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A Topps League Story
by Kurtis ScalettaChad’s got the summertime blues: his parents want him to be home by midnight (no extra innings) and eat healthier (no corn dogs). His friend, Abby, has bobblehead issues. And then there’s pinch hitter Sammy Solaris. But Sammy has problems of his own. He has a big swing but is too slow. If he can’t speed up his running and stealing, he’ll be off the team. There’s got to be something Chad can do to save the day . . . with a little help from Dylan, a baseball card, and that porcupine!
A Touch of Greatness
by C. W. AndersonTurf history is emblazoned with the great names that have adorned it--Man o' War, Colin, Sysonby, Exterminator, Count Fleet--but a little applause should be reserved for those not so richly endowed by nature who yet performed splendidly. Out of lesser cloth they fashioned their banners, substituting honesty for speed or courage for stamina. These are not great horses, perhaps. but of what they had they gave generously, often overcoming natural handicaps to give thrilling performances. They had color, appeal and, at least, a touch of greatness
A Tough Job Made Harder: Football Officials in an Unforgiving World
by Richard ListerWith pressure to perform free from error—an impossibility—in America’s most popular sport, the work done by football officials has become more difficult than ever. A Tough Job Made Harder explores how this has happened as well as the challenges that lie ahead for the game and its officials.Cultural imperatives grounded in team allegiance has increased the stresses on football’s judges to invariably “get it right.” Officials offer the path of least resistance for those channeling ire at a game’s untoward outcome.The increased demand for perfection has invited technology into officiating. Paradoxically, the tools designed to cure mistakes have led to unintended consequences that have made the job even more challenging.And with increasing stress on player safety, the burden to make the game safer has been added to those already borne by the profession.A Tough Job Made Harder looks at the demands on football officials as well as what makes it so rewarding to those who embark on it. Despite the proclivity for fans to criticize and lay blame on officiating, those who undertake the work do so with immense pride and professionalism.
A Tour of Mont Blanc: And other circuitous adventures in Italy, France and Switzerland
by David Le VayOn New Year's Day, David makes a pact to tackle Western Europe's highest mountain, Mont Blanc. With his only daughter leaving for university and his fiftieth birthday approaching, walking 170 kilometres across a mountain range seems the perfect antidote. Humorous, reflective and poignant, this journey is full to bursting with stories to remember.
A Tradition of Purple: An Inside Look at the Minnesota Vikings
by Jim Bruton Bud GrantSince the creation of the Minnesota Vikings in 1960, this football team has been more than just another franchise. To the fans who love them, and the haters who can't help but admire them, the Minnesota Vikings are an unstoppable force in the NFL.In this heartwarming and inspirational book, Jim Bruton takes a look beyond the game and examines what the Minnesota Vikings have meant to fans and communities across the country. Covering the Vikings from every angle, A Tradition of Purple is an up-close look at the players, coaches, charities, Hall of Famers, and people behind the scenes who have come to define what it means to be Purple over the last fifty years. Readers will get an inside look at such famous Vikings as Norm Van Brocklin, Bud Grant, Fran Tarkenton, Carl Eller, Alan Page, Jim Marshall, Chris Doleman, Adrian Peterson, and more. This is not a book only about football, this is also a book about life, community, and the team that inspires a legacy.
