Synopses & Reviews
The Glass Castle meets Ball Four as Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey weaves searing honesty and baseball insight in this memoir about his unlikely journey to the big leagues.
An English Lit major at the University of Tennessee, Dickey is as articulate and thoughtful as any professional athlete in any sport-and proves it page after page, as he provides fresh and honest insight into baseball and a career unlike any other. Fourteen years ago, Dickey was a heralded No. 1 draft choice of the Texas Rangers, only to have an $810,000 signing bonus, and his lifelong dream, ripped away by an X- ray-and the discovery that he did not have an ulna collateral ligament in his right elbow. Five years ago, he gave up a record six home runs in three innings to the Detroit Tigers-and was effectively consigned to the baseball scrap heap.
Sustained by his profound Christian faith, the love of his wife and children, and a relentless quest for self-awareness and authenticity, the immensely likable Dickey details his transformation from a reckless, risk-taking loner to a grounded, life- affirming big leaguer. He emerged as one of the premier pitchers in the National League in 2010-and the knuckleballing embodiment of the wonders that perseverance and human wisdom can produce. Dickey views his story as one of redemption. Readers will come to see it as something more-a uniquely American story of beating back demons, listening to your heart, and overcoming extraordinary odds.
Review
andldquo;MLB's only active knuckleballer--boasts a story compelling enough to be told forthwithandhellip;. Dickey credits his faith with overcoming myriad trials both personal and professional, but it never feels as if he's preaching.andnbsp; Once an English-lit major and now a starting pitcher for the New York Mets, the author emerges as one of baseball's good guys, and someone who can write as well as he pitches. Dickey has set a new standard for athlete autobiographies.andrdquo;
- Publishers Weekly, Starred review
Review
andldquo;It's a gripping memoir, a brutally honest account of family woes, childhood abuse and his failures as a husband and father. But it's also a meditation on contemporary baseball that is insightful without throwing anyone under the bus, save the author himself. (And maybe Alex Rodriguez.) It might be the finest piece of nonfiction baseball writing since Ball Four.andnbsp; Perhaps above all, it's a classic epic quest, a flawed hero's unlikely odyssey to the major leagues and to discovering the mystical pitch that helped him get there.andrdquo;
- Jon Wertheim, Sports Illustrated
Review
andquot;
Wherever I Wind Up is an astounding memoir--haunting and touching, courageous and wise.andquot;
- Jeremyandnbsp;Schaap, bestselling author,andnbsp;Emmy award-winning journalist, ESPN
Review
andquot;Nobody in baseball has overcome more obstacles than R.A. Dickey, and nobody writes about them with more honesty and insight. R.A. doesn't want to be called a hero, but he is exactly that, and when you read about his life's journey and his courage, you will agree with me. This is an awesome book by an awesome man.andquot;
-Orel Hershiser, ESPN Sunday Night Baseball analyst, former MLB All-Star
Review
andquot;R.A. Dickey is one of the coolest athletes I've ever met - a great mixture of soul and intellect ... This is an athlete worth knowing better.andquot;
- George Vescy, New York Times
Review
andquot;A wonderful and powerful new memoir.andquot;
- Jim Caple, ESPN
Review
andquot;I can't recommend
Wherever I Wind Up enough.andquot;
- Gary Cohen, SportsNet NY (SNY)
Review
andquot;R.A. Dickey's book is unlike any other professional athlete's autobiography you have ever read. And that is a very good thing.andquot;
- Mike Bauman, MLB.com
Review
"Corbett remains carefully true to Felix’s view and interpretation of events and deftly weaves a moving coming-of-age story with a sweet, satisfying conclusion."—Kirkus Reviews
Review
A riveting first novel. (School Library Journal)
Review
Praise for Wherever I Wind Up: “R.A. Dickey is one of the coolest athletes Ive ever met.”
—George Vecsey, The New York Times
“Dickey has set a new standard for athlete autobiographies.”
—Publishers Weekly, Starred review
“It's a gripping memoir, a brutally honest account...It might be the finest piece of nonfiction baseball writing since Ball Four.”
—Jon Wertheim, Sports Illustrated
"Wherever I Wind Up is an astounding memoir-haunting and touching, courageous and wise."
—Jeremy Schaap, bestselling author, Emmy award-winning journalist, ESPN
"Nobody in baseball has overcome more obstacles than R.A. Dickey, and nobody writes about them with more honesty and insight...This is an awesome book by an awesome man."
—Orel Hershiser, ESPN Sunday Night Baseball analyst, former MLB All-Star
"A wonderful and powerful new memoir."
—Jim Caple, ESPN
"I can't recommend Wherever I Wind Up enough."
—Gary Cohen, SportsNet NY (SNY)
"R.A. Dickey's book is unlike any other professional athlete's autobiography you have ever read. And that is a very good thing."
