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Shooter: The Autobiography of the Top-Ranked Marine Sniper

by Jack Coughlin , Donald A. Davis , Casey Kuhlman

3.94 of 5 stars 3.94 · rating details · 3,242 ratings · 142 reviews

With more than sixty confirmed kills, Jack Coughlin is the Marine Corps' top-ranked sniper. Shooter is his harrowing first-person account of a sniper's life on and off the modern battlefield.
Gunnery Sgt. Jack Coughlin is a divorced father of two who grew up in a wealthy Boston suburb. At the age of nineteen, although he had never even held a gun, he joined the Marines and ...more

Hardcover , 304 pages

Published May 1st 2005 by St. Martin's Press

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Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)

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Feb 08, 2009 Jared rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009 , biography , non-fiction

So that one guy was Marine sniper 93 confirmed kills. This dude has fewer but he still manages to spill blood all over the desert. One thing is for sure, there is no lack of confidence in the snipers of the world. I just like these books because it reminds me that things are not always as they appear. Lots of political insight...from the Marine perspective and frankly a lot of information and feeling that has been lacking in the Iraq news coverage. I think stuff like this and say...a good Justin ...more

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May 28, 2013 Matt rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: audiobook

Coughlin et al. present an interesting presentation of the life of a sniper, particularly as it relates to the War in Iraq. Insight, some of which directly from the point of view of the soldier, helps to flesh out the time in the Middle East and the day-to-day happenings not reported by media outlets. They bring the reality of the war, and an angle of war as means of employment, to the forefront. For men paid to kill within the military system, it is an eye-opener and one that the reader may fin Coughlin et al. present an interesting presentation of the life of a sniper, particularly as it relates to the War in Iraq. Insight, some of which directly from the point of view of the soldier, helps to flesh out the time in the Middle East and the day-to-day happenings not reported by media outlets. They bring the reality of the war, and an angle of war as means of employment, to the forefront. For men paid to kill within the military system, it is an eye-opener and one that the reader may find highly interesting. The book is not, as it presents itself, a true autobiography. This is surely apparent in its length (both written and audio), as one’s life in such an exciting role can rarely be summed up so succinctly. It is more a first-hand account of life in the trenches of the Iraqi battlefield and, on occasion, the human and familial ties that soldiers possess outside the arena of war. Coughlin uses the book to offer his opinion of things and give an account of the fighting from his perch and through his own scope. Well worth the time invested if the reader desires a behind the scenes look at the War in Iraq, but not as strong a lifelong mindset of a military sniper.

Coughlin has penned a number of books whose premise relies on his military past and I chose to invest some time in learning the perspective of the author before diving in. I am eager to see how Coughlin will portray his characters, with this background knowledge, and how the stories will mirror his life as a sniper. The book was a good introduction for any reader to set the scene. I wonder if reading James Patterson’s biography, or that of John Grisham, Stephen King, Randy Singer, or even Charles Brokaw would give the reader as through a peek into their lives and why they write what/how they do.

Kudos, Mr. Coughlin on this book and helping the reader better understand you as you work your way through the world of fiction.
...more

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Apr 13, 2009 Carolina rated it 2 of 5 stars

I'm keeping my two star rating - I finished the book this weekend, really could have been one chapter - that goes like this...

"I am the best Marine in the sniper world, I have a crappy relationship with my wife, I go to training and change the entire system for the snipers, we go to war, I am the only sniper the commander above me wants on the battle field, commander Bob is a dweeb so I disobey him and go to the war front to kill bad guys, I come home and the marriage is over, I am the best Mari ...more

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Nov 22, 2010 Ryan Irish rated it 4 of 5 stars

shooter

Shooter was number one on the list of New York Times Bestseller in 2005. Shooter is an autobiography of the top ranked marine sniper in the Iraq war in 1993. Gunnery Sargent Jack Coughlin performed the world's farthest sniper shot. He carried a bolt action .50 caliber sniper rifle with a "magical" scope. His mission was Operation Iraqi Freedom. As he ran through blistering hot desserts and bizarre battlefields killing his targets one by one he has over sixty confirmed kills. in the book ...more

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Feb 18, 2008 Amanda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommends it for: Adults and teens, regardless of their political views

Recommended to Amanda by: Frank (father-in-law)

While I don't think this book is for everyone, I do think it deserves 5 stars (though it should have spent more time with the copy-editor, as there are some obvious errors). It was a fascinating, first-hand, account of the war in Iraq from the perspective of a Marine sniper. It was written very honestly and bluntly, a style that typifies most military men, yet Jack was able to infuse the book with humor and emotion.