A Traditional Bowhunter's Path: Lessons and Adventures at Full Draw
by Ron RohrbaughThis guide to traditional bowhunting with a longbow or recurve combines the best of both worlds for beginners and veteran bowhunters. How-to chapters share hard-earned wisdom that will help you perfect your skills and get close to your game, while engaging stories tell of the author&’s experiences hunting white-tailed deer in the east, chasing big game in the American West, and trekking to South Africa in search of Greater Kudu and other plains game. Throughout, the author highlights archery&’s traditional spirit by exploring the history and craft of bowhunting and chronicles the challenges faced by today&’s bowhunters in continuing their important role as hunter-conservationists.As a professional wildlife biologist, Ron Rohrbaugh Jr. also provides valuable information on wildlife ecology and behavior that is instructive for all those interested in increasing their success with archery tackle.Specific shooting techniques for hunting situations, ways to set up effective ambush sites for big game, and dealing with the stresses of &“buck fever&”The latest information on equipment and arrows, including the pros and cons of various bow styles and arrow shaft materialsAdvice on using the wind, hunting bedding areas, creating effective scent trails, and understanding why and how deer moveDiscussion of controversial topics, such as baiting and trophy hunting
A Tribe Reborn: How the Cleveland Indians of the ?90s Went from Cellar Dwellers to Playoff Contenders
by Hank Peters George Christian PappasFor almost fifty years, the Cleveland Indians were a joke. They had won the 1948 World Series with one of the greatest teams of all time, but had not been to the playoffs since 1954 (losing to the New York Giants in the World Series). Even the Major League movies poked fun at their inadequacy. That all changed in the 1990s, when the Indians became one of the most dominant teams of the decade.A Tribe Reborn tells the story of a failing franchise, from “The Mistake by the Lake” to “The Curse of Rocky Colavito,” and how a laughingstock team that was on the verge of relocating changed its ways to become a dominant franchise. With the building of the state-of-the-art Jacobs Field (which the Indians sold out a record 455 consecutive games, from 1995–2001) to changes in how their scouting, front office, and locker room were run, the team that nobody cared about became front-page news across the country. With interviews from Jim Thome, Omar Vizquel, Mike Hargrove, John Hart, and many more, A Tribe Reborn is a fantastic look inside how a losing franchise changed its ways to become a perennial powerhouse. While the Indians of the ’90s never won a World Series (appearing twice in 1995 and 1997), they are still remembered for their hard play, amazing talent, and rabid fan base.
A Tribe Reborn: How the Cleveland Indians of the ?90s Went from Cellar Dwellers to Playoff Contenders
by Hank Peters George Christian PappasFor almost 50 years, the Cleveland Indians were a joke. They had won the 1948 World Series with one of the greatest teams of all time, but had not been to the playoffs since 1954 (losing to the New York Giants in the World Series). Even the Major League movies poked fun at their inadequacy. That all changed in the 1990s, when the Indians became one of the most dominant teams of the decade.A Tribe Reborn tells the story of a failing franchise, from "The Mistake by the Lake" to "The Curse of Rocky Colavito," and how a laughingstock team that was on the verge of relocating changed its ways to become a dominant franchise.With the building of the state-of-the-art Jacobs Field (which the Indians sold out a record 455 consecutive games, from 1995-2001) to changes in how their scouting, front office, and locker room were run, the team that nobody cared about became front-page news across the country.With interviews from Jim Thome, Omar Vizquel, Mike Hargrove, John Hart, and many more, A Tribe Reborn is a fantastic look inside how a losing franchise changed its ways to become a perennial powerhouse. While the Indians of the '90s never won a World Series (appearing twice in 1995 and 1997), they are still remembered for their hard play, amazing talent, and rabid fan base.
A Unified System Fitness Design: Concepts of Holistic and Inclusive Fitness Framework
by Tra Giang Nguyen Oliver Napila GomezA Unified System Fitness Design proposes a new fitness framework that encompasses all fitness indicators in a holistic and comprehensive manner, striving to provide a comprehensive and inclusive definition of physical fitness, one that considers all attributes contributing to overall well-being, and crafting a flexible framework that can adapt to diverse contexts and purposes of physical fitness assessments. This new book is divided into three parts. Part I explores redefining and reconstructing the concepts of an inclusive and holistic fitness framework. In Part II, the reader is encouraged to embark on a journey to discover the interconnected system functions of physiological health, homeostasis, motor control, and energy regulation. Part III reinforces the role of wellness in the Unified Systems Fitness Design, guided by the principles of inclusion and equity, in the decision-making process. Finally, the perpetual complementation theory emerged from the design, making sense of the cyclical connection between the system functions for health and skill and strengthening the Health-Ability-Task Suitability (HATS) Framework. There are still many uncharted territories in the realm of fitness and wellness. A Unified System Fitness Design addresses these gaps in the literature and practice and seeks to inspire a transformative worldview that urges the reader to question the existing paradigms and explore innovative, inclusive approaches that cater to people with unique needs. In doing so, this exciting new volume aims to establish a common language for researchers and practitioners in the field, offering accurate and concise descriptions of each fitness component and its associated indicators in a universally understood terminology.
