Chutes, Beer, & Bullets

Not Your Grandpa's War Story

De: Jesse C. Holder

Narrado por: Greg Barrett

Chutes, Beer, & Bullets: Not Your Grandpa's War Story is a humor-filled narrative that takes place during the peak of The War on Terror. Follow Jesse in this uncut and unscripted adventure as he leads you through United States Army Airborne School, Europe, and ultimately to Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Chutes, Beer, & Bullets is assured to have you laughing, sighing, looking away, and possibly even shedding a tear as you connect with the real-life characters within.

©4/26/2012 Jesse C. Holder (P)2012 Jesse C. Holder

A Crazy Kid's Army Experience

What made the experience of listening to Chutes, Beer, & Bullets the most enjoyable?

The book reads like rough fiction. I had to remind myself that that it's a true, albeit strange... um... very strange story at times. I was incredulous at the author's embrace of being the butt of gay innuendo.

It's army life from the view of a class clown. His injury during battle somehow brings depth.

It was worth the read to see the world through Jesse's insanity. ;-)

What was one of the most memorable moments of Chutes, Beer, & Bullets?

I think I have an image of pringles indelibly etched into my mind. I'll never be able to eat pringles again.

What about Greg Barrett’s performance did you like?

I was doubtful about the performance at first... until I heard Jesse in a video playing the preacher.

I normally "read" audio books at 1.5 to 2 times speed. Greg Barrett reads really fast... so I slowed it down to 1 x speed. The southern accent fit.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was shocked at quite a bit of what I read. I won't ruin it for other's by describing it here.

Laugh? Cry? I had to retrieve my jaw from the floor.

Any additional comments?

The writing is not polished. Personally, I think that works in the book's favor. It fits with the content.

I can imagine a movie coming out of this.

Couldn't get past the second chapter

Would you try another book from Jesse C. Holder and/or Greg Barrett?

Not until the former took a few writing classes and the latter spent some time in a drama class. I found the writing to be very elementary and the reading to feel rushed and out of place.

What didn’t you like about Greg Barrett’s performance?

First of all, he sounded way too old to read on behalf of a twenty-something young man. It was very distracting, particularly when trying to use slang or vernacular used by younger generations... it just didn't sound right. He also rushed through the book, not taking the time to properly deliver passages that were meant to be funny - he had no comedic timing.

Any additional comments?

I picked up this book because I thought it might mirror the similar experiences I enjoyed while in the army in Europe. Unfortunately the unoriginal writing style and horrendous reading made impossible for me to get past the second chapter. Very disappointing.