Scan barcode
mommybookwyrmm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.5
angmander's review against another edition
2.0
I was interested in this book because 1. I love biographies (especially of those that had to overcome something great), and 2. it involves the Boston Marathon and I love running.
It was an interesting read. I learned quite a bit and it was not difficult to invest myself into the story. I sat down to read it, and before I thought about it, I was halfway through the book.
That having been said, there were some things that I didn't particularly love. There was swearing (including the f-bomb).... and I normally try to stick to books with very little to no swearing. It wasn't terribly frequent but, ya know, it was there.
I found myself feeling sorry for the author- not just because of what he went through at the Boston Marathon and the following months, but because I didn't ever feel like there was any real resolution. Yes, he was able to start a new life, in essence, with his girlfriend. He just didn't seem to have any real "a-ha" moment in which he figured out his purpose or what would make him truly happy.
That being said, I am not trying to pick on the author in any way. He has gone through something so horrible and has done a great job overcoming it and moving on. He stepped out of his comfort zone many times in order to help people and to do what was better for his mental and physical health. Kudos to him. I just feel like he was still in the process of recovery when authoring the book, so it wasn't packaged as neatly as some others that I've read.
I didn't leave necessarily feeling jazzed or inspired at the end, but I think that was mostly because I was disappointed in the way that he treated the people around him, especially his girlfriend. It really was, however, a great reminder that things that can change at any moment, so we should always make the best of what we have.
It was an interesting read. I learned quite a bit and it was not difficult to invest myself into the story. I sat down to read it, and before I thought about it, I was halfway through the book.
That having been said, there were some things that I didn't particularly love. There was swearing (including the f-bomb).... and I normally try to stick to books with very little to no swearing. It wasn't terribly frequent but, ya know, it was there.
I found myself feeling sorry for the author- not just because of what he went through at the Boston Marathon and the following months, but because I didn't ever feel like there was any real resolution. Yes, he was able to start a new life, in essence, with his girlfriend. He just didn't seem to have any real "a-ha" moment in which he figured out his purpose or what would make him truly happy.
That being said, I am not trying to pick on the author in any way. He has gone through something so horrible and has done a great job overcoming it and moving on. He stepped out of his comfort zone many times in order to help people and to do what was better for his mental and physical health. Kudos to him. I just feel like he was still in the process of recovery when authoring the book, so it wasn't packaged as neatly as some others that I've read.
I didn't leave necessarily feeling jazzed or inspired at the end, but I think that was mostly because I was disappointed in the way that he treated the people around him, especially his girlfriend. It really was, however, a great reminder that things that can change at any moment, so we should always make the best of what we have.
marianne881's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of the fastest (if not THE fastest) Books I have ever read. I am not one to write reviews for books. I am also pretty easy to please when it comes to books. But this book....I just felt like it deserved a review. This was one of the best books I have ever read. No it was not a literary masterpiece. It was real. A real story told by a real guy. I don't want to get all mushy so I wont...Just take my word for it and read it.
shesagift's review against another edition
5.0
I picked up this book from the library as soon as I heard about it's publication (a few months late, but better late than never!). The Boston Marathon bombing is something that I vividly remember hearing about, and as a runner, I found it incredibly upsetting that someone could do such an evil thing as an event that features and celebrates human physical achievement. But luckily, Jeff Bauman's book is an example of the indomitable human spirit. His story is inspiring and humbling, and you feel each up and down with him. In just 250 pages, my eyes welled with tears, I smiled and laughed, I winced and cringed, and I rooted for Jeff at every turn. The book is written conversationally, and it is easy to come away from the book feeling that you've just had a long conversation with a new friend.
greenogal's review against another edition
3.0
Check out my review at:
http://www.shannonsbookbag.blogspot.com/2014/10/stronger-bauman.html
http://www.shannonsbookbag.blogspot.com/2014/10/stronger-bauman.html
clare_tan_wenhui's review against another edition
5.0
This book gets these ratings, not because of its prose, but because of the raw honesty narrated by survivor Jeff. He doesn't paint a "unicorn story", but tells it as it it. Yes you become stronger, but you doubt a lot, feel terrible a lot of the time, don't know how long it will take for things to "get better". And this is what has touched me most about this memoirs.
With plenty of bombastic positivity mantra infiltrating daily lives creating a cult following of sorts, it is best that we remember the best and most authentic form of positivity is that in small doses, taken a step at a time, instead of proclaiming "I believe I can fly" Icarus style.
With plenty of bombastic positivity mantra infiltrating daily lives creating a cult following of sorts, it is best that we remember the best and most authentic form of positivity is that in small doses, taken a step at a time, instead of proclaiming "I believe I can fly" Icarus style.
kgrimmer's review against another edition
5.0
In the midst of great tragedy, Jeff Bauman is the definition of calm, cool, collected. The retelling of his early life, up until the bombing, is very matter of fact. He even describes the aftermath, losing his legs, learning how to walk again, the emotional trauma, with no fluff or frills. While he did not lie about the difficulties he faced, he also managed to not complain or look for sympathy, which I think would be hard for most people. He only cared about getting stronger, and walking at the 2014 Boston Marathon, for himself, his family and for Erin. By far one of my best reads of 2016, 10/10 would recommend.
jnblmnop's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. It is written by one of the individuals who lost both his legs during the Boston Marathon bombing. Really interesting to learn about his recovery and other details regarding the Boston bombing.
jklein725's review against another edition
5.0
As someone who has watched the marathon many times, including at mile 24 last year, I was very intrigued by this book as soon as I heard about it. It was definitely tough for me to read certain parts (yes, there were tears on my part-as I sat in the park reading it) but I am so glad I got to read Jeff Bauman's story. He is such a humble guy, and it obviously took a lot for him to tell his story. I'm happy he got to share it in his way and I'm sure many people will be very inspired by it.
wombat_88's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.0