About my book reviews

I like reading - let it be fiction or not fiction. Books create new worlds; unlike short-form or video content, they rely on your imagination and allow nonlinear thinking.

Writing a book is a huge achievement, and that’s why, when you find a good book, it’s such a pleasure to read.

So, I read - read a lot. I read paper book, ebook and listen to audio books as well.

I also take notes while reading to make sure I actually absorb what the book has to offer.

So why not write a short summary review of each book? Here it is.

My goals and aim when reading “Way of The Seal”

As a neurodivergent person, I find a certain freedom in rigid procedures and processes. Military language, though very strict, is also very precise, which I enjoy a lot.

So I thought: maybe there’s a book that could teach me procedures, ways of thinking, and operations used in military settings.

ChatGPT (I know, my bad) suggested The Way of the SEAL.

Written by former Navy SEAL commander Mark Divine, it should provide unique insights into SEAL effectiveness and be broadly applicable.

That was what I thought when I picked up the book.

Top 3 take aways from the book:

• Start by identifying (honestly) your stand and your values

• Plan for failure, all plan A fail, one way or another

• Focus on single target at a time

General perception

I had book in two formats at the same time: audiobook from Audible and Paper book (which I bought used from Amazon). On my way to work I would listen to audiobook and then I would skim through paper book with highlighters and make notes in Notion.

So, what is the general feel of the book?

Book overall

The book feels strange. Have you ever felt like many business books are written by the same person? It just feels strange when the author delivers military anecdotes in a TED-style motivational voice.

The book starts bold but soon becomes repetitive and a bit boring, then wanders into the realm of mysticism (thankfully not for long).

It didn’t give me exactly what I wanted, yet it was useful in places.

You’ll get military-flavoured takes on business tools (e.g., SWOT, the STAR method), and a decent amount on fundamentals like values and purpose (and, surprisingly, it doesn’t do a bad job there).

Audiobook or paper book?

I think both formats have their merits. The audiobook does a good enough job of keeping you engaged and lets you get through sections that would probably make me toss the paper book quickly.

I should note the audiobook was adapted for audio; for example, instead of reading long multi-page tables (as some do), it summarises them into verbally digestible pieces.

At the same time, the narrator both overdoes the emotion where you’d expect none and withholds it where you want some.

The narrator’s voice also doesn’t seem to fit the book style. Imagine a polite newsreader narrating a bar fight? That’s kind of the feeling I got here.

Strengths

Let’s see what book does well:

• Unexpectedly good explanation of what purpose and values are, and how one can work on defining them.

• Repurposing typical business tools by “upgrading” them with some military flavour - making them more digestible and more useful.

• An unusual (these days) focus on building one’s character and integrity.

Weaknesses

• The book is repetitive, which can get quite annoying

• Each chapter relies on anecdotes - sometimes completely irrelevant.

• Book does not feel authentic, more like a “vanilla bestseller” than a hardcore warrior’s manual.

• Some claims and pseudo-mystical ideas will make you cringe.

• It regularly oversimplifies and overpromises (not quite “do breathing exercises twice a day and you’ll kill enemies with your eyes”, but heading in that direction).

Conclusion

I’d give the book a solid 3 out of 5. It has quite a few interesting and well-presented ideas - you just have to be ready to fish them out of the slop, and keep your critical thinking switched on to avoid biting into some of the mystical mythology that will be in the book.

It may not be the perfect guide to applying military tools in a civilian setting, but so far, it’s the only one I know.

What do you think?

Do you find this kind of content useful?

Do you know of another book I should read instead?

Let me know in the comments below!