It was truly amazing to hear this story told from a first-hand, military perspec ...more

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Mar 14, 2010 William rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book probably has a very narrow audience, and will probably fall into the "like it or hate it" catagory for most people. It is a first hand account of a little know military specialty. More importantly, it gives a good insight into how a lot of our military approach their jobs as soldiers and defenders of our nation. For those of us "on the outside", it seems almost crazy to acutally be enthusiastic to go to war. But we fail to keep in mind, that's what these people train for. We aren't sur ...more

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Jan 31, 2012 Josh Cline rated it 5 of 5 stars

Book Review for "Shooter" By Jack Coughlin and Casey Kuhlman

This book, for me, was one of the greatest war stories ever to be told. It was so in depth, and used so many little details to really paint a picture. You should definitely read this if you're into very detailed books about war.

Jack Coughlin was a staff sergeant over in Somalia. He was one of the best snipers there. Since looking through the scope, he could really see and describe the things he saw, which really came out in his writi Book Review for "Shooter" By Jack Coughlin and Casey Kuhlman

This book, for me, was one of the greatest war stories ever to be told. It was so in depth, and used so many little details to really paint a picture. You should definitely read this if you're into very detailed books about war.

Jack Coughlin was a staff sergeant over in Somalia. He was one of the best snipers there. Since looking through the scope, he could really see and describe the things he saw, which really came out in his writing. The descriptions he gave about the people he was soon going to pull the trigger on was almost creepy in a way. It was really interesting reading about the more action filled parts of this book, but what I really like is the stealthy missions.

Jack Coughlin is a pretty tough guy, especially for a sniper. He won't back down from anything. Even when the guys above him begin to talk down to him, he doesn't back down. He just stands up straight, and says what he believes is right. He's got two little girls, and one wife who doesn't seem to love him all that much. But, admittedly it would be pretty hard for a military wife, especially during a war right after 9/11 because everyone was really scared. Jack Coughlin and his family live in a really hot desert in California on a military base called Palms 29 (this sort of prepared Coughlin and his men for the deserts of Iraq when they were deployed). One thing that proved how pushy and persistent Jack is, is the fact that he wanted to change the way snipers worked. He was tired of the way people perceive snipers. Everyone thinks they should just find a good hide, and support other fire teams from a distance. Coughlin wants to prove that wrong. He wanted to develop a mobile sniper team, but other people were not being very supportive. He had to pretty much do this himself. He kept pushing through the opposition until he finally got what he wanted.

Jack Coughlin's main goal in life, was to just always be in the fight. He couldn't wait to get out into the war. He had to fight his way into the fight. But like I said before, he is very persistent. To me, he is one of the bravest war heroes ever. He just kept practicing, and practicing his shooting until he became the top-ranked marine sniper, which is truly amazing. He is not only one of our nations heroes, but one of my heroes. I want to be just like him when I get into the marines because I too want to be a marine sniper.

This is one of my new favorite books. You should definitely read it just because it is an all around good book. It's not your average, ordinary, everyday autobiography. Somehow, it's just different. I loved every minute of this book, and every page. ...more

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Jun 07, 2012 Gina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: history-military

I wanted to read something about what it's like to look through the scope of a sniper rifle in wartime, and this book delivers a straightforward, sometimes blunt, easily readable account of just that. It's the story of Jack Coughlin and Casey Kuhlman's experiences on the March to Baghdad. I had not read anything on the Iraq War, and after reading this book feel that was an oversight. All Americans were involved in this, we all put these guys on the ground, and to hear about their experiences onl I wanted to read something about what it's like to look through the scope of a sniper rifle in wartime, and this book delivers a straightforward, sometimes blunt, easily readable account of just that. It's the story of Jack Coughlin and Casey Kuhlman's experiences on the March to Baghdad. I had not read anything on the Iraq War, and after reading this book feel that was an oversight. All Americans were involved in this, we all put these guys on the ground, and to hear about their experiences only through a media lens (from "the Jackals," as Coughlin calls them) is a disservice to them.

I did not feel the book was overly rah-rah or sentimentalist, but since others have criticized it as a "hooyah" book, that perhaps comes from perspective. I'm fairly ambivalent about the Iraq War myself, but I respect the craft of the men and women who practice the art of war. They don't decide where they go or who the enemy is. It's important for all of us to understand the humanity on both sides of the rifle. Coughlin's personal reflections are not overdone, but they do add an important and touching element to the story. I think the criticism of his account as cocky miss the point. He acknowledges a certain amount of cockiness, but what do people expect? Are soldiers supposed to walk around with drooped shoulders for our benefit? He also gives much credit to his fellow soldiers.

Reading about the experience of the snipers finding and eliminating targets is definitely disturbing. It should be. I didn't get any sense that the author was glorifying it. He was explaining the thought processes. That attempt, the vulnerability that it requires for him to talk about his mindset, should be respected.

All in all, I enjoyed this and intend to read more from this author and others like him. ...more

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Sep 27, 2012 Rob rated it 2 of 5 stars

There was a part of me that wanted to like this book very much.

It is clear from this book and others like it (ie. Ambush Alley) that the Marine Corps has evolved
greatly from my days of service (1960-1964) and the technology and combat training
is certainly superior to that of my time.

I found it hard to feel much affinity with GySgt Coughlin as he seemed to come across
as egotistic and arrogant in pursuing a course of action that others had rejected (mostly
his superiors).

On the other hand, he came ...more

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Feb 05, 2012 Jack rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: espionage-action , happy-face , i-wish-i-could-give-it-half-stars , non-fiction , win

I borrowed this from my friend, because it seemed like an interesting read, especially for someone who occasionally dabbles in military-related books. It was my first book dealing with Iraq, so I wasn't sure quite what to expect. I think it could've been better.

The pros:
The book is well written, and the the events happen in the correct chronology.
I especially liked the ProMet part and how Jack Coughlin was able to establish a new, mobile way of sniping.
It has several fast paced parts where I r ...more

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Nov 25, 2010 Tyson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: bio , military , read-in-2010

A fairly unbiased and true account of the second Iraq war. While the book has several gung-ho moments Coughlin does a great job of explaining how warriors must put their emotions on hold in order to complete their missions. While he does reveal how he handles his demons from his actions he mostly describes how the standard sniper doctrine is outdated and how he and his team contributed to a more modern tactic that places the sniper on a constantly moving battlefield.

A very engaging novel with a ...more

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Oct 04, 2010 Ed rated it 4 of 5 stars

A quite readable, well-written account by a Marine sniper/sergeant in the vanguard of the Iraqi invasion by the Coalition forces. He describes his grim experiences as a sniper and his clever innovations to boost the snipers' military effectiveness as mobile warriors used in urban war zones like the Iraqi cities. He was there at the famous toppling of the Saddam Hussein statue in the city square in Baghdad. If you want to read the fighting soldier's view of the invasion, this is a good source. So ...more

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May 14, 2009 Aladdin Elaasar rated it 5 of 5 stars

A great read. Perfect with Silent Victims The Plight Of Arab & Muslim Americans In Post 9/11 America The Last Pharaoh Mubarak and the Uncertain Future of Egypt in the Volatile Mid East

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Apr 10, 2015 David Saad rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book is different than most books I've read because it is non fiction, and an autobiography. My book is Shooter by Gunnery SGT. Jack Coughlin, USMC, and Capt. Casey Kuhlman, USMCR, With Donald A. Davis. Jack Coughlin is the main person in the book, he was an amazing personnel for the Marine Corps'. With more than sixty confirmed kills, Jack Coughlin is the Marine Corps' top ranked sniper. Shooter is his in depth first person of a sniper's life on and off the modern battlefield.
Gunnery Sgt. This book is different than most books I've read because it is non fiction, and an autobiography. My book is Shooter by Gunnery SGT. Jack Coughlin, USMC, and Capt. Casey Kuhlman, USMCR, With Donald A. Davis. Jack Coughlin is the main person in the book, he was an amazing personnel for the Marine Corps'. With more than sixty confirmed kills, Jack Coughlin is the Marine Corps' top ranked sniper. Shooter is his in depth first person of a sniper's life on and off the modern battlefield.
Gunnery Sgt. Jack Coughlin is a divorced father of two who grew up in a wealthy Boston suburb. At the age of nineteen, although he had never even held a gun, he joined the Marines and would spend the next twenty years behind the scope of a long-range precision rifle as a sniper.
In that time he accumulated one of the most successful sniper records. He was one of the most famous snipers and Marine Corps' solders of the time. During one of his operations he recorded thirteen kills in one day. Not one tour but one, and as a sniper that is a lot. During this book Coughlin takes you on a journey of a personal story inside his life in the Marine Corps'. Previously an invisible society that is normally off limits to outsiders. Coughlin try's to show the tough life of a sniper, he says "As a sniper, you are supposed to be coldhearted and must be able to control yourself, no matter what is going on. But you are still human"(149) he is trying to explain what goes through a snipers head but it is nearly impossible to understand without experience. This book also stresses the careful study of an exceptional man who must keep his sanity while carrying forward one of the deadliest legacies in the U.S. military today.

