The Guide

Survival, Warfighting, Peacemaking

Non-Fiction - Memoir
281 Pages
Reviewed on 04/21/2024
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Author Biography

Greg Munck is a combat-promoted Marine who served his country in the Gulf War. He went on to become the Asia Pacific Regional Manager for Q-Logic corporation before transitioning into full-time ministry. Greg is currently the lead pastor and co-founder of Crossline Community Church in Laguna Hills, California, and travels speaking for The Guide Soldier Foundation, which serves active and veteran military personnel worldwide. He has been married to his wife, Kymbry, since 1992, and together they have five children who you may have seen in TV and film.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

The Guide: Survival, Warfighting, Peacemaking by Greg Munck is a profoundly moving and inspiring memoir that chronicles the author's journey from a tumultuous childhood to finding purpose and faith through his experiences as a United States Marine in the Gulf War. Munck's narrative is raw, honest, and filled with powerful reflections on the transformative power of God's grace. The question is: How does one transform from an addict at a tender age to a leader and an inspiration for others? Munck offers readers a disturbing account of his upbringing and moves on to share his harrowing experiences on the battlefield and the spiritual journey that will lead him to become a man of exemplary character, faith, and courage. His unwavering faith becomes a guiding light throughout this journey, illustrating the profound impact that faith can have in overcoming life's most significant challenges.

The Guide combines a personal memoir and practical self-help. Greg Munck doesn't just share his story; he provides readers with valuable insights and strategies for facing their own emotional and spiritual battles. Through his experiences, the author offers a roadmap for finding courage, purpose, and faith in trying moments. As I read this book, I found myself deeply moved by Munck's courage and unwavering belief in the power of God's love. He writes in a passionate and irresistible voice, and his honesty will inspire readers. Greg Munck has the gift of storytelling and the wisdom to draw valuable lessons from life. This memoir is packed with inspiration and knowledge; it is as enjoyable as it is inspirational. It is one of those books that will help readers look at adversity with different eyes.

K.C. Finn

The Guide: Survival, Warfighting, Peacemaking is a work of non-fiction in the memoir, slice-of-life, and inspirational writing subgenres. It is best suited to mature readers owing to sensitive content around harassment and some graphics scenes of sex, violence, and distress. Penned by author Greg Munck, with a foreword by Kenny Luck, this interesting and in-depth memoir offers a raw and honest account of one man's journey from a turbulent childhood marked by addiction and violence to finding purpose and redemption through military service. Munck's story is a testament to the transformative power of faith, courage, and perseverance in the face of overwhelming adversity. From surviving a chaotic upbringing to serving in the Gulf War with the United States Marines, Munck's experiences highlight the resilience of the human spirit and the capacity for individuals to rise above their circumstances to achieve greatness and fulfill their true calling.

Author Greg Munck has a real flair for candid storytelling that effortlessly draws readers into his world, allowing us to empathize with his struggles and triumphs. His journey from a tumultuous childhood to finding purpose and meaning through military service resonated with me on a profound level as it is similar to my father’s own journey, and I found the accounts of his military experiences to be especially detailed and informative. Munck's unwavering faith and determination in the face of adversity serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of resilience and perseverance in overcoming life's challenges, and his narration has a graceful confidence that doesn’t try to hide the ugly side of life but doesn’t glorify it or wallow in it either. Overall, The Guide serves as a compelling reminder that, no matter the obstacles we face, we have the courage and resilience within us to overcome them and discover our true purpose in life. I would not hesitate to recommend it as your next inspirational true-life read.

Bernadette Longu

The Guide: Survival, Warfighting, Peacemaking by Greg Munck is one of the most inspirational books I have read in a long time. The author takes the reader through his life story, not hiding anything. Whether it is good or bad, Greg tells it like it is. The reader’s attention is captured from the very first page and it never wavers or wanes as they slowly progress through the book. There are times when the reader will have to stop and digest what has been read for a while before continuing on the journey of self-discovery that the author takes while walking with Jesus and God. Greg knew about Jesus and God but, like many of us, was angry at them for how horrible his life was, especially when he had a parent who was an addict. The personal photos that appear from time to time in the book make the story very real and show us that Greg is just an ordinary person like us.

The Guide takes the reader through Greg Munck's life and shows how things started to change for the better for him when he accepted Jesus. It is not a fast fix but a continual journey throughout a person’s life. A person never stops learning or asking God and Jesus for guidance and help. This book will have the reader marking chapters and pages again and again as they navigate this story. With the world in the state that it is, this is a book of inspiration and hope that there is always a very bright light shining at the end of the tunnel, no matter how dark the surroundings are. It is very well worth more than one read. Thank you, Greg, for allowing me to read this most simple yet amazing book at a time in my life when I too needed the confirmation that He still walks with me.

Pikasho Deka

The Guide: Survival, Warfighting, Peacemaking is an inspirational memoir by Greg Munck. Raised in a dysfunctional family with a father addicted to hard drugs and alcohol, Greg didn't have the ideal childhood. With his father constantly in and out of jail, Greg and his brothers had to look out for themselves. Whether getting into fights or chasing girls, Greg had a colorful teenage life until he joined the US Marines and became the platoon leader of a Marine Corps boot camp. He fell in love with a beautiful young woman named Kymbry, who led him to the path of Jesus Christ. In 1991, Greg was fighting Saddam Hussain's forces in Kuwait, followed by a blissful family life with kids and a successful career in the corporate world. After involving himself in youth counseling, Greg found his true calling in ministry life.

Featuring a moving foreword by Kenny Luck, Greg Munck draws a rich and vivid portrait of his life with this absorbing memoir. The Guide is a true story recounting the momentous events of a life fully lived, filled with heartbreaks and triumphs and everything in between. Munck provides readers with an unflinching account of his life in a captivating narrative that is raw, unabashed, and thoroughly immersive. His story demonstrates the resilient nature of the human spirit and shows how love, family, and faith help us overcome seemingly overwhelming odds and rise above adversity. While the author's diagnosis of PTSD came a bit too late, he had a supportive family and his faith to help him navigate it. His children's success is a testament to his faith, resilience, and hard work. Munck's story both entertains and motivates, teaching us that even in the darkest times, we should never abandon hope. Highly recommended.

Frank Mutuma

Some events and experiences affect a person. In The Guide by Greg Munck, some of these that shape Greg include his upbringing. His family relocates from Ohio to California, and his upbringing is hard. His father is a drunkard and eventually graduates to using more hard drugs and doing shady deals with a crime boss called Tony. Instead of setting a good example for Greg, he encourages his son to take drugs. One time, he even offered Greg cocaine. Greg has also had to deal with his father's constant absence and disappointments while growing up. Greg plays football, and later he joins one of the hardest branches of the armed forces. His experiences in the Marines also play a critical role in his life.

The Guide by Greg Munck is a must-read. What captured my attention in this incredible work is how it demonstrates that one can come from very difficult circumstances and still become a good person. I found Greg's life to be nothing short of inspirational. I also found it thought-provoking on the issue of how we handle our relatives who are addicts. As Greg notes, it's okay to be empathetic, but we also cannot take away the consequences of evil deeds. This is something that politicians need to consider when legislating. Greg was also very candid and vividly captured every emotion and event in his life, making the book not only effective in conveying the intended message but also entertaining and captivating. I am looking forward to reading something else by this author.