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Rating: 
Summary: Inspirational? Ha !!
Review: "Triumphant Tales" aims to be the inspiring tale of athletes and the misfortunes they have overcome, but instead succeeds merely at coming across as the sort of touchy-feely,pseudo-inspirational, stories that appear regularly on daytime talk-shows like Oprah and Sally Jesse Raphael. The athletes profiled in this book practically scream "look at the obstacles I have overcome," as if the mere fact that they have encountered hardships makes them simultaneously deserving of our pity and to be looked upon as heroes. The tales the athletes tell become fairly monotonous, with only the inclusion of former NHL star Pat LaFontaine accounting for the fact that this book was even published. The writing is pedestrian - even by sportswriting standards. Moreover, the book has no purpose other than to tell "Triumphant Tales of Heroic Athletes," as the subtitle states a little too obviously. The photo of the Olympic torch on the cover practically begs to be mocked, as if these writers have no sense of irony and actually believe the heroic tales they spin. What role did the NHL, television, and money play in Pat LaFontaine's repeated comebacks, despite the permanent damage that could have resulted from another concussion? This book will never tell, because that would only undermine the familiar template of innocent athlete being struck by (fill-in-the-blank illness) much too early, only to somehow overcome it in the end. Potential buyers be warned - life is too short to spend reading this book.
Rating: 
Summary: An inspiring and uplifting collection of life's stories
Review: Companions in Courage is an inspiring and emotionally touching collection of the stories of how over 50 athletes were able to cope with their misfortunes. Few of us go through life without being tested either physically or mentally. Everyone who has been struck with these problems and is looking for inspirational guidance to overcome their condition should read this book.
Rating:
Summary: A matter of balance
Review: The previous reviewer does not appear to have read the book. While there a fair amount of discussion about LaFontaine and his career challenges, the book focuses on anonymous, unremarkable people, who manage to accomplish absolutely amazing things. There are several themes running through the book: the crucial role fathers play in the development of their children; the importance of faith in healing families and overcoming obstacles; the power of persistence and determination in changing lives. LaFontaine comes across as a humble, thoughtful, and decent man; there is little self-promotion or self-pity in his writing. Most of the stories (and there are dozens of individuals' stories told in this book) are told in two or three pages, making it perfect for teenagers. I have used these stories in teaching my own family, and in my role as a Church leader. We are a nation steeped in nastiness. We spend incredible amounts of energy thinking of creative ways to tear one another down. A great man has said, "Cynics do not contribute, skeptics do not create, doubters do not acheive." Pat LaFontaine is a good and decent man, who has given much of his life to service. This book is a wonderful reminder that there are ample reasons for hope, that there is much goodness left among us. His work trancends the naysaying of people who can't get past the fact that he made his living playing professional hockey.
Rating:
Summary: A matter of balance
Review: The previous reviewer does not appear to have read the book. While there a fair amount of discussion about LaFontaine and his career challenges, the book focuses on anonymous, unremarkable people, who manage to accomplish absolutely amazing things. There are several themes running through the book: the crucial role fathers play in the development of their children; the importance of faith in healing families and overcoming obstacles; the power of persistence and determination in changing lives. LaFontaine comes across as a humble, thoughtful, and decent man; there is little self-promotion or self-pity in his writing. Most of the stories (and there are dozens of individuals' stories told in this book) are told in two or three pages, making it perfect for teenagers. I have used these stories in teaching my own family, and in my role as a Church leader. We are a nation steeped in nastiness. We spend incredible amounts of energy thinking of creative ways to tear one another down. A great man has said, "Cynics do not contribute, skeptics do not create, doubters do not acheive." Pat LaFontaine is a good and decent man, who has given much of his life to service. This book is a wonderful reminder that there are ample reasons for hope, that there is much goodness left among us. His work trancends the naysaying of people who can't get past the fact that he made his living playing professional hockey.
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