Do Hard Things - The Book Is Out!
It’s hard to believe that it’s been over a year since we first let all of you know we were writing a book — a book about the ideas that have brought us all together. You prayed and supported us as we wrote a proposal, selected a publisher, and struggled through the grueling writing process. You asked questions that needed answers and shared the stories that made the answers come alive.
You’re excited with us to see this message reach the hands, hearts, and minds of our generation. And you helped take that vision a giant step closer to reality when you pushed a hardcover, challenging, non-fiction book for teens all the way up to #5 on Amazon.com. In so many ways, this book is a true community effort.
Today — April 15th, 2008 — is the official release of Do Hard Things. Pre-ordered copies should start arriving if they haven’t already. More importantly, the book is available in bookstores across the nation. That is humbling, mind-blowing, and praise-inspiring — and it’s an incredible opportunity for rebelutionaries.
Here are five things you can do now that the book is out:
1.) Read the book. We’ve been waiting over a year to share this book with you — and we’re so excited to finally get it in your hands. May it encourage, inspire, and equip you to do bigger, harder things for the glory of God.
2.) Write a review. We want to hear what you think — good (hopefully) or bad (hopefully not)! Even better, share your review with others on your blog. Or best of all, share your review with prospective readers on websites where the book is sold — like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Books Christian.
3.) Check your local bookstore. If a bookstore doesn’t carry a particular book, one of the best ways to get them to do so is to… Ask. Visit your favorite local book haunts and check for Do Hard Things. If they don’t have it, tell them about it and encourage them to order some copies.
4.) Check your local library. A single book in a library can reach literally hundreds of people. Visit your library (online or in person) and see if they have any copies of Do Hard Things. If they don’t, you can usually fill out a suggestion form or talk to the librarian about it.
5.) Spread the word. We believe Do Hard Things is a book and message people can get excited about. And the quickest way for that to happen is for you to tell them about it! Tell your friends, email, message, or text your online buddies — be creative. And when you’re creative, send us pictures.
Soli deo gloria!
April 15th, 2008 at 10:41 am
I am asking my parents for the book for my birthday.
April 15th, 2008 at 10:47 am
Yeah!! May God bless this book and your faithful work….I\’m excited to get my copy in the mail…and pass the word on to friends!!
April 15th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Hey Hannah, I went ahead and removed a few of your comments, since they were more personal notes to Brett and me — I sent you an email response! I think the other stuff might be the auto-blog software thinking your comments are spam because you’re posting a lot in a short period of time.
April 15th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Oh okay thanks, I started praying because I REALLY thought i was going crazy.
April 15th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Hey Alex and Brett! Just wanted to let you guys know how incredibly excited I was to get my book in the mail today! I plan on reading it as soon as possible. I also had a question about the last page in the book: About the Authors. It says, “It’s [the rebelution.com] a one-stop shop, with a free group study Guide for “Do Hard Things”… Where can I find the study guide? Did you mean the discussions we can start on here and on the forums about the book, or is there an actual written study guide? Thanks!
April 15th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Yea!! My mom said she would get me the book for my birthday. I can’t wait to get it! Yesterday I was contemplating what ‘Hard Things’ I could do. I was thinking of things like ‘keep my bed made’(I have a terrible habit of never making my bed), and ‘work on my handwriting’, when all of a sudden it hit me–I started learning Spanish and guitar and haven’t worked on either very much lately. I can see how both of those things could be helpful to me, and could glorify God, but I’m neglecting them! Not a very pleasant thought. There are many Hispanics in the area where I live, and I would love to reach out to them, but because my knowledge of their language is so limited there’s not much I can do. And then my family’s singing (we minister in a nursing home)would benefit greatly by having an instrument other than piano. So, its time for me to get off the computer and start doing some hard things.
God bless you guys! ~TanyaBeth
April 15th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Hannah: Yes, there is a study guide! We’ll be getting it up on the website — and posting about it — by the end of the week.
