Battle Ready

Memoir of a SEAL Warrior Medic

De: Mark L. Donald, Scott Mactavish

Narrado por: Fred Berman

The gripping memoir of Navy Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart recipient SEAL Lieutenant Mark L. Donald...

As A SEAL and combat medic, Mark served his country with valorous distinction for almost 25 years and survived some of the most dangerous combat actions imaginable.

From the rigors of BUD/S training to the horrors of the battlefield, Battle Ready dramatically immerses the listener in the unique life of the elite warrior-medic who advances into combat with life-saving equipment in one hand and life-taking weapons in the other. It is also an uplifting human story that reveals how a young Hispanic American bootstrapped himself out of a life that promised a dead-end future by enlisting in the military. That new life begins with the Marines and includes his heroic achievements on the battlefield and the operating table, and finally, of his inspirational triumph over the demons caused by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder that threatened to destroy him and his family.

Includes an excerpt from the SEAL creed read by the author and a bonus conversation with Mark L. Donald and his editor.

©2013 Mark L. Donald (P)2013 Macmillan Audio

Calling of the Warrior & of the Healer

Excellent audiobook telling the incredible story of a humble warrior and a great healer! Someone I would truly like to talk with over coffee.

Good book about the Special Forces medical service

A very special man, his goals and conflicts to become a highly decorated SEAL and battle field medical provider

Great Book -

It surpassed my expectations- this book allows to reader to feel like they are on the ground with their adrenaline pumping and hitting rock bottom after the fighting has stopped- hand on

great story. wow!

Mark opens his heart and tells his story. Everyone should listen to it, and thank a veteran for their service.

Highly recommended

As a young civilian Paramedic who later struggled with the mental aftermath of field medicine, I highly recommend this book as a well balanced honest approach to medical service. Donald has the credentials to remind us that tuff-ness and personality don't exempt us from the effects trauma. I highly recommend this book to anyone wants to understand himself or the struggle of a loved one returning from war. To date this is this most clearly outlined and refreshingly honestly memoir I have read on the subject of PTSD. Mark, thank you for your service and the courage honor your teammates though this great book.

Humbling

This story was very inspiring. As it began, it was motivating. As it progressed, the description of the struggles with PTSD, time away from family, loss of friends made the story difficult to bear for me. This is the most accurate portrayal in my opinion, of why some veterans have such a hard time adjusting to life after experiencing combat stress. I recommend this book to friends of family of deployed veterans to better appreciate the struggles our men and women face daily. All in all, best book I've listened to in a long time.


Hm1 C.

As A Corpsman

although I was never a seal corpsman, having been thought the same basic courses and understanding the calling he talks about. it hard to walk that line for all of us

Captivating, honest, humbling. Just a grade A job

Where does Battle Ready rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Battle Ready ranks in the top 5, but as far as the author and his personal writings, it ranks #1.

What did you like best about this story?

It was a great story about the SEALs with a side that allows you to see Mark as a very personable and humble man. Mark lets you in his head so much that I started feeling the emotions he wrote of, if he was nervous, I felt nervous etc.. Well written.

Have you listened to any of Fred Berman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but I thought he did an outstanding job. Never missed a beat in my opinion.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, a personal moment Mark had while sitting at his computer and he was told his team had another mission.

Any additional comments?

I'm a flight nurse and Navy Vet, so I could understand the lingo very easy, being in the field I am, Marks writings made me open up and take a look at some or my own personal issues with my job. He made me feel like I wanted to work with him ( on the medical side, I am no SEAL). To sum it up, it was a real treat to hear such personal details in the life of this man. I felt homered to be allowed to read it.

Thank you for sharing part of you

First of all, thank you for your service & care Mark.
This was a written empathetic explanation of the resulting struggle faced by many of our veterans & their families. Following you through each phase in your growth in military service allowed the reader a glimpse into your world in active duty. I especially enjoyed the final chapter interview because that is really the backbone of medicine. The most important quality “care”, nailed it. I’m a retired ER / ICU nurse.

Who is standing next to you?

Would you consider the audio edition of Battle Ready to be better than the print version?

Yes. There are characteristics that can be lost when reading a book for the first time. Additionally, if you have not served in the military some terms and how they are communicated can be difficult to understand.

What did you like best about this story?

How it is explicit that as a veteran you can be vulnerable to your shortcomings and feelings.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes