Tough as They Come

By: Travis Mills, Marcus Brotherton, Gary Sinise - foreword

Narrated by: Travis Mills

Length: 6 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's Summary

Thousands have been wounded in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Five have survived quadruple-amputee injuries. This is one soldier's story.

Thousands of soldiers die every year to defend their country. United States Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills was sure that he would become another statistic when, during his third tour of duty in Afghanistan, he was caught in an IED blast four days before his 25th birthday. Against the odds, he lived, but at a severe cost - Travis became one of only five soldiers from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to survive a quadruple amputation.

Suddenly forced to reconcile with the fact that he no longer had arms or legs, Travis was faced with a future drastically different from the one he had imagined for himself. He would never again be able to lead his squad, stroke his fingers against his wife's cheek, or pick up his infant daughter.

Travis struggled through the painful and anxious days of rehabilitation so that he could regain the strength to live his life to the fullest. With enormous willpower and endurance, the unconditional love of his family, and a generous amount of faith, Travis shocked everyone with his remarkable recovery. Even without limbs, he still swims, dances with his wife, rides mountain bikes, and drives his daughter to school.

Travis inspires thousands every day with his remarkable journey. He doesn't want to be thought of as wounded. "I'm just a man with scars," he says, "living life to the fullest and best I know how."

©2015 Travis Mills and Marcus Brotherton (P)2015 Random House Audio

Critic Reviews

"A story of hope and resilience, and a reminder that no matter what life may throw at us, as Travis says, as long as we 'Never Give Up, Never Quit', we can achieve anything we set our hearts and minds to. He is quite simply a great American and an example for us all." (Gary Sinise, actor, director, veterans advocate, and founder of the Gary Sinise Foundation)

"This book exemplifies the qualities that made Travis an outstanding soldier: It is gutsy and honest, filled with humor even in the darkest moments, and always driven by a love for both family and country." (Troy Aikman, NFL Hall of Fame quarterback)

"The problem with guys like Travis, is they make guys like me look like lazy whiners. What this man did for our country is heroic. What he sacrificed is unimaginable. And what he's written is simply unforgettable. Read it. I promise you'll feel better about whatever ails you." (Mike Rowe, TV host, writer, narrator, producer, and actor)

Wow. Just wow.

The courage and determination of this great man. Even in the face of death if he asks of the well-being of everybody else except for himself. God Bless America

Truly inspiring

I think what happened was terrible, but what he did with what he was given is truly amazing! Thank God he’s alive to spread his message of hope to the rest of us. Maybe with what I’m dealing with I can think of him and be tough as they come!

best story I've heard in a long time.

pick it up and you won't put it down till it's done. great book and loved it.

Amazing Story!

Travis is an amazing individual! It was great to hear him reading his story as well. Everyone has so much to learn about living life to the fullest & giving it everything you have! Travis - Thank you for your service!

Inspirational Is An Understatement

Travis Mills wrote a truly inspiring book and encompasses what it means to be an great American patriot. There is never enough gratitude to go around to those who serve and put their lives and safety on the line for this country. No matter the adversity you are facing in life there is always a path out of the darkness. Thank you Travis for sharing this vision of optimism and I hope it finds its way to those in need.

Amazing

Truly an inspiration. It's incredible what a positive attitude and determination can achieve. Travis, thank you for all you have done and continue to do for this great country.

An amazing personal story

What made the experience of listening to Tough as They Come the most enjoyable?

It was great to hear Travis Mills tell his story in such detail and from the perspective also from those close to him. His story of enduring the pain and hardship and overcoming them is such an empowering inspiration. I usually can only listen to an audio book in 30 minute segments but I listened to this whole book straight through during my drive from FL to NY.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The depressing feeling when Travis woke up and realized what had happened. I cried hard hearing how Travis felt and worked through it.

Inspirational and heart warming

I volunteer at Walter Reed, and I have been doing this for years now. I was fortunate enough to be there when this gentleman was there. Volunteering changed my life, and this book hit home why. I think as ordinary citizens we do not understand what those serving, including the families go through. This book gives insight into how hard it really is. Travis is funny, and makes Light of his situation, and I liked the audio book for that reason. While he certainly does not leave out his low points, he also has a spirit of moving forward that is rarely seen. The book reminds us to be grateful for all that we have, and never to complain, as someone who has it a lot worse than we do, is not complaining and happy to be alive.

Great read/listen for any combat vet who has ever had a rough day.

If your a combat infantryman such as I then this story will get rather dull/ aggravating when he’s explaining a lot of military stuff but other wise it was a very good audio book.

Word of warning though: if you have any demons your dealing with this might bring them out a bit as he talks about situations close to home and injuries you’ve prob seen on the battlefield, like he says though... don’t quit keep listening and you’ll be able to get past it. Several times he had me nearly in tears with memories and with my dad currently in his last days alive with liver cancer I have been rather close to the demons but it’s a great story about a great soldier. I hope I can meet him one day.

Great Book! A must read!

Where does Tough as They Come rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

At the top! SSG Mills is awesome! This just goes to show yes the WWII generation was great, but so are the millions of soldiers who have came after them.

Who was your favorite character and why?

SSG Mills of course. SSG Mills exemplified courage, grace, dignity, leadership, parent hood, and more.

What about Travis Mills’s performance did you like?

SSG Mill's performance was just explaining what he's been through. And Wow, most folks don't survive what he has, just an incredible person.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

How he handled his wife and child after his injury. And how he is moving forward with his life. Just awesome!

Any additional comments?

Yes, SSG Mills, you sir are an inspiration to us all. Drive on Soldier!