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Reconnaissance Man
The US is a big place. And just as important as it is to choose the right major, choose the right career, and choose the right spouse, no consideration is given as to choosing THE RIGHT PLACE to live in this vast and great country. And where you live arguably determines much more in your life. Who you meet. Your job opportunities. Your career success. Who you fall in love with. Even your health and happiness. But every year millions of Americans let their current familiar environment determine where they live, thus condemning them to mediocre opportunities, mediocre hobbies, mediocre people, and a mediocre life. DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU! Become a "Reconnaissance Man" instead!
Reconnaissance Man is the young (and old) person's guide to the United States. It explains how to explore this great and vast country to find out where you should go to school, where you will make the most money, where you will be happiest, and ultimately where you belong. Don't live in frozen wastelands like Minnesota. Don't live in socialist hell holes like California or New York. Find your American utopia NOW and not when you're 65, about to retire and about to die. Life's too short to be living in Ohio, so become the classical American "Reconnaissance Man" today! Buy and read Reconnaissance Man!
Reconnaissance Man is the young (and old) person's guide to the United States. It explains how to explore this great and vast country to find out where you should go to school, where you will make the most money, where you will be happiest, and ultimately where you belong. Don't live in frozen wastelands like Minnesota. Don't live in socialist hell holes like California or New York. Find your American utopia NOW and not when you're 65, about to retire and about to die. Life's too short to be living in Ohio, so become the classical American "Reconnaissance Man" today! Buy and read Reconnaissance Man!
202 pages, Paperback
Published July 31, 2016
About the author
Aaron Clarey
32 books171 followersAaron Clarey is an American blogger, author, and financial consultant.
A self-described "asshole", he is known for his critical view of the U.S. system of higher education, as well as his disdain for feminism.
A self-described "asshole", he is known for his critical view of the U.S. system of higher education, as well as his disdain for feminism.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 1, 2017
A must read for anyone interested in breaking out of their safety bubbles and wants to see the beast.
May 25, 2019
Life strategy guide for young men
My son is 9 now, but when he turns 17 I will gift him this book so he may start on the path of his own reconnaissance. I know I wish I had this when I was younger. If you revise this, add some more items for us older guys with kids and families.
My son is 9 now, but when he turns 17 I will gift him this book so he may start on the path of his own reconnaissance. I know I wish I had this when I was younger. If you revise this, add some more items for us older guys with kids and families.
September 10, 2021
A no-holds-barred look at college in the US and why every young person should take time off to look around and decide where they want to live.
If you’ve read any of Clarey’s other books (e.g. “How Not To Be a Millenial”), you’ll recognize the themes here.
Aimed at high-schoolers but could usefully be read (if not enjoyed) by parents or teachers or anyone responsible for teenagers.
Clarey himself DID go to college straight after high-school and got a job after college, and now thinks he seriously wasted his time and youth because of that. The job was a natural outcome of the education he got and was likewise predicated on the same lies he was told while growing up: the “script”. Hence the need for a complete break and a re-orientation which should include teaching yourself some philosophy, some economics, and developing some entrepreneurial and other skills such as car-maintenance.
I finished it in 2 sittings. It comes to the same conclusions as “Underground History of American Education” and adds a travel section with the author’s personal comment on the various US states - where to avoid and why - and key places to visit with reasons why. This section author’s own photos. Clearly, Clarey walks the walk.
If you’ve read any of Clarey’s other books (e.g. “How Not To Be a Millenial”), you’ll recognize the themes here.
Aimed at high-schoolers but could usefully be read (if not enjoyed) by parents or teachers or anyone responsible for teenagers.
Clarey himself DID go to college straight after high-school and got a job after college, and now thinks he seriously wasted his time and youth because of that. The job was a natural outcome of the education he got and was likewise predicated on the same lies he was told while growing up: the “script”. Hence the need for a complete break and a re-orientation which should include teaching yourself some philosophy, some economics, and developing some entrepreneurial and other skills such as car-maintenance.
I finished it in 2 sittings. It comes to the same conclusions as “Underground History of American Education” and adds a travel section with the author’s personal comment on the various US states - where to avoid and why - and key places to visit with reasons why. This section author’s own photos. Clearly, Clarey walks the walk.
June 30, 2019
Reconnaissance Man is a book about exploring the United States landscape in order to gain some recon on where you'd eventually like to live. The author explores philosophical questions like who are you, what do you want to do, and where do you want to live. Mr. Clarey's logic is that you must first establish your environment (which your place of residence has an impact on) before being able to fully comprehend who you are and what you want to do. This book is written with the American youth in mind (getting out of high school and entering college) but has useful information for individuals of all ages. It's a short book and worth a quick read.
October 9, 2019
Very interesting take on how to properly chose a life path. I think this book harbors many truths about life and having to know about the options before making a choice and feeling it is the best option for you. I really liked that the book didn't push going to college as the only option in life. Go if you know what you want to do and if it will make a living you can ....live with? Good 3/4 of a book. last part is just a travel journal with no real information on the places.
August 26, 2020
Mainly written for younger people, but also applicable to gen-xers who haven't completely screwed up their lives yet. Premise: instead of following the path laid out for you right after high school, take some time to get to know the country and figure out who, what, and most importantly, where you wanna be. Otherwise you'll end up rooted in a miserable city with a worthless degree and a job you hate and a hollow soul.
