A sweet story, but I would have preferred more words to go along with the pictures.

One Seal, a picture book, centers around a boy flying a kite on a beach and a gust of wind snatching the kite from his hands. First one seal arrives on the scene. Soon other animals come to the rescue...all of them. One Seal relies heavily on the illustrations. The text contains only ninety-nine words. As a read-aloud, take your time looking over the pictures, especially the illustrations with no words on the page. Ask your child what he or she thinks the animals are doing when they create the pyramids. Children should enjoy the colorful variety of animals.

This simple story of diverse creatures coming together to achieve a common goal is rendered with few words and beautiful pictures. A joy for parents and children alike.

SEAL stands for Sea Air Land, and is the name of an extremely well trained American Navy commando group. The author, Kevin Dockery, describes them in great detail. Mind numbing detail that is. For instance, while reading about the Vietnam War, you get to know every date when a platoon relieved another platoon, how many men and officers were in every team, and the time-stamp of almost every bullet fired. Instead of thoroughly describing a few characteristic SEAL operations, Dockery seems to prefer being complete, making the book read like a government report. What should he have written about then? Personally I think he should have written more about what goes on in the SEAL's mind when performing their highly dangerous and adventurous operations. What did they think and how did they feel when they ambushed a Viet Cong sampan (little boat) or tried to rescue the Governor of Grenada? The inner life of these super soldiers is still a secret after reading Dockery's book. In addition I would have preferred details about concrete SEAL techniques in swimming, sharp shooting, and men-to-men-combat. What is the right way to swim long distances with fins? What should you always remember in a knife fight? Finally, I don't know where the previous reviewer got his information, but there's no information at all in this book about the Persian Gulf (the last theatre described is Panama) and there is very little information on SEAL team six. I haven't read any other books specialized in the SEALs, but if you want to read a good book about special forces in general (including SEALs) then I would recommend "Black Hawk Down" by Mark Bowden or "The Commandos" by Douglas Waller.

A good book that covers the beginning of the Navy Seals way back when they were called frogmen (They pioneered scuba gear). Their disbandment after the war and their re-establishment by order of President Kennedy. I liked the chapter of the book about the Bull Frog of the Pond. The longest serving SEAL is the Bull Frog. The name of the Bull Frog featured in that chapter looked familiar until I saw an episode of "Survivor". It's RUDY before he retired from the service and played the game!!! Oh-Rah, Rudy!!!

This well written book starts out in WWII with the UDTs and takes you all the way to the Persian Gulf and beyond. Very descriptive chapters about BUD\S, SDVs(swimmer delivery vehicle), and SEAL Team Six! Also includes informative pictures troughout the book, eight pages of pictures in the middle of the book, and a very detailed glossary! This book is truly an inside look at the SEAL organization, traing and equipment. I highly recomend this book to anyone interested in learning about, or even becoming a SEAL!

This book is really outdated and stupid. It even has cartoon type drawings in it that make it even worse. Not a wholelot of info on weoponsand none on patrolling tactics, just a bunch of bull about history, IBSs, and survival. Do not buy this.

The book has a lot of useful information for many situations. For me, the information in this manual comes in handy when I'm paintballing.

Hard to find information on communications, boats, electronics, special weapons, diving, demolitions, intelligence gathering, first aid, use of map and compass, airborne operations, survival, ect. A massive book, latest available edition with an amazing amount of information on everything from using a hand held sonar to sentry stalking and blowing up anything the enemy can build. Includes a brief history of UDT and Seal's diving tables, and war bag checklist. Great book!

This book is about seal team one during the vietnam war.
Each chapter is about a different member of seal team 1.
The chapters arent connected to each other and this isnt really a story, but a book of stories from seal team 1 members.
You will feel how the war was in their eyes.

Evocative cover, but fails to deliver inside. Author is obviously not a SEAL, perhaps even a rabid wannabe. Stories are raw and disconnected, at least in part because they are uncorroborated oral histories. When finished, the reader is left with more questions about the Teams than when he started.

