Customer Reviews

One Man's Leg: A Memoir

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"One Man's Leg" is Paul Martin's story, and what a story he tells.

After what can best be described as a "challenging" childhood and adolescence, filled with too many excesses as well as a disproportionate share of family issues, Martin rights his ship enough to graduate from college with an Engineering degree and land a good job with a major manufacturing firm. However, while in his initial job training, he suffers a catastrophic car accident in which he eventually would be forced to lose the part of his leg just below the knee.

A decent hockey player in high school, Martin decides that this life-altering event was truly a message to him from above, and he decides to forego a business career to pursue a career in athletics. Martin, however, chooses the extra-ordinary challenges: marathons, triathlons, cycling and, for good measure, Olympic downhill skiing. And, as "fairy tales" go, he succeeds.

As any part-time, weekend warrior athlete would tell you, running an occasional 5k or the annual 10k is a pretty big accomplishment. Martin, however, not only runs the marathons and triathlons, but he wins them, beating many able-bodied athletes in the process... He also holds the American records in the half-marathon and the 5k.

Martin, who wrote the book without the assistance of a seasoned co-author (typical hard-headed athlete, as am I), writes with humor, sometimes brutal honesty and an easy conversational tone that makes the book a great read.

As an "athlete," One Man's Leg has motivated me and has me thinking of an attempt at triathlons; as a person, Martin's story makes me proud and inspires me... Our country and our world needs to hear more about the Paul Martin-type stories that exist. These stories are what the human spirit is all about.

One Man's Leg shows the strength of the human spirit, and the determination of one man in particular. But rather than bludgeon us with a tale of dark adversity and eventual triumph, this book delights in its accessibility and humanity. Paul leads us through his life and evolution with humility and honesty, and writes in a natural prose that inspires genuine identification with him as a person first, and an amputee secondarily.

I heartily recommend this book to anyone at any stage of life, for both a delightful read and a reminder that humans are capable of great things if we only rise to the occasion.

I usually don't get into books like this but I read a review on this one and had to check it out...and I was not disappointed. This is a great book for non-athletes and athletes alike. It really shows how someone can change their lives and become great in whatever they decide to focus their energies on regardless of the barriers in the way.

At times the book seems somewhat self-indulgent...but if it was my book I'd do the same...overall it's a great book and recommend it!

This book is a must-read for anyone that has gone through a tragic event, rough time, or is feeling sorry for themselves. It puts life into perspective and shows that there is always someone worse off than you, no matter how tough things get. It shows that you can laugh at yourself no matter what, and provides insight to the strength of the human spirit.
Paul sets the example that you can accomplish anything that you set your mind to.
Inspirational!!!

One of the most inspiring books I've ever read, Paul Martin takes us on a personal journey through his happiness and his heartaches.Through all of the successes and misfortunes, we are given an honest, and at times, very humorous look at one man's search for true joy and personal success. What does it take to be truly joyous and accomplished in life? It takes the will to try, and the willingness to take different roads until you find the one that belongs to you. It takes all that Paul Martin has to share in this wonderful book.

I Loved this book. It was uplifting and inspirational. To over-come a tragedy and become a role model and world champion, is more then enough to get me out the door and motivated.
A must read for all who have or want to live a more active lifestyle.

Having met Paul twice before reading One Man's Leg I was vaguely familiar with the basics of his story. Recently I had the privilege of witnessing first- hand his quick wit, determination and the energy that comes from his perspective on life when he tackled the Comrades 89+K ultra marathon in South Africa this past May.

Now after finishing my first read (yup, there will definitely be a re-read some day) I can say that the Paul you get to know in this book is the same guy you would meet on the street. I now know a lot more background and feel a deeper appreciation for his indomitable spirit that repeatedly turns a disability into a 'this ability'. Paul tells his story in a very genuine way; never sparing the reader from `The bad' or `The ugly' while you get `The good'.

After suffering from osteoarthritis in both knees for more than 10 years, Paul's story has helped motivate me to set a goal of running a marathon and start working towards it! No longer seeing the aches in my knees to be something to put life on hold for, they are now relegated to a spot on the 'ability' list as I begin my training. Reading his adventures in pain, endurance, and determination has made it hard to sit still. Gotta run now...on to more miles and "Drinking From My Leg"! Thanks Paul!!

Excellent motivator for people feeling disabled. Don't let a couple of 4 letter word obscure the inspiration of Paul Martin's story.
Ray Ruggles Haigler, Nebraska

As a recent BK amputee myself, Paul's stories resonates with any athlete who is facing or as faced an amputation. As he shares stories of other athletes that he's met in his life, this is also true for any sort of physical disability.

His achievements with his disability give hope, inspiration, and motivation for the disabled and shows how just a little courage and determination can take you anywhere you want to go. Dreams don't die with a disability, doors open up for those that want to walk through it.

If you don't have a disability, as a competitor, his story is still remarkable. It will truly challenge the way you look at yourself and how you compete against others. Even if you don't win your race, there's always something you can learn about yourself to become better for your next race.

Every athlete faces obstacles, your attitude and the way you overcome those obstacles are what build your character and athletic spirit.

Read "One Man's Leg" and you will find that Paul is the essence of athleticism and competition.

Growing up in a wanderlust household (from Gardner, Massachusetts to Boulder, Colorado to Central America, etc.) Paul Martin found solace in sports, but mostly stayed in trouble especially with his martinet father. Though he attended University of Lowell, Paul's life truly begins at twenty-five when he loses part of his left leg in a car accident. Instead of quitting, Paul resolved to prove to himself, his father, and the world that he had no handicap. He accomplishes his goal when he becomes a world champion triathlete, a Para-Olympic contestant, and most of all an inspirational speaker traveling to encourage youngsters to be all they can be rather than use rationalizations to alibi failure.

Simply put, Paul Martin is a winner and his autobiography is a powerful statement on what a person can achieve if they put their heart and soul into their efforts. The key to this nonfiction work is not the inspirational message that lifts anyone fortunate enough to heed its wisdom. Instead Mr. Martin never preaches, but always advocates going for the gold as an individual and even more significantly as part of a team because it is the accomplishment of reaching the finish line whether one wins the race or not because it is the feat that provides fulfillment.

Harriet Klausner