Hey everyone! I’m excited to announce that my friend Justin Carroll has published a new book, and I think it’s going to interest many of you. Let me tell you a little about it.
OUR OLD FRIEND
First, let’s talk a bit about Justin. Many of you remember him as the founder of, and creative drive behind, this blog, but some of our newer readers may be unfamiliar with Justin, because he’s been out of the RevolverGuy spotlight for a bit.
While I’ve been honored to hold the editorial reins of RevolverGuy for the last five years or so, it was Justin that first got the ball rolling back in December of 2016. I entered the picture as a contributor a few months later, in March of 2017, and the two of us worked together as partners for many years. In 2020 though, things got really busy for Justin as he embarked on a new career path, and the demands of his new profession didn’t leave much time for RG. We missed him here, but the good news for us is that he was busy filling his life’s book with interesting pages, and he’s now ready to share some of the story with us.
The arc of Justin’s professional life has been broad and filled with adventure. It started as a Force Recon Marine and MARSOC Operator with combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and proceeded through more overseas deployments as a private military contractor before he returned home. After a period of teaching special operations personnel, Justin forged a new path as a full-time paramedic (it was this intense program that prompted his absence from RevolverGuy) and a volunteer search and rescue team member (who, incidentally, was called upon to perform dozens and dozens of rescues in the wake of Hurricane Helene, in September of 2024).
There were still more challenges to seek, however, and Justin embarked on yet another career path when he attended a law enforcement academy and was commissioned as a sheriff’s deputy. He’s currently busy establishing himself in that profession, but somehow found a way to carve out enough time along the way to write his latest book, Competent & Dangerous.
RETROSPECTIVE
Justin says that he wrote Competent & Dangerous for his 16-year old self—for the young man who yearned for adventure, but came up short when he looked for a guide map to the skill sets that would prepare him for it. He wanted to write the book that he wished he’d had access to back then, and make it available for a new generation of young adults with the same fire burning in their hearts.
This seems to be a bit of a theme for contemplative and thoughtful men as they approach a certain stage in their life—one that has them taking a brief pause from plotting the course ahead, for a quick look back at the path that got them there. Yet, while a number of men stop for this moment of reflection, few of them make the effort to leave a trail marker for those behind them.
Competent & Dangerous is the cairn that Justin has carefully stacked for his fellow travelers along life’s journey. In it, you’ll find sensible and quality advice on a broad variety of topics that will help to prepare the reader (regardless of their age) for the challenges of life–whether they be ordinary or extraordinary—and help them stay on the trail . . . or ready them to blaze their own.
A BROAD PERSPECTIVE
In the book, Justin offers instruction on topics as diverse as changing a tire, protecting your private information from electronic thieves, and setting a proper dinner table. He advises how to dress for survival in the harshest outdoor environments, and how to dress for a job interview, date, or funeral. You’ll be treated to his thoughts on the best knives, firearms and gear, and the best fuel for your body and mind.
A quick look at the table of contents will show the breadth and diversity of topics that Justin has tackled. Honestly, it’s a rather imposing list, and you’ll soon appreciate why it took 560+ pages, 1.75 inches, and a little over three pounds of book to cover all that territory!
NOT JUST FOR YOUNGSTERS
While Justin set out to write a book for the 16-year-old version of himself, it has utility far beyond his original intent.
As I read through it, I found myself thinking about the gaps in my own skill sets and abilities. I think I’ve got a good handle on some of the topics that Justin has written about (although, as I age, I realize I don’t know quite as much as I once thought I did), but I’ll readily admit to being deficient in others. The book was a good nudge, that reminded me I’ve still got work to do, and gave me a good primer on where to start.
I suppose that’s a way of saying that I think you’ll find something valuable in it, no matter where you are in your life’s journey. This book will serve admirably as that road map to adventure that Justin was looking for as a youth, but it will also be useful to those of us with a few miles under our belt.
Give it a try. I think you’ll enjoy it, and I think you’ll agree that Justin’s time away from RevolverGuy was well spent!
Mike,
Man, I can’t thank you enough for this very flattering review! I am extremely gratified you found some of this content useful, as you have taught me an awful lot yourself. This really was the book I wanted to read at 16, and the one I thought about writing at 26 but lacked the experience, knowledge, and wisdom. Hopefully this overly wordy, under-illustrated labor of love can be helpful to someone out there! If nothing else it will make a fine door-stop!
Thanks again, buddy!
Justin
I was surprised and pleased to see I made it into a Footnote! 😁
Best vendor?
Not a big Amazon fan. Rather the money went directly to Justin.
I totally understand that and You’re not the first person to ask that! I plan to offer direct sales at some point, but will have to clear the decks of some other projects and free up some bandwidth to figure out how to accept payments, etc.
If you want to reach out to me directly we can probably work something out. justin@(this website).com
The table of contents reminds me of something written well over a century ago by an Englishman, Robert Baden-Powell, with obvious updates for today’s youth.
Be Prepared!
It also reminded me of a list that Jeff Cooper put together.
It’s probably not a coincidence that I have a modest collection of old Boy Scout Handbooks!
I can’t wait to give yourbook a read Sir! Looking over the contents, I quickly recognized some things that I like to think I know but I may have failed to pass on to my son. He turned 20 recently and moved away to start his career in corrections, hoping to eventually become a police officer. We spent several minutes conversing through text as I explained how to spit-shine his boots. Its interesting how we take some things for granted and assume we know, or perhaps intentionally forget because we think we no longer need it. Thank you again for great content!
Mark,
Haha, there’s an anecdote in the book about a friend who served with me. He was only a year or two behind me, but due to the Marine Corps swapping uniforms, never got the privilege of learning to spit-shine boots. This was my impetus for putting the short section on polishing boots in there.
Hope you enjoy it!
Justin
😉 The Dangerous Book for (Big )Boys….I have an early edition, that has all the good bits( how to hunt and skin game, archery, firearms) before it became unfashionable to have that info
I have a copy of Dangerous Book for Boys – I love books like that. It’s pretty decent, but you’re right, this is the dangerous book for men!
I didn’t realize there were earlier editions of DBB. It appears the first printing was in 2006. If you’ve got some. more info on that I’m all ears!
I am 34 and I surely wish I had read that book 20 or so years ago.
I will buy a copy right now and I am sharing this article with my buddy who is raising four boys.
Well done, Sir!
Also worth finding a copy is The American Boys’ Handy Book. I don’t recall the author, it’s from the 1800s and has subjects from camping, boating, fishing and hunting to making fireworks and kite fighting. Always fun and potentially useful.
Ordered for no more reason than the suggestion of this blog. Plus I need to know about the Elafa diet.
This book will make a great Christmas present for my adult son. He is going to get it once read, though! Thanks Justin, for taking the time to document your experience and hard-earned wisdom- I look forward to reading it.
Mike, I agree. I am about 3/4 done and it fires on pretty much all cylinders. It is like the Scout Rifle of self-preservation study books – does not cover everything in depth, but covers most things to a decent level, especially for a reader who is new to that world.
I have a microscopic critique on a tiny, tiny niche thing, which does not negate the great value of the book. It is going on my blog as a strong recommendation.
Good article. Just getting caught up on the backlog of reading. I always thought Dave Ramseys ‘Total Money Makeover’ should be a required read for anyone before they graduate. Will get a copy of this eventually, hoping it tops it!