I Beat the Odds
From Homelessness, to The Blind Side, and Beyond
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I Beat the Odds
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Narrated by:
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Michael Boatman
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By:
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Michael Oher
About this listen
The football star made famous in the hit film The Blind Side reflects on how far he has come from the circumstances of his youth.
Michael Oher is the young man at the center of the true story depicted in The Blind Side movie (and book) that swept up awards and accolades. Though the odds were heavily stacked against him, Michael had a burning desire deep within his soul to break out of the Memphis inner-city ghetto and into a world of opportunity. While many people are now familiar with Oher's amazing journey, this is the first time he has shared his account of his story in his own words, revealing his thoughts and feelings with details that only he knows, and offering his point of view on how anyone can achieve a better life.
Looking back on how he went from being a homeless child in Memphis to playing in the NFL, Michael talks about the goals he had for himself in order to break out of the cycle of poverty, addiction, and hopelessness that trapped his family for so long. He recounts poignant stories of growing up in the projects and running from child services and foster care over and over again in search of some familiarity. Eventually, he grasped onto football as his ticket out of the madness and worked hard to make his dream into a reality. But Oher also knew he would not be successful alone. With his adoptive family, the Touhys, and other influential people in mind, he describes the absolute necessity of seeking out positive role models and good friends who share the same values to achieve one's dreams.
Sharing untold stories of heartache, determination, courage, and love, I Beat the Odds is an incredibly rousing tale of one young man's quest to achieve the American dream.
Also listen to The Blind Side.©2011 Michael Oher (P)2011 Penguin AudioListeners also enjoyed...
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 38
In this inspirational memoir, Derrick Coleman, Jr., the Seattle Seahawks fullback who won the 2014 Super Bowl with the Seahawks in his second year in the NFL, relates his inspirational story of hard work and determination in his own words. Showcasing his unlikely and challenging journey to become the first deaf athlete to play offense in the NFL, he talks about overcoming internal and external obstacles in the course of reaching your true potential.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Inspirational & honest!
- By Kari Piazza on 04-24-17
By: Marcus Brotherton, and others
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Not My Boy!
- A Father, a Son, and One Family's Journey with Autism
- By: Rodney Peete, Danelle Morton
- Narrated by: Richard Allen
- Length: 6 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 41
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 33
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 33
"Like most fathers, I'd dreamt of doing all sorts of things with my son. I had so many plans, but when I was told my son was autistic, those plans seemed more like a fantasy. Well, eight years after that dreadful diagnosis, I am writing this book to let every father know that your plans for you and your son can still be a reality. It's just the path that takes you there that has to be altered."
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5 out of 5 stars
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Loved This Book. Thank-you to the Peetes for sharing your Autism journey as parents.
- By Amazon Customer on 03-25-18
By: Rodney Peete, and others
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Breaking Free
- My Life with Dissociative Identity Disorder
- By: Herschel Walker
- Narrated by: Andre Teamer
- Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 98
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 82
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 81
In Breaking Free, Herschel tells his story - from the joys and hardships of childhood to his explosive impact on college football to his remarkable professional career. And he gives voice and hope to those suffering from DID. Herschel shows how this disorder played an integral role in his accomplishments and how he has learned to live with it today. His compelling account testifies to the strength of the human spirit and its ability to overcome any challenge.
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2 out of 5 stars
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For Sports Fans Only
- By Karen P. Smith on 04-07-11
By: Herschel Walker
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Finally Free
- An Autobiography
- By: Michael Vick
- Narrated by: Rodney Gardiner
- Length: 6 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 63
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 54
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 54
One of the most talented and polarizing athletes of our generation, Michael Vick’s stunning story has captured news headlines across the nation. From his poverty-stricken youth, to his success on the field in high school and college, to his rise to NFL stardom and his fall from grace, Finally Free shows how a gifted athlete’s life spiraled out of control under the glare of money and fame, aided by his own poor choices. In his own words, Vick details his regrets, his search for forgiveness....
