First published 2013
Michael J. Mooney traces the complete story of Chris Kyle, the Navy SEAL who became America's most lethal sniper. The journalist draws from extensive interviews with Kyle's family, fellow SEALs, and close associates to construct a portrait spanning Kyle's Texas upbringing through his military service and tragic death in February 2013. Mooney examines how Kyle earned contradictory reputations: insurgents called him The Devil while his SEAL teammates knew him as The Legend. The book explores Kyle's dual nature as a fierce warrior in combat and devoted family man at home. After returning from deployment, Kyle dedicated himself to helping fellow veterans cope with their struggles. Mooney also investigates the troubled veteran who ultimately killed Kyle, providing context for the shocking conclusion to Kyle's life. The account reveals the complexities behind the man whose story became the subject of a major Hollywood film.
Genres: biography, american, non-fiction, 21st-century, military-history, true-crime
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: dual-nature, tragic-ending
Setting: Texas
Period: 2013
88 pages · Kindle Edition · Little, Brown and Company
Content warnings: death, violence