Beyond Belief: Finding the Strength to Come Back

Talk about inspirational you don't have to go any further than this book right here. Josh Hamilton's life has had so many ups and yet at the same time so many downs. Josh is the true story was it doesn't matter how far down you are in your life if you put your mind to the task at hand you can accomplish it. Josh was actually a good kid growing up and how he became a great baseball player was disciplining himself to not go out use drugs and alcohol like most of his friends did. He even went as far to not go to his senior prom because he did not want to get mixed up in activity afterwards that might affect his draft status. That takes true determination to discipline yourself like that. For all joshes hard work it paid off as he was drafted by the devil rays in the first round with the first pick. Unfortunately lots of injuries put Josh on the shelf for a lot of baseball time that it eventually drove him to use drugs for the first time. He states the first time he used coke it was a high he never experienced and he was hooked. As bad as drugs are he is being totally honest with that statement. He reached the lowest point in his life but thanks to the help of his grandmother and god he was able to pull out of it. I was so glad for Josh especially when I saw him in the 2008 homerun derby and he put on a performance of a lifetime. Josh shows you what true determinate is. I truly believe if Josh would have been able to avoid injuries and eventually using drugs to relieve the pain he would be an all star in this league and maybe become one of the best ever. I know that may be a little too much but a guy that can come back after 3 years away from major league baseball almost win the homerun derby and have a great season with the reds and Texas rangers you know he's got talent. Josh Hamilton should be an inspiration for all of us and it proves no matter how doubtful something looks you can accomplish it if you put your mind to it.

Josh Hamilton's story is really inspiring, and his telling of it in Beyond Belief truly does it justice. This book is one of those rare books that could be shelved in many different sections of our store - sports, biography, addiction, religion - as people searching for books in all areas will get something out of Josh's story. Josh's problems only occured when he was off the feild, and away from the game - throughout his many suspensions and relapses his love for baseball never faltered. Josh talks a lot of all the expectations that were placed on him, and can seem boastful at times, but this may just be a tool to emphasize how much he nearly lost because of his addiction. I would recommend this book to not only baseball fans, but to anyone looking for an inspirational and motivating life story.