Customer Reviews

Touchdown Alexander Audiobook (A Harvest Audiobook)

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Shaun Alexander is undoubtedly one of the best football players in the game today. Though he plays for the Seattle Seahawks, a team that does not get the attention of some of the franchises in the major markets, his name is known to any football fan. Last year he set a new single season touchdown record, scoring an amazing 28 times (though it appears that this record will stand for only one season as LaDainian Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers seems likely to overtake it. With 4 regular season games remaining, L.T. has already scored 27 touchdowns and has thrown for 2 more!). Since his sophomore campaign in 2001 he has been a force to be reckoned with, piling up the yardage and scoring at least 16 times in each season.

While Alexander is an exceptionally talented athlete and may be one of the best to ever play the game, this is not what he wants his legacy to be. Touchdown Alexander tells his story of "faith, football, and pursuing the dream." Written with Cecil Murphey, who co-wrote the bestseller 90 Minutes in Heaven, this is Shaun Alexander's autobiography. While it is not particularly well-written, it is enjoyable nonetheless.

Born into single-parent family, Alexander began to play football in the second grade. It did not take him long to get noticed as a talented athlete and, by high school, he was a star, destroying record after record. He chose to attend the University of Alabama where he was a standout and where he still holds 9 different records. He was drafted in the first round of the 2000 NFL entry draft (behind names such as Sebastian Janikowski, Ron Dayne, Plaxico Burress, Jamal Lewis and the first selection overall, Courtney Brown) and began his career as a Seahawk. While he played little in his first season, he broke out in his second and has been a superstar ever since.

Despite the millions of dollars he earns (he recently signed a contract that will pay him over $60 million and earns millions more in endorsements) and despite the endless accolades, he refuses to define himself by what he does. "My name is Shaun Alexander, and I'm a running back for the Seattle Seahawks football team. That's what I do, but that's not who I am. Football is something I'm good at, but it isn't my total life. I'm also a husband, a father, and a Christian man. I'm a mentor to younger men as well, because they are our future." This book is framed around those two aspects of Alexander's life: who he is and what he does. He focuses both on his faith and on his profession. He often focuses on the times where his faith intersects with his profession. And really, it's quite a good story.

While Alexander's faith is made clear in this book, it is also shown to rely heavily on mystical aspects. He speaks often of hearing directly from God, of receiving revelatory dreams, and so on while seeming to receive less guidance from the Bible. He speaks often of mistakes, but never of sin. While he seems to know and to love the Word, the gospel is never clearly presented. And to be honest, at times the book seemed to lack just a little bit of the humility we'd hope to see in the life of a believer. I know that it is difficult to write an autobiography that portrays humility, yet this one often seemed just a little presumptuous.

Despite a few misgivings, this book was an enjoyable read and one I would have little trouble recommending to others. It may be especially well-received by fans of the game and by teens who are eager for a little light reading. Alexander's story is not a story of tragedy and overcoming. Rather, it is a story of redemption and, as he makes clear, a story of God's incredible outpouring of blessing in one man's life. And so far it seems to be a life well-lived.

Touchdown Alexander
By: Shaun Alexander and Cecil Murphey

The book Touchdown Alexander by Cecil Murphey and Shaun Alexander is a very good book. The publisher is Harvest House Publishers, Eugene Oregon. The book has 217 pages plus some pictures and statistics of Shaun's Career. The book talks about how Shaun Alexander grew up and talks about how he got to the NFL through his college career. The book is an autobiography / biography.
Shaun Alexander was born in Florence Alabama where he also grew up. His parents divorced when he was young. He lived then with his mom. His best friend is his older brother Durran. His mom and his family always had an open house for Shaun's friends; they could always come over. Even at Christmas his grandma would buy extra presents for some of Shaun's friends who were less fortunate. Every body loved his mom and his grandma. Shaun was a high school superstar; he broke almost every rushing record at his High school. He was recruited by Alabama. There he became a starter during the middle of his sophomore year. He also broke a lot of records for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He also got to be the captain of the team when he was a senior. Once he knew he was going to play in the NFL he started his Shaun Alexander Foundation. He put his brother as the president of the foundation. He was expected to go in the top 10 of the draft. He got drafted 19th though by the Seattle Seahawks. Shaun really liked the organization. In Seattle he also met his wife Valerie. He became the starter after two years. In the year 2005/2006 he even led the Seahawks to the Super bowl. In that season he also was the MVP of the league. He broke the record for rushing touchdowns with 28. Once he got more and more money his foundation got bigger and bigger. He was also involved in a couple Christian Sports Camps.
I really enjoyed the book. I like how he talked about his relationship with God and how he felt God talking through him through his dreams. I also liked that he told about what he did off the field. For example, he told how he found his church in Seattle and how he met his wife. He also talked about how he felt over certain things. I liked that he was really honest about what he felt.
In conclusion I think the book Touchdown Alexander is a great read. I would suggest it for people who really like football and for those who like biographies. It is a wonderful book to read.

