Most people don't expect you to understand what we're going to tell you in this book. And even if you understand, they don't expect you to care. An...
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Apr 20, 2008
Josh
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Be prepared when approaching this book: it will encourage you to do exactly what it proposes in the title. It is filled with solid direction on approaching and pursuing accomplishing great things for God. Rather than just pointing at the author's lives of how they did "hard things", they pull out examples of teens all over the world accomplishing hard things both big and small. It leaves me wondering how might God stretch me, in what ways can I search out a challenge to leave His ma
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(7 people liked it)
Jun 30, 2008
Rachel
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this book was very encouraging and motivational. Alex and Brett are great writers, and the message they're sending is one that every teen should hear.
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Jul 27, 2008
Katie
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Okay, I've re-written my review AGAIN. You know how sometimes you get a wake-up call, just when you desperately need it? Well, to put it simply, the first time I read this book (via audiobook), I realized how bad things had gotten for me. I really wasn't trying anymore. And this wake-up call, in the form of a little red book, was not only timely but very, very needed. I firmly believe that this should be required reading for anyone who wants to be a radical for Jesus. Because the ideas expressed
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(5 people liked it)
Nov 01, 2008
Erin
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This is a great book. Although I'm in my mid-twenties I was challenged and encouraged by the things laid out before me. I've never been one to shy away from doing and living something hard, but this gave me an added boost to tackle the things that God has put before me today and seek Him for greater things that He might have in store for the future.
May 01, 2008
Caiti
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This is such a great book for teens, and everyone else, really.
It encourages youth yo step above average, to live against complacency, and strive to achieve great things for God. It's very convicting, very enthusiastic, and encouraging.
It encourages youth yo step above average, to live against complacency, and strive to achieve great things for God. It's very convicting, very enthusiastic, and encouraging.
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(3 people liked it)
Feb 08, 2009
Denise
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This book is a great read, both for parents of preteens and teens, and people of any age wondering what next steps they could take in their life. I read it as much with an eye towards my own future as that of my sons. The teen authors challenge the current concept of teens as young people who are self-absorbed, saying that if they are that way, it's because we expect them to be. (Reminds me of the quote I've had forever on my refrigerator: "If you treat a man as he is, he will remain as
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Aug 31, 2008
Michelle
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This is a fabulous book not only for teens but adults as well. Do Hard Things is so well written, I'm amazed (not to mention impressed) that it was penned by two eloquent young adults. It's clear to me that the authors have a great amount of insight and wisdom from personal experience that they have brought to the table with this book. Everyone wants their teens to do great things. So why not get a copy of this book for your church's youth group and start a rebelution at your church?
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Jul 24, 2008
Kevan
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One of those books aimed at teenagers but galvanizes all of us used to mediocrity, suburbanized self-catering, and this generally increasing sedentary mode of life. I felt inspired to rethink the low expectations that characterizes how our society views both teenagers and the average citizen. The Harris brothers and the many examples they pulled strike me as very ordinary people who've done extraordinary things. But it doesn't cause me to shake my head incredulously saying, "Man, how did
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Oct 07, 2011
Linda
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This is a great book for teenagers, yes. BUT I would submit it is a great book for any grown up and particularly any grown up that interacts with kids. The authors point out rather comprehensively that we have created a society that expects way too little of our youth. That is in part due to grown ups who are lowering the bar {ouch}. While many may shy away from "Tiger Mom" type parenting, this book encourages all of us to push ourselves beyond what is expected. Consider the follow
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Apr 21, 2008
Jo
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Frankly, I was afraid that this book was going to be a rerun of all the material on the authors' website. That would have been OK, but I would have been a little disappointed. Thankfully that wasn't the case. Some of it was very familiar, but quite a bit was not. It wasn't a giant rehash.
Overall, it was good stuff, very challenging. I think the book will appeal to a wide variety of people because of all the diverse examples cited in the book. And although the book is specifically ad More...
Overall, it was good stuff, very challenging. I think the book will appeal to a wide variety of people because of all the diverse examples cited in the book. And although the book is specifically ad More...
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(1 person liked it)
Dec 30, 2011
Giannina
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This book was given to me by a good friend of mine for Christmas. She said that it really inspired her and hoped that it would do the same for me. After reading, I can say that the problem that this book presented is true. Today, there is less to nothing expected from teenagers. That is why nobody tries to do anything. I never thought of that before. This was a real eye-opener for me. I hope that I'll be able to strengthen my relationship with God and build my own character along the way.
