Synopses & Reviews
andldquo;Harrowing, heartbreaking, redemptive.andrdquo;andmdash;Sports Illustrated
and#160;
andldquo;An inspiring story of a resilient warrior who knows what it means to keep a promise. andldquo;andmdash; Eric Greitens, Navy SEAL and bestselling author of The Heart and the Fist
The unforgettable story of a young soldier who survived one of the bloodiest battles in Afghanistan and lived to pursue his dream of playing Division I college football
At 5-foot-8, 175 pounds, Daniel Rodriguez was an unlikely recruit for the gridiron. But on the battlefield, under the daily rain of sniper fire, he made a promise to his best friend. andldquo;When I get out of this shithole, Iandrsquo;m going to play college football.andrdquo;
Daniel had joined the army just weeks after graduating from high school, having recently suffered a devastating loss. At age nineteen he had no idea what war really was; he just wanted to get out of town. Almost immediately, he was deployed to Iraq (and would later serve in Afghanistan).and#160;And he grew up fastand#160;andmdash; stopped sleeping, started smoking. Killing became second nature. He fought in the infamous Battle of Kamdesh and for his bravery he was awarded a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. But his best friend was not so lucky.
Against all odds, Daniel returned home andmdash; broken, but still alive. Stuck in the clutches of PTSD, Daniel remembered that fateful promise to his friend and knew he had to make good on it. He embarked on a grueling training regimen and when he postedand#160;a video of his efforts, it went viral overnight.and#160;By some mix of grit, determination, and the power of the Internet, he earned a spot on the Clemson University football team.
A powerfully delivered narrative of a young soldier, his unlikely dream, and how he found his way out of darkness, Rise is inspiring, quintessentially American, and will resonate with anyone who has ever fought for what they what they wanted.
Synopsis
The epic story of Daniel Rodriguez, a soldier who fought in one of the bloodiest battles in Afghanistan and, against all odds, lived to pursue his dream of playing Division I college footballand#160;
Synopsis
Harrowing, heartbreaking, redemptive. Sports Illustrated
An inspiring story of a resilient warrior who knows what it means to keep a promise. Eric Greitens, Navy SEAL and best-selling author ofThe Heart and the Fist
Daniel Rodriguez joined the army just weeks after graduating from high school. Almost immediately, he was deployed to Iraq and then to Afghanistan. While there, he made a promise to his best friend: When I get out of this shithole, I m going to play college football. Daniel made it out; his friend didn t.
After returning home, Daniel was unemployed and stuck in the clutches of PTSD, but he remembered the promise he had made and resolved to make good on it. When he posted a video online of his grueling training efforts, it went viral overnight. Through a mixture of hope, determination, and the power of the Internet, Daniel earned a spot on the Clemson University football team as a wide receiver. InRise, Rodriguez tells his powerful story a story that will inspire anyone fighting to make their dream a reality.
A compelling story of one man s quest to overcome the horrors of war through fortitude and determination ... If you re seeking a book to inspire you, this one deserves a look. San Antonio Express News
Life is designed to beat you down. Daniel shows you how to kick its ass. Major Rusty Bradley, U.S. Army (ret.), best-selling author ofLions of Kandahar
"
Synopsis
The unforgettable story of a young soldier who survived one of the bloodiest battles in Afghanistan and, against all odds, lived to pursue his dream of playing Division I college football.
At 5-foot-8, 175 pounds, Daniel Rodriguez was an unlikely recruit for the gridiron. But on the battlefield, under the daily rain of sniper fire, he made a promise to his best friend. "When I get out of this shithole, I'm going to play college football."
Daniel had joined the army just weeks after graduating from high school, having recently suffered a devastating loss. At age nineteen he had no idea what war really was; he just wanted to get out of town. Almost immediately, he was deployed to Iraq (and would later serve in Afghanistan). And he grew up fast -- stopped sleeping, started smoking. Killing became second nature. He fought in the infamous Battle of Kamdesh and for his bravery he was awarded a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. But his best friend was not so lucky.
Against all odds, Daniel returned home -- broken, but still alive. Stuck in the clutches of PTSD, Daniel remembered that fateful promise to his friend and knew he had to make good on it. He embarked on a grueling training regimen and when he posted a video of his efforts, it went viral overnight. By some mix of grit, determination, and the power of the Internet, he earned a spot on the Clemson University football team.
A powerfully delivered narrative of a young soldier, his unlikely dream, and how he found his way out of darkness, Rise is inspiring, quintessentially American, and will resonate with anyone who has ever fought for what they wanted.
About the Author
DANIEL RODRIGUEZ wasandnbsp;a wide reciever for Division I football,andnbsp;honors student,andnbsp;and decorated war hero.andnbsp;He has served tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, rising through the ranksandnbsp;to sergeant. In 2009,andnbsp;he fought inandnbsp;the Battle of Kamdesh, one of the bloodiest battles in the Afghanistan conflict, earning a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal With Valor Device. He has been interviewed by Dan Rather,andnbsp;profiled in the
New York Times, Washington Post, Esquire, USAandnbsp;Today, and
andnbsp;ESPN, and has gained internet fame for his viralandnbsp;YouTubeandnbsp;video.andnbsp;He lives in Los Angeles.
andnbsp;
An award-winning journalist and best-selling author, JOE LAYDEN has written more than thirty books, including the New York Times bestsellers Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir, No Regrets, and Living with Honor.andnbsp;