I enjoyed this book in many ways. It taught me new things I had never known or even thought about. Things about the Marine Corps' and especially a sniper in the Marine Corps'. This is not a heroic battlefield story, so don't go into reading it thinking it is. It is a very informational book with a story about an exceptional man who overcomes a lot and goes down in the history of sniping. I recommend this book to anyone who finds what I just said interesting, if you like to learn about wars and what the solders go through this is a good book for you. If not I would look other places. All in all, Jack Coughlin is an amazing sniper and human being.

...more

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Dec 27, 2014 Jengordon rated it 5 of 5 stars

I had actually picked this book up for one of my kids, but ended up reading it myself. A fascinating narrative by a Marine sniper (well, by his ghost-writer), it's hard reading because the writing is choppy and because every few pages Coughlin waxes philosophical about how he's shooting people because it's his duty, these people are dangerous, etc., in a tone that suggests that he's put these bits in there because he knows he's supposed to, not because he's actually bothered by what he's spent a ...more

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Feb 09, 2014 Malik Jordan rated it 2 of 5 stars

Recommends it for: Army, Marines, Veterans, war lover

Recommended to Malik by: Litt Teacher

Shooter was a very stale book to me and i didn't like this book. It was very hard to get into not only was it stale,but there were points in story that was filled with action. Shooter is really a book for men and women that are in the Army,Marines, or vets. If u really are into to war stories it for, if your not into war and are just a casual reader, or care about how many pages are in the book DON'T read this book.
Shooter was book about events in the Iraq war. It a autobiography about a top ran ...more

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Jan 15, 2010 Phil rated it 3 of 5 stars

Although the story is written with a classic republican and somewhat of a redneck attitude, it is still quite admirable to listen to some of the hardships soldiers are exposed to, even in a war so one sided. However this book also brings to light what it takes to be sniper.

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Oct 18, 2013 Jeff Yoak rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audio-collection , read-in-2013 , abandoned , probably-never-read-again

This is a well-told autobiography of a Marine Corps sniper. The subject is generally interesting, but yet my attention started to wander and I lost interest. If you are particularly interested in the subject matter, I'd recommend the book.

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Sep 30, 2014 Clark rated it 4 of 5 stars

Well-written retrospective of one soldier's perspective of the Second Gulf War (2003-2008).

Like the sniper scope the author uses, this book provides an up-close glimpse of what life was like for a single sniper sergeant, and his immediate team. It's not an overview of the entire conflict. Surprisingly, the book says virtually nothing of the physics and technical aspects of long distance shooting, focusing instead on the authors role in developing mobile sniper teams that fight on the front line ...more

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Jul 05, 2015 Becky rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2015

The Iraq War from the first hand perspective of a marine sniper. It was an interesting read. Sort of a middle ground between the vignettes of American Sniper and the story in Lone Survivor. A little bit about the history of snipers and a view of their evolution. He gives his straight forward view of what life was like on the ground. He exposes some of the disfunction of a peace time military going to war. He show some of the challenges of deployed married life. He has a bit of an ego but that is ...more

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Jun 13, 2015 Christopher Taylor rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is a Goodread, fast paced and so full of superhuman efforts that it's entertainment. There is enough techno mil in it for those of us with some experience that it keeps us wanting more. To read more than I liked it stop here.

Spoiler

I had a real tough time with the episode involving the insertion of the Combat Controller and how they mysteriously vanished with no follow up on the craft that it felt like a wasted part of the scenario.

