A Recon Marine's Tales of (Self) Destruction - No Joy

This book speaks to our generation of war fighters, particularly our operators. The insight provided gives voice to "our" war. I had the pleasure of being a POG that served with a recon company (ps, I'm writing this from my wife's account) of some of the most outstanding Marines I have ever known. For those that have never served, this book can provide a little bit of understanding as to why our nations best fighters answered the call, and why so many have a hard time once they're out. The book, for me, has it all. A reminder of why we did it, why we miss it, and why I continue to have a hard time reconciling the fact that so many people I grew up with did not answer the call.

"At nineteen, and finally with some semblance of purpose, I didn't care if the US was fighting Canada. I was an electric socket with a hard d*** and a penchant for dying, and I don't know if a better or more honest assessment of a good ground-combat hopeful will ever be written."

If that doesn't describe why the majority of guys joined the infantry then I don't know what does. Chapter one had me hooked and I couldn't stop reading and I knew right away he was fearless and the real deal. Like many of the reviews have said, this isn't your typical war veteran book that is edited to better please most readers. It's raw, uncooked, and unclean and told from a true GWOT veteran.

Rose shows both what it takes and what happens when the warrior pushes the body and mind past all pre-conceived notions of what the average person can handle. He was a Jarhead, a cop, and then a scholar; as well as everything in between. Like many modern warriors, he looks at the Sheeple and strip-mall life all around him and simply has no patience for it.

This book has restored my faith in the millennial generation of warriors. It takes you far beyond the pale past all the superficial pabulum that the store is usually flooded with. Eloquently inappropriate if that makes any sense. With so many ego serving ghost written books in circulation it's refreshing to see a vet who's clearly taken the time to formally learn to write and very well I might add vice becoming a whore of the publishing industry. I'll be standing at the POA waiting for this guys next book to drop.

Warning:
If you’re one of only two people spending a month on a 46,000 hectare plateau in Namibia and also happen to be a veteran of the author’s generation (and community) be prepared for this book to trigger sweet stinging nostalgia and self loathing. Completely satisfying.
Thanks David Rose

This book should be on the reading list of anyone trying to understand what it means to live. It offers insight into PTSD, the USMC in Iraq, and transcends. With insightful prose this book may very well change you for the better

vulgar and self-aggrandizing. The author is not the kind of soldier anyone should want to be guarding our freedoms. coarse. who needs more coarseness in the world? no one. choosing to act the way you have while on and off duty/deployment is unbecoming.

vulgar and self-aggrandizing. The author is not the kind of soldier anyone should want to be guarding our freedoms. coarse. who needs more coarseness in the world? no one. choosing to act the way you have while on and off duty/deployment is unbecoming.