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3 out of 5 stars
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Sugar Coated and Simplistic
- By Malcolm Jamal on 04-03-13
By: Michael Vick
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Got to Give the People What They Want
- True Stories and Flagrant Opinions from Center Court
- By: Jalen Rose
- Narrated by: Jalen Rose
- Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 567
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 505
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 504
Jalen Rose has never been quiet. Not as a kid growing up in Detroit in the '70s and '80s. Not as the brash, trash-talking leader of the legendary "Fab Five" at the University of Michigan. Not as the player under the stewardship of Hall of Famers Larry Bird, Isiah Thomas, and others throughout his 13-year NBA career. And certainly not as a commentator and analyst on ABC/ESPN and Grantland.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Amazing book - a MUST download / read
- By Terry on 10-08-15
By: Jalen Rose
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First Things First
- The Rules of Being a Warner
- By: Kurt Warner, Brenda Warner, Jennifer Schuchmann - contributor
- Narrated by: Todd Busteed, Rebecca Gallagher, Abigail Seward
- Length: 6 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 25
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 22
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Story5 out of 5 stars 21
First Things First is an honest, insightful, and entertaining look at life inside the Warner household. Kurt and Brenda speak candidly about their marriage, the values they are working to instill in their kids, things they've done right, mistakes they've made, the importance of giving back, and the legacy they hope to leave behind.
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5 out of 5 stars
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A must read!!
- By Amazon Customer on 04-18-18
By: Kurt Warner, and others
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From the Outside
- My Journey Through Life and the Game I Love
- By: Ray Allen, Michael Arkush
- Narrated by: J.D. Jackson
- Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 273
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 244
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 245
The record-holding two-time National Basketball Association champion reflects on his work ethic, his on-the-court friendships and rivalries, the great teams he's played for, and what it takes to have a long and successful career in this thoughtful, in-depth memoir. Playing in the NBA for 18 years, Ray Allen won championships with the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat and entered the record books as the original king of the three-point shot. Known as one of the hardest-working and highest-achieving players in NBA history, he was legendary for his sharp shooting.
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3 out of 5 stars
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It wasn't bad, but I thought it would be better
- By Amazon Customer on 07-30-18
By: Ray Allen, and others
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Empower
- Conquering the Disease of Fear
- By: Tareq Azim, Seth Davis
- Narrated by: Tareq Azim, Cary Hite - Introduction
- Length: 6 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 36
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 34
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 33
From finding common ground with warlords, introducing the Taliban to change, and working with NFL greats such as Marshawn Lynch, this uplifting memoir and “study of resilience” (General Paul Selva, United States Air Force) from coach and personal development expert, Tareq Azim, will help you build a relationship with fear and embrace your own power.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Beyond Proud.
- By Sophia A. on 09-12-24
By: Tareq Azim, and others
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Uncommon Marriage
- Learning About Lasting Love and Overcoming Life's Obstacles Together
- By: Tony Dungy, Lauren Dungy, Nathan Whitaker
- Narrated by: Tony Dungy, Lauren Dungy
- Length: 6 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 132
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 117
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 117
Tony and Lauren Dungy have together known the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. They fell in love, built a family, and made sports history when Tony became the first African-American head coach to win the Super Bowl. Yet they've also gone through difficult, relationship-testing setbacks, including job loss and devastating personal tragedy. In a culture where it seems harder and harder to make marriage last, what has kept the Dungys strong through it all?
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5 out of 5 stars
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WOW!
- By js on 07-19-17
By: Tony Dungy, and others
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Quiet Strength
- The Principles, Practices, and Priorities of a Winning Life
- By: Tony Dungy
- Narrated by: Tony Dungy
- Length: 5 hrs and 19 mins
- Abridged
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 579
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 492
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Story5 out of 5 stars 491
Tony Dungy's words and example have intrigued millions of people, particularly following his victory in Super Bowl XLI, the first for an African-American coach. How is it possible for a coach—especially a football coach—to win the respect of his players and lead them to the Super Bowl without the screaming histrionics, the profanities, the demand that the sport come before anything else? How is it possible for anyone to be successful without compromising faith and family?
