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Thank You for My Service
The unapologetic, laugh-your-ass-off military memoir both vets and civilians have been waiting for, from a five-tour Army Ranger turned YouTube phenomenon and zealous advocate for veterans
Members of the military's special operations branches share a closely guarded They love their jobs. They relish the opportunity to fight. They are thankful for it, even, and hopeful that maybe, possibly, they'll also get to kill a bunch of bad guys while they're at it. You don't necessarily need to thank them for their service--the pleasure is all theirs.
In this hilarious and personal memoir, readers ride shotgun alongside former Army Ranger and private military contractor and current social media phenomenon Mat Best, into the action and its aftermath, both abroad and at home. From surviving a skin infection in the swampy armpit of America (aka Columbus, Georgia) to kicking down doors on the outskirts of Ramadi, from blowing up a truck full of enemy combatants to witnessing the effects of a suicide bombing right in front of your face, Thank You for My Service will give readers who love America and love the good guys fresh insight into what it's really like inside the minds of the men and women on the front lines.
It's also a sobering yet steadying glimpse at life for veterans after the fighting stops, when the enemy becomes self-doubt or despair and you begin to wonder why anyone should be thanking you for anything, least of all your service. How do you keep going when something you love turns you into somebody you hate? For veterans and their friends and families, Thank You for My Service will offer comfort, in the form of a million laughs, and counsel, as a blueprint for what to do after the war ends and the real fight begins.
And for civilians, this is the insider account of military life you won't find anywhere else, told with equal amounts of heart and balls. It's Deadpool meets Captain America, except one went to business school and one went to therapy, and it's anyone's guess which is which.
Members of the military's special operations branches share a closely guarded They love their jobs. They relish the opportunity to fight. They are thankful for it, even, and hopeful that maybe, possibly, they'll also get to kill a bunch of bad guys while they're at it. You don't necessarily need to thank them for their service--the pleasure is all theirs.
In this hilarious and personal memoir, readers ride shotgun alongside former Army Ranger and private military contractor and current social media phenomenon Mat Best, into the action and its aftermath, both abroad and at home. From surviving a skin infection in the swampy armpit of America (aka Columbus, Georgia) to kicking down doors on the outskirts of Ramadi, from blowing up a truck full of enemy combatants to witnessing the effects of a suicide bombing right in front of your face, Thank You for My Service will give readers who love America and love the good guys fresh insight into what it's really like inside the minds of the men and women on the front lines.
It's also a sobering yet steadying glimpse at life for veterans after the fighting stops, when the enemy becomes self-doubt or despair and you begin to wonder why anyone should be thanking you for anything, least of all your service. How do you keep going when something you love turns you into somebody you hate? For veterans and their friends and families, Thank You for My Service will offer comfort, in the form of a million laughs, and counsel, as a blueprint for what to do after the war ends and the real fight begins.
And for civilians, this is the insider account of military life you won't find anywhere else, told with equal amounts of heart and balls. It's Deadpool meets Captain America, except one went to business school and one went to therapy, and it's anyone's guess which is which.
213 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 20, 2019
685 people are currently reading
1876 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 414 reviews
September 4, 2019
Way too much bragging and boasting about how amazing the author is. We got it. Chillax. Could have been a really cool story if he was humble about it. We get it, you're awesome and amazing, but you oversold it way too much brosef. Still a good effort :)
September 1, 2024
As a son to a military dad veteran, and every male on his side of the family, I appreciate the message and story. This is true in life, despite the story of a well dressed and respected veteran. I work on the front lines, so l see shit. Therefore, his story resonates in me like it should to anyone who hustles and lives life to its fullest.
There is no reason to not give this 5 stars. I respect and appreciate the work the military does. Not everyone knows the truth about “war.” Sometimes, war is not even the reason. It is smaller than the real picture. No one will ever understand, but days when we all feel like we can try to contribute to something good, are the days in the military that you can live, breathe and share a beer with your fellow citizens, that keep things real.
I enjoyed his story. He is legitimately funny too.
Happy Labor Day weekend my friends 🤙🏻🫡
There is no reason to not give this 5 stars. I respect and appreciate the work the military does. Not everyone knows the truth about “war.” Sometimes, war is not even the reason. It is smaller than the real picture. No one will ever understand, but days when we all feel like we can try to contribute to something good, are the days in the military that you can live, breathe and share a beer with your fellow citizens, that keep things real.