I THOUGHT IT WAS GREAT. I THINK THAT THE STORIE REALLY BRINGS OUT THE SEAL MISSIONS THAT HAPPENED IN VIETNAM. AS A READER OF VIETNAM WAR BOOKS THIS WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITES. THIS BOOK WILL NOT BE PUT AWAY ON THE BOOK RACK.

This attempt at a comprehensive naval special warfare(NSW) history leading up to formation of Navy SEAL teams and their deployment to Vietnam has only one thing to recommend it: numerous first-hand accounts by NSW unit & team veterans. Otherwise, it suffers from poor editing in the text itself and ill-conceived structural arrangement. And it contains a fatal flaw, for nowhere in the book does the author cite a single source or reference for the information he presents,except the self-referencing first hand accounts, thereby violating the First Commandment of the history profession. The result is often clumsy paraphrasing that could leave the author open to charges of plagairism. Also, by not citing his sources or supplying a bibliography, he denies the curious reader any chance of following through with his or her own research of a particular item mentioned in the book. Let's hope he does better next time.

Navy SEALs is an oral history book in the tradition of The Greatest Generation. 34 fascinating personal histories are contained, and are put into context by carefully researched essays to link together the action tales. The histories are well chosen to highlight key points in the history of U.S. underwater operations by individuals prior to 1975. Each history is impressively illustrated by extensive photographs that make you feel like you are on the scene.

The Navy SEALs, the direct action component of the Navy's special warfare community, were not established until 1962. The bulk of this book looks at the predecessor organizations in World War II and Korea which developed the expertise that ultimately led to the establishment of the SEALs. The book also briefly describes the launching of the SEALs and the role of the SEALs in Vietnam.

The original concept of individual in-the-water warfare dated back to World War II. In the 20th century, U.S. forces had had no amphibious landings prior to that time. Suddenly, a capability was needed to clear underwater obstructions to support such landings. Seebees were initially recruited as volunteers for their demoliton skills, and taught how to swim so that mines and other obstructions could be blown away. Later, Navy Scouts and Army Rangers developed skills to do reconnaissance on landing sites before the battles occurred. Poor surveillance and planning at Tarawa meant that more Marines drowned than were killed by the Japanese when the transports could not get over the reefs.

Underwater Demolition Teams were critical in landings to make room for the troop and tank transports. Although the valuable role of these brave men soon became known to the Navy, there were not enough of them. Hitler's Fortress Europe came with lots of obstructions that needed to be eliminated for any landings to succeed. For the critical landings on D-Day in Normandy, UDTs were supplemented by other personnel. Despite this increase, they were only able to complete their assignments in clearing 5 of 16 50-yard areas on Omaha beach (after taking a horrific 50 percent rate of casualties). Without the courage and skill of these heroes, D-Day might not have succeeded.

The book is equally interesting as an example of how to create an elite, high-performance unit within a large organization. People in government organizations and large businesses will be fascinated by the ways that individual initiative can be encouraged. I especially enjoyed the many stories about how those who couldn't stand the hum-drum life on board ship and ship's discipline joined the SEAL predecessors. The book also recounts how key equipment and methods were developed.

The current SEAL concept is vastly removed from its predecessors. The predecessors were usually expected to stay below the high water line, where the Marines were to take over. Today, SEALs (standing for SEa, Air, and Land) are expected to be able to parachute, fight guerrilla battles on land, and conduct extensive underwater operations. The same dedication to excellence and to country is maintained as a common heritage.

I would also have enjoyed this book if it had been edited differently to isolate the different aspects of what these men experienced. For example, all of the references to training could have been put together with material about these experiences. All of the references to reconnaissance could have been put together. That would have made the book more of a history, and less of an oral history, but it would probably have made for smoother reading. Perhaps Mr. Dockery will rework the material into that more familiar form at some point in the future, as well.

