The Glass Factory

by Braxton McCoy

In 2006, Sgt. Braxton McCoy (Ret.) was severely wounded by a suicide bomber in Ramadi, Iraq, and later told he may never walk again. After nearly a decade of physical therapy and rehabilitation Braxton has not only regained the majority of his strength, but he has now climbed mountains and competed in endurance races. This book follows his story from the day he was wounded through his nearly decade long rehabilitation. Along the way he finds himself trying to adapt to the world with a mind and body he no longer understands. Braxton battles not just physical and mental trauma, but a host of other issues such as nihilism, opioid and alcohol addiction, suicide and a Traumatic Brain Injury. In the end, he is able to work through all of these challenges, but like Odysseus, he and those who read his story are changed forever.

Genres: Autobiography, Nonfiction, Memoir

264 pages, Paperback

First published September 8, 2017

Reviews

[Molly Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring and deeply intimate autobiography addressing the process of piecing a warrior back together. McCoy lifts the veil between the battlefield and return to the civilian world to give his readers a frank and sometimes heartbreaking glimpse at his journey not just through physical healing, but mentally and emotionally as well. His hard fought struggle, documented in The Glass Factory, is a must read for anyone facing impossible odds in their own life as it affirms the possibilities for healing and victory through personal introspection and growth.

[Casey Blenks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an emotional read, I can't imagine what it was like for Braxton to relive it all in such detail. This book really highlights the level of unknown danger that soldiers can face during their duties. The frustrations you can experience with leadership. The despair and pain following a traumatic event of this magnitude. The battle against yourself.
This is hard to read because you can feel it, everything he says feels so raw. I think military members, spouses or first responders will find this more emotional than the average person due to the level you may be able to relate to Braxton, but even as a civilian with no connection to that world, you will still be moved by his story, and it may just open your eyes to a broader issue that can be at play when war is on the table.

[Brian Gillespie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Certainly not a romanticized tale of heroism in battle, The Glass Factory is a brutally honest account of one man’s descent into hell and the slow, arduous process of pulling himself back out.

McCoy demonstrates that combat isn’t the toughest battle that a man can face, nor is courage defined by facing external challenges. The toughest fight of our lives involves overcoming our own weaknesses and limitations. And doing so is almost never a straight line from start to finish.

This is a powerful story and well worth your time.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Personal account of catastrophic wounding of an American soldier in the first part of the 2000s overseas. Also a journey of a young, vigorous man, twenty years old at the time and full of juice, and his journey to become a mature adult. Especially recommend for anybody with PTSD, diagnosed or unacknowledged: this will help center and inspire you to keep going. McCoy is an excellent writer. This was not ghost-written...he writes from the heart. It took a lot of courage to put it all out there, warts and all, and he does it skillfully.

[Molly Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Introspective, honest, and deeply personal, McCoy pulls back the curtain to reveal the painful and not always picture perfect process of "coming home". A must read for anyone facing rocky valleys and dark nights in their personal lives as this book's very real themes encourage readers to continue their own healing process no matter its setbacks or obstacles.

[Kash Cruise · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome memoir of a humble soldier who rediscovers himself. Life lessons are doled out that we can all learn from that can help us lead better and more fulfilling lives.
A thank you to Sgt. McCoy for intimately and humbly sharing your successes, failures, and knowledge gained from your experiences.

[Sandi Mascio · Rating 5 out of 5]

An honest and deeply introspective memoir by a horrifically wounded warrior that details his amazing physical recovery, and more importantly, the grueling simultaneous journey of his mental, emotional and spiritual evolution.

[East To · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it, this is an incredible story.

[Theshia Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book on overcoming tribulations and self discovery. We journey through the injury, descent then the rise of our author in this amazing autobiography.

[Joe Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

If we were all as honest with each other, as Braxton McCoy is in his book, the world would undoubtedly be a better place.

[John Loyko · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent account of the hardships that soldiers with both visible and invisible wounds battle with every day. Extremely well-written and such an engaging story. Highly recommended!

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so many books about the lives of military generals, or heroic acts performed during times of war, but this book is different. This book describes a separate battle altogether—the battle to reacclimate into society after suffering a series of terrible wounds in battle.

This book is both profound and raw. If you don’t come away from it with a newfound appreciation for life, then you didn’t pay enough attention. I recommend this book often, but always with the caveat to be careful, as it can be emotionally draining.