Fighting to Give: The Jimmy Culveyhouse Story [Paperback]

Christopher Stevens (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 28, 2009

The inspirational story of an ordinary man with an extraordinary amount of determination. Raised in Gary, Indiana, his only dream was to go to the University of Notre Dame. Though only 5'6" inches tall he earned nine letters in high school and graduated with honors. Rejected on three different attempts to get into ND, he finally gets in on a probationary basis. He walks onto the golf team, earns four letters and sets the course record of 64 that still stands. His life gets more amazing from there and it reads like a combination of Rudy, Forrest Gump and Tuesdays With Morrie. After achieving success in the corporate world, he revives a community college outreach program in Salem, Oregon and helps more than 600 businesses. Stricken with a fatal illness he dedicates his life to raising money to find a cure. No longer able to walk or talk, he keeps inspiring all by fighting to give so that a cure may be found. A inspiring story of commitment,passion, perseverance and a love of golf, family and Notre Dame

Editorial Reviews

Review

From capturing a national championship in biddy basketball, to collecting nine letters in three different sports in high school, to earning four letters as a walk-on to the Notre Dame golf team, Jimmy proved himself a winner. The tenacity he cultivated as a young athlete served him well in his professional career. A record-setting sales manager for multinational corporations, he founded a successful retail chain and taught business classes. After surviving prostate cancer and hepatitis C, Jimmy seemed immune even to mortality--until a diagnosis of ALS served notice that his time was limited. Drawing on his characteristic energy and determination, Jimmy vowed to devote his remaining days to raising money and awareness for ALS research. As part of this effort, he reached out to a fellow Notre Dame alum to write his story....Through his tribute Stevens ultimately demonstrates the interconnected nature of humanity...This powerful biography is touching and motivational. --Kirkus Discoveries Review.

About the Author

Christopher Stevens is Vice President of Sales for Keurig Premium Coffee Systems. When he learned of an old friend's illness, Christopher reached out to him in support. A former basketball player at the University of Notre Dame and a businessman the past 35 years, the father of five never expected his ill classmate to ask him to write his life story. After spending a day with Jimmy Culveyhouse, Christopher accepted the challenge. Having endured his own series of tragedies, Stevens agreed to write Jimmy's story. The result is a moving portrait of a friend who has been given a medical death sentence. However, he has dedicated the remainder of his life to raising money for research to find a cure for the disease that will kill him. This is Stevens' first book. He lives with his family in Massachusetts and dedicates this book to Jimmy and the many family members and friends who did not live long enough to enjoy the legacy they worked so hard to build.

Product Details

• Paperback: 284 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (April 28, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439230757
• ISBN-13: 978-1439230756
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #242,888 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Story, May 1, 2009

By 

E. Nickels (MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fighting to Give: The Jimmy Culveyhouse Story (Paperback)

What a wonderful book. A true inspiration. Jimmy's story forces you to think about life's priorities...And to realize what a difference one person can make when they channel their energies into creating a better world for others. His persistence, beginning early in life, should motivate many to never give up in reaching for their dreams!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!, May 1, 2009

By 

S. Murphy "ND Fan" (Weymouth, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fighting to Give: The Jimmy Culveyhouse Story (Paperback)

An awesome read. What a story! If you can't get inspired by this guy and what he has gone through then you have a problem. He has accomplished more in life than most of us can even imagine.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and Beautiful, June 1, 2009

By 

P. A. Murphy (Rockland, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fighting to Give: The Jimmy Culveyhouse Story (Paperback)

This book is an inspiring and amazing journey through the life of one fabulous man. Jimmy showed us how very precious each day we have on this earth really is. This book teaches us what some many of us do not know about this terrible disease (ALS). But more, this book is about family, friends and most of all the value of life. It contains quite a mix: Notre Dame, the business world, sports (especially golf), some funny antics, but most importantly friendship and true love. The Author Chris Steven (whose own story is amazing) did a great job honoring his friend. Through this book Jimmy and his fight to raise money towards finding a cure for ALS and Cancer will live on. God Bless You Jimmy!