Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations

Top positive review

Well written, challenging, and inspiring for teens and adults both

Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2023

I learned about this book in a law enforcement training I attended. I ordered it for my teen daughter but chose to read it first. I just finished and can not recommend it enough to parents and teens as it is such a timely conversation for today's culture where embracing responsibility and choosing excellency seems to be viewed extremely negatively. I look forward to reading this with my daughter and discussing her thoughts on the topics within the book.

One person found this helpful

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aaron-the-baron

According to my teen, reading this book is "too hard"

Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2023

Wow. It's sure hard to motivate young people these days.

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From the United States

K. Sommers

over-religious and unrealistic for many teens

Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2009

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I bought this book for my daughter, thinking that since it was written by teenagers it would help enforce my message as a parent help her to reach higher and show that she really can do great things with her life. The more varied the sources from which our kids hear our parental message (do great things with your life, don't settle, you have to work for rewards--they don't fall in your lap), the more credibility the lessons gain.

Conservative religous views are very much at the forefront of this book. Although we are very active in our church and we believe that God has a plan for each one of us, this book was VERY conservative and at the age she is at, it turned her off. If she isn't going to read it, then it isn't going to do her any good.

In addition, these boys are not your average boys. On one hand, this makes them qualified to write this book because they have achieved much for their age. But on the other hand, is not rooted in reality for many (MOST?) teens out there. Their parents allowed them to move halfway across the country to intern! How many parents can do that even if they want to? Cool, but realistic? The book starts off with the list of the authors many and significant accomplishments. Hearing the boys' accomplishments at the end of the book rather than at the beginning may have made the message of the book seem more realistic. Readers may think that this level of accomplishment is way out of their reach (or interest level)so why bother with the rest of the book?

The way I rate a non-fiction/self help book is by how much it helped me (and/or my family)challenge my (our) thoughts and grow. If you aren't particularly religious, this book will turn you off. If your child is already not super motivated, it probably will make them feel even less adequate rather than gently and powerfully show them the possibilities. Unfortunately, on several levels, this book just did not work for my family.

27 people found this helpful

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Darcie L.

I expected more by the title… too bad

Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2021

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Ordered these for a group of young girls so we could go through it together. I read some of it before giving to my daughter. Was totally disappointed by the beginning and could hardly make it through more than a few chapters - it was simply the authors bragging about their success and talking about themselves and this experiment they did to “do hard things” and how they wrote about, and how it became popular. Perhaps I didn’t read far enough to get past the “intro” but I didn’t want to waste any more time on it. The title and idea sounded good, just wished it had more substance.

4 people found this helpful

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Aka3

Too Arrogant and Self-Righteous

Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2015

Verified Purchase

Fundamentalist Christian book. The marketing is stronger than the text. I bought it because I agree with the idea that teens are capable of more than they're expected to attempt. The authors are full of themselves, often state the obvious. The arrogance is offputting to me. I didn't make it past Chapter 2.

10 people found this helpful

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Bonnie J.

Tossed the book out.

Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2016

Verified Purchase

Really, really out of touch book for most of today's teens (unless they are evangelical church members). Waste of space on my book shelves.

2 people found this helpful

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Amanda

Two Stars

Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2016

Verified Purchase

I didn't know this was a religion based book.

4 people found this helpful

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jmsibal

Two Stars

Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2016

Verified Purchase

not for me

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Durough

Written by teens and reads as such. Boring, redundant, and overdone.

Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2016

I’ll be honest. While looking for a new book to review, I saw “Foreword by Chuck Norris” on the front cover of //Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations// by Alex & Brett Harris, so I had to request it. I don’t have a Total Gym®, so why not a book promoted by the roundhouse-loving Texas Ranger? I didn’t know anything about the book or the Harris brothers, but too many legendary Chuck Norris jokes were running through my head to keep my choice rational. I don’t know why I expected something more from a foreword—I do know...because it’s Chuck Norris—but the two-page intro pretty much said, “I know these kids. They’re cool. Do hard stuff. *roundhouse to the face*” Okay, so there was no kicking involved (would have been a cool flip-book animation to add to the corners of the book’s pages), but that would’ve made it better. But really, this has nothing to do with the book, so on to it.