I enjoyed his story. He is legitimately funny too.
Happy Labor Day weekend my friends 🤙🏻🫡
September 8, 2019
Many people really loved this book. I did not care for the book. I respect Mat for his service but I just do not care for the egotistical beefcake womanizer vibe that he exhibits.
October 22, 2019
Not real sure how I tripped over this one at the library....
I read a lot of crime fiction. Seems like all the veterans portrayed in crime novels are "damaged" somehow. Some seem to cope with their "issues" and some go on crazed killing sprees. I personally know several veterans (some career vets) who are very successful in life today after their service.... and wondered....
This autobiography of a soldier is the story of and adrenaline junkie who LOVED being in service, but also a fairly self-aware individual who has successfully transferred into civilian life. Did I personally like the guy? Not really, but I do admire his spirit.
I read a lot of crime fiction. Seems like all the veterans portrayed in crime novels are "damaged" somehow. Some seem to cope with their "issues" and some go on crazed killing sprees. I personally know several veterans (some career vets) who are very successful in life today after their service.... and wondered....
This autobiography of a soldier is the story of and adrenaline junkie who LOVED being in service, but also a fairly self-aware individual who has successfully transferred into civilian life. Did I personally like the guy? Not really, but I do admire his spirit.
August 28, 2019
I’ve always been a huge fan of Mat Best’s videos and social media. I also like military biographies of badasses. But this book is something different. And excellent.
I’ve read all the usual biographies of American military heroes that have been made into movies, and they’re great too, don’t get me wrong. But they all seem to spend way too much time apologizing and justifying their existence to the civilian world. This book takes a very different tone. Mat is honest and unapologetic...he liked war, and he was great at it! His honesty is refreshing and the book is hilarious. Highly recommended.
I’ve read all the usual biographies of American military heroes that have been made into movies, and they’re great too, don’t get me wrong. But they all seem to spend way too much time apologizing and justifying their existence to the civilian world. This book takes a very different tone. Mat is honest and unapologetic...he liked war, and he was great at it! His honesty is refreshing and the book is hilarious. Highly recommended.
September 13, 2019
Disclaimer: Before I picked up this book, I had no idea who this guy was, I just figured it would be a somewhat light-hearted version of a veteran's experience in war based on the back cover.
While I appreciated being able to hear the unfiltered and honest account of this guy's life story, it was VERY difficult to get past his incredibly smug attitude. While some parts were mildly entertaining and the stories were definitely interesting, the constant condescension toward "civilians" and apparent bloodlust was pretty off-putting. It read like his experience made him a god among men and that all his power could only be understood by his fellow deities serving in the military alongside him. I have no doubt that this guy is incredibly skilled and has seen some seriously disturbing stuff. I definitely applaud him for stepping up to defend the country he loves. Having said that, I think there's a clear distinction between:
"I've had to do some pretty messed up stuff in war, but I grit my teeth and bore it in service of my countrymen, and am proud to have served in spite of the more gruesome aspects of it."
And
"Let's go blow some sh*t up and play with dismembered body parts! You're thanking me for my service? Nah bro, thank YOU. I LOVE shooting people in the face a point blank range so that they are completely unrecognizable! Nothing gets me harder! Now out of my way you entitled, useless civilians, I gotta go get laid until the next awesome firefight!"
This book sadly leaned toward the latter attitude. Now, I do understand that to be able to do the things required in war, a certain level of cognitive dissonance is required. Such as dehumanizing your enemies, thus making them easy to kill, and seeing the world in terms of clear "good guys and bad guys" where you are CLEARLY on the side of the good guys. Still though, it was disheartening to hear about such frivolous antics throughout the book occurring overseas in our military during a gruesome war. But I guess you can't expect too much else when testosterone-filled, still mentally-developing teens enter the military right after high school.
I ended up giving this book 2 stars instead of 1 because there was really an uptick at the very end where the author did some self reflection and had a more humble tone than in the entirety of the rest of the book. A point where he really stepped back and gave other people some props. He also reflects on a misconception and realizes that vets are, in fact, fallible just like the rest of us. And I like that he ended on the note that people are people; some suck and some are great and it's just that simple. So the last chapter and a half were good enough to make up 1 star that had been lost to the rest of the book. Even though I didn't enjoy this book very much at all, I'm still glad that he shared his story and to have seen a glimpse into the mind of someone very different from myself.