A Unit of Water, a Unit of Time
by Douglas WhynottIn a time when racing boats are mass-produced from synthetic materials, a dying breed of craftsman continues to build wooden sailboats of astonishing beauty. Boatbuilding is an ancient art, and Joel White was a master. Son of the legendary writer E. B. White, he was raised around boats and his designs were as sublime and graceful as his father's prose. At a boatyard in Maine, White and his closely knit team of builders brought scores of his creations from blueprints into the ocean. In June 1996, six months after being diagnosed with cancer, Joel White began designing the W-76, an exquisite racing yacht. It was his final masterpiece. Douglas Whynott spent a year at Brooklin Boat Yard, observing as this design took shape, first in sketches and then during the painstaking building of the wooden craft. The result is the poignant tale of both a genius at work and the people devoted to his art. Evoking E. B. White's New England and its salty residents, A Unit of Water, a Unit of Time is a classic portrait of dignity, charm, and humble magnificence-and of a maritime community that keeps a vanishing world alive.
A Very Secret Affair
by Miranda LeeMatt Sheffield was a womanizer—and experience had taught Clare to avoid men like him at all costs. Though the attentions of one of Australia's biggest celebrities were very flattering, Matt wasn't offering Clare anything more than a fleeting affair. She was determined that she wouldn't fall into the same trap twice...no matter what the temptation!
A Very Tall Story
by Martin BayfieldA hilarious and, at times, moving and soul-searching account of rugby union&’s rollercoaster days in the 1990s, told through the eyes of a player who saw it all as the sport lurched shambolically from the crazy final days of amateurism into the professional era. Martin Bayfield has a story to tell. Indeed, some might describe it as a very tall story. Standing at 6ft 10ins, the former England and British and Irish Lions second row remains one of the tallest players ever to have played international rugby, and his immense physical stature made him one of the most destructive forwards in the world game. He played for England during one of the most successful eras in English rugby, winning two Grand Slams alongside legendary players such as Will Carling, Jeremy Guscott, Brian Moore and Rory Underwood. His international heyday came at a seminal moment for rugby union when, almost overnight, it was transformed from a noble minority sport to a celebrity event, with stories appearing on the front pages of the British tabloids. Now Bayfield is ready to reveal the inside story of that rip-roaring decade that changed forever the face of English rugby. The book provides an emotional link between the generations, so that today&’s fans can reconnect with rugby's soul. Renowned as one of rugby's best and most entertaining storytellers, the former policeman and Hagrid's body double has written a brilliant and very funny love letter to a sport that continues to inspire and entertain millions.
A Viagem de Recrutamento
by Lexy Timms João Rossi ParreirasA pretendente a atleta universitária Aileen Nessa acredita que o processo de recrutamento está sendo mais do que intimidante. Como a top 10 mundial nos 100 metros com barreiras aos 18 anos não foi por acaso, mesmo achando que uma corrida onde tudo se encaixa perfeitamente, pode sim sê-lo. As universidades americanas parecem não acreditar nisso. As cartas chegam de todo o país. Enquanto ela enfrenta o desafio de diferenciar entre o genuíno comprometimento para com ela e promessas vazias de treinadores caçadores de talento, Aileen parte rumo à Universidade Estadual de Gática, uma instituição da Divisão Um, para uma viagem de recrutamento. Sua melhor amiga a desafia para ir somente para ver os bonitos rapazes que aparecem no panfleto da universidade. O programa atlético da universidade possui um dos melhores corredores com barreiras do país. Tyler Jensen é o campeão da NCAA* em barreiras e Jim Thorpe o reconhecido top defensive back do futebol americano. Seus incríveis olhos azuis como o oceano e seu sorriso confiante fazem Aileen gaguejar e esquecer porque ela está visitando a UEG. Seu convite de acolhê-la caso ela decida estudar em Gática é uma proposta tentadora que a faz se perguntar se ela está fazendo um pacto com um anjo ou com o próprio diabo. *Associação Atlética de Faculdades Nacional. N do T.
A View from Two Benches: Bob Thomas in Football and the Law
by Doug FeldmannWhether in football or in the law, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Robert Thomas has always had the "best view from the bench."Bob Thomas got his start in football at the University of Notre Dame, kicking for the famed "Fighting Irish" in the early 1970s. Claimed off waivers by the Chicago Bears in 1975, Thomas helped to take the franchise from their darkest days to their brightest. Yet, on the cusp of the team's greatest moment, he was struck with a shocking blow that challenged his fortitude.In this dramatic retelling of Bob Thomas's fascinating life, renowned sports writer Doug Feldmann shows how neither football nor the law was part of Thomas's dreams while growing up the son of Italian immigrants in Rochester, New York, in the 1960s. Chasing excellence on both the gridiron and in the courtroom, however, would require resilience in ways he could not have imagined.As A View from Two Benches shows us, Bob Thomas reached the top of two separate and distinct professions, guided by a bedrock of faith that has impacted his decisions and actions as both a football player and a judge, helping him navigate the peaks and valleys of life. As Doug Feldmann reveals, Bob Thomas has always stayed true to the values he learned in his earliest days.Doug Feldmann's rich biography of an accomplished kicker and a proud justice of the law shows us that determination and resilience go a long way to a successful and impactful life.
