An American Hero Battling Against All Odds

Cameron Egan

Fearless
By Eric Blehm

      A journey of ups and downs like no other; the life of a Navy SEAL team six operator Adam Brown. Adam had a turbulent uprooted childhood, moving from town to town with his family as his parents desperately tried to find work to support their family. Once they settled down just in time for high school, Adam quickly became known for his fearless, courageous, and respectful attitude both on the football field and in life. Adam was an under-sized star in his high school football days, but when it came time for college, things didn't seem to work out for Adam. He struggled with substance abuse and had a lot of trouble in college to the point where he had to drop of and start working back home with his dad. Life was pushing him to the edge and Adam's situation seemed grim, but he made a decision that would change his life for ever, to become a Navy Seal.

     Adam's journey becomes even greater as he becomes a SEAL. He goes off to fight in major operations where he portrays heroism and fearlessness consistently. Adam fights and helps lead his teammates through it all, until he meets a bitter end.

     Overall this book is a great story. It contains themes of a comeback and heroism which really hooked me on the story. As someone who enjoys war novels, Adam Brown's life is very compelling to me. The way he was able to kick his drug addictions, sign up for this military, and basically take back control over his own life is very admirable.

     Just before Adam decided to enlist, he was still having a lot of trouble with drugs, and his girlfriend Kelly was struggling to get him to get sober. "The fourth time (Adam went out to do drugs again), Kelly was beside herself. 'How can I do this?' she cried to Adam. 'How can I stay with you?' 'please don't' he said 'Really. I'm only going to bring you down."(67). Adam's life was spiraling out of control and he had to do something to be able to distract his mind and body away from his addiction to drugs. His decision to enlist did just that. Kelly and Adam then got married and a few weeks before Adam left for boot camp she noticed something different in Adam. "' Those three weeks before he left for boot camp, there was something different about Adam I hadn't seen before' says Kelly 'There was an intensity. A focus.'"(78). Adam had completely changed his life into something very meaningful to not only him, but his family as well.

      What makes this story so prominent, is the the comeback theme of it. Adam seemed to have no hope left for him, but he knew he had a purpose in this world and he decided to make his purpose his reality. Battling against all odds, he then became an American hero fighting for his country. Although the story of Adam Brown's life isn't the most orthodox story of heroism, I would definitely recommend this book to fans of the novel American Sniper, and fans of other war novels and movies. The plot is very well developed and the story doesn't seem to leave many details out, so if you are looking for a quick read with a less developed plot, then this might not be the book for you.