I already knew about Joe Burrow when I started reading this book. After all, he's not only a Heisman Trophy Winner and the Bengals' Star Quarterback, I already knew about Joe Burrow when I started reading this book. After all, he's not only a Heisman Trophy Winner and the Bengals' Star Quarterback, but he also graduated from Athens High School, which is in the same athletic conference as the high school that I graduated from (although I'm about 25 years older than him!)
Still, I learned a lot from this book - about him, his family, his friends, his coaches & teammates, and others around him!
A well-told biography that includes many b&w photos scattered throughout the book!...more
As someone who has known Nancy for several years, I found this to be a very interesting read. I learned so much about her "developmental (physical) diAs someone who has known Nancy for several years, I found this to be a very interesting read. I learned so much about her "developmental (physical) disability" (Cerebral Palsey) and the challenges she has faced over the years. It was intriguing to learn more about her physical / accessibility issues when her mind is 100% intact.
This book illustrates her life from the beginning until now. It is VERY DETAILED and leaves NOTHING to the imagination. Still, an interesting read. ...more
This started out a little dry, but quickly picked up.
Author, J.D. Vance spent his formative years in Middletown, Ohio, which is half way between DaytThis started out a little dry, but quickly picked up.
Author, J.D. Vance spent his formative years in Middletown, Ohio, which is half way between Dayton & Cincinnati. I have never considered this part of Appalachia. However, his family comes from the hollers of Southeast Kentucky, which is about as Appalachian as you can get.
Although he is little more than 30 years old, this man has lived a hard life, and he shares what he has learned and overcome [so far] in this memoir. First, being raised in Appalachia (Vance spent a lot of time with family in Jackson, Kentucky) presents its own set of challenges. I know, because I was raised in beautiful, but depressed Southeastern Ohio. Next, his dad left when Vance was very young and he suffered through a revolving door of father figures during the first 18 years of his life. His mother was addicted to various drugs over the years, but as of the publishing of this book, is still alive. He spent a lot of time with his Mamaw. Thank Goodness for her because I'm not sure what would have happened to Vance and his sister, Lindsey, if she hadn't been there for them.
The thought process that comes from Appalachia hits very close to home. These ideas (if you will) helped Vance overcome the adversity that he faced, but although I can't help coming to this conclusion, the book isn't just about overcoming adversity. Vance illustrates points through reports, statistics, etc. in trying to figure out why people who live in this "depressed" culture keep spinning on the same wheel over and over again. Why not get off the wheel? How do we escape this? How do we fix it?
Vance "escaped" by spending 4 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. After this, he went to Ohio State and then on to Yale Law School, but do we ever escape?
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