Customer Reviews

Longshot: The Adventures of a Deaf Fundamentalist Mormon Kid and His Journey to the NBA

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4 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

What an awesome story. The author's voice really comes through, which is so impressive that he wrote it himself, as opposed to going the typical route of a ghost writer, or co-contributor. It lends a truly personal side to the story.

Non-sports lovers shouldn't be scared off by this, it goes so far beyond basketball. His stories range from heartbreaking to embarrassing, but most of all detail the triumphs of the fragile human spirit. His sense of humor is dry, self depricating and sometimes almost snide. But charming and endearing nonetheless. The polygamy angle is titillating enough, but not to the point of a tattle tell-all. Great balance to that, and really facinating.

I personally loved his stories of being overseas, and having to scrap in the developmental league. It gives a totally different perspective, to which you cannot help but to have respect for professional athletes. It's truly not all glamour.

In the end, you left the book feeling better about yourself, like maybe, just maybe you can dare to dream. For cryingout loud, if a Deaf, Fundamentalist, Mormon Kid can make it to the NBA, anything is possible!

"Longshot", Lance Allred's thoughtful and inspirational memoir, was an enjoyable read. He tells so many of his stories in engaging and descriptive vignettes, allowing his readers to vividly picture his memories as if we were there, too. Allred discusses his 'surprisingly-normal' childhood in a polygamous commune and his family's later struggle to leave polygamy, and also talks about his personal coming-to-terms with 'disabilities' - being legally deaf, and dealing with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. While all of this would be an interesting read on its own, we also learn about Allred's difficult journey to be a full-time player in the NBA - a very rough journey which is still in progress, but a journey he has met with continued optimism and humor. As a Special Education teacher, I value Allred's story of perseverance though discrimination and the pressure to be 'normal' - and the strength he showed in being his own person. Of course, this book is one that I would recommend to sports fans, but, more importantly, it is a book I would recommend to anyone who enjoys honest, funny and insightful stories of hope.

This book was well written and exciting to read. I couldn't wait to see what he was going to say next! I laughed, cried, became mad at some of the people in his life, and was amazed as he triumphed over all odds. I recommended it to everyone, even if you aren't a sports fan you would like his honest, inspirational, and amazing story.

My husband loved this book, it was written with all sincerity to the trials this young man had to go through. Wonderfully written!!!

What a lousy read.Thought I was going to read about b/ball,instead Wah!Wah!Wah ore poor polygamous family which has been illegal for how long? Except in Utah,Arizona and apparently Montana. Yes,Lance you had a handicap, your brain.You should have been in therapy from the 9th grade.The state of Utah and taxpayers would gladly have paid for it.What IF I'm being to hard? What IF I'm not being being hard enough?WHAT IF I didn't pay enough for this crap? What If I paid about $. 12.99 to much.What if,What if, What ifZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

What an amazing journey. I've heard "Hoosiers" meets "Big Love" but I'd like to add another - "Shawshank". The ending was such a relief and felt as good as when Red and Andy finally overcome everything.

Incredibly funny parts, incredibly sad parts. Just a great, great book.

I really enjoyed this book. It was fun to get behind the sport and see things from the perspective of an athlete who has lived such an interesting life. I was particularly impressed by the fact that Lance wrote this book himself which gives it a unique voice that is quite enjoyable. The stories he relates are always entertaining and frequently emotional. Highly recommended.