April 15th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
How wonderful! I will check my local Christian book store and see if they have it,
If my mother were here she would say:
“Congratulations, on the birth of your brain child!”
So, Congratulations!
April 15th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
I haven’t gotten mine yet! SNIFF SNIFF!
Hopefully they will be here tomorrow!
April 15th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
We just received our books in the mail!! yay!! They look great! We both love the proportions of the book…I had pictured a bigger size, but it’s very readable looking!! Can’t wait to begin reading!! It’s going to be a hard thing to first complete my schoolwork for the day before diving in!
April 15th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Congratulations Alex and Brett!! I can’t wait to read it.
April 15th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
It seems like over a year since ya’ll announced that you both where writing Do Hard Things! Thank you so much for letting all of us be a part of the journey while ya’ll where writing your book. It was such a wonderful and exciting experience. I haven’t gotten my copy of Do Hard Things yet that I pre-ordered during the book bomb, but I can’t wait to read it!
April 15th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
I just got mine in the mail! It looks amazing guys. Great job!
I will be reading it today and hopefully posting a review very soon.
Eric
April 15th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
God has brought you guys and The Rebelution so far in a year, and it’s just so exciting to see how He’ll unravel His plan for your lives. I wonder what the movement will be doing a year from now. Maybe you’ll found a college or something.
God Bless!
April 15th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
And I’m excited to be getting my copy tomorrow!
April 15th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Mine has been shipped, and will be here any day now! (Hopefully!
) I can’t wait to read it!
April 15th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
I am anxiously awaiting to receive my autographed eddition. It is scheduled to arive at the ware house tomorrow. I cant wait to read it, and pray that I will be able to by God’s grace apply its truths to my life. Thank you Alex and Brett for all the hard work you have put into the writing and publishing process.
April 15th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
My book just came in the mail today!
April 15th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Wow! Where has the time gone? Over a year?! I still am holding out for it to get here today! And I will enjoy reading it!
April 15th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Wow! I waited a couple of hours for the mail to come in hopes that my books would arrive, but they didnt’ come today. (Not to mention that I wasted some time! =O) I decided to check amazon and see whether or not I should waste time tomorrow, too, but they say my books won’t arrive ’til the 18th.
Thanks so much for the time you put into the book! I’m sure it’ll be great!
April 15th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
I can’t wait to read it…and highlight it…and read it again!
And I’m getting SO excited for the conference!! May 31!!
April 15th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
I wish I had more time! Perhaps after this weekend I’ll get more time to read. Thanks again you guys and I am anxiously awaiting the study guide
April 15th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Hey, if anyone is subscribed to WORLD and could (illegally?) copy the article on Alex and Brett for me, I’d really appreciate it. My family was subscribed to WORLD for awhile, but we couldn’t afford it any longer. Anyhow… if someone could do that, I’d really appreciate it! I allow anonymous comments on my blog, so you can contact me there. Thanks SO much!
Emily
April 15th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Can’t wait to read it guys!
Keep up the good work.
In Christ,
Noella
April 15th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Yay! We just got our copy in the mail today! I’ve read it briefly through already (it looks really great!), but soon I’ll have the time to go through and re-read it more closely.
Thank you both very much for your hard work and dedication to the book project!
~ E.
April 15th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Congrats, Alex and Brett, on your book’s birthday! It’s a powerful read.
We published your article this morning on Boundless: http://www.boundless.org/2005/articles/a0001726.cfm — it’s a great review of some of the themes you bring up in your book. Your readers may enjoy it.
Of course, I have to say that it’s no substitute for the depth and breadth of the book.
April 15th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
I got my book!!
I’m going to Interlochen Arts Camp this summer for 6 weeks, in what promises to be a very liberal environment (especially for sheltered homeschooled me!
), so I’m saving the book to read then. But it’s very tempting every time I walk past it’s brilliantly red cover . . . must . . . not . . read . . .the book . . . must . . . not . . . read . . . the book . . . 
So, anyways, thanks for all your effort in doing what you do! God has two faithful servants in you two
April 15th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
I am ordering mine now!!!