Written with well-known author, Cecil Murphy, "Touchdown Alexander" is a moving story about trusting God and living in true obedience.

No one can argue that Shaun Alexander is a great football player. But in the telling of his story, Shaun shows us that although he's an NFL player, his life doesn't revolve around career. He is a child of God first, a husband and father second, and the MVP for the Seattle Seahawks third.

His story if filled with instances he's chosen to follow God's prompting and the blessings he's reaped from doing so.

If your young men are looking for a God-honoring role model in NFL football, Shaun's story is the place to start.

Although I'm not much of a pro football fan, I was completely captivated by this book. I heard about it from Cecil Murphey, who helped Shaun Alexander tell his story.

As running back for the Seattle Seahawks, Shaun was named NFL's Most Valuable Player of 2005. The next year he scored a record-breaking 28 touchdowns in a single season. Though he's under 30 years old, this visionary athlete has a story worth telling.

In a journal entry, Alexander once wrote, "My successes and values haven't come from anguished trials. My success and values have come from God, and I must honor God--not the trial." He shares that one of his purposes for writing the book is to be an inspiration to young people, to help them "realize that God is the key to success."

A quick, enjoyable read, I learned what an impact a mother's strong values can have on a son--and the story of how he and his wife Valerie first kissed on their wedding day makes Alexander a worthy role model for today's youth.

This is definitely a book I want my children to read someday. I learned so much about the importance of finding wise mentors to disciple teenagers. During his teen years, Shaun Alexander grew strong in his faith and remained pure. He also became active in FCA during college and found ways to mentor high school athletes.

I highly recommend Touchdown Alexander to any youth leaders who are looking for materials to encourage teens and athletes. Why waste these years? Get busy living for God -- and be a positive role model like Shaun!!

--Christian Women Online Book Buzz

It was really good and inspiring. I didn't know he was a Christian. I was just excited to read about one of my favorite players. It made me think more about Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I thought it was funny how a friend told him that he should meet this girl and then several years later he did and ended up marrying her. I liked reading about his years with Alabama and beating the Gators for the championship. I had never heard of a life verse. It made think about finding one for myself when I'm older. You always think of Shaun Alexander as a star running back, so I liked his stories about when he was third string or second string instead of the star. Makes me realize that you don't just start out as a star, you've got to work your way up and be ready when you have an opportunity. I hope I get to meet him someday! Sorry the Seahawks didn't beat the Bears in the playoffs. We'll get'em next year...Go Seahawks!!! 1/16/07 HR 9yrs old

This is a great sports book that will be appreciated by everyone even if you are not a sports fan. Very inspiring and well written.

...I have already given this book away six times, before Christmas.
While the text itself is not a literary masterpiece, I gave it five stars simply because of the potential impact I believe it can have. It is an easy read (in that it is like 200 pages, and reads like you are going out to coffee with Alexander 3 or 4 times), so even youth who don't love to read can easily get into this book.
It is, of course more about faith than it is about football, and if you have a child interested in sports, Univ. of Alabama, the NFL, or FCA, it is easily connected and extremely inspirational. Although it is difficult to call it a biography when he is, after all, only 29, what Alexander shares is such an encouragement to youth and parents alike. From his attitude on the field to his committment to purity to his consistent hope in God's will fo rhis life, this man is genuine, and after reading this book, I want to go find his mother and hug her.
Order several copies and give to your sons' friends, their parents, youth pastors, teachers, and faculty sponsors of FCA chapters in your school.

I bought this book for my 15 year old son and was blown away by it. I had no idea Shaun Alexander was the incredible young man that he is. He discusses growing up with church and staying away from drugs, alcohol and sex all through high school and college. It is the best book that you can buy for your teenager, especially if he is into sports. My son loved reading this and absolutely has been touched by this book. He has read it twice already.

This is a great read for anyone pursuing a faith journey. I'm buying it for all my teenage family members. It tells of being obedient to God brings about good life choices and a happier life.

My fiance' loves it. It arrived on time; packed very well. In excellent condition. Thank you!!