While I appreciated being able to hear the unfiltered and honest account of this guy's life story, it was VERY difficult to get past his incredibly smug attitude. While some parts were mildly entertaining and the stories were definitely interesting, the constant condescension toward "civilians" and apparent bloodlust was pretty off-putting. It read like his experience made him a god among men and that all his power could only be understood by his fellow deities serving in the military alongside him. I have no doubt that this guy is incredibly skilled and has seen some seriously disturbing stuff. I definitely applaud him for stepping up to defend the country he loves. Having said that, I think there's a clear distinction between:
"I've had to do some pretty messed up stuff in war, but I grit my teeth and bore it in service of my countrymen, and am proud to have served in spite of the more gruesome aspects of it."
And
"Let's go blow some sh*t up and play with dismembered body parts! You're thanking me for my service? Nah bro, thank YOU. I LOVE shooting people in the face a point blank range so that they are completely unrecognizable! Nothing gets me harder! Now out of my way you entitled, useless civilians, I gotta go get laid until the next awesome firefight!"
This book sadly leaned toward the latter attitude. Now, I do understand that to be able to do the things required in war, a certain level of cognitive dissonance is required. Such as dehumanizing your enemies, thus making them easy to kill, and seeing the world in terms of clear "good guys and bad guys" where you are CLEARLY on the side of the good guys. Still though, it was disheartening to hear about such frivolous antics throughout the book occurring overseas in our military during a gruesome war. But I guess you can't expect too much else when testosterone-filled, still mentally-developing teens enter the military right after high school.
I ended up giving this book 2 stars instead of 1 because there was really an uptick at the very end where the author did some self reflection and had a more humble tone than in the entirety of the rest of the book. A point where he really stepped back and gave other people some props. He also reflects on a misconception and realizes that vets are, in fact, fallible just like the rest of us. And I like that he ended on the note that people are people; some suck and some are great and it's just that simple. So the last chapter and a half were good enough to make up 1 star that had been lost to the rest of the book. Even though I didn't enjoy this book very much at all, I'm still glad that he shared his story and to have seen a glimpse into the mind of someone very different from myself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2020
Mat Best isn’t half as funny as he thinks. But, even at one quarter funny, he still manages great comic relief about his five(!) tours in Iraq as a decorated Army Special Ops Non-Com and later work in an unnamed mercenary outfit in Iraq and Afghanistan. He’s all about booze, broads, and bullets, especially when he can pop the latter into the face of an A.Q. terrorist.
In between and after comes the serious part: he’s completely unprepared for civilian life. Between the two jobs, he enrolls at U.C. Northridge for the college degree he never got, then quits before day one, after hearing the vapid chatter of mindless peacnicks around him in the cafeteria. A short spell as a personal bodyguard goes awry when a coked-up Iranian (a refugee from the toppling of the Shah) with a huge Hollywood Hills mansion tries to hire him to guard his statuary and break up hissy fights between both straight and gay couples (“I wouldn’t invite [the gays], but they bring the cutest girls!”). A “What am I doing here?” moment has Best fleeing in terror before day two (Valet: “There’s a party here every night.”).
Gradually, beginning as a merc, Best starts making macho, jokey, war-oriented You Tube videos. Unexpectedly, these catch fire, because—between the ketchup gore, big-boob bimbo gags, and odes to patriotism—the videos say not all returning vets need be unemployed PTSD-induced wildmen: as seen nightly on Law & Order re-runs, smoking off when Aunt Louise’s parrot dies. This fame ultimately enables Best to crowd-fund “Range 15,” a similar sophomoric movie (admit it: that stuff can be funny), and a Vets-labeled brand of coffee.
Long story short: this Rambo, who loved his years as a war-fighter, has no need for anyone to “thank him for his service”; he enjoyed it! And with as little education or experience as he had, he eventually fit into the civilian world, married, had kids, etc. Additional comic relief is unnecessary to convey this message, but Best’s book likely got hundreds of Vets to take in some good advice, while laughing out loud.
In between and after comes the serious part: he’s completely unprepared for civilian life. Between the two jobs, he enrolls at U.C. Northridge for the college degree he never got, then quits before day one, after hearing the vapid chatter of mindless peacnicks around him in the cafeteria. A short spell as a personal bodyguard goes awry when a coked-up Iranian (a refugee from the toppling of the Shah) with a huge Hollywood Hills mansion tries to hire him to guard his statuary and break up hissy fights between both straight and gay couples (“I wouldn’t invite [the gays], but they bring the cutest girls!”). A “What am I doing here?” moment has Best fleeing in terror before day two (Valet: “There’s a party here every night.”).
