I was very surprised to hear his reactions to my questions regarding the hardships endured during Vietnam. The one comment that sticks out in my mind was his answer to my question, 'How were you able to deal with the intense fear and stress of these kill missions?' to which he said something to the effect of, 'Well it is always never more (fear or stress) than we think it will be.' I was shocked at the matter-of-fact like manner in which those words rolled out of his mouth. But I had to agree with him because I could relate having been in the military.

When we read about the absolutely incredible events these guys went through we are amazed that they could do it. However when you are trained (mentally and physically) you deliver when the chips are down.

That's what this book is about, delivering when the chips are down. Coming through, overcoming, and succeeding. This is a true story of what great leadership is. What honor and valor truly mean in the heart of the skilled soldier.

I recommend this book to anyone searching for true stories of leadership in action, tremendous courage, teamwork, and behind the scenes information of the political corruption during the Vietnam war.

SEAL is still one of the best memoires available today!!!
After completing this work, I was blessed to locate and actually spend some time with the author.
Put succinctly, Mike Walsh possesses more personal integrity, patriotism, and courageous resolve than most anyone above ground today.
His book is a gift to Americans concerned with guts, veracity, and acquiring an education from perceptions only viewable through the eyes of a highly intelligent and intrepid warrior.
The California clown that offers the "get over yourself" review below obviously is blind to understanding that even a humble man
like Mr. Walsh, tasked with attempting to record his extremely extraordinary life, will seem (to an ignoramus) to be boastful.
Mike Walsh is not a boastful man.
SEAL is the truthful product of a matured, religious individual whose personal discipline, devotion to country, and unpoliticized insights offers this nation's youth a measuring stick for honor.
Although my service was with the army, I would follow this naval 'Commander' into hell if he so desired.
SEAL is strong evidence that Mike Walsh knows all about that arena.
Americans need to read this one.
It'll make your chest stick out a bit further.

This is a story tellers book. Mr. Walsh has 26 years of incredible experiences to tell. He has been to hell and back, but at all times he succeeds in keeping his feet on the ground. Not even a book so honest and to-the-point as this can tell the real warriors story. The experience of combat and war can not be described in words. But Michael Walsh does it anyway. And very well, too. We read about his life during 26 years of naval special warfare - the life of a man who took his job very, very seriously. The North Vietnamese had a ransom on him, but if they had known who they were dealing with it would have been multiplied several times. Mr. Walsh covers the 26 years with a good personal pen, not afraid to be emotional. He does not need bravado to tell his story. It comes with little words that hang in there for you to think about. And the humor which is so important for spec warriors. After reading his book, I think I understand the tremendous sacrifices he gave - the risk, the dedication, the hardship, the loyalty to buddies and unit. I am truly impressed. I know that Mr. Walsh has skipped many good stories from his years as a SEAL. Some of them you can find in Greg Walkers "In the Hurricane's Eye" where he describes some of Mr. Walsh's rock solid personality in some very amusing and well-told stories. As another reader said: If you read this, Michael Walsh, please start volume 2. There's room for a lot more of this kind. Jan Holm