This is the second reprint of a 2008 book written by a couple Christian teenage brothers (to Christians, but not just for Christians) who hate the word “teenager,” desire us to drop that idea from our culture, and get kids to grow up and do more. That’s cool, and I’m on board with discontinuing adolescence into our 30s in the US. However, I would encourage young folk to think more about their choices than do the authors who chastise people who discovered they were going to help a different political campaign than the one for which they signed up. Running a political campaign may be a “hard thing,” but we should think about whether or not we believe in the hard things we’re attempting. This is just one example of many, but indicative of the easily misguided nature of youth, even when they’re gung-ho about taking on challenges and doing more.

I don’t think the authors make the best of connections with Scripture and their examples, but they are (were) teenagers running with their upbringing and not so much wrestling with the real context of Scripture. These guys do want us to glorify God in all we do, and to that end I think they encourage the reader well.

In this third edition only a few stories have been added in an appendix. The brothers have not changed the original text at all, which they think is a good thing. It still reads like it’s written by teenagers, so if that’s desired, then I guess it’s a good thing. I probably would have updated it a bit and taken more care with all the non-profit organization examples that don’t really consider economic and social implications but focus more on how good the ones working in it feel when “helping” others. (I recommend When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor . . . and Yourself for those interested in non-profits and foreign aid.)

Alex’s gospel message in “Appendix A” is overly simplistic and lacking important points, but it simply stems from his faith tradition, which is expected. Again, something I would have changed.

Overall, it may be inspiring for some youth (it obviously has been for eight years), but the stories and examples may prove tedious and longwinded for some. I would have put it down after Part 1 of 3 if I’d not been committed to reviewing it.

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

5 people found this helpful

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majesticgoldenrose

Oh boy

Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2017

Oh boy.

Do Hard Things is a book that has been on my shelf for a long time. I finally picked it up a few weeks ago and since have been meticulously chipping away at it.

I like the concept, I have to say that. I like the idea that kids should do meaningful things and be intentional about how they are spending their time, money, and energy. I like the message that if society has some sh*tty norms we should run away as fast as possible.

I've used it when I bike at the YMCA that I will bike four miles if I think I can handle three or for 20 minutes if I think I can only handle 10. Trying, and then finishing, something hard is a good thing and I like the essence of it..... But I think that much of the way that the authors explain it is a little too optimistic:

Kids need to support important causes! they say. Yes, this is a good idea! But most 12 year old kids are only getting money from their parents. What if the parents dont have money to give?

Kids need to volunteer at places to help the impoverished, they say. So true, but many parents dont have time to drive their kids around afterschool.

A lot of it assummed that the parents were 100% there to help their kids to anything they wanted and I think this is a little obnoxious. I know if i told my parents that I wanted lots of money to do anything they would not be interested in helping fund it. If I said we had to bake things, they would laugh, and if I needed them to help me carry a heavy box they would tell me to take things out until I could carry it myself. Yes, if a family has a stay at home parent they could possibly help their children out but like... what if someone is a single parent??? the book doesnt answer to this question.

