Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations

by Alex Harris (Goodreads author), Brett Harris

book data

370 ratings, 4.42 average rating, 130 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		60%
4		25%
3		10%
2		3%
1		0%

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published

April 15th 2008 by Multnomah

binding

Hardcover, 256 pages

isbn

1601421125 (isbn13: 9781601421128)

description

The next generation stands on the brink of a “rebelution”

With over 10 million hits to their website TheRebelution.com, Alex and Brett Harris are leadi...more

find at: Amazon | Half.com | Barnes & Noble | compare prices ($8.95)…

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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 680)

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04/19/08

Josh rated it:

bookshelves: non-fiction

Has a copy to sell/swap — Read in April, 2008

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...more

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06/30/08

Rachel rated it:

Read in April, 2008

recommends it for: both teens AND parents

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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05/31/08

Katie Wornson rated it:

bookshelves: loved-it, nonfiction

Read in July, 2008

recommended to Katie by: christianbook.com
recommends it for: teenagers everywhere

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...more

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04/24/08

Erin rated it:

bookshelves: inspirational

Read in October, 2008

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.

Like this review? yes (2 people liked it)

1 comment

05/01/08

Caiti rated it:

Read in March, 2008

recommends it for: everyone who's serious about living a meaningful life

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.

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01/10/09

Denise rated it:

Read in February, 2009

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...more

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08/17/08

Clare Duroc rated it:

Read in August, 2008

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?

...more 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?

Do Hard Things is a very descriptive and appropriate title. If people aren't challenging you enough in your life, perhaps the book can fill in that lack. It's a direct challenge to teenagers to pray and to work... hard. It's a promotion of Christ's demand that we take up our crosses and follow Him.

It's a bit surprising that we Catholics can get rather lackadaisical about taking up our crosses, when we have so many examples of holy young people. St. Dominic Savio, who died at fifteen, fought valiantly to hold on to his baptismal innocence, was willing to stand up for Christ to people of all ages, willing to bear false accusations and punishment. St. Maria Goretti, who suffered a martyr's death at twelve years old for refusing to give up her purity. St. Tarcisius, who was martyred at twelve in defense of the Holy Eucharist. St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati... the list goes on and on.

We have so many examples before us. Sometimes we just need a little extra inspiration to follow in their footsteps.

Do Hard Things is wonderful inspiration. And the truly beautiful thing about the book is that it acknowledges that those big hard things aren't the only way in which we build character and serve God. In the tradition of St. Therese's Little Way, the book states that even those small, day-to-day tasks can be great things for the glory of God. It's not only a challenge to be open to going beyond your comfort zone and taking on large tasks and hard work, but a challenge to rethink those quiet, sometimes seemingly pointless, days at home.

I do have one quibble. I don't agree with the holding up of Martin Luther as a role model of 'do hard things.' I believe Luther had extraordinary potential, and the Church was in need of some reform. He obviously had the staunchness, motivation, and ability to gather a following that could have led to great things for Christ and the Church. His approach, however, seemed hardly founded on humility. Reform became revolt, and rather than try to repair the Church he chose to break away from it. It had devastating effects. The Church has been splintered since, and one can hardly say that it was a great moment in history.

Aside from this point, however, it is a book definitely worth reading. It is a challenge, an encouragement, and it's much needed these days.(less)

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05/28/08

Bronte rated it:

Read in May, 2008

recommends it for: Any teen, soon-to-be-teen, and any parent of teens.

I read this book and I was greatly convicted. I realized how often I let the low expectations of the world and my own sin stop me from doing "hard things" and living a radically counter-cultural life for Christ.

There is so much I learned (and am continuing learn) from this book. And I HIGHLY recommend getting this book. But here is something that really stuck out to me:

As I read the book I came to a chapter called, "The First Scary Step:How to do hard thi...more

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04/04/08

Michelle rated it:

bookshelves: forreview, non-fiction

Read in August, 2008

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?

...more

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07/21/08

Kevan rated it:

Read in July, 2008

recommends it for: Everyone--especially if you're under 25

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...more

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02/22/08

Jo DiFonzo rated it:

bookshelves: christian, non-fiction, own

Read in April, 2008

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

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05/24/09

Elizabeth rated it:

bookshelves: nonfiction

Read in May, 2009

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

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06/09/09

Mandy rated it:

bookshelves: all-time-favs, mandys-reads, spiritual-growth

Read in June, 2009

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

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06/01/09

Nathan Simmons rated it:

Read in June, 2009

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...more

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12/23/08

Miranda rated it:

Read in April, 2009

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.

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3 comments

04/10/09

Samantha rated it:

bookshelves: books-read-in-2009

Read in April, 2009

* 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

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06/15/09

Jed rated it:

Read in June, 2009

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

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03/17/09

Mike rated it:

bookshelves: counseling, culture, theology

Read in March, 2009

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

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04/22/09

Scott rated it:

bookshelves: first-half-of-2009, older-teens, young-adult-books, younger-teens

Read in April, 2009

I feel conflicted by this book. It is a great message for anyone, but especially for teens. It's inspirational and so much more. Finally, someone who believes in teens, who believes they can do anything, literally anything.
But all the problems I have with it come from me not being their intended audience. I'm not a teenage conservative Christian. I don't agree with some of their stances that they take in the book. But at the same time, I am pleased to see them standing for something....more

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04/16/09

Jaclynn rated it:

bookshelves: read-in-2009

Read in April, 2009

This book is going counter-culture, a rebellion against low expectations and the myth of adolescence. If you are a teen or young adult, do read this book! It is excellent and well written and yet easy enough for anyone to understand with not a lot of stuff to wade through. Meet countless Rebelutionaries in this book, discover how the twins came to be on this journey and how it has radically changed their lives. Learn how to step outside your comfort zone and do hard things with a purpose. What a...more

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