Brothers Forever: The Enduring Bond Between a Marine and a Navy SEAL that Transcended Their Ultimate Sacrifice by Tom Siles and Tom Manion (Da Capo, $25.99, 320 pages)
Brothers Forever is a horrific yet gripping and engaging true story of two American soldiers – two heroes – whose courage on the battlefield was astonishing. Travis Manion, a U.S. Marine, and Brendan Looney, a Navy SEAL, were the best of friends. They wound up dying in service to their country, three years apart. One died in Iraq, the other in Afghanistan. They are buried next to each other in Arlington National Cemetery.
This book details not just their friendship – which made them close and competitive, but also helps the reader understand how it was that each was a role model for the other. It also serves to explain the mindset of those who very willingly elect to go into harm’s way. As Travis said to a civilian friend, “If I don’t go, they’re going to send another Marine in my place who doesn’t have my training.”
Brothers Forever was written by a journalist and by Manion’s father, a retired Marine. A fault is an abundance of military language, but it’s a comparatively minor issue.
In Iraq, Travis wrote that he was “truly honored” to serve beside his fellow soldiers. This memorable account truly and finely honors the bravery of the late servicemen Manion and Looney.
Highly recommended.
Joseph Arellano
A review copy was provided by the publisher.
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