Clearly, you will be glad to read the stories in this book. It will make you proud of some of our fellow Americans in new ways. After you finish enjoying this book, I suggest that you find someone who served in the SEALs or one of its predecessors. Ask them about their experiences in how they decided to join, what training was like, and how they served. If they have not shared their stories with others, you should encourage them to get in contact with Mr. Dockery.

Clear the way for progress!

Hoyt is both a noted journalist and military historian whose previous books include CARRIER WAR, HITLER'S WAR, and YAMAMOTO. His primary interest has been the Second World War so perhaps SEALS AT WAR: THE STORY OF U.S. NAVY SPECIAL WARFARE has taken him somewhat out of his element. The title of this curious book is misleading as the Seals do not even appear until page 119, about halfway through the book! The subtitle is, or should be, the actual title as Hoyt begins with the Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs) of World War II, continues with the establishment of the Sea, Air, and Land special forces (SEALS) in 1961, and concludes with the Persian Gulf War of 1991. Perhaps this is not the book the author intended to write or what the publisher expected as it is rather disjointed and appears to have been hastily put together. In fact, there are two books lurking within as there is a heavy emphasis on the UDT's efforts to clear beaches for amphibious assault in World War II and the SEALS brutal counter-terrorist activities in Vietnam. Only brief chapters are dedicated to such conflicts as Korea, Grenada, Panama and none at all detailing clashes with Iranian forces in the Persian Gulf in 1988. Overall, Hoyt presents a superficial overview instead of an indepth history of U.S Navy Special Warfare which is anecdotal rather than analytical. The lack of a conclusion or speculation regarding the future role of the SEALS is disappointing. His chapters are uneven and unsymmetrical with some as short as three pages and others as long as nineteen. His bibliography is impressive but his chapter notes are terse and specific documentation is non-existant as is an index. Despite its faults, SEALS AT WAR does provide a glimpse of the dedication, discipline, and heroism of the men who have made up the UDTs and the SEALS. It is an adequate introductory study but those seeking a more substantial account will have to look elsewhere. One hopes that subsequent editions will be revised and upgraded as this book's true potential has yet to be realized.

It was interesting from start to finish. although it got kinda borin

Normally I enjoy this series incrediable. But lately, and this book in particular, the stories are loosing too much factual material to them. This book took too long to develop and the characters are getting flat, they have no personality like the earlier books.

This ST7 novel was very good, and Douglass seems to do a better job with this series compared to the Carrier series, although both are good. As the title of my review states, Team Seven fight in two theaters this novel, although the main plot centers around the Pacific. The first several chapters have the Seals in Iraq, on a mission the rescue a Kuwaiti government prisoner. Almost though the story was not going to match the cover. But the Seals fight through Iraqi soldiers, helicopters and MIGs to escape Iraq. A familiar face is not in this novel, Magic Brown, still recuperating from his injuries suffered in Iran on the previous mission, "Deathrace".

So the middle of the book keeps the SEALs training in Coronado and Niland, with a new recruit. Word from CIA Contact Don Stroh is that a situation in North Korea is heating up and the Seals may be needed there. Well as they move to the Carrier USS Monroe, something else happens. A Japanese general invades the Kunashir Island which is Russian territory, but was owned by Japan prior to the end of WWII. General Nishikawa wants Russia to give the land back, but diplomacy has not worked in the past. His and many other Japanese have buried ancestors there.

The Russians are ready to take out this band of Japanese invaders, but the U.S. and the Seals arrive first, and eventually, after some tight/tense moments at sea between the Russians and Americans, they work together to track the general down.

Well rounded novel, that had plenty of action and dialogue and did not center on the Seals all the time, involving more of the Carrier crew. Some Bond like spy weapons are introduced that the Seals use, to take out the Japanese without injuring or killing them. One of the better ones in the ST7 series.

Again, Mr. Douglass has kept me on the edge of my seat. As with his previous books in this series, they just keep getting better and better. Bravo Mr. Douglass.

