The Sniper

The Untold Story of the Marine Corps' Greatest Marksman of All Time

By: Jim Lindsay, Chuck Mawhinney - foreword

Narrated by: Shawn Compton

Length: 5 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

Jim Lindsay's The Sniper reveals, for the first time ever, the story of the deadliest sniper in Marine Corps history, Chuck Mawhinney, who served in the Vietnam war at age 18—written with his full cooperation and participation.

Charles "Chuck" Mawhinney is a United States Marine who holds the Corps' record for the most confirmed sniper kills (and the second most of any US service member in history), having recorded 103 confirmed kills in 16 months during the Vietnam War. He was also the youngest—killing the enemy as a teenager.

In 1967, at the age of 18, Mawhinney joined the Marines and began his assent from recruit to the Marine Corps’ deadliest sniper. During his tours—in one of the most dangerous war zones of Vietnam—his character and charisma helped him deal with life and death in a hell hole with other young men a long way from home.

After Vietnam, Mawhinney married and settled into his post-war life, raised a family, and was content that no one knew of his accomplishments in war. Then in 1991 he was startled and dismayed when outed by a fellow Marine sniper, Joseph Ward, who spoke of Mawhinney’s number of kills in his book, Dear Mom. Newspapers picked up the story and Mawhinney’s life changed forever. The notoriety troubled him at first, but then he accepted the fame and used the opportunity to train service men and lawmen in the art of long-distance shooting.

At last, Chuck's full story is told, including his heroic exploits in battle and the terrible toll that taking a life exerts on a human being.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

©2023 Jim Lindsay (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Great sniper craft stories told with an insider's knowledge. The lessons learned and the stories told still apply to today's sniper."—Howard Wasdin, retired Navy SEAL Team Six sniper and New York Times bestselling author of SEAL Team Six

"An uncomfortable look behind the scope of one of the USMCs most accomplished but previously unknown snipers. Reading this book will send chills down your spine."—Brandon Webb, former Navy SEAL sniper course manager and New York Times bestselling author of The Red Circle

"As someone who has the honor of holding the title, Sniper, it's amazing and truly humbling to be able to finally hear the astonishing and gripping history of one the most lethal snipers in US military history. Chuck's story and his remarkable success as a sniper will be discussed and studied for generations to come, as it should be. With 103 confirmed kills, Chuck is the deadliest sniper in Marine Corps history. A nearly impossible feat, only made possible by the most lethal man in Vietnam."—Nicholas Irving, U.S. Army special operations sniper and New York Times bestselling author of The Reaper and Ghost Target

Walked the same dirt a year later

really enjoyed listening to this. I'll have to go back and listen again but it was good to see into the heart of a warrior and understand what they go through
I was amazed at the same things that Chuck did and experienced in Vietnam even though I was in Northern icore a year later.
. even though I was not on any sniper team nor did I service as a sniper.
great respect Chuck, and congratulations on a wonderful career with forest service
68 71 semper fi

Thank you for your service!

Thank you for your service. Your country thanks you for all you have done. All the best

Real American

Loved it start to finish. God Bless Chuck-and the USMC. Thank you for this man.

Good account of a true HERO!

Not as detailed as some other Vietnam Snipers' stories but still a good honest account of a true hero. Thank you Chuck and Jim!

Truth

A humble man had an outstanding life. He reminds me of Marine mentor I had in my life Gunny Lloyd Dashner.

Well told

Very good biography. No arrogance. Thank you to my Msrine brother Chuck for all the lives you saved. Oohrah!

Great story!

I loved the book from start to finish. A good story.
Written in an easily absorbed style.

Great storytelling

Interesting story for me as my brothers and some classmates were sent to Vietnam. I had a classmate and a neighbor killed. To hear this story of this sniper and how he helped keep marines safe was a feel good story. narration was good and I like the fact that the story was not drawn out to make it a longer book. Kudos to the author, and thank you to Chuck for his service to our country.

God bless our heroes

That was a very good book about an amazing soldier and human being. ………………. God bless

Hero who is modest

Easy read. Liked the authenticity of the real life descriptions of being a sniper on Viet Nam