SOCIAL SCIENCES

The Reaper: Autobiography of One of the Deadliest Special Ops Snipers

by Nicholas Irving
with Gary Brozek. St. Martin's. Jan. 2015. 320p. ISBN 9781250045447. $27.99; ebk. ISBN 9781466844070. HIST
COPY ISBN
This gritty, unapologetic look into the life of a special operations soldier recounts both harrowing and heartfelt tales from the on-the-job experiences of Irving (owner of HardShoot, a training facility for long-range shooting). A former U.S. Army Ranger who amassed a confirmed 33 kills in his six-year military career, the author was given the titular nickname by his teammates after a particularly active deployment, which he chronicles in this easy-to-read book. This account is perhaps not for the faint of heart, but it is sure to be intriguing for those who are made of less squeamish stuff.
VERDICT Those who pick up a book about a sniper are probably aware of what they are getting themselves into. While sometimes veering into military shop talk and never really offering much of a glimpse into the emotions and personal reflections that are sure to come with the act of killing, the book should nevertheless be a hit with those interested in military matters and warfare, or anyone curious about this unconventional line of work.
Reviewed by Laura Marcus, Odenton, MD , Nov 15, 2014
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