{Book Review} "Tough As They Come" by SSG Travis Mills

 “Never give up. Never quit.”

          Travis Mills has lived by live motto from a young age. Together with Marcus Brotherton, Mills tells his story. Tough As They Come provides a glimpse into the life of a soldier in the 82^nd Airborne. The book begins with lessons Mills learned in childhood and continues on to tell the story of his three deployments in Afghanistan. Mills writes about his first two deployments, explaining what his life was like during each one. This part of his story allows readers a small glimpse into the reality of what war is like. Then, in detail, Mills recounts the day he stepped on an IED during his third deployment, and his life changed forever.

           To date, Mills is one of five quadruple amputee survivors of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Tough As They Come could easily be a book about a man who survived an explosion and now cannot do anything for himself. But that’s not who Travis Mills is. Mills strives to make it clear that he does not have a victim mindset. His story is inspiring because Mills does not let his situation define him. He moves past his injuries with remarkable strength, refusing to be a helpless victim. This book is not one of a man feeling sorry for himself. It is a story of a man overcoming adversity and learning to live in his new reality.

         Tough As They Come is the most inspiring book I have read this year. Through this book, I have gained a deeper understanding of the war in Afghanistan, and had the pleasure of learning the story of Travis Mills. This book forces you to reexamine your own life, and consider how you respond to your own problems. It also highlights the importance of family, and being there for the ones you love. Many life lessons can be taken from this biography of an amazing soldier.

          Mills now works as a public speaker, and helps other veterans through his foundation, the Travis Mills Foundation. Every day, Mills works to inspire people to “never give up, never quit.” To learn more about his foundation, visit http://www.travismills.org/foundation/

I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.