ALA Booklist (Tue Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2013)

This entry into the Special Ops II series focuses on "some of the most accurate shooters in the world." Making no bones about the taking of lives, Rudolph goes into the training and responsibilities of being one of these elite gunmen, including measuring distance and wind speed, learning to stalk targets, and improvising "ghillie suits" mouflage made out of plants and other material. Rudolph touches upon history, from the WWII birth of Scout Snipers to lessons learned in Vietnam, but bookends her story with current conflicts, profiling real-life soldiers whose amazing feats (like shooting an enemy 1,000 yards away) continue to prove their worth in an age of drones. Vivid action photos and a gritty layout help give a high-interest sheen to what, to some, will be need-to-know information.

School Library Journal (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

PERSON, Stephen . Navy SEAL Team Six in Action . ISBN 978-1-61772-890-7 ; ISBN 978-1-61772-938-6 . LC 2013011526. RUDOLPH, Jessica . CIA Paramilitary Operatives in Action . ISBN 978-1-61772-892-1 ; ISBN 978-1-61772-936-2 . LC 2013007942. RUDOLPH, Jessica . Marine Scout Snipers in Action . ISBN 978-1-61772-891-4 ; ISBN 978-1-61772-937-9 . LC 2013005973. ea vol: 32p. (Special Ops II Series). bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. map. photos. reprods. websites. Bearport . 2013. lib. ed. $26.60; ebk. $26.60. Gr 3-6 Each title begins with an attention-grabbing critical situation. For example, Navy SEAL opens with the mission to find Osama bin Laden. Subsequent chapters, all very short, explain the special teams' duties, history, qualifications, and training. The titles end with spreads highlighting specific gear. The books are light on narrative and include text boxes of information ("The CIA teaches its ops different languages, so that they can communicate with people in foreign countries") and maps. They are heavy on aptly captioned color photos. Overall, a well-designed set, though dealing with violent careers.

Horn Book (Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2014)

This series centers on special units of the American armed forces. Each book recounts deeds of selected heroes, emphasizes unit members' intense and demanding training, briefly describes major historical successes, and concludes by covering necessary gear. Though they vary in quality and effective layout, military fans will appreciate the many photographs and maps accompanying the readable texts. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind.