This is a trailer for Former Delta Force Operator Dale Comstock‘s book, “American Badass: The true story of a modern day Spartan“. Although I’ve never met Comstock, we have several mutual friends who speak very highly of him.
I’ve read the book and purchased it a couple of months ago. It’s a quick read and I really enjoyed it. I will tell you a couple of things up front. It is from a small publisher and we are seeing lots of these from former military personnel hitting the shelves. Unfortunately, that means I ran across some typos. It also means that it’s not what I would consider a traditional biography. It’s really more of a collection of short chapters describing various events in his life without any consistent arc structure linking them together. One chapter doesn’t necessarily segue to the next and at times they kind of jump around. Instead, there are what I consider several sections that are chained by periods in Comstock’s life. But, this structure also allow you to pick the book up and knock out a few chapters at a whack. You can easily put it down and come back to it without losing your place.
While the book may feature an unconventional structure, I liked it and I highly suggest you pick up a copy. It’s fascinating and can be quite motivating. For example, the info on his combat experience during Urgent Fury as well as the Modelo Prison raid is great and I enjoyed reading it. And in the OTC section Comstock discusses a visualization technique he discovered as a kid which we learn about in an earlier chapter. There’s also a section I can relate to having been a single father on active duty. Finally, I’d like to thank him for teaching me that the term “butt-pirate” is hyphenated.
“American Baddass” is a great read that will take you into the life of a guy you may have seen on TV or mentioned on FaceBook. But I don’t think the tale of Dale Comstock is anywhere near its final chapter and I don’t think he shared everything about his life that he should have. Perhaps one day, he’ll publish a sequel. When he does, I can assure you, I’ll read it.
