Review of "Fear Is a Choice"
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Have you ever started a book, put it down
because it didn't grab your interest, but pick it back up later and end up
loving it? That was the case for me with this book. I thought it
was going to be "just another memoir" - but oh, no, it is MUCH better
than that. Here is my review of "Fear Is a Choice."
Title/Author:
“Fear Is a Choice: Tackling Life's Challenges with Dignity,
Faith and Determination" by James Connor with Tiffany Yecke Brooks
Tags:
Football (American), memoir, Pitt, Steelers, disease
Publish date:
June 16, 2020
Length:
224 pages
Rating:
5 of 5 stars (outstanding)
Review:
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James Connor
seemed to have everything going or him. Growing up in a working class family
in Erie, Pennsylvania he worked hard to earn a football scholarship at the
University of Pittsburgh. Then after an outstanding sophomore season at
running back, he learned that he had Hodgkin's lymphoma. His battle to
not only overcome the disease but also to become an important member of the
Pittsburgh Steelers is a story that is a terrific read.
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In the world of
sports memoirs, one will usually read about the author's childhood, overcoming
whatever obstacles came his way and that was able to be achieved through the
love of friends, family or other important people in the athlete's life.
Many times, there is introspection by the author to describe how he or she came
to see what it truly important in life. Of course, there is descriptions
of the success of the athlete in the chosen sport and how his or her career has
gone. This book has all of those elements.
So, if this has
all the typical elements of a sports memoir, what makes this one so
good? It is the combination of the story told, the honesty and
emotions that Connor describes in his journey and the devotion Connor has to
his Christian faith, the important people in his life and even those who he met
only briefly but told him how much his story meant to them. While
reading the book, especially during his chemotherapy, it is clear to the reader
that Connor has much love to give and will work hard at whatever task is at
hand, whether undergoing intravenous chemotherapy or extra time in the weight
room.
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One story that
illustrates his work ethic was during a chemotherapy session, he was studying
other college running backs by watching video on his phone while the drugs
dripped in the bags. By studying them, he was determined to not only return to
the field after beating the cancer, but also to be a better running back.
For the love he expresses for practically everyone in his life, just reading
about his interactions with everyone at the oncology clinic – from the doctors
and nurses to the cafeteria and cleaning staff – it is clear that he believes
every single person there played an important part of his recovery.
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It is hard to
write about what a pleasure it was to read this book because no description of
Connor's words will do justice to his story or the way he wants to tell
it. It is easy to see why his jersey has been one of the best
selling NFL jersey since he came into the league given his humility and deeply
felt thanks when telling his story. There isn't a lot of football
talk in this book, so even if a reader is not much of a football fan, there is
a lot to enjoy while reading this book.
I wish to thank
HarperCollins Publishers for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in
exchange for an honest review.
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