Where awesome book readers meet awesome writers
Meet Colonel Robert Adams, MD, MBA
Colonel Robert Adams is a man whose life story bridges courage, service, and compassion. A third-generation graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Adams spent 14 years in the Navy, including 12 years as a Navy SEAL, before transitioning to the U.S. Army to pursue medicine.
Over a remarkable career spanning 32 years of military service, he has served both in combat and peacetime, bringing his medical expertise and leadership to some of the most challenging environments on earth.
Adams has written three non-fiction books that reflect his extraordinary journey from elite military training to the front lines of war and into the world of healing. His works combine history, medicine, and humanity, offering readers a rare insight into resilience and service.
His Latest Work: My Dear Sara – Civil War Letters 1861–1865
Robert Adams’s newest release, My Dear Sara: Civil War Letters 1861–1865, brings history to life through the real letters of Corporal Edwin J. Barden, Adams’s great-great-grandfather.
This moving collection of over 325 letters tells the story of Ned Barden, a Union Army scribe serving under General Grant. Writing to his wife, Sara, Ned shares the heartbreaks and hardships of war the fear, camaraderie, disease, and perseverance that defined the Civil War era.
“These letters provide a vivid and intimate portrait of what life was truly like for soldiers and their families during the war,” Adams says. “It’s both a historical document and a timeless love story.”
The book allows readers to experience history firsthand. The print version includes hundreds of annotated names, battles, and places for further exploration, while the Kindle edition offers interactive links for a rich, immersive experience.
A Life of Service and Healing
Robert Adams’s legacy of service didn’t end with his time as a SEAL Commander. After 18 years in the Navy, he made a bold transition resigning his commission to start again as an Army Second Lieutenant and attend medical school at Wake Forest University on an Army scholarship.
Following his residency at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington, Adams served as the Command Surgeon for DELTA Force and later deployed with the 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq.
After leaving active duty, he built a highly respected family medicine practice in North Carolina, where his clinic earned numerous awards for clinical excellence. Today, he continues to serve veterans through telemedicine and his work with the Veterans Administration, helping former service members obtain their earned benefits.
His Other Books: Stories of War, Healing, and Humanity
Before My Dear Sara, Adams wrote two other powerful works:
Swords and Saints – A Doctor’s Journey
This deeply personal memoir shares his experiences as a Navy SEAL-turned-family physician, navigating life, loss, and healing during both peacetime and war. It’s a story of courage, compassion, and the emotional realities of caring for others in combat zones and civilian life.
SEALs: The Hell Week Experience
A gripping account of the brutal training endured by Navy SEAL candidates, this book provides a rare, analytical look into what separates those who survive from those who quit. Through the lens of his BUD/S Class 81, Adams explores the physical and psychological strength required to succeed.
Visit SEALHellWeek.com to learn more about this extraordinary story.
Writing Process and Habits
When it comes to writing, Robert Adams believes in simplicity and focus.
“One chapter at a time,” he says. “That’s how books are built.”
His disciplined approach reflects his military background structured, steady, and purposeful.
Authors Who Inspire Him
Although a writer of non-fiction, Adams enjoys reading fiction authors known for their powerful storytelling.
“I love the way stories are told by writers like Lee Child,” he notes. “Fiction can reveal truth in a different way through imagination and perspective.”
What He’s Working on Now
Currently, Adams is considering stepping into fiction himself.
“I’m thinking about writing a Navy SEAL fiction story next,” he shares. “There are so many untold experiences that could make for a compelling narrative.”
Promoting His Work
Robert Adams promotes all three of his books through his official website:
The site features information on his books, background, and upcoming projects.
Advice for New Authors
Adams’s advice to aspiring writers is both practical and encouraging:
“Self-publish and find a good content editor. The process will teach you more than you expect.”
He believes that taking control of your own publishing journey is the best way to learn, grow, and retain creative freedom.
The Best Advice He Has Ever Received
When asked about the best advice he’s ever heard, Adams smiles and repeats a line that every SEAL knows well:
“The only easy day was yesterday.”
It’s a philosophy that continues to guide both his writing and his life a reminder that growth only happens when we keep pushing forward.
What He’s Reading Now
Despite his extensive non-fiction background, Adams enjoys reading fiction adventure novels, which help him unwind and spark creativity for his next projects.
What’s Next for Robert Adams
For now, Adams is reflecting on his career and exploring new directions as a writer. Whether it’s fiction or another historical work, his next project is sure to combine the same depth, discipline, and humanity that define his life’s work.
Books He Would Take to a Desert Island
If stranded on a desert island, Robert Adams would take the essentials:
- Once an Eagle by Anton Myrer
- The Bible
Both books reflect the principles of leadership, faith, and endurance that have guided his journey.
Learn More About Robert Adams
Connect with Robert Adams and explore his work below:
- Website: Robert Adams Website
- Amazon Author Page: Robert Adams Amazon Profile
- Twitter: Twitter Account
Colonel Robert Adams’s books honor the courage of those who serve, the resilience of the human spirit, and the power of storytelling to preserve history. His writing continues to inspire readers to live with purpose, integrity, and compassion qualities that have defined his life from the battlefield to the clinic and beyond.
