American Mercenary

The Riveting, High-Risk World of an Elite SEAL Team Operator Turned Hired Gun

De: Daniel Corbett

Narrado por: Daniel Corbett

An elite Navy SEAL Team 6 operator trained to kill the United States’ most dangerous enemies takes listeners inside the unadulterated, morally complicated and riveting post-military adventures of a lethal American mercenary.

In American Mercenary, Daniel Corbett takes listeners on a wild ride through the unadulterated, morally ambiguous, and riveting world of being a hired gun. From Abu Dhabi to Washington, DC, Cairo to San Diego, Belgrade to places that must remain secret, this is a world where money rules, and where adventure, danger, and absurdity often follow.

A star high school athlete, Corbett passed on a Division I football career and opted for the US Navy. He began his career at SEAL Team 5 and eventually checked into SEAL Team 6. The navy spent millions teaching him and his fellow Team members how to sneak, subvert, recruit, disappear, survive, resist, and exert. And of course, how to shoot, a discipline at which Corbett excelled.

What the navy did not do was prepare these men for post-military lives beyond the usual suite of veterans’ benefits and unimaginative job-training programs. So what does Corbett do? He goes private. There are still plenty of bad men in the world, and the only sin worse than wasting talent in dead-end pursuits is not using it at all. He starts small, but quickly moves up. The work is simultaneously familiar and foreign. The command structure is shady. The clients are dubious. The equipment is subpar. But what the f--k: the pay is good.

Then things change in 2017 when Corbett is arrested on a job in Belgrade, Serbia. When the authorities discover he’s a Navy SEAL, they imagine the worst: he’s in Belgrade to assassinate the Serbian president. They throw Corbett in jail, where he spends the next 18 months making international headlines and fighting for his freedom in a kangaroo court.

Ultimately, American Mercenary highlights the struggle of many veterans: how to reconcile military service with civilian life. For Corbett, becoming a mercenary isn’t just the best option, it feels like the only option. It’s a lot better than drowning in a bottle or holding a pistol under your chin and pulling the trigger, but is it enough?

©2024 Daniel Corbett (P)2024 Center Street

Reseñas de la Crítica

“I could not put this book down. It's an absolute page turner from start to finish. For the past seven years, I've played Sonny Quinn on the hit TV show Seal Team and I thought heard all of the stories. Daniel's dives into a world that most don't even know exist. He breaks the mold associated with military-esque memoirs and shows us humor, humility, and vulnerability. One of the most powerful stories I have read, this truly will become an instant classic.”—AJ Buckley

“I worked with Dan Corbett from the time he checked in to SEAL Team Six until the time we both checked out. He got the name ‘Dirty’ because of some non-combat related ops, but it was a term of endearment used by all of the shooters who worked with him. Fearless in training, he was always to one to test new gear on skydives or minimum safe distances for explosive breaching. Relentless in combat, under fire, if Dirty was there, I never needed to worry about my back. Then he became a mercenary and that is when life finally got interesting. From dealing with pirates in Africa to al Qaeda in the Middle East… perfecting chess and learning Serbian in an Eastern Block prison. This is a real story that you won’t put down.”—Rob O’Neill

“This one had me from the jump! The true story of a former Navy SEAL's descent into the underbelly of the ‘gun-for-hire’ mercenary world. I simply couldn't get enough. Danger, suspense, humor and all around badass-ery. Read immediately.”—Jensen Ackles

The honest and genuine emotional journey

Loved every moment to be honest! Can’t wait for part 2 and see where Daniel goes from here. Respect!

Captivating read

Corbett’s writing is sharp and immersive, making it easy to get lost in the action-packed narrative. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is full of twists that keep you hooked until the very end. It's a compelling story that balances intense action with thought-provoking themes, making it a must-read for fans of military thrillers.

Great narration, epic story

Well read and crazy story. Definitely an interesting look into an opaque world. So sorry you had to experience that my brother

outstanding book !!

Liked all of it., The resilience Dirty showed was nothing short of amazing..it's a really great book !!

Great listen, very entertaining!

Had me wanting more all the way through. Very entertaining and great story telling. Hope he writes another and picks up where he leaves off.

Incredible messaging

One of the most resonant parts of American Mercenary for me was Corbett's narrative of leaving the military. Though our paths in the Navy were different, I deeply connected with the sense of abandonment and the challenge of figuring out life after being labeled as tainted goods. Corbett's ability to communicate these struggles without self-pity, while maintaining a sense of purpose and resilience, makes this book not just a memoir, but a mirror reflecting the often harsh realities faced by those who have served.

As I read Corbett's self-reflections, I found myself reflecting on my own journey. His honesty in confronting his past and navigating his future has inspired me to dig deeper into my own experiences and emotions, prompting a greater understanding of how my time in the Navy has shaped who I am today. This book has been more than just a story; it's been a tool for personal growth.

American Mercenary isn't just for those interested in military tales or action-packed stories; it’s for anyone who has faced the challenge of starting over after their identity was tied to a particular role or experience. I highly recommend this book to fellow veterans, those interested in the complexities of post-military life, and anyone who appreciates a story told with humility and honesty. Corbett's story is a testament to the enduring human spirit in the face of life's most challenging transitions.

Amazing life

I hope he got his trident back. What an adventurous life. Thank you telling this story that seemed to be completely missed in US media.

Honest and fascinating book

The author tells his story without any big fanfare. It's just a brutally honest story, which I couldn't put down when I started. I wish the guy all the luck.

The real deal…. I mean seal.

Great story to listen to. I love it when the author reads their own story. Book was referred to me by a relative through marriage and this is his cousin the author. I have always enjoyed military novels and it is nice to hear a the story not a fiction. Well done Daniel.

highly recommend

intensity, humor, well-rounded characters, food for thought applicable to daily life. love that you are hearing it from the man who experienced it. well done on the character voices and believable interactions. couldn't pause it. not just another SEAL book. so much more.