Still, I did read through with a fine tooth comb and have a lot of notes to share:
I very quickly realized that these brothers are the same person basically. They have always went to the same schools, had the same jobs, applied for the same programs, read the same books, and held essentially the same beliefs. I'd believe it if they dressed the same. I am fortunate to know a few sets of twins with healthy relationships with each other (diverse interests, different friend groups, different personalities and passions, etc) but I was a little weirded out by the end of the book. In my mind, they have the same car, their wives look similar, have kids of the same age, and held hands as they graduated college. Awkward.
The book has conservative views on marriage, abortion, and all other topics. There are many references to political activism and although I didnt look up every campaign, it seems that all of them are for the Republican representative. In addition, there are many home school student stories so the audience seems to be more of the large-family Bible-belt kind than inner-city kind if that makes sense.
I like the concept to do good for others sake and not to brag about ourselves.
We can be crippled by comparing ourselves to people who are more skilled and more experienced than us and this is a bad mindset. We should compare ourselves to our past selves and just strive to be better than we were yesterday.
It favors confrontational gospel sharing. Going door to door is encouraged. I personally am against this idea, I think being neighborly and kind speaks more positively than any tract left in place of tip or intimmidating visit.
From page 82, God works through us to accomplish big things despite our imperfections, We must do risky things (outside of comfort zone) to grow.
The book was anti-nap. I understand that they were possibly favoriting productivity but think that moderation is good. In our fast paced world. sometimes the most faithful thing we could do is to slow down, stop worrying, and rest for half an hour. God will take care of us! (pg 91)
On pg 100 I noted that it is very very high school focused. Its meant for kids 12-18 and people outside of this window would likely not enjoy the book as much as a teenager.
As of page 104 I read that Teddy Roosevelt was the first president to fly an airplane. I loved TR when I was little and I also love planes so this is a neat fact. Along with references to real kids and hypothetical situations, there are many lessons from history.
The authors conducted a modesty survey and there are many references to this project, again with conservative "homeschooler" views of modesty.
I like the wide range of areas that kids are encouraged to peruse, to work hard at. On page 175 there is a list: write books, direct films, raise children, design buildings, run for office, make scientific and medical discoveries. It is like the example of the Church as a "body." We are working together with different talents and all important.
On page 208 it pointed out that many kids and young adults are sick of society. This is very accurate.
In the back are further notes. There is a forward in the beginning and then at the end an afterword, recommended reading, stories, FAQ's, ways to get started doing big things, sources, and acknowledgements. This is a wealth of information in addition to the main text of the book

A final issue I had is that the book never answers "what happens when you fail?" but assumes that everything will work out as we hope. When someone first runs into opposition or impossibility, its easy to be discouraged if they expect perfection instead of progress.

All in all, this book has some fantastic ideas and some limitations. It is not a book that I can say I adored but might be a good read for a 9th grader, at least to have on the shelf as an option.

I also prefer to read books in 1 siting and read this over a course of about 2 weeks which I dont like so much. I felt like I was doing something hard just trying to read the book, lol.

4 people found this helpful

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SamC

Meh, another 'Christianized' self help book

Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2013

I read "Do Hard Things" based on a recommendation from a friend. It turned out to be another inspirational self-help book. The purpose seems to be to inspire teens and young adults to accomplish large tasks, but it never addresses the issue of if these tasks are good or right, nor does it address the motivation to do these tasks. At least the teens will have something accomplished.
Much of the book is based on personal experience of the Harris brothers and those who have developed some contact with them. However, they continually refer to a few 'accomplishments' 1) the creation of the "Rebulution" web site, 2) the modesty survey found on the Rebulution site, 3) and their experience with the Alabama Supreme Court. At no time did they discuss why these were good and Godly tasks. Many times, they suggest helping some political campaign without defending the candidate.
They close with a 5 step instructional to help others "Do Hard Things", but once again neglect both the determination if this is actually good and the motivation to do such activities. In short, this does very little, but to encourage a Pharisaical approach to earning one's salvation and sanctification.
I'm glad I borrowed it from the library instead of paying money for what will not last (Colossians 2:20-23)

6 people found this helpful

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Vic Pazuto

Great Premise - Annoying Tone & Long-Winded

Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2009

I was a little surprised at the constant religious references, but that wasn't a show-stopper for me. The show-stoppers were the slow pace and false tone. I couldn't get past the endless statements of the obvious and earnest recitations of the authors' accomplishments.
Usually books on tape are easier to plow through while doing dishes etc., but after 20 minutes, my wife asked "Why are you still listening to that? Are you hoping it will get better?"
Too bad - I was hoping for a more credible source than his dad to convince my teenage son that worthwhile accomplishments often involve sacrifice and suffering. But hoping for a book to do this is probably misguided; he will learn best through experience.

19 people found this helpful

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