April 15th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
yay, mine came in the mail yesterday. I started it soon after and I’m going to read some more later:)
April 15th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Well, mine should get here on the 18th and I am so EXCITED.
April 15th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Huzzah! I got the book! *Does a little dance of joy* God is good!
April 15th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Oh, I can’t wait to get mine! Maybe I’ll post later and tell how many times in a row I read it.
I’m so glad there’s a study guide, too. Lots of people are going to hear about this book from me! 
April 15th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
mine arrived today!
i got home from school, saw it, and sat down to devour the first bit right off.
thanks, guys, for doing the hard thing of writing this book!
April 15th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
I was given the book last week by some friends who picked up several copies at the NC conference. I finished it a couple of days ago and must say that it turned my world upside down for a while. As a pastor of youth & families it challenged my philosophy of ministry and made me want to redouble my efforts to never contribute to the low-expectations of teenagers so prevalent in our culture. It reminded me that I am called to equip and lead students to live with a “holy ambition” for God’s kingdom, and not just create good times, and teach some Bible lessons.
I appreciate that you guys present a straightforward challenge to other teens, while maintaining attitudes of humility. I really appreciate that you sought not to marginalize teens who may not have as solid of a foundation as you two have. The book speaks to any teen regardless of where he/she is right now. That shows a lot of maturity on your part as young authors.
I’m not sure is this post qualifies as a review or not, but I highly recommend this book for teens, parents, and youth workers everywhere! I can’t wait to see how God is going to use it in the life of our church.
I just ordered 15 more copies to give to all of our graduating seniors. Keep up the good work you two!
April 15th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
I ordered mine during the book bomb, and it just came today! I can’t wait to start reading it. I wish I could have gone to the NC conference. I had many friends who went, but I wasn’t able to. Maybe someday….
April 15th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Congratulations guys!
April 15th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
My copies came today as well, and I can’t wait to start reading, and to give some to friends! Thank you both for writing this book and challenging our generation. To God be the glory!
April 15th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Yayness! I just Got my book and did a hard thing and started reading it! That was my first hard thing done after recieving the book. I have read the first few chapters and it is so great! Cant to read the rest of it!
I am going to show it to my youth paster and hopefully he will get a couple for our youth group.
Thanks guys YOU ROCK MY WORLD!
April 16th, 2008 at 7:32 am
I just got my book!!! I’ve read a couple chapters and I LOVE it!
It has inspired me already to ‘do hard things’, way to go Alex and Brett! The Lord is really working through you two!
Thank you SO much!
Austin
“I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me”
April 16th, 2008 at 8:03 am
Do Hard Things just arrived here about twenty minutes ago. I’m only on pg. 40 but I had to let you know the funny coincidence I ran into already.
Last semester, I wrote and presented a speech to my class on the low expectations for teens. I was really bummed that your book wasn’t out yet to use as a resource, but I was very inspired by the articles available on this website. Two of the examples I used in the speech to make my point were the “teen” section in the library and the worthless books it contains, and searching Google using the term “teen”. In fact, I even mentioned the “Surviving the Teen Years” article that you mentioned in the book.
I just thought that was really funny when I ran into both of those examples in the first ten minutes of reading.
Great minds think alike!
April 16th, 2008 at 8:35 am
Wow! My sister and I got a copy at the NC conference and all I can say is that It is indeed everything u promised it would be plus more! Way to go!
April 16th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Yaaaay!!!! We just got our 13 books! It stinks that it is a school day because I am REALLY tempted to be a bad child. But do hard things, right?? lol
Thanks, guys for all your hard work! I’m so proud to be a Rebelutionary and I can’t wait to give all those books away.
Soli Deo Gloria!
April 16th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
I got this book, my dad’s reading it to my younger brother and I. Great Book Guys! (14 and 11)
April 16th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
I got and read the book yesterday! It’s great!! I just posted a book review on my blog. =)
April 16th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
My copies came in the mail a couple of days ago! We all had a little pow wow in the kitchen to admire them (we do that whenever a package arrives). One of my friends was there too, so she is the first to borrow it.
