Customer Reviews

TO BE THE BEST

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My husband & I have read "To Be The Best" and really enjoyed it. My son is reading it now. He is 16 and has been wrestling in soutwest Iowa since he was 7 years old. The book was very accurate and enjoyable to read for this "wrestling family". We would very much be interested in a follow up book.

To Be the Best is a novel suitable for all high school athletes and the parents of high school athletes. A story that captures the reader's attention from page one. It builds the suspense and mystery to a page turning climax. More important it is a powerful look into the struggles of a young high school athlete, an emerging young adult. Hertel captures the self doubt and self discovery all young athletes, not just wrestlers, journey through which most of us parents and spectators never are given privy to. His main characters are both believable and evolve through out the novel. As a newly emerging author Hertel has crafted a very readable novel that should become a must read for all young athletes, their parents and their coaches. The insight gained by those individuals will both provide understanding and acceptance that they are not the first to take the athlete's journey.

This is a must read for anybody that has ever had an interest in the sport of werstling. I have not read a book in probably 25 years and I read this on in 4 hours! Terriffic!!!

I know I am late to the party as it relates to the wrestling novel "To Be the Best" by H.L. Hertel, but did you know the sequel is due out next week? Well, it is.

I do not review books for a living, but I actually do enjoy reading despite what many of you probably think. Hertel did an outstanding job in the first book. He not only introduced several interesting characters, he also was able to capture our sport in a way that clicked as I read.

As each character was introduced and as I started to learn about their personality, I actually visualized faces of people I knew. At first I found it a bit weird and thought I was just doing that on my own. I then realized that Hertel did something that many writers tend not to do; he was able to develop his characters with personalities that we could all relate to. Specifically, if you have been involved in our unique sport, you should be able to connect someone you know to one or more of the characters.

Coach Granger brought back vivid memories of my own head coach in High School; older, grumpy, hard nosed and all business. I had to take a break from reading and think back to "discussions" I had with my coach. Assistant coach MacCallister did not really remind me of my assistant coach, but he did remind me of many other wrestlers I have know over the years. Specifically, it reminded me of those wrestlers who fight personal demons and who use wrestling as their support. Wrestling has a way of making things right for many, and again I think Hertel nails it with coach MacCallister.

As for the main characters I think it is safe to assume that many of you will find some kind of connection with them. Hertel does an excellent job of capturing the essence of what our sport is about and how our sport is more about overcoming obstacles then anything else. The story looks at how some wrestlers are athletically gifted, while others are not. It shows how hard work and dedication can help overcome deficiencies; all in all it shows what wrestling is.

This is a book for both young and old alike. Coaches, parents and wrestlers will connect with the story.

Great read for any wrestler (probably 4th Grade+) or wrestling parent. This book really describes the hard work and dedication required 'To Be the Best' in our extremely demanding sport but it also highlights some of the wonderful team dynamics on a HS wrestling team. I was totally cheering for the characters and the surprise ending caught me off guard. Looks like it's set up for a sequal so I hope it comes out soon!

I bought this for my 15 year old son, who loves wrestling and hates reading! He got it on Christmas day and has not put it down since. He is almost done with the book. He asked if this author has any other books and come to find out there is a squeal, called The Rematch! We ordered it and can't wait for it to get here.I actually started reading it too and have learned a lot about wrestling and the mindset of a wrestler.