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5 out of 5 stars
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Mama Dill
- By Kelly D on 05-13-17
By: Tony Dungy
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Basketball Junkie
- A Memoir
- By: Chris Herren, Bill Reynolds
- Narrated by: Peter Berkrot
- Length: 6 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 103
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 91
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Story5 out of 5 stars 92
At basketball-crazy Durfee High School in Fall River, Massachusetts, junior guard Chris Herren carried his family’s and the city’s dreams on his skinny frame. His grandfather, father, and older brother had created their own sports legends in a declining city; he was the last, best hope for a career beyond the shuttered mills and factories. Herren was heavily recruited by major universities, chosen as a McDonald’s All-American, featured in a Sports Illustrated cover story, and at just seventeen years old became the central figure in Fall River Dreams, an acclaimed book about the 1994 Durfee team’s quest for the state championship.
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5 out of 5 stars
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most powerful recovery story I've ever heard
- By Brian Swasey on 03-23-22
By: Chris Herren, and others
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The Pact
- Three Young Men Make a Promise and Fulfill a Dream
- By: Drs. Sampson Davis, George Jenkins, Rameck Hunt
- Narrated by: Drs. Sampson Davis, George Jenkins, Rameck Hunt
- Length: 5 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 271
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 213
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 215
All too often, we hear about the dangers of male friendships in which peer pressure prevails over common sense. But for George Jenkins, Sampson Davis, and Rameck Hunt, strong and supportive male friendship was a powerful antidote to the temptations and pitfalls of street life. It led three boys to make a vow to be there for one another, to encourage one another every step of the way, until they overcame the odds and became doctors.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Very Inspirational
- By Heather on 04-10-09
By: Drs. Sampson Davis, and others
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The Queen of Katwe
- A Story of Life, Chess, and One Extraordinary Girl
- By: Tim Crothers
- Narrated by: Robin Miles
- Length: 7 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 136
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 121
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 118
Phiona Mutesi sleeps in a decrepit shack with her mother and four siblings and struggles to find a single meal each day. Phiona Mutesi is also one of the best chess players in the world. One day in 2005, while searching for food, nine-year-old Phiona followed her brother to a dusty veranda where she met Robert Katende, another child of the Ugandan slums, who works for an American organization that offers relief and religion through sports. Robert introduced Phiona to the game of chess and soon recognized her immense talent.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Outstanding!!
- By The Book Hound on 10-22-16
By: Tim Crothers
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Uncommon
- Finding Your Path to Significance
- By: Tony Dungy, Nathan Whitaker
- Narrated by: Tony Dungy
- Length: 4 hrs and 56 mins
- Abridged
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 162
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 148
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Story5 out of 5 stars 148
Super Bowl-winning coach and number-one New York Times best-selling author Tony Dungy has had an unusual opportunity to reflect on what it takes to achieve significance. He is looked to by many as the epitome of the success and significance that is highly valued in our culture. He also works every day with young men who are trying to achieve significance through football and all that goes with a professional athletic career, such as money, power, and celebrity.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Great Men's Bible study product
- By DG on 12-14-19
By: Tony Dungy, and others
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Devoted
- The Story of a Father's Love for His Son
- By: Dick Hoyt, Don Yaeger
- Narrated by: Stephen Hoye
- Length: 5 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 48
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 44
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Story5 out of 5 stars 44
Born a spastic quadriplegic, Rick Hoyt was written off by numerous doctors, but his parents, Dick and Judy Hoyt, were determined to give their son all the opportunities of a "normal" kid. In 1977, 15-year-old Rick asked his dad to enter a charity race. The twist? Rick wanted to run it too. Dick had never run a race before, and the thought of pushing his son’s wheelchair while running was daunting. But, once again, Dick and Rick were determined to overcome any obstacle. More than 1,000 races later, the devoted father son duo is affectionately known worldwide as Team Hoyt.
