Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10

The book examines a number of ethical dilemmas, such as the choice to engage potential enemy civilians. What do these ethical questions reveal about the broader ethical challenges of modern warfare?

What role does the sense of brotherhood among the SEAL team members play in both their survival and the hardships they face?

Discuss the setting of Afghanistan in Lone Survivor. How does it serve as more than just a backdrop? What does it symbolize, such as in the context of the War on Terror?

How does Luttrell use description to convey the emotion he felt during the book’s events? Use two or three scenes to provide examples.

How does the use of military jargon in the book—such as “Hooyah!,” “ROE,” (Rules of Engagement),” and “BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training)”—convey its narrative and thematic goals? Are the terms educational or alienating?

How does Luttrell portray heroism differently within American military culture compared to the Pashtun villagers?

How are Taliban fighters portrayed in the book? Does the text offer a nuanced understanding, or does it perpetuate stereotypes?

Where does Lone Survivor stand in the genre of war memoirs, particularly in comparison to other accounts of the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq? Choose another account describing the conflict in Afghanistan and compare. Consider elements like language, voice, messages, and key themes.