The author, Blehm, tells how, from May through July 2011, he traveled across the United States interviewing over a dozen US Navy SEALs. While global attention focused on the recent Osama bin Laden raid by SEAL Team Six, the author pursued a different story: Chief Special Warfare Operator Adam Brown’s family had asked that his life be documented, and his teammates wanted it “done properly.” Blehm had been invited to research and publish Brown’s biography.

The SEALs had emphasized specific aspects of Adam’s character to Blehm. Thomas Ratzlaff said Adam’s story was the one person from their command who truly deserved a book. Matt Mason struggled to believe what Adam had overcome and how his wife, Kelley, had supported him. John Faas insisted that Adam’s complete story be told, focusing on Adam’s humanity rather than a “typical” heroizing SEAL narrative. Kevin Houston urged the story begin in Hot Springs, Arkansas, not at SEAL training, to capture Adam’s pre-military life. Chris Campbell described Adam’s final mission as a sacrifice to protect both Army soldiers and teammates. Brian Bill and Heath Robinson portrayed Adam as a model father: fearless, compassionate, and always first to volunteer for danger or to help others.