Fearless

ImageAdam Brown was always fearless as a child he was jump from a high bridge or jump from a roof top, but he knew no fear. As an adult, Adam took his courage to the next level; he joined the Navy Seals. He never saw himself as a hero, but as a warrior and no mission was too difficult.

Though Adam had many sterling qualities, the author Eric Blehm, shows his humanity and his failures. But Adam never quit; he overcame drug addiction and serious bodily injuries to become a member of Seal Team Six. Adam was a man's man but he was a tender warrior. He personally gave out hundreds of shoes to the barefooted children of Afghanistan.

This is an amazing book, one that I will definitely read again. I don't have the words to truly express how touched I was by reading it. It is a must read for anyone who believes in patriotism and the power of God.

I trust this book will inspire you never to quit!

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I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through the Blogging for Books program for the purpose of an honest review.

Overview: This book tells the amazing life story of a man named Adam Brown who battled more than just the Taliban. In the midst of it all he found Christ and that is what saw him through. Adam grew up in Arkansas and wanted to do nothing but play for his older brother's high school football team. He wasn't a star but he did his best. He also was just an all around good kid, until after high school that is. After graduation he fell into the wrong crowd and ended up a drug addict, putting his family and friends in danger and ultimately himself in jail. After serving his time he went through several attempts at rehab but always failed, until he met his future wife. After meeting her he still had slip ups with the drugs but he had finally turned a corner. Through a series of small miracles he actually was able to enter the Navy on the tract to become a Seal and was able to put drugs behind him for good. The rest of the book follows Adam through his amazing accomplishments as a Navy Seal despite numerous injuries that would have sidelined other men, and an account of the battle in which he ultimately gave his life for his country.

Pros: I learned a lot about the military that I was not aware of by reading this book. I also got a different perspective of the lives of military wives and children and gained an even greater respect for them. And, not that I ever doubted it, but reading accounts from the "War on Terror" strengthened my conviction on the necessity of it. Also, this book is a real testament to what someone with a real faith in God can be capable of, and of God's grace to see them through.

Cons: Adam's life was not pretty. This is not a book for children. Adam's family wanted his story to be told without reserve in hopes that it could help others. That being said it covers alcohol, heavy drug use, profanity (in some of his correspondence), and violence on and off the battlefield.

Conclusion: I enjoyed reading this and I would recommend that every American Christian read this book or one like it. Our Military deserves to be revered and respected for what they do for our country and we need to be remember why they must do it.

Fearless a true story about a young man named Adam Brown that showed true courage and sacrifice throughout his life. A Christian, family man and a warrior in the true sense of the word. Adam's life was a series of ups and downs ,but mainly downs until Jesus came into his heart and changed his life. Adam full of life, adventurous and "fearless" he would go at things full steam and his compassion for his fellow man was well demonstrated when his hummer rolled in Afghanistan. Even though his hand was badly mangled he did not stop to worry about himself but the welfare of his team and others always came first for him. Adams story was made possible from his personal journal and first person accounts of the Seals themselves. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and highly recommend it to others to read.

Fearless by Eric Blehm is an inspirational book about the life of Adam Brown. It reminds us that just being a good kid doesn't mean that we will become good adults. Also to stay strong in our faith and that one choice could change our lives forever. Adam was a high stung kid who always helped other people. As he grew older he played on the football team and did other crazy things such as jumping into (not out of) trees and jumping off of bridges into rivers. During high school Adam started doing drugs. He stole from people to feed his drug addiction. When Adam was 22 his parents turned him over to the police and sent him into a drug rehab program. Adam later said "Watching my mother crying so hard my father had to hold her up was the hardest thing I've ever had to do." Adam would start doing drugs again then stop, then start again. It's like he kept going up to down over and over again. Every time he did drugs he would run off, go to some crack house or hide out at one of his druggie friend's houses. Once he was running away from his girlfriend when he got on a plane to Texas to see his friend Jeff. His friend Jeff convinced Adam to become part of the navy and while he wanted Adam to become a bomb diffuser Adam was shooting for something bigger, a SEAL. I would not recommend this book to people with a low amount of maturity or lack of knowledge about the world. Mostly because there are too many drug references to count and there are quite a few times when someone cusses. There are also many ideas for someone young and immature to try such as jumping into trees.

U.S. Navy SEAL Team SIX, Adam Brown: Hero, Father, Husband, Friend, God's Faithful Guy.

This is a story about just an absolute, terrific, all-around guy...maybe a little crazy, okay, maybe a whole lot of crazy. I mean this with all the respect and love for this wonderful man. Thru God's amazing grace, a man's life was turned around to become a U.S. Navy SEAL. Adam Brown fought for his friends, his family, his country and most importantly, he loved God. From the time Adam was a little boy, he was a dare-devil. He was small, but mighty, never backing down, never saying, "No." or "I can't do it." Adam went from some crazy high school years where he was loved by everyone, stuck up and defended the weak and friendless, danced with the wallflowers. He went from a promising future to a very dangerous, unhealthy lifestyle to hitting rock bottom. Like all great stories, God knocked on Adam's door--thru his parents hearts, God began to work in this family, and eventually He, our God and Lover of our souls, got into Adam's heart. At last, Adam became the man, son, friend, father, husband, and SEAL that God created him to be.

This is a wonderful story of an average boy, high-school jock/ladies man/goofball, his devastating, harmful life, and then to a career and life that is virtually unattainable by anyone in the world: U.S. Navy SEAL. Adam not only became a Navy SEAL, he did it under ridiculous injuries and demons waiting to take him out. Nothing and no one could take Adam down, no one could tell him he couldn't do something. Ryan, Adam's friend who had taken him in during a difficult time in Adam's life, had a conversation one night with Adam and it is the essence of this book. ~~"How beautiful grace is and how God's grace can redeem so much darkness and what was so ugly can be made beautiful"~~ This was Adam's life: Ugliness turned into a beautiful, courageous life. That was Adam.

During Navy SEALS training a friend of Adam's had told of a day during surf-torture training: "They'd made us lie down and link arms in the sand, freezing cold waves splashing over us, our teeth chattering like we're running a jackhammer, and I'd look over at Adam next to me, and he was blue from the cold and grinning, like he was loving it. I remember thinking, What is driving this guy?" This is only the tip of the spear. Adam was ridiculously driven. You will laugh, cry, smile, look up to God and say, 'Wow, God, that was you!", and cry even harder. Adam was one of a kind and I am thankful to everyone that shared their stories of Adam and his family. Adam truly "Shoveled the sh#t so our families, so the United States, can have what we have and live the way that we do." Thank-you, Adam.

WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing group has provided me with this book complimentary for review purposes.