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I Beat The Odds: From Homelessness, To The Blind Side, And Beyond (2011)

by Michael Oher(Favorite Author)

4.1 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

1592406122 (ISBN13: 9781592406128)

languge

English

genre

Memoir & Autobiography

publisher

Gotham

review 1: Michael Oher has had so many other people tell his story that he must have felt he finally had to tell his own story in his own words.Michael Oher may be the most well known offensive lineman in the history of the National Football League after the movie, The Blind Side, based on the best selling book of the same name by Michael Lewis. The Blind Side tells of an inner city Memphis kid who grew up virtually homeless but rose to become the first round pick of the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League.Anyone who read or saw The Blind Side knows the basics of Oher’s story. He grew up in drug infested neighborhoods in Memphis with an indifferent mother addicted to crack cocaine, who often left her many kids to fend for themselves and was at times homeless.Oher gr... moreew up often not knowing where his next meal was coming from or even where he would sleep. In an out of foster care, sometimes homeless, always destitute in if not the basics, direction and care, his character and work ethic, along with a lot of help from some very generous people, eventually landed him at a private school in well to do part of Memphis. The amazing aspect of Oher’s success beyond people like the Tuohy family who took him into their home and made him part of their family, is his work ethic and perseverance through severe disadvantages. Yes, Oher got lucky that there were enough people to help him along the way achieve his dreams. But it takes more than being huge and athletic to take those opportunities and turn them into success. While there are many, many, better off, less disadvantaged athletes that never graduate from college or achieve any level true success in professional sports, Oher graduated and had had success as a pro. Regardless of talent and background, that takes a lot of hard work. And despite the unbelievable disadvantages, Oher took the opportunities in front of him and made a success of his life.In this book Michael talks about his life growing up, his love for his siblings and his adopted family, the Tuohys, but he also has a message. And that message is to those in similar circumstances not to give up, work hard, and take the opportunities afford and make the best of them. While not all kids in Oher’s situation will be quite as lucky, and probably not have quite the perseverance, Oher’s success creates a model and gives hope to others.And another amazing thing about Oher is how self aware he is. He notes that the life of a professional football player is short, so he doesn’t live lavishly and plans to save and have a plan for the future. He understands that he doesn’t know everything about football and the professional game and understands he has to continue to learn and improve. It’s a rather refreshing perspective.This book is readable, interesting, and while it will not really tell much that is not basically known about Oher’s life and success, it is his message of hope and perseverance that makes it a worthwhile read.
review 2: I Beat the Odds by Michael Oher is a Very Heart warming book. Michael has lived a hard life, his mother always being absent from his life and also his siblings lives. Most Nights were spent finding a place to stay for a few days. His siblings got separated from him. Michael got adopted and his foster mother pushed him to go to school and do homework. He played Sports in High School and was very good. He was the best Lineman on his Football team. Michael worked hard and he got Drafted by the Baltimore Ravens.I really liked this book. I watched the Blind Side when I was younger but, I didn't really know who Michael Oher was. But now that I picked up this book and learned his story I'm eager to watch the Movie a second time. Giving the background on Michael's child hood was very important. You can see how his life has evolved from many Hardships to a countless amount of Success. For example, his story starts off with the stories of when he struggled a lot with his siblings. The story is told in a timeline like form, each Chapter is a different period of Michael's life. By the Story being told in this form it's easier for the reader to understand his life more because they will only know the main points of it.I would Recommend I Beat the Odds by Michael Oher. I could relate to points in his life when he struggled in school or how he dominated in his sports. Anyone that like a Story about Success or Football should read this book. It's very Heart Warming and Motivational, if you watched The Blind Side you should definitely read this book. less

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