The Trident - by Jason Redman & John Bruning (Paperback)

About the Book

"A Navy SEAL's highly-charged account of his combat missions in Iraq and his miraculous recovery from wounds that might have killed him--if it were not for his grit and the devotion of his wife and family"--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

A Navy SEAL's highly-charged military memoir of combat, his growth as a leader, his near fatal wounds, and his remarkable recovery--a wounded warrior whose strength and fortitude have made him a national symbol

Decorated Navy SEAL Lieutenant Jason Redman served his country in Columbia, Peru, Afghanistan and Iraq, where he commanded mobility and assault forces in high-stakes special operations. In western Iraq alone, he conducted over forty capture-kill missions with his men, successfully locating more than 120 Al Qaida insurgents. In September 2007, while leading a mission against a key senior Al Qaida commander, his team was ambushed and he was critically wounded by machine-gun fire at point blank range.

During the intense recovery that followed--a years-long process that included 37 surgeries--Redman gained national media attention when he posted a sign on his door at Bethesda Naval Medical Center, warning all who entered not to "feel sorry for my wounds." Redman's sign became both a statement and a symbol for wounded warriors everywhere.

The Trident is an unforgettable story of resilience and one man's determination to overcome adversity. Redman recounts his story, from his grueling SEAL training to how he found the balance between arrogance and humility all while fighting America's enemies on far flung battlefields. He speaks candidly of the grit that helped him carry on despite grievous wounds, and of the extraordinary love and devotion of his wife, Erica, and family, without whom he would not have survived.

Vivid and powerful, emotionally resonant and illuminating, filled with sixteen pages of photos, The Trident traces the evolution of a modern warrior, husband, and father--a man who has come to embody the never-say-die spirit that defines America's elite fighting force.

Redman's story is a powerful look at the costs of war and the depths of human resilience, detailing:

• Frontline Combat Leadership: An inside account of leading over forty capture-kill missions against Al Qaida insurgents on the intense battlefields of Iraq.
• A Wounded Warrior's Journey: The harrowing story of surviving a point-blank ambush and enduring 37 surgeries with unyielding determination.
• The Bethesda Sign: How a simple, handwritten sign on a hospital door became a national symbol of strength and fortitude for service members everywhere.
• Unbreakable Family Bonds: A candid look at the extraordinary love and devotion of his wife, Erica, and family, whose support was critical to his survival.

From the Back Cover

Decorated US navy SEAL lieutenant Jason Redman was critically wounded in 2007 while leading a mission against a key al-Qaida commander, when his mobility and assault forces team was ambushed and he was struck by machine-gun fire at point-blank range. During the intense recovery that followed, Redman gained national attention after posting a sign on his hospital door that went on to become a symbol for wounded warriors everywhere. In this inspiring account he speaks candidly of his SEAL career and the extraordinary devotion of his wife and family, without whom he would not have survived. Vivid and emotionally resonant, The Trident traces the evolution of a modern warrior, husband, and father--a man who has come to embody the never-say-die spirit that defines America's elite fighting force.

Review Quotes

"The Trident is a riveting, brutally honest and heartfelt story of a warrior's journey to hell and back. It's one of the best memoirs about love, combat and triumph against all odds that we've seen in a generation." - Sean Parnell, New York Times bestselling author of Outlaw Platoon
"As a SEAL operator, I had the honor of serving with some of the best warriors and leaders in the United States military. Jay Redman's humble and direct account of his journey . . . is remarkable. His life is the epitome of the 'Never Quit' spirit." - Marcus Luttrell, New York Times bestselling author of Lone Survivor and Service
"[A] book all leaders and aspiring leaders should read; both military and civilian--not only for the heart-pounding ride-along into battle, but for the inspiring reminder that a warrior's strength and tenacity comes not from his physical stature but from his family and from within." - Eric Blehm, New York Times bestselling author of Fearless
"This story is not just about a SEAL on the Iraqi battlefield, but a SEAL at war with himself, and his ultimate victory. [Redman's] story will inspire the reader, just as it did me." - Robert M. Gates, former Secretary of Defense, from his Introduction
"Jay Redman's telling of his own painful, powerful and deeply personal story is honest and compelling. Few of us will ever face the severe challenges that Jay has overcome, but all of us can draw real inspiration from his positive spirit, raw courage and unrelenting determination. The Trident is much more than a recounting of tragic injuries and a difficult road to recovery; it is a from-the-gut tale of a Navy SEAL's quest to be a better, wiser and more humble teammate and family man. I urge you to read it." - Admiral Eric Olson, U.S. Navy (Retired), Former Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command
"The Trident is not only a tale of a Navy SEAL in action and his grueling medical recovery after being wounded. The book is also a touching story of Lt. Redman's love for his wife and children . . . The book also offers a candid and blunt appraisal of his failures as a SEAL officer. . . . The Trident is a frank, compelling and inspiring chronicle of an American warrior's journey." - Washington Times
"The Trident is a frank, compelling and inspiring chronicle of an American warrior's journey." - Washington Times
"Lt. Redman doesn't hide anything . . . Only an intensely personal account like this can show us what he and thousands of others like him have gone though, and will continue to struggle with, for the rest of their lives." - Larry Bond, New York Times bestselling author of Exit Plan