Customer Reviews

The 188th Crybaby Brigade: A Skinny Jewish Kid from Chicago Fights Hezbollah--A Memoir

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

In a memoir that will make you sweat bullets and cry over spilt mikvah bath water, Joel Chasnoff takes the reader on a journey from his Chicago Jewish day school to armored tank school in the desert of Israel.
His good intention to serve in the Israeli army as a kind of nod to his heritage, told in tandem with his love affair and attempt to marry his Israeli girlfriend tells an ironic story that supports the truth in the statement, "no good deed goes unpunished."
Hilarious and at times unbelievable tales of his band of unlikely brothers in the army make for a very detailed and personal account of the inner workings of a defense system that succeeds in spite of itself. As his stint in basic training drags endlessly on, relieved only by occasional weekend furloughs into Jerusalem, Joel begins to doubt not only his faithfulness to the Israeli army and his girlfriend, but also his faith in his faith. Told with an uncommon honesty, an unfailing sense of wry humor and peppered with dilemmas that would stump the most thoughtful of Jewish scholars, his story is at once thoughtful and memorable.
After overcoming his reservations toward the slapdash training he receives as a soldier expected to defend the State of Israel and successfully completing his year of service, he is confronted with an enemy he never expected to encounter- a rabbinic counsel in Jerusalem that declares war on his Jewish identity when he and his fiance apply for a marriage license. Suddenly, Joel is in a battle with himself and the spiritual foundation on which he has lived his life. Eventually, Chicago and Jerusalem, Ireland and Israel converge in his mind and heart to resolve his poignant dilemma.
This is a book worth reading and talking about.

This is one of the best books I've read in a while. I was inspired to pick up a copy after seeing Joel Chasnoff perform at Limmud NY - he was hilarious and what he said about the book was hilarious too. I was right.

This book gives the reader a real insight into the Armored Division of the IDF, a real "behind-the-scenes" story that is at the same time both hilarious and horrifying. On top of being a great read, this book touches upon the differences in Israeli society and how difficult it is for an American Jew to try to integrate into that society.

I highly recommend this book! I can't remember the last time I read for hours straight and finished a book in one sitting. The most entertaining read I've had in a while.

Th 188th Crybaby Brigade is an interesting memoir of what really happens when you follow your dreams. It is essentially a post modern coming of age story and Joel Chasnoff tells it peppered with loads of humor and heart wrenching emotion - all of which anyone can relate to anywhere in time and space. For those familiar with life in Israel on any level, not just the army, this book will make you chuckle and nod in agreement. Equally, anyone who hasn't will be taken for a ride,entertained with snippets that could be ripped from anyone's life. Chasnoff marries comedy and narrative very well in this engaging book. An excellent read!

Fast moving and mildly amusing account of a transplanted American who enrolls in the Israeli Army and winds up in their Tank Corps. Presents a pretty negative account of the Military's morale and readiness. Petty feuds and silliness predominate, and even the author's religious credentials are brought into question by the authorities. Although major political issues aren't really touched upon that much. this is a fascinating tour of contemporary Israeli life and the discontents of its newly recruited soldiers.

I really wasn't sure what to expect when I sat down to read "The 188th Crybaby Brigade." I had seen the author perform his stand-up comedy routines in the past, and had enjoyed his humor, including some stories of his time in the Israeli Army, but was unsure of what to expect from a full memoir of his experiences.

What I found as I clicked next page on my Kindle, was that I could not stop reading. The book was engaging, humorous, and while the title indicates that the book revolves around his experiences in the IDF, the book truly provided a sincere and sweet window into his whole life, his family, his wife, his identity, all while remaining humorous and light.

The stories the author shares are great, his writing style is a pleasure to read, and it is great vacation/summer reading.

This is a book that should not be missed.

Fascinating story well told. Very accessible and very humaqn tale from a region that too often generates divisive polemics. Talented author.

Chasnoff renders a unique tale as a 24-year old American Jew who voluntarily joins the Israel Defense Forces. From a hilarious telling of his acceptance into the army to a touching aftermath, Chasnoff's writing keeps you engaged as you navigate with him the difficulties of basic training and the constant possibility of actual combat. Chasnoff brings to the foreground the inductees who comprise his platoon and the sergeants, lieutenants and other officers whose decisions frequently spell life or death for him and the members of his company. His own history of growing up in a suburb of Chicago is interwoven throughout the narrative with skill, sincerity and a comedic touch that amplifies both ordinary and extraordinary events. A book that will stay with you and stimulate discussion for years to come. A wonderful read!

I LOVED this book. At first it made me laugh which is always nice, but then it took me on a gut wrenching journey that I never expected to take. Best of all, it was worth every second of it. Well written and witty, "Crybaby" tells a story that most/all American Jews can relate to. I know I did.

one of the best book I ever read.
It was very hard to let it rest for a minute.
I never laughed so much.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

Very, very funny. For any American Jews who regret not having the opportunity to join the IDF, Joel lets us draw on his memories as if we were there ourselves. After farming side-by-side with many of the battle-hardened Israelis of the past generation, I was scared to death by much of Joel's work. He manages to pull aside the green curtain in a very entertaining way, so we could all see how the IDF has changed over the past 20 years. Joel's encapsulated portrayal of the day-to-day grind of Israeli life was spot on. Americans integrating well in Israel is hit-or-miss, and Joel's book got it right.