Gradually, beginning as a merc, Best starts making macho, jokey, war-oriented You Tube videos. Unexpectedly, these catch fire, because—between the ketchup gore, big-boob bimbo gags, and odes to patriotism—the videos say not all returning vets need be unemployed PTSD-induced wildmen: as seen nightly on Law & Order re-runs, smoking off when Aunt Louise’s parrot dies. This fame ultimately enables Best to crowd-fund “Range 15,” a similar sophomoric movie (admit it: that stuff can be funny), and a Vets-labeled brand of coffee.
Long story short: this Rambo, who loved his years as a war-fighter, has no need for anyone to “thank him for his service”; he enjoyed it! And with as little education or experience as he had, he eventually fit into the civilian world, married, had kids, etc. Additional comic relief is unnecessary to convey this message, but Best’s book likely got hundreds of Vets to take in some good advice, while laughing out loud.
October 6, 2019
I wanted to like this book. It starts off alright and is occasionally funny, but it quickly falls down the rabbit hole of constant d*ck and fart jokes peppered with a history of unnamed women the author bedded on top of garage doors and in overseas bases amidst sirens signifying incoming mortar rounds. Mat is an incredible patriot and funny in small doses, but this was a painful read. It's essentially a cross between the autobiographies of Sebastian Maniscalco and Bo Jackson.
September 16, 2019
This is a tough read. A knockoff Deadpool, shock and awe comedy gets extremely tired when it’s written with the quality of a 16 year old want to be frat boy
October 6, 2019
Best served as a Army Ranger and military contractor and now works as a YouTube influencer and entrepreneur. This is his expletive laced story.
Why I started this book: Eye catching title and cover. Plus it promised humor.
Why I finished it: Wow, Best has no personal boundaries... and while I was grateful that he got DOD permission on his book, I don't think that he got the same permissions from all his past girlfriends, buddies and random co-workers. The war violence was graphic... but so was his sexual exploits. Not what I was expecting at all.
Why I started this book: Eye catching title and cover. Plus it promised humor.
Why I finished it: Wow, Best has no personal boundaries... and while I was grateful that he got DOD permission on his book, I don't think that he got the same permissions from all his past girlfriends, buddies and random co-workers. The war violence was graphic... but so was his sexual exploits. Not what I was expecting at all.
July 15, 2021
Very weird vet-bro book which almost certainly contains a war crime when Mat cuts the head off and arm off of a dead enemy combatant when ordered to acquire DNA by his commander. We have laws of war for a reason, as a vet myself I see a lot of problems with Mat's carelessness towards human life. I fully understand that fighting terrorist pieces of human garbage is a dirty job, but man, smart people don't put things like this in their book. They keep them to themselves or better yet don't do them in the first place. All of the companies Mat is involved with seem like they exploit vets and are cringeworthy at best. Black Rifle Coffee Company is some of the world's worst coffee.
This book is very strange in that it is mostly based on Mat Best's experiences more than 10 years ago, but was only published in 2019. Lots of out of date Hilary jokes that don't make sense outside the context of the 2016 election. At the end of the day this book just isn't worth a read.
This book is very strange in that it is mostly based on Mat Best's experiences more than 10 years ago, but was only published in 2019. Lots of out of date Hilary jokes that don't make sense outside the context of the 2016 election. At the end of the day this book just isn't worth a read.
August 21, 2019
Fantastic
What a fun read. Thoroughly enjoyed reading Mats book. This guy is a beast and his outlook on life is contagious.
Buy this book.
What a fun read. Thoroughly enjoyed reading Mats book. This guy is a beast and his outlook on life is contagious.
Buy this book.
September 7, 2019
Ok, parts of this book I loved and parts I was like "Do you kiss your momma with that mouth?!" Seriously some language, creative language, and more than I'd like to know about his personal life (yowsers), that said there were some laugh out loud moments and in the end it was cool and hopeful to see his transition from special ops to contractor to other jobs that help veterans.
September 21, 2019
It’s about what I expected of it.. The absolute opposite of humble, respectable, intelligent. If you’re looking for the autobiography of a dude who thinks he’s gods gift to the world, this is it.
October 6, 2019
I’ve outgrown this humor and type of writing. I’m glad he has found his calling and I’m appreciative of what he does for active duty and vets, but not a very good book.
October 20, 2020
Hate rating a book like this appeared to be so low. The last 20 pages almost made me give it a 3-star until I realized they already made me give it a bump to 2-stars. This isn't the veteran warrior memoir you'd think, or even the entrepreneur self-motivator it could seem. Excepting those closing pages this really isn't much more than a teen boys wet dream and black book of conquests. I liked Mat Best much more before I opened his book...a book I can't really recommend.
December 6, 2024
Войната е сериозно нещо и обичайно в изкуството на нея се гледа сериозно. Картините са героични или трагични, книгите са от сериозни по-сериозни и или възхваляват мъчителния героизъм на войниците или описват безсмисления ужас на войната, а във филмите ветераните от войните са обикновено депресирани алкохолици или налегнати от PTSD нещастници, опитващи се неуспешно да водят нормален живот.
В цялата работа като че ли е пропуснат образът на войника, който се записва в армията с желание и вътрешна убеденост, патриотизъм и надежда да рита колкото се може повече вражески задници, да бъде яко копеле и да си разбира от работата, да спасява животи, да намери вечни приятели на фронта, да си направи много татуировки и да ебе всички яки мацки на света.
Още от началната сцена става ясно, че Мат Бест цели да навакса тоя световен литературен пропуск, като разкаже за преживяванията си в Ирак и обратно в родината си като за доста голям купон - и така продължава почти до края. Без да се притеснява да нарича терористите, които отстрелва "миризливи цигани", той не само не се срамува и не е травматизиран от службата си в специалните части на американската армия, ами смята преживяното за едно от най-добрите и забавни неща в своя живот и така и го описва.
Ако не знаете, той е човекът с тоя ютюб канал и фирмата Black Rifle Coffee :) Единственият кусур на книгата са последните глави дето описва създаването на канала си и другите там работи около бизнеса и фирмата за кафе, дето обичайният му хумор се загубва безследно.
В цялата работа като че ли е пропуснат образът на войника, който се записва в армията с желание и вътрешна убеденост, патриотизъм и надежда да рита колкото се може повече вражески задници, да бъде яко копеле и да си разбира от работата, да спасява животи, да намери вечни приятели на фронта, да си направи много татуировки и да ебе всички яки мацки на света.
Още от началната сцена става ясно, че Мат Бест цели да навакса тоя световен литературен пропуск, като разкаже за преживяванията си в Ирак и обратно в родината си като за доста голям купон - и така продължава почти до края. Без да се притеснява да нарича терористите, които отстрелва "миризливи цигани", той не само не се срамува и не е травматизиран от службата си в специалните части на американската армия, ами смята преживяното за едно от най-добрите и забавни неща в своя живот и така и го описва.
Ако не знаете, той е човекът с тоя ютюб канал и фирмата Black Rifle Coffee :) Единственият кусур на книгата са последните глави дето описва създаването на канала си и другите там работи около бизнеса и фирмата за кафе, дето обичайният му хумор се загубва безследно.
May 8, 2020
Ugh. NO.
This is not the first military memoir I've read, nor the second, but it was pretty objectively terrible. I read the first two chapters and then skimmed the rest. Tons of expletives, boasting, bragging, and so much bro-ing. This was the bro-iest book I think I've ever read.
When I was younger and worked with servicemembers, there were a remarkably high number of them who claimed to be in "governmental organizations that were so secret they couldn't even be named," not unlike Joe Teti from Dual Survival. Same story with Mat Best. There are various places in the book where a few words or characters are blacked out, so we don't know he works for [redacted organization] or the piece of tail he chased in Iraq has an absolutely amazing [redacted]. Brags about various firefights where he came through unscathed, and the hordes of hot girls lining up to fuck him. He's 35 and not married. I CANNOT IMAGINE WHY NOT.
I totally understand war stories and I also understand a brag sheet, but this guy is more a legend in his own mind than in anyone else's.
This is not the first military memoir I've read, nor the second, but it was pretty objectively terrible. I read the first two chapters and then skimmed the rest. Tons of expletives, boasting, bragging, and so much bro-ing. This was the bro-iest book I think I've ever read.
When I was younger and worked with servicemembers, there were a remarkably high number of them who claimed to be in "governmental organizations that were so secret they couldn't even be named," not unlike Joe Teti from Dual Survival. Same story with Mat Best. There are various places in the book where a few words or characters are blacked out, so we don't know he works for [redacted organization] or the piece of tail he chased in Iraq has an absolutely amazing [redacted]. Brags about various firefights where he came through unscathed, and the hordes of hot girls lining up to fuck him. He's 35 and not married. I CANNOT IMAGINE WHY NOT.
I totally understand war stories and I also understand a brag sheet, but this guy is more a legend in his own mind than in anyone else's.
Read
September 13, 2019Great book, and definitely a must for audible. Enioye hearing his stories from the military and all the humor he has throughout the book. Hearing his start up and how it all came along to what he and the company is today is great. I got the book and excited to have autographed for it and I also got the audible. And let me tell you that you must listen to the audible he adds so much character to it. When listening to it you would think your watching one of the youtube videos he does! Great biography and would recommend to anyone who enjoys hearing about military and comedy and just greatness.
December 31, 2019
Reviews were better than the book
This guy is the guy all we women in the military tried to avoid. He comes off as insensitive and cocky. It was all I could do to finish the book.
This guy is the guy all we women in the military tried to avoid. He comes off as insensitive and cocky. It was all I could do to finish the book.
January 5, 2024
Literally stopped reading after five minutes.
There’s nothing I can say about this dude and how crass, vulgar, and disturbing the way he speaks is that wouldn’t make him go “ha ha snowflake” and high five his nearest bro, so… not for me. I’ll leave it at that.
There’s nothing I can say about this dude and how crass, vulgar, and disturbing the way he speaks is that wouldn’t make him go “ha ha snowflake” and high five his nearest bro, so… not for me. I’ll leave it at that.
April 28, 2023
While reading this book, I felt like I was there at every turn in his life. Being apart of a military family, the brotherhood that was spoken about and the hardship of transitioning to civilian life. It make you feel like there are more important thing in life than complaining about the simply issue life gives you. Thank you Mat.
August 30, 2019
Mat IS THE BEST!
Interesting (and witty) insight into a world that is grossly misunderstood. Far too many people take for granted their freedoms and the sacrifices others have made, are making, and will continue to make for them. Didn’t quite understand the meaning of the title until the end of the book, and Mat explains it PERFECTLY. It takes a special and unique type of person to have been able to experience these things and come out “intact” and with an ability to transition back to civilian life. I respect and applaud his and others who make it their mission to assist and support their veteran brothers and sisters. I’m a fan for sure and am typing this as I sip my cup of “Black Rifle Coffee”... Just a retired cop with a love and respect for our military and first responders... ☕️🇺🇸
Interesting (and witty) insight into a world that is grossly misunderstood. Far too many people take for granted their freedoms and the sacrifices others have made, are making, and will continue to make for them. Didn’t quite understand the meaning of the title until the end of the book, and Mat explains it PERFECTLY. It takes a special and unique type of person to have been able to experience these things and come out “intact” and with an ability to transition back to civilian life. I respect and applaud his and others who make it their mission to assist and support their veteran brothers and sisters. I’m a fan for sure and am typing this as I sip my cup of “Black Rifle Coffee”... Just a retired cop with a love and respect for our military and first responders... ☕️🇺🇸
September 9, 2019
How did I hear about Matt Best? BRCC. With every shipment I received they promoted this book with these little flyers within each shipment. I thought the cover looked cool and that was about it, I had little intention of reading it ASAP. For some reason I can’t explain I read it ASAP, and I have zero and I mean ZERO regrets that I did. This was as far as I can recount from the hundreds of books that I’ve read the absolute darkest comedy I’ve ever feasted upon, holy crow was it dark and man was it glorious. I can’t even put quotes here (there are DOZENS) from the book that made me laugh out loud , and I mean uproariously which a book, come to think of it has never made me do, I have chuckled at books before but this ish right here was ridiculous. Along with the dark comedy it was inspirational , and I mean seriously uplifting. It was touching , smart, honest, bold, I could go on but what I took from the book along with a crap ton, and I mean a ton of laughter; I’m just gonna go out on a line and claim this is the funniest book I’ve ever read , I can’t even remember a movie I last laughed at this much (maybe scary movie 1 in theaters , it’s Been a long time) what I took from this book is this, if you work hard enough and break your balls and never quit, you’ll succeed at anything you set your sights on. This dudes a beast, before this book I’ve never heard of him, I didn’t know his involvement with BRCC, never saw his YouTube channel, face book pages, nothing. Having said that I am glad that I did because this right here is the most certifiably freshest book I’ve read of 2019, #1. I highly recommend it and silencer smooth is my current BRCC favorite!
August 29, 2019
Story started out very good and then became a little too much David Goggins and Jocko Winnick.
Was hoping more about a book that is geared toward the civilian that seeks to better understand the humanity behind those that serve and their thoughts and experiences as they navigate through their careers. Instead, there was a lot of machismo, sex, and profanity. In other words, nothing new to see here.
A couple of funny moments in the book though, but not quite laugh out loud.
Very acerbic undertones and pretty typical military memoir.
Was hoping more about a book that is geared toward the civilian that seeks to better understand the humanity behind those that serve and their thoughts and experiences as they navigate through their careers. Instead, there was a lot of machismo, sex, and profanity. In other words, nothing new to see here.
A couple of funny moments in the book though, but not quite laugh out loud.
Very acerbic undertones and pretty typical military memoir.
November 3, 2019
I found this book at my library and the cover captured my attention. I read the synopsis and it definitely sounded intriguing. This personal memoir was filled with humor, stomach dropping detailed events from war and humorous yet raunchy stories of his exploits. I know a lot of people complained about his cocky arrogant attitude but I saw it more as a crude sense of humor. He definitely showed his humility and the learning curve he had to overcome to achieve all he has. His point was clear that it was to bond veterans together “who appreciated the gratitude but had no use for the pity; who did not need thanks for their service because they were more thankful for it than anyone could imagine. “ He truly was grateful for his time in service. I felt Best did a good job explaining how transitioning out of the military can be really rough and not for the reasons that people tend to thing of first like PTSD and survivor guilt. Some of the antics he described from his podcasts made me instantly think of Howard Stern.
February 28, 2020
What a terrible book. I have a father and several friends who have served with distinction in the Armed Forces. If they can manage to communicate about their love for country and camaraderie with brothers-in-arms without reaching into a cesspool and slinging it everywhere, others should be able to do the same. There's a difference between trying to be shockingly funny in a clever way and just going for the lowest common denominator every time.
In what could have been a celebration of freedom, family, and faith, the author went for the classic machismo of gun, guts and glory. Not in a "gather round the campfire and I'll tell you some epic stories" kind of way, but a "let's talk about how awesome I am as I tell you how many enemies and girls I've bagged" way.
I want my boys to be raised with the highest regard for those who have defended our country as I teach them respect for women and sacrifce for others. While I'm thankful for the author's service, this book shows the opposite trajectory I want to see my kids take.
In what could have been a celebration of freedom, family, and faith, the author went for the classic machismo of gun, guts and glory. Not in a "gather round the campfire and I'll tell you some epic stories" kind of way, but a "let's talk about how awesome I am as I tell you how many enemies and girls I've bagged" way.
I want my boys to be raised with the highest regard for those who have defended our country as I teach them respect for women and sacrifce for others. While I'm thankful for the author's service, this book shows the opposite trajectory I want to see my kids take.
February 5, 2020
A different look at military life and transition into civilian life. My husband and I are huge supporters of BRCC and his social media platforms, loved getting to read more about his background. Not your typical story either (yes, there is vulgarity and violence, I feel like that's a given) - but Mat has a different mindset, really brought this book to life and made you laugh through the good, bad, and ugly! I laughed reading bad reviews about him being over-inflated and whatever else, I have the utmost respect for our military personnel. I believe you earn the right to toot your own horn and share your badass experiences when you're willing to die for America and kill the SOB's who hate us. 💪🏼🇺🇸
December 5, 2019
This book is far, far from politically correct, and just about every other word is explicit language, but I laughed a lot. And I learned a lot more about the military experience too, Mr. Best reads his own book and that’s fun too. If you can overlook the sophomoric attitudes, the occasional sexism, the somewhat canned patriotic speeches (which I believe are genuinely felt) and the entrepreneurial jargon, this is a very enjoyable listen.
August 16, 2021
I listened to this w my husband on a trip. To be clear, this could have been really very good based on SOME of the content, but clearly Best still hasn’t matured much past his machismo youth. This bio felt very premature. We wonder if (hope) he’ll feel chagrin in 10-15 years about what he mainly chose to focus on (extensive sexploits) instead of veteran leadership, or entrepreneurial motivation. It was a book full of massive ego and misogynistic disrespect.
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