May 14, 2021
Absolutely one of those books that I wish I'd had at a younger age. The lack of spiritual guidance young people have today in the mad rush to "get ahead" is the greatest disservice the previous generations have done to them. I'm buying a few more copies to hand out to young people I know today.
Thanks again Mr. Clarey for the easy read and quality insight again. If you're ever in Austin the Cigars and BBQ are on me.
Thanks again Mr. Clarey for the easy read and quality insight again. If you're ever in Austin the Cigars and BBQ are on me.
October 11, 2019
Pros: list of educational resources and must visit places
Cons: subjective opinions based on Aaron's preferences, better book is Bachelor Pad Economic's but this is a short and sweet follow-up
Note: more useful to read the younger you are
Cons: subjective opinions based on Aaron's preferences, better book is Bachelor Pad Economic's but this is a short and sweet follow-up
Note: more useful to read the younger you are
February 2, 2023
Clarey gives insights into choosing where in the United States to live and how to travel on an limited budget. Mostly written for high-school graduates before they attend college, but is useful for anyone looking to relocate.
June 30, 2019
Loved this book- help me decide where I wanted to live. Highlights which states to avoid based on factors such as weather, cost of living, etc. Great read for high school and college students!
September 2, 2019
It is a good read about touring the United States before settling on where you live. Certainly worthwhile to take such a journey
August 1, 2025
I remember an old former friend of mine from high school recommended me Aaron Clarey's channel and books, and I remember back a few years ago consuming his content, finding him both hillarious and wise.
Now, a few years and a few more stupid decisions later, I reread this book and it has resonated with me more than ever. Fortunately this time, I've learned a little more about myself, so unlike before, some of the questions Clarey proposed I had answers to (religious affiliafions, marital/family affairs, am I a parasite, etc).
Fortunately too, unlike previous years; not only do I have a better idea what states might interest me, or that I might thrive; but also now, I have friends everywhere, giving me a more concrete idea of where to drive to. This may cause me to drive to states that Clarey advises against, but they might be my home, and there's just one way to find out. It helps too that this time I have a little more cash to spend.
I think most importantly, the messages of finding oneself and to travel your own path resonate with me more than ever. Especially since I've been losing my will to live the past several years over putting other's needs before my own. When you're considering whether to keep going or not, at that point, as Clarey said, all options are now on the table (though I am trying to self preserve myself and not do anything stupid or permanent). I'm free now to do as I please.
I'll try to do my own "reconnaissance" before the end of the year. I'll keep it a little "short" since I'm taking a gap semester to figure out the 3 Ws (1. Where do I want to live? 2. What do I want to do with my life? 3. Who am I?), while also trying to get the needed mental health treatment (whether that'll require medication or not is to be determined). Hopefully by the end, I will find out some surprises about myself.
For now, list of states I'm considering traveling to (subject to change):
•Oregon
*Idaho
•Montana
•North Dakota
•South Dakota
*Colorado
*Arizona
•Texas
•Louisiana
*Mississippi
*Tennessee
•Georgia
•Florida
* Indicates I have a friend there.
Edit: Might pick up Wild by Cheryl Strayed tomorrow. I just saw the movie starring Reese Witherspoon and I loved it (memoir about the author who hiked solo the entire Pacific Crest Trail on nothing but her feet and gear). I'll also be packing City of Night by John Rechy (thank you River Phoenix).
Now, a few years and a few more stupid decisions later, I reread this book and it has resonated with me more than ever. Fortunately this time, I've learned a little more about myself, so unlike before, some of the questions Clarey proposed I had answers to (religious affiliafions, marital/family affairs, am I a parasite, etc).
Fortunately too, unlike previous years; not only do I have a better idea what states might interest me, or that I might thrive; but also now, I have friends everywhere, giving me a more concrete idea of where to drive to. This may cause me to drive to states that Clarey advises against, but they might be my home, and there's just one way to find out. It helps too that this time I have a little more cash to spend.
I think most importantly, the messages of finding oneself and to travel your own path resonate with me more than ever. Especially since I've been losing my will to live the past several years over putting other's needs before my own. When you're considering whether to keep going or not, at that point, as Clarey said, all options are now on the table (though I am trying to self preserve myself and not do anything stupid or permanent). I'm free now to do as I please.
I'll try to do my own "reconnaissance" before the end of the year. I'll keep it a little "short" since I'm taking a gap semester to figure out the 3 Ws (1. Where do I want to live? 2. What do I want to do with my life? 3. Who am I?), while also trying to get the needed mental health treatment (whether that'll require medication or not is to be determined). Hopefully by the end, I will find out some surprises about myself.
For now, list of states I'm considering traveling to (subject to change):
•Oregon
*Idaho
•Montana
•North Dakota
•South Dakota
*Colorado
*Arizona
•Texas
•Louisiana
*Mississippi
*Tennessee
•Georgia
•Florida
* Indicates I have a friend there.
Edit: Might pick up Wild by Cheryl Strayed tomorrow. I just saw the movie starring Reese Witherspoon and I loved it (memoir about the author who hiked solo the entire Pacific Crest Trail on nothing but her feet and gear). I'll also be packing City of Night by John Rechy (thank you River Phoenix).
January 6, 2017
Good read , gets straight to the point !
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews