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No Joy
*Disclaimer* This is not a book on PTSD, at all. This book is about, what some may call, the alternative explanation.
Picked up by a larger publisher--the retitled, second, and final edition of the cult hit, Spent Shell Casings.
Created as a counterweight for all the politicized and ghost-written books about the Global War on Terror, No Joy is the transgressive memoir to set the record straight! Dark. Hilarious. Disturbingly Honest—this collection of short stories from your average frustrated American teen turned one of its most elite brand of warriors, No Joy rips the veneer off the thank-you-for-your-service Boy Scout façade.
Centered on the 2004 Battle of Fallujah, this mosaic of meditation and madness asks the necessary question: what really draws modern young men to war?
Picked up by a larger publisher--the retitled, second, and final edition of the cult hit, Spent Shell Casings.
Created as a counterweight for all the politicized and ghost-written books about the Global War on Terror, No Joy is the transgressive memoir to set the record straight! Dark. Hilarious. Disturbingly Honest—this collection of short stories from your average frustrated American teen turned one of its most elite brand of warriors, No Joy rips the veneer off the thank-you-for-your-service Boy Scout façade.
Centered on the 2004 Battle of Fallujah, this mosaic of meditation and madness asks the necessary question: what really draws modern young men to war?
280 pages, Paperback
Published October 3, 2017
38 people are currently reading
490 people want to read
About the author
David Rose
14 books130 followersDavid Rose: author of No Joy and The Scrolls of Sin, among others.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 19, 2016
The old saying goes that you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, but in this case that was the best thing to do. I was intrigued by the title, which (I later confirmed by reading the book) functions as an apt metaphor to describe the current generation of GWOT veterans. Although the author comes danger close to falling into navel-gazing pretentiousness at times, for the most part the essays and real-life vignettes are interesting, honest, and quite illuminating for the non-veteran.
If you're one of those freaks with "a hard dick and a penchant for dying" who volunteered for the front lines at one point, they're also pretty inspiring, even if in a nihilistic, violent way. Helps you get in touch with your inner savage.
"As the newest members of his unit come into view, he sees them for the soft, unmolded clay that they are, just as his forefathers saw him. He can only hope that these new ones, once seasoned to hard, will hold and exude the grit to cast down the same glare upon the distant generations that will fill the ranks after them. One only has to look to human history, baying that this grit will remain, popping and gurgling over societies’ edges at times opportune and inopportune alike. And if not? Something very special, and very beautiful, will have been lost."
Rose, David. Spent Shell Casings: 25 (and 5) Stories (Kindle Locations 3055-3058). Gatekeeper Press. Kindle Edition.
If you're one of those freaks with "a hard dick and a penchant for dying" who volunteered for the front lines at one point, they're also pretty inspiring, even if in a nihilistic, violent way. Helps you get in touch with your inner savage.
"As the newest members of his unit come into view, he sees them for the soft, unmolded clay that they are, just as his forefathers saw him. He can only hope that these new ones, once seasoned to hard, will hold and exude the grit to cast down the same glare upon the distant generations that will fill the ranks after them. One only has to look to human history, baying that this grit will remain, popping and gurgling over societies’ edges at times opportune and inopportune alike. And if not? Something very special, and very beautiful, will have been lost."
Rose, David. Spent Shell Casings: 25 (and 5) Stories (Kindle Locations 3055-3058). Gatekeeper Press. Kindle Edition.
January 8, 2018
This book is a tattered, bullet-ridden, mud-smeared banner for the vets of the GWOT.
A gruesome, unabashed look at the life of a twenty-first century warrior before, during, and after the battlefield, "No Joy" is a war cry that echoes what all of us lost boys of the GWOT have wanted to tell the world but didn't have the words or were perhaps too ashamed to tell. Rose's prose is at times fast-paced, riddled with both common and sophisticated metaphors and references, and at other times laced together with beautiful and profound strings of insight and wisdom that three decades of life at its highest apexes and lowest depths imbibes. A must-read for the veteran of any generation, as well as the non-veteran who wants to understand a subculture.
A gruesome, unabashed look at the life of a twenty-first century warrior before, during, and after the battlefield, "No Joy" is a war cry that echoes what all of us lost boys of the GWOT have wanted to tell the world but didn't have the words or were perhaps too ashamed to tell. Rose's prose is at times fast-paced, riddled with both common and sophisticated metaphors and references, and at other times laced together with beautiful and profound strings of insight and wisdom that three decades of life at its highest apexes and lowest depths imbibes. A must-read for the veteran of any generation, as well as the non-veteran who wants to understand a subculture.
August 7, 2016
A fight club type antidote to the common GWOT memior
The book is witty but pretty dark. The author gives voice to some of the thoughts, feelings and motivations of those who choose to fight but can't express for fear of being labelled sociopaths by those who can't comprehend the world beyond their own egocentric frame of reference.
The author only gives braid glimpses and hints as to the source of his demons and the consequences of his apparent failure to respond to them in a non self destructive manner. A compelling read that makes one self reflect on so many of the shared experiences while at the same time hopefully making us grateful that we don't share them all.
The book is witty but pretty dark. The author gives voice to some of the thoughts, feelings and motivations of those who choose to fight but can't express for fear of being labelled sociopaths by those who can't comprehend the world beyond their own egocentric frame of reference.
The author only gives braid glimpses and hints as to the source of his demons and the consequences of his apparent failure to respond to them in a non self destructive manner. A compelling read that makes one self reflect on so many of the shared experiences while at the same time hopefully making us grateful that we don't share them all.
August 21, 2016
A fun and erratic journey through the mind of a fellow GWOT Recon Man.
The pain, misery, and suffering of our training affects us all differently but those of us who reach the finish line share a lifetime bond as brothers in arms. This book explores the struggle for purpose and identity that comes with this crazy life we chose.
The pain, misery, and suffering of our training affects us all differently but those of us who reach the finish line share a lifetime bond as brothers in arms. This book explores the struggle for purpose and identity that comes with this crazy life we chose.
February 3, 2017
I hate to call it part of the transgressive novel but that's what it is, and more. Its horrible, fucked up, but you can't stop reading, and it's incredible. I'm thankful for having read it though. A rare insight into the cowboy culture of special operations beyond shooting people good and getting drunk, and what happens on the flip side of it. Worth your time and money.
December 6, 2017
Don't read this book if you:
- have a yellow ribbon bumper sticker stuck on your car,
- think "Act of Valor" was a good or realistic movie,
- can't handle the truth.
- have a yellow ribbon bumper sticker stuck on your car,
- think "Act of Valor" was a good or realistic movie,
- can't handle the truth.
October 13, 2019
I enjoyed this book more than God Emperor of Dune (one of the favorites). Not that they are the same at all, well David does also write fantasy; which is spectacularly morbid and well written! (Check out Mulgara: The Necromancer's Will)
This however, isn't another war book written by proxy and meant to stroke an ego and inflate claims. It is an unabashed account of a Recon Marine's life before and after his time in the corps; written as a series of vignettes. David Rose interweaves themes of philosophy, poetry, literature, and of war stories from the battlefield to the bedroom. Great read for civs, if you want a glimpse into the minds of the GWOT warriors. For veterans this book is a must read. Buy it. Read it
This however, isn't another war book written by proxy and meant to stroke an ego and inflate claims. It is an unabashed account of a Recon Marine's life before and after his time in the corps; written as a series of vignettes. David Rose interweaves themes of philosophy, poetry, literature, and of war stories from the battlefield to the bedroom. Great read for civs, if you want a glimpse into the minds of the GWOT warriors. For veterans this book is a must read. Buy it. Read it
November 19, 2021
I am stuck between 3 and 4 stars, so I rounded up. This is not a typical military memoir - if anything it’s almost the anthesis of one. But it’s good - possibly only enjoyed by others looking for honest assessments on military service and great anecdotes on his personal life. It’s uniqueness does come off over done at times - especially the last several chapters. They seemed to ramble a lot. But when Rose did tell some stories or had interesting philosophical examinations on things, some of them were the best I’ve read in a while.
July 13, 2023
“The image of selfless citizens dying is hard for many to swallow.
Bring now the tidings that will either free them from that horror, or will plunge them down deeper into a realization even more unsettling: their heroic ranks are teeming with an ancient breed they dare not imagine. Dare not imagine when putting that push in the diaphragm at the ballgame when the singer concludes,
"Braaaaaave." Dare not imagine when they stare at the family portrait of the infantryman who turned family man but still has that something behind his eyes.”
Bring now the tidings that will either free them from that horror, or will plunge them down deeper into a realization even more unsettling: their heroic ranks are teeming with an ancient breed they dare not imagine. Dare not imagine when putting that push in the diaphragm at the ballgame when the singer concludes,
"Braaaaaave." Dare not imagine when they stare at the family portrait of the infantryman who turned family man but still has that something behind his eyes.”
January 15, 2020
As a 55 year old former Jarhead I say Semper Fi Brother. This was probably the most honest, straight forward, no bullshit brain dump I've ever seen on the pages of a book. Every Marine, SEAL, soldier etc., that reads this will definitely identify. They just wouldn't put it in print where their Mother could see it....LOL...You've got brass balls my man...GREAT JOB MARINE.
October 26, 2017
As both a marine and career law enforcement officer, I can applause the author for his efforts. The book was raw and written with purpose. Worthy of reading but perhaps an eloquent crutch for the authors flaws.
June 9, 2020
No Joy is easily one of my favorite books this year.
No Joy actually reminds me of a non-fiction version of Redeployment by Phil Klay, only better. This is a gritty, dark, and humorous glimpse behind the veil of a Marine recons journey through life. The humor here may not be for everyone, for me it was on par with what I love. Don't be shocked though when you transition from humor to sadness to joy in the blink of an eye.
The only complaint I can image someone having with No Joy is it's lack of chronology, this did not bother me though and in fact kept it fresh.
No Joy actually reminds me of a non-fiction version of Redeployment by Phil Klay, only better. This is a gritty, dark, and humorous glimpse behind the veil of a Marine recons journey through life. The humor here may not be for everyone, for me it was on par with what I love. Don't be shocked though when you transition from humor to sadness to joy in the blink of an eye.
The only complaint I can image someone having with No Joy is it's lack of chronology, this did not bother me though and in fact kept it fresh.
September 17, 2021
A phenomenal book (of vignettes) that leaves the reader hastily turning pages and throatily chuckling. Would highly recommend anything written by David Rose to include his more recent works of fictional horror.
December 6, 2017
Decent book
Interesting book. One thing I didn't like was how the chapters would go back n fourth throughout the years. It wasn't chronological.
Interesting book. One thing I didn't like was how the chapters would go back n fourth throughout the years. It wasn't chronological.
April 8, 2018
The Tucker Max-esque chapters were just gratuitous and not told well enough. The non-Max chapters were more interesting and engaging.
March 2, 2020
A great book that was tough to put down. I still talk about this book to friends and would highly recommend to any person, especially GWOT veteran.
March 17, 2020
Didn't really get it. Not in chronological order. Kind of a weird writing style.
April 23, 2022
No Joy was a wild ride through David Rose's rockstar life. If you're up for riding the fence between military honor and hedonistic degeneracy, this is the book for you!
April 27, 2021
Amazing writing. I could hardly put it down. Big fan!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews