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On Violence and Varietals : Confessions of a Savage Somm
On Violence and Varietals is Rich Brown's coming-of-age memoir chronicling his journey from a chaotic childhood to war. In it, he recounts with complete candor his warrior's path from boyhood to Marine, Bouncer, Corrections Officer, and Police Officer. Though this reads like a journal of an unruly life set amid many a foreign and inhospitable place, it is also filled with Brown's engaging ability to find laughter, even when there is little to celebrate. In ironic, absorbing, and sometimes hilarious prose, he recounts his triumphs and tragedies of a life – fully lived.
363 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 6, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 8, 2023
Honest and funny. Riveting and full of page turning suspense. This book evokes the world and the culture of the Marine Corps. perfectly -- from the "who" gets in (and who will never get in) to the "where's" and "why's" of missions that mark US & world history in the 90s-2000s. Brown shares personal insights in a way that truly bring the gritty reality of the Marine Corps career/life alive for the reader. This book is surprisingly tender and funny but also shares the shocking, devastating, and tough as hell challenges of life in the Marine Corps. I highly recommend. Everyone needs to visit this place before they ever make another armchair judgment regarding Marines when they hear anything about them in the news.
July 29, 2023
Rich has lived a few lifetimes it seems.... at least compared to me.
He kept my attention throughout this book, even during this childhood sections.
He's lived a life of service and there is much more to his life than what is captured in this book.
He also helps those of us who weren't in the marines to get a glimpse into that life and culture. It's not for the faint of heart.
Also, there aren't many people who have bee a bouncer. Rich has captivating stories from these days as well.
Great read. He calls it uncensored on the cover. I agree, but he also says much has been left out!
He kept my attention throughout this book, even during this childhood sections.
He's lived a life of service and there is much more to his life than what is captured in this book.
He also helps those of us who weren't in the marines to get a glimpse into that life and culture. It's not for the faint of heart.
Also, there aren't many people who have bee a bouncer. Rich has captivating stories from these days as well.
Great read. He calls it uncensored on the cover. I agree, but he also says much has been left out!
August 27, 2024
An outstanding look at a man's progress from a boy in rural Kentucky to a man for others, forged in difficult, violent kilns along the way.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews