The Recommended Reading Path: Where to Start
If you are looking to plunge into the high-stakes, adrenaline-fueled world of Don Mann, your starting point depends on whether you prefer military thrillers or true-life combat memoirs. For fans of fiction, the best place to start is with Hunt the Wolf (2012), which introduces Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Crocker and his elite Black Cell unit. Reading the series in publication order is highly recommended as it follows Crocker's team through a linear timeline of operations, personal growth, and escalating global threats.
For readers who prefer real-world grit, the absolute best starting point is Mann's bestselling memoir, Inside SEAL Team Six: My Life and Missions with America's Elite Warriors (2011). This book details Mann's actual 17-year career with the Navy's most elite unit. Understanding his real-world experiences as a survival instructor, combat medic, and counter-terrorism operator provides a fascinating layer of depth and authenticity when you later transition to his fictional works.
SEAL Team Six Series in Publication Order
Co-authored with Ralph Pezzullo, the SEAL Team Six series is the centerpiece of Don Mann's fiction. The series follows Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Crocker and his highly specialized 'Black Cell' team. To get the full experience of the characters' relationships and career progressions, we recommend reading them in the order they were published:
- Hunt the Wolf (2012) – CWO Thomas Crocker and his team are tasked with hunting down a global terrorist mastermind, taking them from the mountains of Asia to the Middle East.
- Hunt the Scorpion (2013) – The Black Cell unit is deployed on a pulse-pounding race to recover a stolen nuclear device before it can be detonated.
- Hunt the Falcon (2013) – Crocker and his team infiltrate deep behind enemy lines in Iran to capture or eliminate a deadly, elusive adversary.
- Hunt the Jackal (2014) – The team heads to the US-Mexico border and deep into cartel territory to rescue a US Senator's kidnapped family.
- Hunt the Fox (2015) – The mission turns to Pakistan, where Crocker must intercept a rogue military officer who has seized control of nuclear warheads.
- Hunt the Dragon (2016) – Crocker's team is sent to East Asia to counter a mounting global threat involving North Korea and advanced cyber-warfare.
- Hunt the Viper (2018) – The team confronts modern maritime piracy and a devastating biological threat off the coast of East Africa.
- Hunt the Leopard (2019) – Crocker leads his team on a highly sensitive mission in Syria to dismantle Russian-backed terrorist elements.
The Praetorian Series
Co-authored with Jeff Emde, the Praetorian series represents a departure from the individual focus on Thomas Crocker. Instead, this series follows 'The Praetorians,' a collective, hand-selected group of elite international combat veterans operating from a secret subterranean facility in Cyprus. Utilizing cutting-edge technology and weaponry, their sole mandate is to neutralize global threats involving weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
- Black Sun Rising (2023) – The first novel in the series, introducing the team as they race against time to intercept a devastating global conspiracy.
- Black Sun Eclipse (2025) – The direct sequel, which follows the Praetorians on another high-octane operation to thwart a catastrophic WMD plot.
Don Mann's Non-Fiction and Survival Guides
Don Mann has written extensively about his real-life experiences, survival tactics, and mental toughness. These books can be read in any order, depending on your personal interests:
Memoirs and Military History
- Inside SEAL Team Six: My Life and Missions with America's Elite Warriors (2011) – His definitive personal memoir.
- Navy SEALs: The Complete History (2019) – A comprehensive historical account of the U.S. Navy SEALs.
- Crimson Waters: Piracy Across the Ages (2021) – An exploration of maritime piracy from ancient times to the modern era.
- History's Assassins: Motives for Murder (2023) – An analytical look at the history of political assassinations and their impact on global events.
Survival and Tactical Training Manuals
- The Complete Guide to Adventure Racing (2001) – Mann's first book, drawing on his background as a world-class triathlete and adventure racer.
- The Modern Day Gunslinger (2010) – A tactical guide to combat marksmanship.
- The U.S. Navy SEAL Survival Handbook (2012) – A practical, highly detailed guide to wilderness and combat survival.
- How to Become a Navy SEAL (2013) – A step-by-step physical and mental prep guide for aspiring operators.
Leadership and Self-Help
- Reaching Beyond Boundaries (2019) – Focuses on developing a 'combat mindset' to achieve personal and professional goals.
- Overcoming Obstacles (2019) – Short, focused lessons on resilience and grit.
- Facing Your Fears (2020) – Tactical advice on conquering anxiety and fear under pressure.
- Choosing Your Battles (2020) – Guidance on strategy, decision-making, and focus.
What to Know Before You Start: Continuity and Realism
One of the most common questions readers ask is whether the SEAL Team Six books can be read as standalones. The answer is yes: each novel features a self-contained mission that is fully resolved by the end of the book. However, we strongly recommend reading them in order because Crocker's personal life, his rank, and his relationships with team members like Mancini evolve continuously across the eight novels.
Readers should also note the heavy influence of co-authors in Mann's writing. The SEAL Team Six series is co-written with Ralph Pezzullo, while the Praetorian series is co-written with Jeff Emde. These collaborations combine Mann's real-world tactical knowledge with polished thriller pacing. Finally, when looking up the Praetorian debut, Black Sun Rising, be careful not to confuse it with C.S. Friedman's classic 1991 sci-fi/fantasy novel of the same name, or the Warhammer 40k novel Praetorian of Dorn by John French.