Though the topic may be seriouse, approching it in a way that deals with a character named "Uncle Seal" is beyond words..

I read this book in the doctor's waiting room and was impressed by the content. I wasn't aware that books like this were available; in my opinion, it was well-written for a child's perspective.

When things go wrong and an adult is involved, many times the child will automatically think somehow it's "their" fault - whether it's a case of molestation or their parents getting a divorce. This book emphasizes to children that being violated against their will is NEVER their fault, and also that it's okay to tell someone about what happened, that keeping it a secret is wrong, no matter what they may have been told.

Although this book is now out-of-print, I want to find one to read to my grandchildren or to share with other parents.

This book is very appropriate for all types of children. I have used it in the past with children who have been abused or neglected, and it helped them to know that others had also been through the same thing. It also allowed them to feel comfortable discussing the subject, and thus opened up the floor for some very productive conversations. A must have for anyone who works with these types of children.

Following what is taught in this book is a great way to get killed. People who say this book is effective may have dojo training, but have NEVER encountered a real knife attack.

Personally I could overlook Echanis's personal history if the book were OK - but it just isn't.

Ice pick grip decreases your distance by about 2 inches. Someone with a saber grip and 3 or 4 arnis classes will slice open the arteries in your arms in short fashion. Sacrificing your lead hand is great if you want to bleed to death. An arterial cut to the wrist can kill you in 30 seconds to a couple of minutes.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

This great book by Mike Echanis teaches the reader about the harsh realities of going up against a knife wielding opponent
as only the late,great Echanis can.The techniques are very similar to the ones my senior hapkido instructor teaches,and
he doesn't teach garbage.An excellent source of empty hand
counters to knfe attacks.
Mitch Jenkins

Like his stick fighting book,this is an excellent read as well.The techniques shown are brutally effective and easy to learn.Had this not been the case,Mr.Echanis would have never been
selected to train hand-tohand instructors for the Special Ops
community.

I liked this account of how Turkey, which is geopolitically between East and West, banished the fez in 1925 in the name of progress. In the early 1990s, Jeremy Seal searched throughout Turkey for an authentic fez-maker. His travels take him from big city to small town, where he encounters all sorts of people. In each area, he recounts a historical incident that had happened involving the fez and what it symbolizes. (It's a pretty powerful little hat!!!!)

This is more a travel diary than an informative text, and as such it is rife with biases. Read for pleasure and entertainment, but don't take it as a guide to the Turkish culture and people.

I find that some of the reviews posted by fellow readers are too harsh. JS did not set out to write the great historical or sociological masterpiece on Turkey. Rather, he uses the fez as an instrument through which he analyzes the complexity of Turkish society, in a light-hearted yet educative manner. My only disappointment with the book is JS' subtle suggestion that deep down inside, Turkey is more "eastern" than "western". In reality, I find Turkey to be unique among nations in this part of the world. While eastern attitudes may still be the norm in places like Konya, Kayseri and Erzurum, and western attitudes prevail in cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Antalya, the bottom line is that Turks are Turks which is what makes them, the country and certainly, JS' book so interesting.

Whether or not to read this book shold be determined by the type of information you are pursuing. When I travel around a country (and my wife and I have spent about 1 month traveling around Turkey) I like to do so with at least three books: 1. a good travel guide (in our case we use only the Lonely Planet guides, they are the bible for travelers), 2. a good comprehensive history and 3. a good lighthearted read of the people, history, culture, etc.

'A Fez of the Heart' falls into the latter. It is a very enjoyable book about the travels of an young man returning to Turkey and getting educated in its recent (post WWI) history. The education is comical and caused both my wife and I to laugh out loud. The plot pertaining to seeking out anything to do with a fez is a clever cover to explain the author's presence and wanderings.

This book should not be read as a cultural barometer nor a factual history of Turkey. It is a pleasant and humorous read that left me with the desire to get to better undersand elements of Turkey's recent past.

If that is what you are looking for you will not do any better than 'A Fez of the Heart'.