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Joshua Samman

The Housekeeper: Love, Death, & Prizefighting Paperback – April 5, 2016

by Joshua Samman (Author)

154 ratings

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UFC fighter and journalist, Josh Samman, chronicles his struggles with addiction, career-threatening injuries, and the death of his lover in this gripping memoir. In and out of institutions for the greater part of his youth; Josh, a wild teenager, falls into a rollercoaster romance with Isabel, a Southern jewel, who drives him to search for purpose in professional Mixed Martial Arts. As Isabel marches towards personal battles of her own, Josh fights his way from local MMA circuits to front and center of FOX’s The Ultimate Fighter TV show. After losing the most important bout of Josh's career, the pair rekindle their love, and seek to find strength in each other. With a penchant for raw and heartfelt honesty, Samman chronicles a gut-wrenching story of love, loss, and what it means to conquer life’s greatest tragedies. The Housekeeper is an intimate look into the world of a man fighting for redemption.

Print length

262 pages
Language

English
Publication date

April 5, 2016
Dimensions

6 x 0.66 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

0692682155
ISBN-13

978-0692682159
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Josh Samman establishes himself as the UFC's P4P #1 Renaissance Man with this beautiful, tragic, powerful piece of prose." -Florian Sadler, UFC.com

"Josh Samman's writing skills keep pace with his fighting skills. A poignant, expertly rendered account of wins, losses and split decisions... [Samman] has a promising second career as an author and storyteller." Jon Wertheim, executive editor Sports Illustrated, author: "Blood in the Cage: the Rise of the UFC."

"The Housekeeper is the heart-wrenching story of Josh Samman's growth from a childhood of addiction and escapism to the tumultuous life of a professional fighter and businessman. Anchored by his devotion, Samman offers a glimpse into a life of resilience and redemption through love, even when a staggering tragedy rips through the core of his life. It's impossible not to cheer for this man after reading this--as a fighter and as a human being." -Julie Kedzie, UFC veteran, Invicta FC Matchmaker & Color Commentator

"A captivating read, and a truly unforgettable set of stories that truly highlight redemption, hope, loss and growth. Everything that is beautiful about the human spirit - along with some of what is not - is on full display. The most powerful and draining battles don't always take place under the bright lights or in the gym, and the perseverance and grit are sometimes your only weapons." - Victor Rodriguez, BloodyElbow.com

About the Author

Josh Samman is a proud Tallahassee native, The Ultimate Fighter semi-finalist, active UFC middleweight, writer for UFC.com & BloodyElbow.com, and owner of Combat Night, Florida's largest MMA organization.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Joshua Samman (April 5, 2016)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 262 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0692682155
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0692682159
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.66 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,153,250 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #6,340 in Love & Romance (Books)
- #41,894 in Parenting & Relationships (Books)

Customer Reviews:
154 ratings

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Joshua Samman

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Josh Samman is a proud Tallahassee native, The Ultimate Fighter semi-finalist, active UFC middleweight, writer for UFC.com & BloodyElbow.com, and owner of Combat Night, Florida’s largest MMA organization.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5

154 global ratings

5 star		81%
4 star		14%
3 star		3%
2 star 0% (0%)		0%
1 star		2%

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Amazon Customer

Josh Samman is so much more than just a UFC fighter

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 22, 2016

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Josh Samman is so much more than just a Mixed Martial Artist; he is a poet, a musician, an extremely intellectual person, a man with an iron will, and above all he is a compassionate soul. This book is so much more than just a book about a UFC fighter.

Men and woman both will enjoy the tales of this incredible man's journey, and what it feels like to have truly loved someone and lose them too soon in life. How do you explain to someone that you love them and how much you appreciate them being in your life? Josh lived that, and this book will forever make that memory and experience live on.

Enjoy this book and don't miss out on the opportunity to get a sneak peek into Josh's soul; and what it means to persevere through life's difficulties and tragedy's. We all make mistakes and have decesions we wish we didn't make, but it's how you pick yourself up and move forward that defines you. That is what this book is all about.

For anyone that has had to battle through loss, addiction, tough times, and turbulent childhoods; this book will encourage you that you always have the choice to overcome life's obstacles. That even through suffering loss and tragedy, life is always worth living.

5 people found this helpful

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Kevin

Invoked Every Human Emotion

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 6, 2017

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NOTE: THIS BOOK IS NOT JUST ABOUT FIGHTING AND MIXED MARTIAL ARTS!

I loved this book. It was capable of invoking every type of emotion as I was reading through it. I was able to relate a lot to his character which made me enjoy it more. It's crazy to imagine all of the stuff that he went through in his short life. He had amazing writing skills and was able to wrap me up in everything that he was going through. The tears were plentiful. I loved the way he talked about Isabel and my heart was broken by the end of the book. I suggest for all of those who have read this book to look up Josh Samman and Hailey Bevis (portrayed as Isabelle in the book).

A quote from Josh (not in the book): “People say you don’t know what you have until it’s gone, but I knew,” Samman says. “I knew what I had when I had it. I’d never been more happy in my whole life.”

