American Sniper - review

I get my books from an online library - and when I logged on the other day my library was promoting "Big Read" - a sort of global book club - however, I don't know what it means other than worldwide access to the same book.  We'll see...

A recruiter called me once and asked me if I was interested in joining the army (or navy or something - I didn't really pay attention)
"Do I have to do push ups?"
"Umm... huh?"
"Do I have to do push ups, in the army?"
"Well...ah... during the basic training you will, but--"
"Sorry, I can't join."
"You don't have to do that many."
"But I can't do push ups."
"You can do girl push ups."
"Nope, can't."
"Not even one?"

When searching for a career, there was more than one time that I considered the army (and later on, the police).  I love rules.  I love service and community and teamwork.  I knew I could silently endure and excel even in training - I had no ego that feared being yelled at, I had the kind of personality that would take that kind of training as criticism that could only make me better.  I think I wanted to show that even though I was a girl, I could be tougher mentally than most - I wouldn't complain, I wouldn't slack - I'd buckle down and do my job.

But I think I mostly just wanted to do the obstacle courses.

The problem was I didn't want to fight ... I couldn't fight - with my chronic shoulder problems I had this image of some gung-ho instructor dislocating my shoulder and shouting "Suck it up!".  (I am so far from tough when it comes to my shoulder).  I still imagined spy-like and hero making situations but I think when it comes down to it I wanted to train, and then be a peacemaker, problem solver, or diplomatic go-between.


The book American Sniper kind of fills out (almost embarrassingly so) the image maybe the rest of the world has of American soldiers.  The main character comes from Texas, was a cowboy and goes through SEAL training, and goes on four tours during wartime accumulating the most kills for a sniper in history (160 - how do they know this?  Each kill must be witnessed and the details recorded in a notebook).  Chris Kyle is straightforward, if not simple - God, country, family (that order gets him in trouble with his wife, surprise surprise).  He's out to get the "bad guys" and protect his brothers.  It's not about the politics or what's politically correct - he has a job, sees things as black and white ("I always have"), and feels no regret for his actions, only for the idea that he could have / should have been doing more.

What I liked: It was surprisingly a good story - interesting, unique, and honest.  He was a committed soldier and his respect for soldiers and what they do came across.  He told stories from training, from war - with a lot of technical detail as well as emotion and humor.  He didn't hide the conflict he had at home and even included excerpts from his wife - she had short sections in the book where she shared her perspective of what was going on.  Their marriage problems were very real and understandable if not relatable.  I was maybe mostly impressed with how clearly they understood each others perspectives, disagreed, and yet still came out together in the end (because that priority conflict is a big one).  I also liked how the book ended - with Chris Kyle getting out of the army and continuing to invest in his brothers - through training schools, working with VAs, and helping others through rehabilitation.  And, as many know - after this book was published - Chris Kyle was killed by a veteran he was trying to help.  Appendices have been added to the book about this from his wife and the screenplay writer, as well as photos.

What I didn't like: War. Violence.  How men think its manly to beat the sh*t out of each other.  That stuff makes me sick.  He didn't get into those details, but made many implications how lessons were taught, etc - hazing, bar fights, and so on.  They say it's war preparation, and I know men in general are impressed by these things - but I (and maybe most women) never have been.

He referred to the enemy as "savages" and the "bad guys" - I understand why - and I realize I have the luxury to judge while sitting in my safe home whereas there is no space for debating those things on a battlefield.  It just sounded like brainwashing and too simple.  He fit the stereotype of brawny and brainless sent out to do the dirty work - and he did it without questioning and with a lot of pride.  He was looking for action.  I agreed with his wife's complaint that he was telling her "I'd do anything to be with my family" and yet he kept reenlisting.  He chose to get married, have kids, and leave them all (repeatedly) for his brothers at war.  He said it was selfish to not go, and to that I say then: it was selfish to get married and it was selfish to have children.

I also didn't like the joking.  I came across this a lot when working in the emergency services - it's a stress reliever, and emotional outlet that most everyone does to cope - so, I understand it... I just don't like it.  For example, in one story -  he told his friend to watch as he shot to young guys on a moped, the bullet went through both of them to which he commented: the taxpayers got their money's worth on that one.

Ugh.

Best lines: He got the nickname of "The Legend" to which his soldier buddy mocked and changed to "The Myth"

Worst lines:  So many that it's not surprising Clint Eastwood decided to direct the movie.  I like Clint, but some of his lines...

Also - the logo of the company he started: Despite what your momma told you... violence does solve problems.


Tell that one to my city.