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Dec 21, 2011
Salt
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If you want to change the world, if you want to be a prayer warrior, and if you want to fully Glorify God, read this book. This book will transform you’re whole philosophy of serving God. This book will also challenge you to Serve God with all of your strength. Today the average teen is doing nothing. Is there a point in their lives? No. We need a change. ARE you being that average teen? Is there a point in your life? Are you striving to glorify God in EVERY area of life. By doing nothing (like
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Jul 19, 2011
Jessica
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What image comes to mind when you hear the word “teenager?” A messy room with piles of clothes on the floor? A large group of kids at the mall? Or is it worse than that? Drugs? Teen pregnancy? Alex and Brett Harris believe this is all society sees, or thinks is possible, for its youth. The worst part? Many teenagers have come to believe it as well. The Harris brothers are out to change that.They’ve started a “rebelution.” A teenage rebellion against low expectations. And as this book shows, i
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Apr 27, 2011
Molly
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I had this on my desk for a long time, almost didn't open it. It had cliche written all over it: written by teens for teens (16 years old when they wrote it, how about that), younger twin brothers of no less than I Kissed Dating Goodbye's Joshua Harris, and they're cute too! This was going to be another of those cheesy lightweight books by some popular folks who think they have something to say.
But it turns out Alex and Brett Harris do have something to say. And they're saying it prett More...
But it turns out Alex and Brett Harris do have something to say. And they're saying it prett More...
Apr 22, 2011
Lydia
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Written by two teens, this book truly lives up to the blurb on the back and the promise to be different than all the other books written for teens lining the bookshelves. The way the book is set up is simple; Part 1 Rethinking the Teen Years explains The Myth of Adolescence, how it effects us, and the Rebelution, which is a teenage rebellion against low expectations. Part 2 Five Kinds of Hard discusses five hard steps to take you out of your comfort zone, go beyond what’s expected, do things too
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Mar 18, 2011
Hannah
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Do hard things. In some cases, you can judge a book by its cover.
Shaking us awake from a culturally (and somewhat self)-induced slumber, Alex and Brett Harris take us on a trip of sorts - a trip to discover that the teenage years are more than potato chips, couches, and plasma televisions.
They are the years of preparation.
However, surrounded as we are by a culture that expects teens to be irresponsible, disrespectful, and lazy, we've fallen prey to those misconcepti More...
Shaking us awake from a culturally (and somewhat self)-induced slumber, Alex and Brett Harris take us on a trip of sorts - a trip to discover that the teenage years are more than potato chips, couches, and plasma televisions.
They are the years of preparation.
However, surrounded as we are by a culture that expects teens to be irresponsible, disrespectful, and lazy, we've fallen prey to those misconcepti More...
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(2 people liked it)
Feb 28, 2011
Tre
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This is THE book for teens to begin to understand ideas that matter about life right now.
After reading this book, I am convinced that the source of teen angst is in many cases boredom, lack of challenge, and lack of responsibility. Words like "challenge" and "responsibility" don't sound like fun ideas to the average teen, but that is only if we all agree to accept the particular definitions of these words that society imagines in regard to teens.
Writt More...
After reading this book, I am convinced that the source of teen angst is in many cases boredom, lack of challenge, and lack of responsibility. Words like "challenge" and "responsibility" don't sound like fun ideas to the average teen, but that is only if we all agree to accept the particular definitions of these words that society imagines in regard to teens.
Writt More...
Jan 16, 2011
Jeff
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Alex and Brett Harris have a message for their generation:
"Most People don’t expect you to understand what we’re going to tell you in this book. And even if you understand, they don’t expect you to care. And eve if you care, they don’t expect you to do anything about it. And even if you do something about it, they don’t expect it to last. We do."
Their powerful message is captured in these words and put succinctly in the title: Do Hard Things. They are spreading the More...
"Most People don’t expect you to understand what we’re going to tell you in this book. And even if you understand, they don’t expect you to care. And eve if you care, they don’t expect you to do anything about it. And even if you do something about it, they don’t expect it to last. We do."
Their powerful message is captured in these words and put succinctly in the title: Do Hard Things. They are spreading the More...
Apr 20, 2010
Anne
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I listened to "Do Hard Things" and when I was finished I thought: check, I've done a hard thing. Not that it was terrible, but it was pretty preachy and slightly sanctimonious. The idea was good, but the tone was so "aren't we great and don't you wish you could be like us," that it made it difficult to listen to.
As I said, it has a good premise. Who doesn't think that teenagers need to work harder and have more expectations of themselves. I'll be the first to More...
As I said, it has a good premise. Who doesn't think that teenagers need to work harder and have more expectations of themselves. I'll be the first to More...
May 24, 2009
Elizabeth
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I opened this book with a lot of reservation. Being the jaded, read-it-all, know-it-all college student who just left what seemed to be the Harris' overly focused audience (by turning 20), I wasn't sure how much I could get out of this book.
While I still think their focus might have been somewhat limiting, this apathy of low expectation seems to be infecting our entire populace, I can also see why the deliberate focus on teens shines an even stronger light on an even darker blind spot for a More...
While I still think their focus might have been somewhat limiting, this apathy of low expectation seems to be infecting our entire populace, I can also see why the deliberate focus on teens shines an even stronger light on an even darker blind spot for a More...
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Aug 04, 2009
Taymous
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This book is a very different book than what I was used to reading when first picked up. I, for some reason, felt drawn to it. I ordered it from Amazon and was absolutely blown away by all the wisdom and truth God revealed to me in this book. I can only wish that it was written earlier in my teen years, so I hadn't wasted a second of it. I was incredibly challenged by this book. It showed me I was entirely too capable of doing hard things in His will, and that He had/has plans for me bigger than
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(1 person liked it)
Jun 11, 2009
Mandy
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AMAZING!