I’ve been trying my best not to devour it too fast. It’s amazing; you guys have summed up many of the major lessons God has been teaching me over the past couple of years! It was a great reminder of those things, and now I have something to point people to that adequately expresses what I have had on my heart for so long. Thank you!!
April 16th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
I got mine in the mail today!
April 17th, 2008 at 6:43 am
I got my book too (yesterday) and started reading it.
My mom promoted it to our homeschool group the very afternoon we picked it up at the post office. They all want a copy now.
April 17th, 2008 at 11:16 am
My dad just bought the book at a pastors’ conference he attended - I’m through the first couple chapters so far, and it’s amazing!
Thank you, Alex and Brett, and God bless!
April 17th, 2008 at 11:57 am
looking foward to it but im not sure i can aford it right now :{
April 17th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
I went to Borders today to purchase my copy, but I couldn’t find it. It was in the registry search machine, but it wasn’t on the shelf…
I will check again next week…
April 17th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
I bought it last saturday at a convention.
April 17th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
James: We’ve heard reports of similar things at other Borders stores. Our publisher says they’re typically a bit slow — however, if you have a Barnes and Noble in the area, it should be there.
April 17th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
I got it today from LifeWay bookstore. At first I couldn’t find it becasue I was looking in the new books and it wasn’t tehre, in fact the sales lady didn’t find it either even though it was in the registy, but then i went to look around in the teen section and there it was. I was very happy!! I still think it should have been in the new section, and the sales lady thoough it should be in the adult non-fiction, so maybe Borders has the same problem.
I can’t wait to read it cover to cover, but must finish my homework.
April 17th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Thanks for the report, Rebecca! Different stores categorize it different ways. Some put it in the teen section, others put it in the Christianity - Inspirational category, and at least some (Barnes and Noble for one) put it on the new arrivals table, too.
April 17th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
I’ve been a pretty faithful reader of your blog ever since I stumbled across an ad for the Modesty Survey. Your articles were really thought-provoking and when I heard about the Book Bomb, I decided to participate. My book arrived yesterday, and once I picked it up, I couldn’t stop reading. Your book is even more convicting and encouraging than your blog (if that’s somehow possible!) I lent it to my mom and she absolutely loves it too. I especially liked the section on small hard things; I find those the hardest
Anyways, I thought I would drop you guys a note, and let you know how much we like our book. You guys are an encouragement and example. Keep going strong!
In Him,
Susie
April 17th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Hey guys! Congrats on the book… my birthday’s coming up on the 28th, and as soon as i saw the book came out I asked for a copy.
that was the first thing I asked for.
) and i’m doing my best to fight it… that really helped me because i really dont want to be a stumbling block to my christian guys!
I first heard you guys on Albert Mohler’s program… That was a great challenge to me…
then I logged on and I became really interested in the modesty servey.. thats sonething i’m really fighting. girls are pushed so hard to put themseleves out there (literally
great to see a great great book come out from 2 christian teens… that aren’t so bad looking…
Thanks so much boys!
April 18th, 2008 at 8:36 am
I wanted to note that most libraries will put new, donated books on their shelves, so we can all consider purchasing a copy for our local library rather than waiting for them to do so!
April 18th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
My books came today! I’m so excited, I was jumping up and down making weird squeaking noises =D.I’m on chapter three and I wanted to stop and tell y’all it’s FANTASTIC so far! =)
April 19th, 2008 at 7:00 am
My copies that I ordered during the book bomb came yesterday! I was so excited! I bought one copy for myself, and the other for my local library. I started reading this morning, and I am already thinking of ways to “do hard things”.
Thanks so much for writing this book!
April 19th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
I ordered the book about a week ago and I got on April 16,2008. I was so excited. So far,
I have read the first three chapters. And… the verdict is…… (drumroll please) I LOVE IT!
