Customer Reviews

Heading for Home: My Journey from Little League to Hollywood!

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Heading for Home is Kent Stock's autobiographical story of how he ended up the coach of, pound for pound, the greatest high school baseball program in the state of Iowa--Norway--in its final season in 1991 and how he led that team to its 20th state championship. The story is fascinating enough that a movie was made out of it (The Final Season), though the book was written after the movie. In fact, the final portion of the book is the fast-page-turning tale of how the movie came to be. Kent's good character comes through in the book. (I call him by his first name only because I know him, having the privilege of serving with him on a nonprofit board.) Unlike many autobiographies, he does not put down or make fun of others. If he had anything bad to say about anyone, he kept it to himself. Heading for Home preserves for Iowa baseball an important part of its history, but it is more than a baseball story and appeals to more than just baseball fans or people from Iowa. It is simply a good story, well told, from a good man.

There is much more than meets the eye - in this book, and in Kent Stock. Yes, it's an inspiring story about baseball and faith in a dream...and yes, they made a movie about him and his winning team. But that's not what the book - or he, as it turns out - is really about. This book is for anyone who did not achieve his or her life's dream. Kent Stock didn't. This book is for anyone who has struggled with faith. Kent Stock did. With delightful humor and unexpected humility, Kent (with Ken Fuson) describes his life's path, which winds ever further away from his dream. And, incredibly, it's his deep integrity that helped lay that path. This book is about a real guy who opens himself up to wherever the path may lead, faces disappointments and loss, adjusts his goals with impressive maturity (without self-pity, resentment, or even resignation), and as a result, finds joy and fulfillment in places he never expected.

Read this book. If you're not careful, you will smile, laugh out loud, and feel your eyes well up with tears...in places you never expected.

Told with veracity and wit, this is the story of a life that started down one path, and ended up on a different, yet equally rewarding path. The lessons on life contained in this story would make a great gift for dads, grads, and anyone else whether they are sports fan or just a fan of a good read. Very well written, and gives a more complete view of what happened leading up to, and after the motion picture, "The Final Season."

All of us have that inner voice speaking, urging us to aspire to live out our dreams. Kent writes, "A lifelong love affair had begun. Baseball is the thread that connects the various strands of my life. I don't question how or why it started, because it was always there". In Heading for Home Kent doesn't just write a book that inspires kids to follow their dreams and express their hopes, he artfully orchestrates a story about the success of the Norway baseball team and their indomitable winning streak. A great read for anyone who loves baseball or who wants to be a leader in whatever industry they're in. Hear it here first from Kent, the leader of the record breaking Norway baseball team.

Here's an amazing story from somebody who isn't famous, but should be! Not every great story comes out of New York or California, though Holllywood was smart enough to make this book into a movie. And it's a good movie, too. What I enjoyed most about Kent Stock's story is that it speaks to potential borne of grit and determination. I'm not even into baseball, and I had a great time with this.

I couldn't put this book down...I live where the movie was partially filmed and the book brought the behind the scenes action to life for me. I enjoyed Kent Stock's honesty about his journey, from childhood to adulthood. The book reminded me of my own son and his love for baseball and big dreams. I gave a copy to him for Christmas in his stocking and I know he will see himself in this story..a boy who loved baseball and where his dreams can take him. Kent Stock dreamed of playing in the big leagues...and he got there in a series of life's twists and turns. How cool is it to have a movie made of your life? Very inspirational and honest. Be sure to buy the movie and the book together, you won't regret it!

A source of inspiration for anyone. You don't have to be into sports to get the underlying message. Dream big, shoot for the stars, never give up and when life hands you lemons make lemonade. Kent's movie dreams might not have been everything he expected but he reflects on what is most important...inspiring others, being there for family and loving what you have and the gifts you have been given. And when your done with the book watch the movie (or vice versa)...The Final Season. Truly enjoyable.

This story is so true to life; sometimes our dreams lead us to adventures different than we imagine our future to be, but still can be inspiring, life-changing for ourselves and others. True leaders are often found in our everyday lives! This is a great example to use our gifts where we find ourselves planted and never give up on the human spirit within and in those whose lives we touch.

Outstanding writing and capture of the author by a great freelance ghost writer. I feel as though the inner soul of Kent Stock was captured through the pen of Ken Fuson. It is a real winner amongst those looking for inspiration and what is good and pure in this world. The ability to walk with a man that is not afraid to put it out there.

I grew up in Cedar Rapids and was somewhat aware of Norway's baseball teams, but not to the extent of its standing until I first saw the movie The Final Season and now reading the book. I enjoyed both very much.

I purchased the book for my wife to read for Christmas and she said it was a good book to read afterward. She taught elementary school in Benton Community for 19 years before we moved out of state. We've remained loyal Iowans and continue to visit Iowa on a regular basis and enjoy seeing old friends. We just came home through Iowa to Wisconsin in the past weekend and stopped to enjoy a meal at the Ox Yoke restaurant on I-80 near the Amana Colonies. I miss some of the small things most, like a familiar restaurant at times.

Kent Stock's account of the final season, his life, the movie and personal insights were very honest and make good reading I think. The Norway team played my old school in Cedar Rapids as mentioned in the book. La Salle High School which has since merged with Regis in a new combined school of Xavier high school.

My wife has a good friend who taught in the Linn Mar school district where Kent was a principal for many years.

The former head coach for Norway Jim Van Scoyce of course is a major reason that Norway had such winning teams and Kent of course already had a very disciplined team when he took over. But that could have changed quickly without good leadership qualities. And Kent Stock has those qualities.

I do wish the film had done better at the box office. We saw the film in our local theater and we own a copy on DVD. I have seen the movie on pay cable channels also. On our trip home this past weekend I saw a book rack at the Ox Yoke Inn and mentioned they should put this book on the rack for sale. The younger woman at the counter said she has seen the movie but thought it was paced to slow. I think with all of the CGI special effects in film today, character based film is overlooked by the younger generation unless there are vampires or gore in it. Too bad.

I think if you read this book you will find a heartwarming story and enjoy the downhome values spoken of by the author. I did.

And if you like the book may I suggest you watch the movie sometime. Even though some of the events are fabricated and others changed, it is still a good movie.