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    Code Name: Johnny Walker: The Extraordinary Story of the Iraqi Who Risked Everything to Fight with the U.S. Navy SEALs
    Code Name: Johnny Walker: The Extraordinary Story of the Iraqi Who Risked Everything to Fight with the U.S. Navy SEALs
    Code Name: Johnny Walker: The Extraordinary Story of the Iraqi Who Risked Everything to Fight with the U.S. Navy SEALs
    Audiobook10 hours

    Code Name: Johnny Walker: The Extraordinary Story of the Iraqi Who Risked Everything to Fight with the U.S. Navy SEALs

    Written by Johnny Walker and Jim DeFelice

    Narrated by Peter Ganim

    4.5/5

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    About this audiobook

    In this unforgettable memoir, the Navy SEALs’ most trusted translator—a man who is credited with saving countless American lives and became a legend in the special-ops community—tells his inspiring story for the first time.

    As the insurgency in Iraq intensified following the American invasion, U.S. Navy SEALs were called upon to root terrorists from their lairs. Unsure of the local neighborhoods and unable to speak the local languages, they came to rely on one man to guide them and watch their backs. He was a "terp"—an interpreter—with a job so dangerous they couldn't even use his real name.

    They named him Johnny Walker. They soon called him brother. Over the course of eight years, the Iraqi native traveled around the country with nearly every SEAL and special operations unit deployed there. He went on thousands of missions, saved dozens of SEAL and other American lives, and risked his own daily. Helped to the U.S. by the SEALs he protected, Johnny Walker's life is so remarkable that his tale reads like fiction. But every word of it is true.

    For the first time ever, a "terp" tells what it was like in Iraq during the American invasion and the brutal insurgency that followed. With inside details on SEAL operations and a humane understanding of the tragic price paid by ordinary Iraqis, Code Name: Johnny Walker reveals a side of the war that has never been told before.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperAudio
    Release dateFeb 11, 2014
    ISBN9780062308740
    Author

    Johnny Walker

    After the 2003 invasion of his home country, Iraqi-born "Johnny Walker" applied to become a translator for the U.S. Army. Turned down, out of work, and desperate to feed his family, Johnny was on the verge of despair until one night he interceded in a dispute between some Iraqi women and Ameri-can MPs. Impressed, the MPs arranged to hire him as their interpreter, or "terp." Johnny displayed such talent and incredible courage under fire that several months later an elite unit of Navy SEALs took him under its wing. He quickly became the most sought-after terp in the country, receiving numerous citations and commendations for his work. Credited by SEAL sniper Chris Kyle with saving countless American lives, Johnny spent six years working with SEALs and other special operations forces throughout Iraq, completing more than one thousand missions. After narrowly escaping two attempts on his life, Johnny was helped to the United States by the SEALs in 2009. He and his family currently live in California, where he helps train special operations units.

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    Reviews for Code Name

    4.5/5

    35 ratings11 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Awesome book. Great listen. Five star. Excellent reader. Definitely worth reading!
    • 5/5
      Hypnotic amazing side to the war a incredible man fath
    • 4/5
      The audio version of this book was really well done - I found it completely believable that the narrator was actually the Iraqi telling the story of his experiences as a translator for the Navy Seals assigned to hunt down terrorists and insurgents in Iraq. The author of this memoir does a great job of conveying what his life was like both before, during, and after helping out the Seals, as well as why he did help out and how he felt about what was happening in his country. I really admire his ingenuity, perseverance, and bravery.
    • 4/5
      Family man Johnny Walker watched Iraq destroyed by a tyrant and the war he caused. Observing the American soldiers, he saw a chance to help bring justice and peace back to his country. He could have been a dragoman from the ancient past. A dragoman was an interpreter, translator, and official guide needed for mediation who fused diplomatic as well as linguistic duties hence their need to know the culture very well. The authors carefully give blame and credit where it is due while protecting individuals as they are describing living conditions of people oppressed and ultimately paying a heavy price trying to exist in their beloved homeland. They make you feel you are there . . . and you don't want to be.
    • 5/5
      Remarkable insight into a man to whom this country owes a debt that cannot be paid. His efforts clearly saved numerous of our young men. His passion for a better Iraq and commitment to the safety of our elite war fighters is something that I cannot describe.

      The lens with which he looks at the opportunity and blessing of America is an insight I wish all our citizens could see.
    • 5/5
      At first I struggled to get through it. I think it was the slow cadence of the narration. I played around with speed and it got better.

      This man is a perfect example of what a lot of us mean when we say we're not anti-immigrant, we're pro-good immigrants. People who want to be Americans for the right reasons. And who come in the right way.

      I'm glad this was a suggested book.
    • 5/5
      This book was definitely worth the time as it provided a different perspective and helped me appreciate the war from an Iraqi point of view. Johnny Walker was a hero in his own right and earned the respect of the Seals and this reviewer.
    • 5/5
      Excellent! Loved this story about Johnny Walker!
      Loved the narration was done in English, yet read by an obviously born Irainian man, his voice and story telling way gave a great authentic vibe for Johnny story.
      He came across warm, & caring, yet fierce & strong & loyal...Def recommend!
    • 5/5
      What a fantastic book. One of the best. Johnny Walkers outlook, drive and faith is something everyone can learn from. Well performed.
    • 5/5
      Great book! Godspeed Johnny Walker, well deserved freedom. God Bless!
    • 5/5
      One of the best books I’ve ever read!!! He world needs any more Johnny Walkers!!!!