The Longest Kill
The Story of Maverick 41, One of the World's Greatest Snipers
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4.6 • 118 Ratings
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- £4.99
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- £4.99
Publisher Description
Through conflicts in the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan, this is the vivid memoir of British sniper Craig Harrison.
It takes a tough mindset to be a successful sniper, to be able to dig in for days on your own as you wait for your target, to stay calm on a battlefield when you yourself have become the target the enemy most want to take out. Craig Harrison has what it takes and in November 2009 in Afghanistan, under intense pressure, he saved the lives of his comrades with the longest confirmed sniper kill – 2,475 metres, the length of twenty-five football pitches.
In The Longest Kill, his unflinching autobiography, Craig catapults us into the heat of the action as he describes his active service in the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan, and gives heart-stopping accounts of his sniper ops as he fought for his life on the rooftops of Basra and the barren hills of Helmand province. Craig was blown up by an IED in Afghanistan and left battling severe PTSD. After his identity was revealed in the press he also had to cope with Al Qaeda threats against him and his family. For Craig, the price of heroism has been devastatingly high.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
British sniper Harrison recounts his tours of duty in the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan, addressing his record-breaking kill shot and battle with PTSD, in this breathless memoir. Though fond of target shooting as a youth, Harrison's love of horses won out when he applied to join the British Army, opting for the cavalry. Much like this book, his career got off to a wobbly start: his temper, affinity for fighting, and penchant for unapproved absences irked his supervising officers. Still, he was dispatched to the Balkans, witnessing his share of carnage before returning home and ending his army career. He rejoined just as Britain invaded Iraq, where his marksmanship skills were greatly needed. Harrison's narrative starts to flow smoothly as he relates his sniper training and the shock of his first kill. Providing an immersive experience for readers, he recalls with clarity the tension of numerous missions and the toll exacted on the soldiers. In the final chapters, Harrison describes his integration back into society, which was hampered by PTSD, and by the release his personal information to the media by the military a colossal mistake that left him and his family vulnerable to violent threats. Harrison's harrowing story should serve as a cautionary tale of the perils soldiers face on the battlefield and at home.
Customer Reviews
Fantastic read!
This book was purchased and finished in two days. I just couldn't put it down.
If you have a interest of shooting as a skill or just military I 110% recommend this book.
Been an ex Royal marine of 7 years (not a sniper) Harrison as done so well to capture and portray with only words very much just what it is like "on tour". Very hard to do that.
Real shame about his troubles after his last tour and I hope that he is firmly on his way to been back to his best!
Check out his you tube channel too.. Maverick 41
Good man, good read, grim finish.
Really enjoyed reading this book, seeing how Craig matures throughout his career and generally how blunt and honest it is.
It's not overly patriotic and the motives are genuine, which I really like. Such a shame that after the years of service and commitment he was pretty much just stitched up and abandoned.
Would love to meet the man for a cuppa or a pint.