Badass

By: Ben Thompson

Narrated by: L. J. Ganser

Length: 8 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's Summary

A Relentless Onslaught of the Toughest Warlords, Vikings, Samurai, Pirates, Gunfighters, and Military Commanders to Ever Live

Throughout history - from the bone-crushing age of antiquity to the sack-tearing modern era - there have been larger-than-life ass-kickers with a natural talent for unleashing their epic bloodlust on anyone who crossed them. They built empires, smashed armies, and ravaged civilizations for wealth, glory, and ultimate supremacy. Sometimes villains, sometimes heroes, sometimes criminally insane, they had one thing in common: They were all Badass!

Chandragupta Maurya
An Indian warlord who commanded an army of drunken war elephants and employed an elite detachment of highly trained female bodyguards

Peter Francisco
An unsung hero of the American Revolution, this powerful giant battled the British with a massive five-foot-long broadsword

Wolf the Quarrelsome
A mysterious barbarian leader who only appears in history twice - and both times he's kicking someone's ass

Bhanbhagta Gurung
A fearless Gurkha who won the Victoria Cross by clearing out six Japanese foxholes with nothing more than grenades, a bayonet, and a knife

From Alexander the Great to George S. Patton, from Genghis Khan to Bruce Lee, this pantheon of ass-kicking awesomeness should inspire you to quit your stupid job and dive headfirst into a new career as a professional badass.

©2009 Ben Thompson (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

The name says it all

With a name like "Badass", you really don't go into this with high literary expectations. To be fair, low overall expectations are more likely. However, if you make the mistake of judging this book by its title, you're making a very non-badass mistake. Broken up into short, very "Spike-TV" style sections, this book keeps your interest--sometimes just to hear what the next euphemism for being hit in the scrotum will be (which does wear a bit thin after the first 100 or so). This book is not for the faint of heart. This book is for those who are comfortable with Clint Eastwood and John Wayne style solutions.

Aside from the normal cast of characters in any retelling of the most dominant men of history, there are a few genuine surprises for the student of badassery. Freed slaves, woman ninjas and samurai, and even a mad scientist are included in this rollercoaster through historical toughness. Nevermind that the history involved tends to take on a convenient interpretation to match the theme. It's still fun.

So, sit back and enjoy this instant classic of micro-history focusing on the universal church of badassness. Just remember to wear a cup.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

accurate but hilarious history!

This had me laughing so hard that I kept having to rewind so my husband could hear it; yet the history is accurate. I LOVE this book!

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

It's a historical comedy

Really, the title and the discription of the book says it all. This book is history as told by a comedian. I personally think it's a nice change from the stuffy history books that I am used to. Some other reviewers complain that the humor is stupid and immiture. I admit that this humor is not for everyone,The author uses a lot of exageration comedy when it comes to talking about the people in this book. If you are in high school or college and want to read an interesting and funny history book, then this is the book for you.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Not Bad, if You're into that Sort of Thing

An entertaining listen, if looked at as historic comedy/satire. Unfortunately, the book tends to exaggerate a "badass" person's badass-itude using fantastical elements (a pirate lifting a cannon and uses it as a bat to hit his foes away, a general using headbutts to win wars, and various people doing it "Metal Gear Solid" or "Legend of Zelda" style.)

Very early in the book, I got fed up with the repeated use of the following phrases:

-Balls-out
-Bast*rds
-Jack***es
-Truly bad*ss

If you want to get a lighthearted look at history, or get tween boys interested in it, this book is ideal. If you just want to get balanced, mature, level information on the toughest, most impressive characters in history, look elsewhere.

11 of 13 people found this review helpful

One of the best most fun books EVER

Look Badass is funny, but also factual, the humor is what really sold it for me. This book as gotten some not so great reviews by guys trying to bash the way it was written. Which I feel is unjust; Gentlemen this is not a stiff collegiate essay or a history channel documentary. However, this is a light hearted romp that is a joy to listen to and can appeal to anyone. Buy this book you don't have to be interested in History to really enjoy it. As for me I absolutely adore Badass and if I'm in a bad mood or feeling unmotivated I just listen to this and it always helps.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Historically Entertaining

Was just fun to listen too. Might not be totally accurate but portrayals of the Bad Asses of the old world, but 100% entertaining. Couldn't take the head phones out. Good fun!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

This Book is Awesome

I mostly read Business type books, and while this doesn't strictly fall into that category, it is very Exciting. The book is non-stop action that will keep you listening even when you arrive at your destination and need to turn it off.

Best of all, it is all actual history that you can bring up in conversation to appear more intelligent than you really are.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Finally, someone blends history with entertainment

I don't know what other people have said about this book but I loved it. The writer uses colourful modern vernacular to spice up the boring bits. He keeps calling people "dumb-ass" and the like, which I think might get tired for some people but I liked it. He was also successfull in bringing the ancient world into current day hypotheticals. Comparing some ancient adventures to how someone would have handled it today. Overall it was quite clever and well done. Even though it was written as if it was the only way teenagers would enjoy history, it was actually quite informative. Definitely worth a read for a good laugh and some easy education.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Bobby Conklin II

The narration is lol funny, couldnt pull out the earphones till ending..

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Brilliant Badass Book

This book was well written and highly engaging. It serves almost as a primer to wet the appetite of any reader. I find myself hunting down other books in Audible to learn more about many of the historical figures in the books.

Note to Audible: You might want to consider seeing how many historical books or bios you could add or at least link up to via a promotion or on this book's profile page. I'd love to add more books related to many of the badasses discussed!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Tongue firmly in cheek

Would you consider the audio edition of Badass to be better than the print version?

This is something different from the usual stories on Audible. It takes a rather irreverent look at warrior characters from history and illustrates how hard they were. It's a bit like reading/listening to a comic book but it is none the worse for that. My only gripe about this (and some other books) is that it says "sidebar for.... " when it could just be read out without telling us it was a sidebar.