A View from a Tall Hill: Robert Ruark in Africa
by Terry Wielandafrica; hunting; short stories; sporting Robert Ruark was perhaps the most renowned safari writer of the twentieth century. As a respected columnist and author during his lifetime, his writings have influenced thousands of hunters to travel to Africa to see the places that Ruark immortalized in his writings. Despite his impact, Ruark only wrote for a period of fifteen years, but it was a time where he lived his life to its fullest potential. He travelled all across the world in order to see and do everything he could dream of, but it was in East Africa that he came to find a spiritual home. As the area became increasingly independent of colonial rule, Ruark predicted the economic, social, and political ruin that has since been the daily reality of the region. In this detailed account of Ruark&’s life, Terry Wieland has written a definitive book on Ruark, the restless traveler, and the times in which he lived, as well as his lifelong fascination with Africa.
A View from the West Upper: A Reflective Account Through the Eyes of One Fan
by James HarrisonThis book will take Arsenal and football fans through a magical journey from spring 1995 right through to spring 2017. It describes the level of change in society whilst supporting a 21st-century football club and business. It highlights how people interact and how we look at change, but also demonstrates how important security can be too. We explore the club's adventure on and off the field through ambition, hope, risk and success, all cross-referenced to our daily real-life journey. This account will make you think back to those early days of change whilst making you laugh and appreciate how fortunate we are to support this great club and business. Regardless of how long you have been supporting Arsenal, this book will be a hugely entertaining read.
A Visitor's Guide to the Ancient Olympics
by Neil FaulknerThe essential handbook for the 21st-century citizen seeking a lively guided tour of the ancient Greek Olympics. Travel back to the heyday of the city-state and classical Greek civilization. Enter this distant, alien, but still familiar culture and discover what the Greeks did and didn&’t do during five thrilling days in August, 388 B.C.In the Olympic Stadium there were no stands, no shade—and no women allowed. Visitors sat on a grassy bank in the searing heat of midsummer to watch naked athletes compete in footraces, the pentathlon, horse and chariot races, and three combat sports—wrestling, boxing, and pankration, everyone's favorite competition, with virtually no rules and considerable blood and pain. This colorfully illustrated volume offers a complete tour of the Olympic site exactly as athletes and spectators found it. The book evokes the sights, sounds, and smells of the crowded encampment; introduces the various attendees (from champions and charlatans to aristocrats and prostitutes); and explains the numerous exotic religious rituals. Uniquely detailed and precise, this guide offers an unparalleled opportunity to travel in time, back to the excitement of ancient Olympia.&“Splendidly captures the excitement, the razzmatazz, the intensity, glamour and squalor of the ancient Olympics. Packed with anecdotes and intriguing facts, the careful scholarship behind this wonderful little book is presented with gusto.&”—Philip Matyszak, author of Ancient Athens on Five Drachmas a Day&“Ultimately the ancient Olympics were more of an epic frat party full of booze and sex than a prestigious sporting competition, and Faulkner paints that picture well.&”—Moira E. McLaughlin, The Washington Post
A Voyage Across an Ancient Ocean: A Bicycle Journey Through the Northern Dominion of Oil
by David GoodrichIn the face of widespread misinformation and misunderstanding, a climate scientist ventures into the vast heart of America&’s new oil country on just two wheels.Recently recovered from his epic bicycle journey that took him from the Delaware shore to the Oregon coast, distinguished climate scientist David Goodrich sets out on his bike again to traverse the Western Interior Seaway—an ancient ocean that once spread across half of North America. When the waters cleared a geologic age ago, what was left behind was vast, flat prairie, otherworldly rock formations, and oil shale deposits. As Goodrich journeys through the Badlands and Theodore Roosevelt National Park and across the prairies of the upper Midwest and Canada, we get a raw and ground-level view of where the tar sands and oil reserves are being opened up at an incredible and unprecedented pace. Extraordinary and unregulated, this &“black goldrush&” is boom and bust in every sense. In a manner reminiscent of John McPhee and Rachel Carson, combined with Goodrich&’s wry self-deprecation and scientific expertise, A Voyage Across an Ancient Ocean is a galvanizing and adventure-filled read that gets to the heart of drilling on our continent.
