The Great Eight: How to Be Happy (Even When You Have Every Reason to be Miserable) (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Ken Baker (Contributor)
Key Phrases: keep the ice clear, losses your wins, male skaters, Bowling Green, Ice Capades, Gold Medal (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Olympic Gold Medal figure skater Scott Hamilton shares his eight secrets to finding happiness in the face of a life filled with challenges, difficulties, and career-canceling odds.

With never-been-told, behind-the-scenes stories from the skating world, personal challenges including testicular cancer and a brain tumor, as well as divine miracles, Olympic Gold Medal figure skater Scott Hamilton shares the secrets to his lifelong journey to find the silver (and gold) lining in the clouds of life. His life principles, fashioned into eight secrets that begin with the rote of learning to skate the figure 8, are the keys. Scott says, "Skating taught me how to be happy. I have always kept these eight as my own private, personal secrets that I practiced daily with repetition, focus, and discipline. Now I want to share them with the world."

"For the past twenty seven years Scott Hamilton has been a mentor and good friend. I've seen first hand the struggles he has had to endure and how he has continued to persevere with a confident attitude. He lives his life as a champion. Everyone needs the positive message of this greatly inspiring book."
-- Kristi Yamaguchi
 Olympic Gold Medalist

"I know and love Scotty Hamilton. You will too after you read this book." 

--William Shatner

 "Scott Hamilton is a champion in more ways than one. In addition to being one the world's greatest ice skaters, he has mastered adversity and a multitude of challenges. The Great Eight is an inspiration to us all."

--Donald J. Trump

"Scott's outlook on life continues to influence me in a very positive way, encouraging me to look at challenges in a larger context.  Within the metaphors of his skating career, the wisdom in this book is not only very inspiring and easy to grasp, but surrounded by great story telling.  I'm so glad he recorded it for the rest of us."  

--Brad Paisley, Grammy Award-winning Artist

"It's like my bud Scott says…"you can't just skate through life and expect to be happy!" So anyone choosing not to buy this book is choosing not to be happy.  Shame on you."  

--Kevin Nealon
Actor, Comedian, Saturday Night Live Alum

 "A gold medal literary performance from a true Olympic star."

Richard D. Lamm, Governor of Colorado

"For twenty five years I have been a close friend and business advisor to Scott.  He is an inspiration to all who know him.  I cannot imagine anyone better suited to write on the topic of happiness than Scott Hamilton.  Through a lifetime of facing incredible odds he has learned the secrets to maintaining a positive attitude and can-do spirit.  Spend time in the pages of this book and you will walk away truly inspired."

Bob Kain
Former CEO, IMG
Current Vice Chairman, Cleveland Browns

"After a myriad of setbacks, Scott speaks eloquently about survival in the face of adversity. This book deserves a 'ten' and a 'Personal Best' too! Bravo!"

Dick Button, Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Emmy Award-winning skating analyst

"In each successive chapter and challenge in his remarkable life-as Olympic champion, as cancer and brain-tumor survivor, as devoted husband and father and man of faith-Scott Hamilton has forged ahead with unquenchable spirit and uncommon joy, always emerging wiser than before.  This warm and insightful book will allow its readers to experience the blessing I've been privileged to enjoy in person: a delightful, practical, bracingly-honest conversation with one of our national treasures."

 Ken Durham, Ph.D., Senior Minister, The University Church of Christ at Pepperdine University

 

 

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (January 6, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785228942
• ISBN-13: 978-0785228943
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (131 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #160,593 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly great read!, January 9, 2009

By	D. J. Wickwire (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"The Great Eight" gave me a sense of hope and can-do-it like nothing I've read in a very long time. It's not just one of those "be happy" primers but is a realistic look at how to live a passionate and joy-filled life in the middle of tough circumstances. Scott Hamilton is an incredible real-life example. He has done it and makes me believe that I can too!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and Uplifting, January 9, 2009

By	Stephanie C. Newton - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found this book right on the mark. To read about someone overcoming such odds with a positive attitude really helped me put my problems in perspective. I have always been a Scott Hamilton fan, so it was nice to be able to catch up with him and be inspired once again.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational Read, January 11, 2009

By	R. Hogan - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is not a book about ice-skating, but it is about skating through life and how, even though you don't come out unscathed, you can have hope. Scott uses his life as an example to show that no matter what comes at you unexpected and unwarranted you can rise above with faith. Great read!