Life with a drug-addicted father meant sleeping with one eye open, nervously anticipating but not knowing what chaotic event would happen next. Whether it was having a shotgun placed against his head or snorting cocaine at 13 with his dad, the unpredictable and unwanted were Greg Munck’s normal. But just when the anxiety and anger inside of him were starting to vent and rumble, the United States Marines and a long boat ride to Kuwait to fight in the Gulf War intervened to change the trajectory—and eternity—of a twenty-year-old warfighter gifted by God to lead men.
Simple, emotional, and visceral, this story is about earth’s brokenness, God’s presence, and the true significance that resonates deep in the soul of everyone. To be great and to do great things are embedded in the heart of everyone, but the process of becoming that person demands courage, perseverance, and faith. Fighting the good fight isn’t easy, but under the right leadership, we see that overwhelming odds can be overcome and that our truest purpose can be discovered. In The Guide: Survival, Warfighting, Peacemaking, Greg Munck invites you into his life so that you can discover the bravery to face and win your biggest emotional and spiritual battles.
Munck shares his story with sincerity, though unprepared readers may be surprised by his frankness, from early experimentation with masturbation, adolescent drug use, and teenage sexual exploits. His transparency is deeply affecting when he addresses his military service in the Gulf War, the difficult things he saw, and the impact of consequential PTSD. The photos that Munck periodically includes offer clarifying context, and the “Guiding Thought” lessons he offers at the end of each chapter manage to connect stories of, say, drunken “surfing” in the back of a pickup on L.A.’s 405 highway, with biblical precepts and thoughts about living with purpose.
Munck led a difficult childhood and young adulthood and through great determination made it through poverty, a parent struggling with addiction, and personal anger issues. This memoir is a powerful collection of stories of how he did that with the help of his community and God, and his attempt to share a guide for readers (and his children) to not make the same mistakes that he did. Now he is a pastor, father who clearly loves and respects his children, and a leader within his community. Readers looking for a moving story of perseverance and growth from a marine-turned-pastor will appreciate this memoir.
Takeaway: A former Marine’s revealing journey to faith.
Comparable Titles: Owen R. Chandler’s A Bridge in Babylon, and Joey Svendsen’s Fundamentalist.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A-
Editing: B+
Marketing copy: A-
"The Guide pours its heart and soul into every written word. It's a nonstop, page turner. A confessional that apologizes to no one, not even G-d. I chose to read The Guide. I feel like a better person. I feel like I live in a better world. The rest is up to us."
"Greg has become an unstoppable force for good, helping to liberate the oppressed with the Message of Freedom. The Guide is an intense spiritual fight, good against evil. It's a riveting message that gives anyone who is broken or hurting a sense of hope. It's a must-read!"
"I remember when I first met Greg Munck and heard his amazing story of how he came to faith at our first Harvest Crusade. This book is raw and real. I know you will find hope in these pages as Greg reveals how God changed the trajectory of his life. I recommend it!"
"Rarely is there a book that captivates the sense of redemption as illuminating as The Guide. Greg Munck bravely takes the reader on a battle-tested journey of self-discovery. His anecdotes are not only heartbreaking but hilarious. Greg manages to weave in the fabric of humor in these horrific stories in such a way that the reader can't help to not only root for him but learn from him. I promise after reading this book the reader will feel like he can break on through to the other side and defeat any challenger that comes their way."
Critique: Impressively well written and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Guide: Survival, Warfighting, Peacemaking" is a quality and unreservedly recommended pick for personal and community library Contemporary American Biography and Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections.
Synopsis: An inherently interesting combination personal memoir and self-help guide, "The Guide: Survival, Warfighting, Peacemaking" by Greg Munck will revolutionize the way you approach life's struggles.