I could simply leave my review at that - "Amazing!" - because that is the best word I have to sum this book up. But for the sake of getting more people to read this book I will try to give a review.
First I want to say that this book, while written for teens, is good for anyone to read. I highly recommend that parents read this book.
The theme is rebeling against low expectations and doing hard things rather than settle for status quo. I like More...
I could simply leave my review at that - "Amazing!" - because that is the best word I have to sum this book up. But for the sake of getting more people to read this book I will try to give a review.
First I want to say that this book, while written for teens, is good for anyone to read. I highly recommend that parents read this book.
The theme is rebeling against low expectations and doing hard things rather than settle for status quo. I like More...
Jun 04, 2009
Nathan
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I feel I may have been too critical while reading this book, because I expected more. I liked the idea of the book, and it had some really good and challenging parts. I especially liked the part on complacency. However, I felt as if I was listening more to a motivational speaker than anything else. I just wish it would have been MORE gospel-centered and talked more about how the Gospel gives us the power to change. I'm a lazy person, telling me to "do things" isn't going to change my l
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(2 people liked it)
Apr 25, 2009
Miranda
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When I started this book, it was just one of those things my mom was making me read. But, then I got into it and I was like, "This book is speaking to me." Because this is what I want to do with my life.
When I read the part that said they had an internship at the court when they were 17, I was amazed. And then I remembered. This is what they're trying to tell me. I shouldn't be gazing at their accomplishments in awe, I should be striving to do challenging things as well.
When I read the part that said they had an internship at the court when they were 17, I was amazed. And then I remembered. This is what they're trying to tell me. I shouldn't be gazing at their accomplishments in awe, I should be striving to do challenging things as well.
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Aug 16, 2011
Clare
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It's a fairly well-known fact that not much is expected of young people nowadays. I'm sure I'm not the only one who is known as a very impressive lady just because she doesn't do a lot of the things that other teenagers do. I'm praised, but rarely challenged. Other people tell me that I'm one awesome gal, which contradicts my feelings that I have a long way to go yet. Where does it stop? When I have I done enough? At what point can I say that I've made it, that I can sit back and relax?
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Dec 08, 2009
Joel
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It is only appropriate for the Harris brothers to release a book in which they talk about there revolution of the teenage generation denying the low expectations that bog it down. As teens, what they have accomplished is impressive, although it can be argued there progress may have gone unnoticed had they been born into a different family. Nonetheless, I believe their recognition is earned. This book sends there important message of rising above spiritual expectations to teenagers. It is well pa
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Apr 16, 2009
Samantha
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* A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations*
This book was written by teens for teens and written very well at that! It was just as good as I'd heard it to be and maybe even better. I grew up reading Josh Harris' books so I was excited to see what his younger twin brothers had to say... and I wasn't dissapointed!
I'd recommend everyone read this book: it will challenge you, encourage you, inspire you and even make you laugh occasionally. :) My favorite part was Part 2. Reading a More...
This book was written by teens for teens and written very well at that! It was just as good as I'd heard it to be and maybe even better. I grew up reading Josh Harris' books so I was excited to see what his younger twin brothers had to say... and I wasn't dissapointed!
I'd recommend everyone read this book: it will challenge you, encourage you, inspire you and even make you laugh occasionally. :) My favorite part was Part 2. Reading a More...
Jun 25, 2009
Jed
rated it:
Chuck Norris doesn't sleep. He waits. Chuck Norris entered a staring contest with a statue in 1998. He is still undefeated. Chuck Norris believes it's not butter. He also wrote the forward to this book, which in itself justifies reading it.
Also, the authors are the twin younger brothers of Josh Harris, who has been telling me to be wise and fight lust.
This book has a heck of a pedigree, and the Harris parents must be superhuman.
As for the content of the book: it's good. It fu More...
Also, the authors are the twin younger brothers of Josh Harris, who has been telling me to be wise and fight lust.
This book has a heck of a pedigree, and the Harris parents must be superhuman.
As for the content of the book: it's good. It fu More...
Mar 17, 2009
Mike
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Written for young adults (they don't like that term 'teen') this book would be good for everyone. The Harris twins show how everyone should be thinking that living in the Kingdom of God requires us to do more than simply live until we die and go to be with the Lord.
The only serious thing I would disagree with is that if God is God, Jesus is Lord, and the Church is Christ's body on earth, then the church cannot be a counter culture. The world is counter to God and there for is the rev More...
The only serious thing I would disagree with is that if God is God, Jesus is Lord, and the Church is Christ's body on earth, then the church cannot be a counter culture. The world is counter to God and there for is the rev More...
Jul 07, 2010
Kara
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I felt like the premise of the book was good: teenagers do have low expectations upon them. But the book just felt very preachy to me. It was almost like the Harris brothers were telling you everything they did and saying "aren't we great? You should be more like us." I also did not like the way they used so many political examples. I felt like the book lacked depth. It didn't really make me think as much as i would have liked i feel like if the book had based itself more upon scriptu
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