Like history? Like badasses? Then this is the book is for you. This books covers all aspects of history, with a humorous flair. Thompson covers all of the legends of history and also some of the unknows that show up at random during the course of history. After reading this book for a while, you will get used to thompson's style of humor. ( )

Reading this book gave me the impression that it could have been written by Beavis and Butthead, if they had a major in history. I would have been more impressed (and probably given more stars) if the author took even the slightest effort to be a little more serious. The stories are very interesting but a lot of times I found myself questioning if the "badass" in question actually did what the author attributes to him/her or if it's another attempt by the author to show off their wit, and/or forced pop culture reference or extreme simile.
I've never read the author's blog, if I did maybe I would be more accustomed to his writing style, but since I didn't, I was less than impressed. If you want a quick silly lesson in history, this is the book for you, but like I said, if he took his work just a little more seriously, aka, less "kick the douche in the groin" talk and a little more realistic, this book probably would have gotten one, maybe even two more stars. ( )

An interesting set of choices. In some ways it seems written to attract 14-year-old boys, but then the author makes an extended reference to M.C. Hammer--something that most 14-year-old boys wouldn't get. So it seems to be written to older boys who like to think like 14-year-olds.

Ultimately it ends up having some more depth than expected, but then suddenly shallows it out with way too many pseudo-sexual references.

Fun but not all that worthwhile. ( )

I ran across Thompson's Badass blog some time ago so it was a natural that I chased this book down asap. Like some other reviewers have noted, Thompson's writing style is an acquired state and readers could tire of his bombastic style rather quickly, which is why I never passed "Badass" along to my 73 year-old father to read.

I did enjoy reading this though, with some of the badasses new to me, particularly the women (the world needs more female badass role models). I was surprised by the absence of Nancy Wake, the famous "White Mouse" of the WWII French Resistance, who once killed a German soldier with her bare hands, but perhaps that can make any upcoming sequel. ( )

Extremely funny, profane and informative. Occasionally pushes a simile past the breaking point, but well worth a read. History for the educable frat brother in your life. ( )