The Road Back [Paperback]

Michael Vitez (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 23, 2012

Matthew Miller had just pedaled up a mountain pass. He was 20, a member of the University of Virginia triathlon club, so fit his resting pulse was 42!  He was on top of the world in so many ways, in love, with dreams of attending medical school. And then, cycling along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia, tragedy struck.  The real story is not what happened, but what happened after.  Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Michael Vitez shares with you the incredible, humbling, miraculous story of Matt’s survival and recovery.  It is a story, truly, of grace and grit, of an America that shines – families, community, individuals and institutions.  The story is as gripping as it is inspiring. Ride along! 

The author first chronicled Matt Miller’s story for his newspaper, The Philadelphia Inquirer. The response from readers was so overwhelming – and Matt’s continued recovery so remarkable – that Vitez  immersed himself in Matt’s world.  The Road Back is not only about a young man’s drive to reclaim his life, but about the people who rode with him, rescued him, helped him heal, and saw up close his amazing comeback.    

Editorial Reviews

Review

Here’s what others had to say about The Road Back:

"The Road Back is an incredible story of survival and recovery against all odds. Matt Miller's focus and determination are unbelievable and inspiring -- I'll never again have an excuse not to get out and train." --Erin Donohue, U.S. Olympic 1500-meter runner

"I read it in one day. LOVED it! Matt Miller's story is one of inspiration and perseverance. Mr. Vitez's writing is captivating as he describes the unwavering fortitude that brought Matt from near death to medical school and Ironman success. His character and love of life remind me so much of my brother. Amazing book about an amazing man."  -- Maddy Crippen, former U.S. Olympic swimmer and sister of the late Fran Crippen, who plays a key role in Matt's story

"This is an absorbing, well-written, and inspiring book about a special young man who suffered a severe traumatic brain injury. The medical accounts were accurate and compelling, and I think anyone with an interest in recovery from neurological injury would enjoy this book."  -- Dong H. Kim, chief of neurosurgery at the University of Texas Medical School who cared for Congresswoman Gabby Giffords.

"This engaging account of Matt Miller's unwavering positive attitude and determination in the face of a near death injury is inspiring. As a former collegiate athlete, enthusiastic marathon runner and the current owner of the Philadelphia 76ers, I can truly appreciate the effort it took for Matt to recover and finish the Ironman in such an impressive time. Philadelphia should be proud to call Matt and his fiancée Emily its own." -- Josh Harris, owner Philadelphia 76ers, co-founder Apollo Global Management, and aspiring triathlete.

About the Author

Michael T. Vitez has been a staff writer at The Philadelphia Inquirer for 27 years. He won the 1997 Pulitzer Prize for explanatory journalism for a series of stories about five people approaching the end of life. Vitez has taught classes in narrative non-fiction at the University of Pennsylvania and was a visiting Ferris Professor of Journalism at Princeton. He is also a former Michigan Journalism Fellow. He is the author of Rocky Stories: Tales of Love, Hope and Happiness at America’s Most Famous Steps. (2006) He graduated from the University of Virginia, where he was editor-in-chief of The Cavalier Daily. He is married to Maureen Fitzgerald, food editor at the Inquirer, and they have three children.  For 12 years, he has organized the annual Erlton triathlon at his local swim club! 

Product Details

• Paperback: 212 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (April 23, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1475073089
• ISBN-13: 978-1475073089
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #106,302 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A can't put it down read! May 29, 2012

By Jeanne Antol Krull

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have been following the story of Matt Miller since Mr. Vitez first started writing about him. As an avid cyclist myself, and someone who worked for many years at a medical school, I found reading the book compelling, emotional and inspirational. I truly could not put the book down and I even knew how it ended! The story of the Miller family and all the doctors, nurses, friends and others who joined together in Matt's recovery was truly astounding. It is a must read for anyone who ever wondered about the power of the human spirit.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Must reading June 3, 2012

By Inspired in Wintergreen

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Michael Vitez has written a masterpiece. The book is compelling and almost impossible to put down. It is a parent's nightmare to get a call that your child is near death with little hope of recovery. You are left with chills as Mr. Vitez makes the story come to life. Mr. Vitez beautifully weaves the accident and the recovery with profiles of the incredible family and the devoted girlfriend. You will feel inspired when you finish the book and longing for more. There is something for everyone in this book and I enthusiastically recommend it!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of The Road Back June 2, 2012

By Mike

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a very compelling and touching story of triumph over adversity and personal hardship. Michael Vitez has done and excellent job in capturing the emotions and feelings of all of the participants and keeps you emotionally involved in the story from beginning to end.