American Sniper (Kyle)

Discussion Questions
Use our LitLovers Book Club Resources; they can help with discussions for any book:

• How to Discuss a Book (helpful discussion tips)
• Generic Discussion Questions—Fiction and Nonfiction
• Read-Think-Talk (a guided reading chart)

Also, consider these LitLovers talking points to help get a discussion underway for American Sniper:

1. Some readers felt Chris Kyle used overly broad strokes to depict his time as a sniper; they wanted more detail in terms of the shot set-ups and engagement. Do you agree? Or does Kyle give an adequate description for you?

2. Is Chris a hero? If so what makes him one—is it his skill, bravery, self-sacrifice? He himself claimed that the real heroes are those in engaged in actual fighting, many of whom lost their vision, limbs, and in many cases their lives. What do you think?

3. Did you appreciate the sections written by Kyle's wife Taya? What perspective, in any, does she bring to Kyle's account, especially her discussion of the strains his service placed on the family?

4. Kyle writes honestly about the pain and suffering of war, especially the loss of two of his closest teammates. Did reading his account make you think about the costs of war and what it means for both soldiers and their families?

5. What wisdom is there to be gained by reading American Sniper? Did you come away with a different perspective of war? Did the book underscore your beliefs about our engagement in the Middle East...or did it challenge your beliefs?

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