My dad is going to show people tonight at the sat service the book. And I think we have it in the bookstore.Not sure. I was so excited when I got it that I showed it at school. Then I found out my dad got an autographed book so I gave my book to my school library and the other one is for my family. I wish I could buy a copy for everyone in my middle school. Well, I echo Amanda… Thanks for writing the book, i love it!
April 20th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Thanks a lot Alex and Brett! I got the book last Thursday (April 16, 2007). I’ve started reading it already. I’m looking forward to share more of it to my friends since we are planning to create a group of teenagers who will stand for a change in our society. I’ll be informing you about how’s the plan going on soon. God bless you more!
Maraming Salamat! (Filipino Thank You.)
April 21st, 2008 at 5:43 am
Alex and Brett, I am enjoying your book immensely and our church small group, which is largely composed of single twentysomethings and Gen Xers really enjoyed using the first section of the book as a great springboard into conversation about the culture of low expectations in which we live. You guys may not fully realize, in ministering to teens, just how under-challenged and uninspired the people in their 20s and 30s are today. Before the Millennial Generation there was the X gen, and I can tell you that we were and are afflicted from the same sense of low expectations, and we don’t even have the teen years anymore on which to blame it.
We’re really looking forward to diving into the rest of the book over the course of the next few months and seeing how we can utilize it to challenge us and take us out of our comfort zones, into God’s unknown. Thanks for persevering through the process that led you to this point.
April 21st, 2008 at 9:34 am
Just got my copy of Do Hard Things! I am so happy! Thank you so much!
April 22nd, 2008 at 7:26 am
Got my book yesterday-
Finished it that night!
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:13 am
We should be getting our three copies today. I’m already starting to think I should have ordered more! I’ll give one to the library, but that only leaves one copy (or two, if I give my own up
) to lend out and force the teenagers that I know to read…
April 22nd, 2008 at 3:02 pm
The books are here! I’ve already skimmed through one copy, but there is a lot more to get out of it!
BTW, on Amazon, Do Hard Things is still #203 overall, and #1 in Youth Ministry!
April 22nd, 2008 at 7:37 pm
I just borrowed the book from a friend and I’m almost done. It is amazing, convicting, and inspiring!
April 23rd, 2008 at 3:39 pm
I started reading my book the first night I got it! I had just gotten home from a regional NCFCA tournament last Sunday and I was just thrilled to see that the books had arrived. As I’ve been reading, it has challenged and encouraged me to start growing up a little more and stop holding on to some of things of childhood I enjoy. I haven’t finished it yet but I am enjoying it and learning as well as re-learning stuff. I really want to come to the Colorado conference before I leave for Africa. Thank you for allowing God to work through you and do the “hard things” to give us and many more this message. I have been challenged and stretched to grow. Thank you!
April 26th, 2008 at 11:40 am
It took several days to figure out the back cover. What seems to be a slightly goofy picture of you is constantly looming on my desk, or shelf or bed, staring and saying, “Are you doing hard things?” Augh!
Well, it’s not that bad. The book is excellent, and I’ve already lent out two copies.
April 26th, 2008 at 11:55 am
Hey everyone! The best place to get your Do Hard Things books right now is Amazon. Buy at least two to share and you get free shipping on your order.
April 29th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
I got the book a while ago and i’m alredy half way through… i WILL have to read it again in some parts but, yeah. so this is the first time i’ve visited the site. it’s alot cooler then i thought to!!!
May 8th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
I love the book and I want to know if ya’ll will have another book anytime soon. Cuz when I first saw ya’lls book I was like what and then I raed the back and I loved what it said that I wanted to buy it. This book is so F.A.N.A.T.I.C.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
OH man, I love the book. I was at my book store and it just stood out on the shelf. I was drawn to it and havn’t put it down since. I am really considering to host a study on the book through my FCA when school starts up again. Mostly because that is outside my comfort zone and I will hopefully be reaching alot of kids at my school. Your book is exceltent and has changed my outlook towards “hard things”. I am so happy God has put this message into your hearts and that you didn’t just let it sit there. God bless you both and all other rebelutionaries!