Taya Kyle

This book was supposed to be read and reviewed as part of the Early Reviewers program. However, I never received a copy of this book to review. I have read and enjoyed "American Sniper" by Chris Kyle and "American Wife" by his wife Taya Kyle so I really wanted to read this one as well. I found it through my public library and am very glad I made the effort to do so. This book introduces the reader to more than thirty people who have done so much for their communities, both local and worldwide. Their stories are inspirational, truly encompassing the "American Spirit," the title of this book. This is the perfect book for those of us tiring of all of the negative news on TV and want something positive to counterbalance it. This is the perfect book for school libraries due to the positive role models featured. After the loss of her husband, Taya Kyle continues to do wonderful things.… (meer)

I have not seen or read American Sniper and didn't realize this was Chris Kyle's wife. I found this book very interesting to read Taya's view of what happened. I listened to the audiobook and Taya read it. It also covers what happened after Chris' death. This was worth the listen. I will have to say sham on you Jesse Ventura for suing them about Chris' book when you weren't even named and shame on the jury who decided in favor of Jesse and awarded him more money then should have happened. I hope Taya wins in the appeal.… (meer)

From Amazon:

The widow of “American Sniper” Chris Kyle shares their private story: an unforgettable testament to the power of love and faith in the face of war and unimaginable loss--and a moving tribute to a man whose true heroism ran even deeper than the legend

In early 2013, Taya Kyle and her husband Chris were the happiest they ever had been. Their decade-long marriage had survived years of war that took Chris, a U.S. Navy SEAL, away from Taya and their two children for agonizingly long stretches while he put his life on the line in many major battles of the Iraq War. After struggling to readjust to life out of the military, Chris had found new purpose in redirecting his lifelong dedication to service to supporting veterans and their families. Their love had deepened, and, most special of all, their family was whole, finally. Then, the unthinkable. On February 2, 2013, Chris and his friend Chad Littlefield were killed while attempting to help a troubled vet. The life Chris and Taya fought so hard to build together was shattered. In an instant, Taya became a single parent of two. A widow. A young woman facing the rest of her life without the man she loved.

My Thoughts:

I'm not a big fan of non-fiction books but my daughter-in-law said I "just had to read it"...so I did...and I found that this book is absolute perfect at capturing what it was like to be married to American hero SEAL sniper Chris Kyle. I was captivated from beginning to end. She gets very personal in this memoir, revealing quite a bit about herself. She is a brave person to open herself up to vulnerability describing her range of emotions surrounding her marriage to Chris, his murder, the aftermath, and how she struggles to cope....even still. If you're looking for an award-winning piece of literature, this is not necessarily it...however it is well written and executed. It is an honest look at the life of a truly broken-hearted widow: How she dealt with the loss and how she forges ahead.… (meer)