A Walk Across America
by Peter JenkinsIn this classic account, Jenkins describes how his disillusionment with society in the 1970s drove him out onto the road on a walk across America, and shares the lessons he learned about his country and himself that resonate to this day.
A Walk for Sunshine: A 2,160 Mile Expedition for Charity on the Appalachian Trail
by Jeff AltJeff Alt takes you along every step of his 2,160-mile Appalachian Trail adventure filled with humorous, frightening, and inspirational stories including bears, bugs, blisters, captivating characters, skunk bed mates, and hilarious food cravings. As Alt walked more than 5 million steps through freezing temperatures, driving rain, and sunny skies, he was constantly buoyed by the knowledge that his walk was dedicated to his brother who has cerebral palsy. Alt's adventure inspired an annual fundraiser which has raised over $500,000 for Sunshine, the home where his brother lives. This is the 20th anniversary edition. As you walk along with Alt, experience the success of turning dreams into goals and achieving them. Alt's lessons from the trail celebrate family, stewardship of the earth, good health, and the American spirit. less
A Walk from the Wild Edge: ‘This Book Has Changed Lives’ Chris Evans
by Jake TylerThe remarkable true story of one man's inspiring journey through his 3,000 mile walk across the country'A great and inspirational read' MATT HAIG, bestselling author of Reasons to Stay Alive'Inspiring' INDEPENDENT'An uplifting and inspirational journey through raw emotion' RAYNOR WINN, bestselling author of The Salt PathAS SEEN ON BBC BREAKFAST______Jake Tyler had forgotten how to feel alive.With only a pair of boots and a backpack, he set off on a 3000-mile walk around Britain - along coastal paths, over mountains, through every national park.His journey became his road to recovery. On it he rediscovered the British landscape, the extraordinary kindness of strangers and most importantly, his place in the world.This is his inspiring story, away from the wild edge.______'Jake you have changed people's lives . . . we are all fans!' Chris Evans, Virgin Radio'An incredible journey, an inspirational memoir . . . beautiful' Zoe Ball, BBC Radio 2'Inspiring . . . It's something that will help many through these dark times' Bryony Gordon'This book is a tonic. Until we can all get out and explore Britain's beauty for ourselves again, this is the ideal substitute' Mirror'So compelling in his honesty . . . very poignant' Express'A tale told with courageous honesty. There's much to learn here about how reconnecting with nature and trusting others can rekindle the joy of being alive' BBC Countryfile 'A testament to the power of human connection, this is a physical and mental journey to inspire hope even in the darkest of times' National Geographic
A Walk in Our Cleats: 25 Athletes Who Never Gave Up
by Steven Johnson Jr. Paul CartwrightA Walk in Our Cleats is an exciting, inside look at 25 notable NFL players and their faith journeys. Each player has faced unique circumstances in staying fit, pursuing their dreams, and getting to play in the NFL, but all have one thing in common: the power of Jesus Christ in their lives.A Walk in Our Cleats, 25 Athletes Who Never Gave Up is an inspiring, genuine, real-time read with never-before-seen photographs that will appeal to American football fans everywhere. Featuring an eye-catching four-color interior, readers will be drawn in by the short, personal entries written by each player. Fans can jump in throughout the book to browse photos and pick up inspiration from each NFL player’s unique perspective on God’s amazing grace. Each player entry includes a relevant message, their favorite Scripture passages, and an encouraging life application to encourage and motivate you in your own faith journey.Decorated and popular NFL players included in A Walk in Our Cleats are: Benjamin Watson, Ben Roethlisberger, Manny Ramirez, Miles Killebrew, Chris Harris Jr., David Bass, Lorenzo Alexander, Tyson Alualu, Jordan Matthews, Shamarko Thomas, Matthew Slater, Chris Clark, Don Carey, Arthur Moats, Derrick Morgan, Will Johnson, Wesley Woodyard, Ryan Shazier, Charles Johnson, Brandon Marshall, Tyler Patmon, Sam Acho, and Ben Garland.
