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Surreality: Strange Tales of a Man Sitting Down the Bar from You. Paperback – December 21, 2014

by J.D. Bradley (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 42 ratings
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"Surreality is a hard hitting read that will leave you speechless. With an introspective voice the author leads you through tales of abuse and chaos with intermittent moments of laughter, and concludes with a piercing sense of social awareness and personal truth. A solid work by J.D. Bradley, this is a great book and a must read for those interested in a brutally honest reflection of an uncompromising life." Amazon Customer

"This book is a must if you want the straight up ...in your face .... brutal honesty you've been craving to read about a real life guy who's been through it all and came out the other side only to find true bliss when he least expected it. Quick read...hilarious and shocking. You won't be disappointed!" Todd Haney

"A modern day Bukowski, which proves that truth is more interesting and mult-dimensional than fiction could ever be. Leaves the reader with a curiosity as to what the author will encounter next..." Jennifer Perdue

"Bradley has written a book that is just like a 12 gauge, it hits hard, hits loud and will leave you with a profound sense of just how his life has been lived. The book is composed of short stories, written as memories, you can actually feel the events happening just how Bradley remembers them. This is an interesting and engaging book. You will not be disappointed by Surreality." Paul Tansley

"The stories in this book are in your face with more wit than charm. This novel is a collection of tales that range from the bizarre to humorous to somewhat disturbing but always entertaining compiled from the author's real life. If you want to explore the strange vicissitudes that life can bring this book is a must but do not be timid as you turn the pages." Douglas (Amazon Customer)

"You simply cannot put this book down! I loved every page and could not stop reading. You keep thinking, "Just one more story. Just one more story." Next thing you know, it's over but you still want "just one more story." CANNOT WAIT for the sequel!" "Army Doc"

"The subtitle says it all, and even if you've never met or heard of J.D. Bradley, it reads exactly like the conversations you have exchanging crazy stories at the bar. This book made for great reading when I was home alone and in need of some good company and good laughs, and was also fun to read aloud amongst friends around the coffee table. Surreality is raunchy, hilarious, brutally truthful, and oddly poetic." Amazon Customer

"Bradley has presented us with a close view of a world most of us would never encounter. His language is brilliant, his eye remarkable." John W. Riley

Winner at the 2016 New York Book Festival in the "Wild Card" category.

The stories of an unusual man, who has had a strange life, and his reactions to bizarre circumstances. Read about the car door punishment and the underwear thief. Consider the coffee slut and don't buy a stolen bicycle from Ray Gomez. Welcome to Surreality.

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  1. Print length
    125 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    December 21, 2014
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 0.29 x 9 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0692318461
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0692318461
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

A gritty collection of true-life stories featuring themes of retribution and comeuppance.

As the subtitle suggests, Bradley, writes in a conversational, no-nonsense style that fits the raunchy content of the anecdotes in this slim, autobiographical volume. After a few tales from childhood and adolescence, he turns to his experiences in the U.S. Army, which he characterizes in retrospect as "brutal idiocy." Gleefully leaving the military behind, he settled first in Walla Walla, Washington, then in Corpus Christi, Texas. Throughout the text, the author demonstrates a low tolerance for bullies of many stripes. Whether he's targeting a corrupt police officer, a cruel military superior, or a serial rapist, Bradley... dispenses his own brand of justice and imparts cutting nuggets of wisdom: "Place blame on life and see if it cares or stand up and be a survivor. F*ck being a victim of circumstance." Over the course of 44 brief chapters, he displays for readers a curious combination of bravado and humility, and ultimately a growing maturity. He discovered a sense of family among people who showed him compassion when he was down and out--battling depression, substance abuse, and dire economic straits. Those people included Wild Bill, a Vietnam veteran fighting cancer; Wheelchair Mike, a homeless paraplegic; and the denizens of Sweet Lips, a topless bar... Not every chapter fires on all cylinders in terms of emotional impact. However, there are enough that do for the book to warrant a look, particularly by readers with strong constitutions who can stomach large doses of reality. A work by a down-to-earth writer who tells it like it is, even when life seems harsh, unfair, or downright bizarre.

Review

"A work by a down-to-earth writer who tells it like it is, even when life seems harsh, unfair, or downright bizarre." (Kirkus Review)


As the subtitlesuggests, Bradley (Reflections on Freedom, 2013) writes in aconversational, no-nonsense style that fits the raunchy content of theanecdotes in this slim, autobiographical volume. After a few tales fromchildhood and adolescence, he turns to his experiences in the U.S. Army, whichhe characterizes in retrospect as "brutal idiocy." Gleefully leaving themilitary behind, he settled first in Walla Walla, Washington, then in CorpusChristi, Texas. Throughout the text, the author demonstrates a low tolerancefor bullies of many stripes. Whether he's targeting a corrupt police officer, acruel military superior, or a serial rapist, Bradley describes his code ofethics in this way: "I do not respect 'the law', especially when it is unjustbut I have only ever victimized people who victimize others." Thus, hedispenses his own brand of justice and imparts cutting nuggets of wisdom:"Place blame on life and see if it cares or stand up and be a survivor. F-ckbeing a victim of circumstance." Over the course of 44 brief chapters, hedisplays for readers a curious combination of bravado and humility and,ultimately, a growing maturity. He discovered a sense of family among peoplewho showed him compassion when he was down and out--battling depression,substance abuse, and dire economic straits. Those people included Wild Bill, aVietnam veteran fighting cancer; Wheelchair Mike, a homeless paraplegic; andthe denizens of Sweet Lips, a topless bar. After Wheelchair Mike is murdered ina cruel, grotesque manner, Bradley elegizes: "If there's an afterlife, I hopehe's there with two legs, a big bottle of Heineken and 'a fine assed mamacita'as he liked to say." Not every chapter fires on all cylinders in terms ofemotional impact. However, there are enough that do for the book to warrant alook, particularly by readers with strong constitutions who can stomach largedoses of reality.

A work by a down-to-earth writer who tells it like it is,even when life seems harsh, unfair, or downright bizarre.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mojoincc (December 21, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 125 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0692318461
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0692318461
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.29 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 42 ratings

About the author

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J.D. Bradley

J.D. Bradley

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After decades of carousing, womanizing, drugging, fighting, and general debauchery I've slowed down a bit but what I consider slow other people consider pretty wild. I am staying out of fights now, however. Check out my webpage: http://jdbradley.com/ and at least for now I have a podcast at https://www.blubrry.com/bradleyrants/. Live life on your own terms.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
42 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Joseph J. Truncale
5.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining and raw book about the reality of the street experiences of the author.
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2021
Verified Purchase
My passion for reading (and writing) has been a wild and exhilarating ride. Whether it is a detective or western novel, traveling to exotic places, exploring science and science fiction or reading unique and unusual biographies life is so full of things to explore. When I saw this book (Surreality: Strange tales of a man sitting down the bar from you by J.D. Bradley) on Amazon for a bargain price I decided to purchase it. In fact, I also ordered his other published book as the same time.

First off, this is the kind of person that I would never choose to be a good friend; nevertheless, his straight forward, raw, obscene and honest biography makes for entertaining reading. He considers himself a regular guy and in spite of his admitted “outlaw” philosophy he is clearly a person who has feelings for the underdog and is not a racist. In fact, he hates people who are racist, and oh yes, he also hates all law enforcement officers no matter what branch. He claims to hate bullies, and that is why he could not be a criminal.

This 113 page soft cover volume contains 44 short stories relating the various experiences of the author. I found them to be amusing, interesting and many even very funny stories. He admits to living in the Ghetto, being a drug addict and alcoholic in the past. He has straightened out his life but is still an “outlaw” in his view of the world.
Some of the topics covered in this unique book includes: Sins of the father, Freddies, the car door punishment, a funny story about Danny, tale of the underwear thief, Staff Sergeant Doyle, coffee slut, mountain therapy, never buy a stolen bicycle from Ray Gomez, not my girlfriend, Ugly car, escape from Walla Walla, Katrina, piss on racism, tales of the Barrio story one and two, wild Bill, and many other amusing stories.
I admit to enjoying these short stories and this author’s down to earth approach to life. In spite of his sometimes brutally realistic view of the world, there are three things in which we have common ground. (1) I also hate bullies. (2) I also hate racist people. (3) Be polite but be prepared to immediately go into offensive violent action if needed.
If you like earthy stories with raw language this book is for you.
Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Shotokan Karate Self-Defense Techniques: Combat Karate for the street).
One person found this helpful
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Charlie C
5.0 out of 5 stars THIS IS A MUST READ BOOK FOR HUMANS THAT WANT TO DABBLE IN STREET LIFE
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2023
Verified Purchase
What I liked about this book is Mr. Bradley's honest assessment of life, sprinkled with raw language and violence. In some of his writings, Mr. Bradley has a touch of humor. Mr. Bradley exhibits feelings for the underdog and his compassion shines through.

Mr. Bradley has three core beliefs: #1 - He despises bullies, #2 - he hates raciest human beings and #3 - he advises to be polite but be prepared immediately visit violence on to a transgressor(s).

A very down to earth, realistic view of his life. I read this work in one night. Good work Mr. Bradley. I also purchased and read On Street Fighting: Lessons Learned in a Violent Subculture. I am now fan of Mr. Bradley. Please keep your writings coming.

Charlie C
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Tim David
5.0 out of 5 stars It's not what happens in life, it's what you do about it.
Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2016
Verified Purchase
I just finished and...WOAH. While reading, I felt shocked, humbled, amused, inspired, hopeful, and God knows what else. There is a surprising amount of heart hidden within these anecdotes. I guess the best way to describe this book is its title. It feels both very "real" and "unreal" at the same time. Whatever it was, I enjoyed it and couldn't put it down in the same way you can't look away from a car wreck. Whether you decide to read it or not is up to you, but if you ever do start reading, don't stop until you're done. The last two chapters make this book much more than what its subtitle would suggest. It's not just about the craziness of life, it's about kicking the craziness right in the ass and coming out the other side better for it.
3 people found this helpful
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dj
5.0 out of 5 stars ... with some anti-social and substance abuse problems myself I enjoyed reading this book
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2016
Verified Purchase
As a veteran of the same war and having dealt with some anti-social and substance abuse problems myself I enjoyed reading this book. I read it all in one sitting, and was somewhat disappointed when I turned the last page. I think It somewhat helped me realize that we all go thru some really crappy stuff both in and out of the military, and perhaps it will help me heal some old wounds of my own. Would be interesting to see were the next segments of this authors life leads to as the years go by. If I found my self in a bar next to this guy I think I would buy him a drink.
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T. Crane
5.0 out of 5 stars Life is hard, being a twat will kill you
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2020
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I read this book in a couple of hours, it was like reading of others i have known maybe a wee bit of myself . It is captivating to visualize the trials and tribulations when you do the streets in his fashion. I will be reading more.
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EV
5.0 out of 5 stars Full Fledged Life experience
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2020
Verified Purchase
Enjoyed the range of stories, the characters and plot. For me, Bradley gives the reader an invitation to enter this dynamic and sometimes dark world. I was thrilled and sometimes wary, sometimes wondering "oh, no, what now!" Fast and good read.
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Clarks
4.0 out of 5 stars Bukowski with muscles
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2016
Good stuff. Funny. Like Bukowski with muscles. Worth a read!
One person found this helpful
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Thrifty Shopper In Md
5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing and as real as it gets!
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2015
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Let me start with the dislikes... I want more! Now the likes... if you want to feel a full range of emotions, this is the book for you. What's amazing is you might think the book is fictional, but guess what...facts can be stranger than fiction! Amazing classmate! Looking forward to book #3 and I don't read books btw. I couldn't put it down! Excellent read!
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