In the story it was a chip in the cog that caused me to t ...more

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Mar 25, 2012 Larry Bassett rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: war , autobiography

In politics in 2012 there is a lot of talk about the lack of compromise, the hardening and inflexibility of positions. As a person predominantly on the left for most of my adult life, I have experienced that inflexibility in my own life. I have opposed all war. I have boycotted grapes and lettuce and Wal-Mart. I have voted for third parties and donated money to radical causes like the War Resisters League and Planned Parenthood. (Just so you aren’t confused, where I live now Planned Parenthood i ...more

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Nov 19, 2010 Andrew Miller added it

The book "Shooter" was about a marine snipers first hand account of his Iraq tour after 9/11. He talks about all of his difficulties both in the army and in his personal life back home. It goes into details on training they had previously to 9/11 and then all the little battles and towns they went through on their way to Baghdad. Throughout the story he keeps track of his kills and details like what was going through his head during the time of the shot. He also talks about how he is trying to ...more

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May 25, 2011 James Walton added it

When I was reading Shooter I found out that my favorite character is SGT. Jack Cougnlin. The reason I picked him is that he is a very skilled sniper and that he doesn’t take crap from anyone. While I was reading my least favorite character was started to be Capt. Casey Kuhlman. He would talk trash to all the snipers and would disagree with them. I will give him credit of how good he can fight but he is my least favorite character. While reading this book it made me happy and a little sad. The r ...more

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Aug 21, 2013 Rennie Heza rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommends it for: Those who can handle gore

Recommended to Rennie by: Kobo

Shooter is an autobiography describing a top ranked marine sniper’s deployment in Afghanistan during Operation Desert Storm. Coughlin not only discusses the physical aspect of war, but also focuses on his thoughts towards the war against the Taliban and the effects of his troubled past as a highly trained killer. In this gripping account from the battlefield, Coughlin tells the story of war from his own perspective, ranging from unexpected shootouts to stealthy, slowly-developing long range kill ...more

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Apr 08, 2010 Connoreastman added it

Book review I have read a book called Shooter
I enjoy this book because of all the action and adventure; it’s a book that can teach you about self defense. I have read this book three times! There’s explosives, heavy guns, terrorist, and it’s just about the same that’s happening in the middle east. So if you like weapons of mass destruction this is your book!
This book is all about C.I.A (government) chasing an elite marine who got framed, he traveled from South America to Africa to Middle East ...more

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Oct 14, 2013 Will teichman rated it 4 of 5 stars

Book Review
I read a book over summer break Called Shooter; the book is a journal by Jack Coughlin in the Iraq-Afghanistan war. He trained in the Marine, when he hit the firing range in training he found out that shooting is easy for him. Soon he became the top scoring shooting in his platoon. When he was deployed to Iraq he rode with his platoon, the platoons or “The Bull” for short. His commanding chief was nicknamed Officer Bob, because he had no back bone and pulled Jack to the rear with th ...more

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Dec 14, 2012 Joe rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shooter is an autobiography in which a top ranked marine sniper deployed in Afghanistan focuses on his thoughts toward the war against the Taliban and his troubled past a highly trained killer. The author, Jack Coughlin, does a beautiful job describing the events that occurred during his years in the Marines. Jack made me feel like I was actually in Afghanistan fighting the enemy that he made me so strongly hate. I loved how the author gave me a very vivid sense of change in the book. In the beg ...more

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Jan 13, 2015 Walk rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: modern-warfare , plus4

This account has the ring of honesty about it.
I don't say truth, as that is a given, this is an honest telling of events within the authors head not just what he did.

Yes the author is the centre of attention in the book, but it is his account and he has a tale to tell. As a reader I felt there was more going on behind the eyes than you usually get in these accounts. Basically there was more brainpower on show.

At no point are those souls in his firing line demonised. This is not the account of so ...more

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Apr 06, 2014 Richie rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book, very well written and very insightful. It's very moving and very personal. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Jack Coughlin's experiences and his own thoughts about everything that he went through during the war in Iraq. There is not a lot about Jack Coughlin's life before the Iraq war, but through the commentary you can piece together a lot of his motives and part of his backstory.

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About Jack Coughlin

Gunnery Sgt. Jack Coughlin’s autobiography, Shooter, describes his experiences as the top-ranked marine sniper in the Iraq War.

Coughlin is also the author, with Donald A. Davis, of the Kyle Swanson Sniper Novels: Kill Zone, Dead Shot, Clean Kill, and An Act of Treason.

Coughlin grew up in Waltham, Massachusetts, and joined the Marines when he was 19. He served with the Marines during the drive to ...more

More about Jack Coughlin...

Books by Jack Coughlin

An Act of Treason (Kyle Swanson Sniper, #4)

Running the Maze (Kyle Swanson Sniper, #5)

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