2 people found this helpful

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Michelle burque

Just one more page

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 9, 2016

Verified Purchase

I purchased the Housekeeper to read on my way to Europe. I was hesitant to start a new book on a long plane ride. However I wasn't disappointed reading this memoir was like reading two suspense novels simultaneously. The memoir brilliantly describes the agonizing pain of losing your soul mate. It creeps right down to your core and touches the place you bury your deepest darkest pains. Anyone who has ever felt alone in losing their soul mate can relate too. At times the story is dark and brutally honest. The way he paints his love will automatically make you like her. You don't have to be an MMA fan to enjoy the story but if you are you're in for a very delightful read. This memoir left me thinking about different perspectives and ideas of enlightenment and eagerly wanting the writer to just believe in something more. The struggle, dreams and the goals this book had it all and will leave you wanting just one more page.

3 people found this helpful

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L.T.

A Gripping Story

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 18, 2016

Verified Purchase

A co-worker of mine was a friend of Josh, when I had learned that he was in a coma and later passed away. I did not know him personally but learning about the tragic life he lived and the inspiration he was to so many sparked my interest into reading his book. The book was really gripping and raw - a true glimpse into his heart and soul. Reading his book made me feel like I had know him for years. He was a beautiful writer who was an excellent picture-painter and story-teller. Thank you for sharing your gift and talents. Wishing your family and friends comfort and healing.

Helpful

Amazon Customer

A book that keeps you contemplating life for days after you've finished reading.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 29, 2016

Verified Purchase

I didn't know what to expect before reading. Hard to put down once I began. I was personally familiar with many of the characters in the book since I share a hometown with Josh, that is what lead me to buy the book.... curiosity. I was enthralled with what he went through in his life...some circumstantial, some self-induced. I was particularly taken by the response of "Isabel's" family and how they embraced Josh, and how he was able to rebound from the very bottom. RIP Josh, you left the world a better place by your participation and presence.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Judi

A story everyone should have to read!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 17, 2016

Verified Purchase

Wow! This book will cause you to smile, ache, cheer, cry and BELIEVE. What a painfully, beautiful story told with such elegance and gruesome reality. I didn't want to put it down, and couldn't wait to get back to it when I had to. This is a book for everyone. You don't have to love anything about MMA fighting to be in love with this story. It is so much more than that. READ IT!! You won't be sorry. If you don't walk away a better person, you need it read it again because you were clearly a distracted reader.

3 people found this helpful

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Geoff Arias

Couldn't put it down

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 2, 2016

Verified Purchase

A great memoir written from the heart.

Book is written using a unique 2 storyline approach that has you on the edge or your seat and emotionally involved throughout. The 2 storylines come together in an emotional intersection that will have you fighting tears.

Written by a great guy and if you aren't a fan of his now you will be after you read everything he's been through to fight in the bright lights of the UFC octagon.

I hadn't read a book in years and couldn't put this down. Read it in 2-3 days.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

Travis

Wonderful and inspiring read. Deserves all 5 stars

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 13, 2016

Verified Purchase

I downloaded this book months ago but just had a chance to read it after his untimely death this past week. It was very well written with such great insight into his life. With his recent passing it made it much more emotional. I wasn't a fan of his during the airing of TUF but like he said......he didn't make it hard to not like him. After TUF and getting to see him in the octagon after his wins truly showed he was a great person. RIP Josh.

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Top reviews from other countries

Laurie Neale

A fallen tree nurtures new life

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 31, 2016

Verified Purchase

An autobiographical memoire written with pure emotion, the pain and joy of his experiences come flying off the pages. Whilst the author is a prizefighter it is much more than a centre of the octagon type buzz. Instead the focus is on the reason why Josh first decided to fight and why he chose to continue fighting as a channel for his energy and emotions throughout both the good times and the bad times.

The book lays bare a young man's quest to understand the world, to find a way in the world and to contribute to the world. The ultimate loss of a man who fought so hard to grow his own roots and to stand firm for the loved ones in his life is traumatic. That Josh could share his story and offer such a profound insight to others is inspiring.

One person found this helpful

Mr. M. Smith

The most brutal fights don't involve violence

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on May 19, 2016

Verified Purchase

I really enjoyed this, couldn't put it down. Im not sure enjoy is right turn of phrase for the ride Josh takes you on. I remember Josh from TUF, liked him at the time, but largely forgot about him after he lost. Whether you like mma or not is irrelevant to whether you like this book. If you like reading memoirs, of seeing a life laid bare and frank honesty about the mistakes, the pain and joy life can bring, read it, mma is a backdrop, it is love, loss and fighting against yourself that is at forefront. MMA is often seen as brutal, but life can be just as brutal, well done Josh for all the fights you win, in and out the cage.

2 people found this helpful

Daniel B.

Fantastic read for anybody not just the mma fan

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on August 14, 2016

Verified Purchase

Hooked from beginnning to end like no autobiography ive ever read. Amazing story that really hits home.
A real in depth look at a fighters life in and out of the octagon.
Best bok ive ever read
All the best Josh !

2 people found this helpful

Amazon Customer

An insight into a spectacular man.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on April 21, 2018

Verified Purchase

Josh was one of the most talented human beings to ever set in the cage.

May he rest in piece.

Phil Gallagher

Awesome

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on November 5, 2016

Verified Purchase