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5 out of 5 stars
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They found solutions
- By Amazon Customer on 09-09-24
By: Dick Hoyt, and others
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Against the Grain
- A Coach's Wisdom on Character, Faith, Family, and Love
- By: Bill Courtney
- Narrated by: Bill Courtney
- Length: 6 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 32
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 30
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Story5 out of 5 stars 30
In Against the Grain, Bill Courtney shares his convictions on the fundamental tenets of character, commitment, service, leadership, civility, and others that, in his decades of success as an entrepreneur and educator, have proven to be the keys to a winning and meaningful life and career.
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5 out of 5 stars
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An amazing man
- By Richard Langel on 03-04-24
By: Bill Courtney
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Ginger Kid
- Mostly True Tales from a Former Nerd
- By: Steve Hofstetter
- Narrated by: Steve Hofstetter
- Length: 5 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 327
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 301
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Story5 out of 5 stars 300
In Ginger Kid, popular comedian Steve Hofstetter grapples with life after seventh grade...when his world fell apart. Formatted as a series of personal essays, Steve walks his listeners through awkward early dating, family turbulence, and the revenge of the bullied nerds. This YA nonfiction is sure to be the beloved next volume for the first generation of Wimpy Kid fans who are all grown up and ready for a new misfit hero.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Loved it.
- By Justin on 06-28-18
By: Steve Hofstetter
What listeners say about I Beat the Odds
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rebecca
- 02-07-16
Excellent
I enjoyed this book, very inspiring and loved hearing in his own words what he went through. Highly recommended!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 05-02-16
Excellent, book very inspirational book. Amazing.
loved it Michael Oher is truly an inspiration for younger kids who come from a hard background. He really made me think on what really matters in life with is to work hard and never give in to social hardships.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- david guscott
- 01-16-23
Better than the Movie
This book helps to let us know how Michael Oher got to what we saw in the Blind side. It tells us things that Hollywood left out and we need to know and recognize today. The Humanity of his family trying to stay together and the the Love of his birth mother. It tells of people with and without means that helped him along the way. Excellent listen and read.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- BGN8
- 03-05-12
"Blind Side" The real story!
Would you listen to I Beat the Odds again? Why?
Yes,
Compelling, honest, compassionate and inspiring.
What does Michael Boatman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
It feels like Michael Oher is actually telling you his story.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
I beat the odds . . . from zero to hero!
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Russell
- 11-02-20
Behind The Blindside
great book to learn about things not mentioned in the movie. michael oher is great!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Daddyof3
- 10-28-22
first ever audio book, I'm hooked
I watched the blindside movie, and this was so much more informative, I actually felt sorry for Micheal, but am glad he overcame the odds. goes to show you can do anything you set your mind too.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jae Williams
- 07-12-15
Must Read!
Any additional comments?
Just a really good, interesting book. Explains so much about the movie, his journey, his ambitions and inside the foster care system, the good, the bad and the ugly.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- judy
- 02-04-13
Loved the book!
Where does I Beat the Odds rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
It kept me engaged...very interesting.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
No - I like to listen on the way to work and when cleaning around the house. The book very quickly though. It was hard to stop listening.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Emily
- 10-11-16
a very inspiring read.
This book gave me the inspiration to keep on the high road. it's not always spell binding, but always interesting.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Walt
- 06-16-15
Michael proves he is a well educated professional
This is a well written story of Michael Oher's life. You can tell he truly wants to reach those kids out there who need inspiration and guidance. He proves he's not a typical high maintenance athlete who is chasing the money but a well educated professional who wants to give back.
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1 person found this helpful