A Walking Life: Reclaiming Our Health and Our Freedom One Step at a Time
by Antonia MalchikFor readers of On Trails: an incisive, utterly engaging exploration of walking: how it is fundamental to our being human, how we've designed it out of our lives, and how it is essential that we reembrace it"I'm going for a walk." How often has this phrase been uttered by someone with a heart full of anger or sorrow? Or as an invitation, a precursor to a declaration of love? Our species and its predecessors have been bipedal walkers for at least six million years; by now, we take this seemingly arbitrary motion for granted. Yet how many of us still really walk in our everyday lives? Driven by a combination of a car-centric culture and an insatiable thirst for productivity and efficiency, we're spending more time sedentary and alone than we ever have before. If bipedal walking is truly what makes our species human, as paleoanthropologists claim, what does it mean that we are designing walking right out of our lives? Antonia Malchik asks essential questions at the center of humanity's evolution and social structures: Who gets to walk, and where? How did we lose the right to walk, and what implications does that have for the strength of our communities, the future of democracy, and the pervasive loneliness of individual lives? The loss of walking as an individual and a community act has the potential to destroy our deepest spiritual connections, our democratic society, our neighborhoods, and our freedom. But we can change the course of our mobility. And we need to. Delving into a wealth of science, history, and anecdote -- from our deepest origins as hominins to our first steps as babies, to universal design and social infrastructure, A Walking Life shows exactly how walking is essential, and how deeply reliant our brains and bodies are on this simple pedestrian act -- and how we can reclaim it.
A War in Dixie: Alabama Vs. Auburn
by Ivan Maisel Kelly WhitesideEach year, on a Saturday in November, emotions run high as the entire state of Alabama comes to a halt. Stores close. Bars open. Families, friends, and couples who on any other day of the year are civil to one another become enemies. Young men strap on their equipment to partake in the annual frenzy that they will not experience again in their lives, whether or not they go on to play professionally. And a victory gives them and their fans bragging rights for a year. Short of a national championship, to win the state's own Super Bowl -- ultimately dubbed the Iron Bowl -- may well be their greatest accomplishment. Above all, the very future of the football programs themselves hinge on which team wins.With remarkable access to both schools, A War in Dixie reveals the passions and the pressures that have made the Alabama Crimson Tide-Auburn Tigers rivalry the most feverish in the nation. Both head coaches -- Tom Tuberville and Mike DuBose, in his last game at Alabama's helm -- open their doors to meetings, practices, film study, team meals, and every other activity as they prepare for the Iron Bowl. From the coaches' first meeting at seven A.M. to lights out, hour by hour, day by day, we see what the athletes and staffs endure in order to win.Looming over the proceedings are the long shadows of history: Paul "Bear" Bryant, whose Crimson Tide dominated the Tigers during his reign by winning nineteen of twenty-five contests, and Ralph "Shug" Jordan, who went head to head against the Bear for almost his entire career. And then there are the games: Ken Stabler's 47-yard touchdown run through mud in a driving rainstorm for a 7-3 victory, Van Tiffin's 52-yard field goal as time expired, and David Langner's two blocked punt returns for touchdowns that led to Auburn's shocking upset in what became known as the "Punt, Bama, Punt" game.Featuring a foreword by Ken Stabler, a former Crimson Tide All-American, A War in Dixie is hard-hitting proof of a hit of local wisdom: This isn't life or death, it's more important: it's Alabama-Auburn football!
A Warrior's Heart
by Joe Layden Micky WardThe critically acclaimed, Academy Award-winning film The Fighter made the world stand up and cheer for the inspiring true story of "Irish" Micky Ward--a heart-and-soul warrior who overcame the odds to make history in the ring. But that was only part of the tale... Starting with his first bout at the age of seven, Micky Ward gave as good as he got and left absolutely everything he had in the ring. Quitting was never an option. It was that indomitable spirit that would allow him to overcome the harsh realities that he faced every day. For it was outside the ring that Ward's heart would be most needed, from witnessing his idolized older half brother Dicky's fall from grace, to dealing with his wildly dysfunctional--if frighteningly loyal--family, to harboring the darkest of secrets, which he has never revealed until now. Micky Ward has faced numerous setbacks and defeats that would have stopped a lesser man, but he has remained a fighter, through and through--both as a professional boxer and as a man who finally found his greatest strength in friendship, family and faith in himself.