—Mike Bauman, MLB.com
Review
andldquo;R.A. Dickey is one of the coolest athletes Iandrsquo;ve ever metandmdash;a great mixture of soul and intellect. He wanted to write his own book with the same passion he brings to his knuckleball or working the heart of the dugout between starts. This is an athlete worth knowing better.andrdquo; --George Vescy,
New York TimesReview
andldquo;R.A. Dickey has a baseball story that is unlike anybody elseandrsquo;s. If every player had his character, work ethic, and makeup, it would put a lot of managers and coaches out of work, because there would be no need for them.andrdquo; --Buck Showalter, manager of the Baltimore Orioles
Review
andquot;An astounding memoir--haunting and touching, courageous and wise.andquot; --Jeremy Schaap, bestselling author, Emmy award-winning journalist, ESPN
Synopsis
With a new epilogue by author R.A. Dickey, winner of the 2012 Cy Young award
"An astounding memoir--haunting and touching, courageous and wise." - Jeremy Schaap, bestselling author, Emmy award-winning journalist, ESPN
In 1996, R.A. Dickey was the Texas Rangersand#8217; much-heralded No. 1 draft choice. Then, a routine physical revealed that his right elbow was missing its ulnar collateral ligament, and his lifelong dreamand#151;along with his $810,000 signing bonusand#151;was ripped away. Yet, despite twice being consigned to baseballand#8217;s scrap heap, Dickey battled back. Sustained by his Christian faith, the love of his wife and children, and a relentless quest for self-awareness, Dickey is now the starting pitcher for the Toronoto Blue Jays (he was previously a star pitcher for the New York Mets) and one of the National Leagueand#8217;s premier players, as well as the winner of the 2012 Cy Young award.
In Wherever I Wind Up, Dickey eloquently shares his quintessentially American tale of overcoming extraordinary odds to achieve a game, a career, and a life unlike any other.
Synopsis
This young readers? edition of the worldwide bestseller
Three Cups of Tea has been specially adapted and updated by Greg Mortenson to bring his remarkable story of humanitarianism up-to-date. It includes brand-new photos, maps, and illustrations, as well as a special afterword by Greg?s twelve-year-old daughter, Amira, who has traveled with her father as an advocate for the Pennies for Peace program for children.
Synopsis
The New York Times bestseller that?s changing America?s diet is now perfect for younger readers ?What ?s for dinner?? seemed like a simple question?until journalist and supermarket detective Michael Pollan delved behind the scenes. From fast food and big organic to small farms and old-fashioned hunting and gathering, this young readers? adaptation of Pollan?s famous food-chain exploration encourages kids to consider the personal and global health implications of their food choices. In a smart, compelling format with updated facts, plenty of photos, graphs, and visuals, as well as a new afterword and backmatter, The Omnivore?s Dilemma serves up a bold message to the generation that needs it most: It?s time to take charge of our national eating habits?and it starts with you.
Synopsis
Felix knows his dad was a famous baseball player in Cubaand that his father risked everything to send Felix to America. But his mom wont reveal anything else. When a baseball team with Cuban players comes to town, Felix wonders if they knew his dad and sneaks into their locker room to ask. Thats when the players mistake him for their new batboy. Determined to uncover the truth about his mysterious father, Felix plays along, going as far as running away from home to become the teams batboy. His bittersweet adventure glows with the friendship of a miraculous dog, the warmth of a mothers love, and the magic of baseball.
Synopsis
Felix knows his dad was a famous baseball player in Cubaand that his father risked everything to send Felix to America. But his mom wont reveal anything else. When a baseball team with Cuban players comes to town, Felix wonders if they knew his dad and sneaks into their locker room to ask. Thats when the players mistake him for their new batboy. Determined to uncover the truth about his mysterious father, Felix plays along, going as far as running away from home to become the teams batboy. His bittersweet adventure glows with the friendship of a miraculous dog, the warmth of a mothers love, and the magic of baseball.
Synopsis
In this captivating novel, wife and mother of three Bernadette McBride makes a wish she never expects to have grantedto be young again. When she awakenstransformed into a twelveyear- oldon what should be the morning of her fortieth birthday, she is at first jubilant, and then quickly realizes how complex life has suddenly become. She enrolls in her sons seventh-grade computer class in hopes of enlisting his help, but its not that easy. . . . Patrick, Bernadettes oldest son, has no idea what happened to his mother, but he refuses to give up hope. Unless he can get her back, he faces a life of waiting on his brothers. Can Patrick do the impossible? Can he rescue his mother . . . and return his familys life to normal?
Synopsis
The inspiring story of the 2012 National League Cy Young Award Winner Adapted for young readers from his New York Times bestselling memoir Wherever I Wind Up, this is the inspiring story of how knuckleballer R. A. Dickey became one of the game’s best pitchers. He had humble beginnings, and as a child kept a terrible secret. But at a local prep school, coaches saw talent in him and fostered his skills as a player. Dickey went on to pitch in the Olympics while at the University of Tennessee, but his Major League hopes took a downturn when an X-ray revealed a major problem with his throwing arm. It would seem his future in baseball was over before it even began. But R.A. knew better. Through faith, hope, and determination, he achieved his dreams and made it into the major leagues. Now, he’s one of the most respected pitchers in the game, a Cy Young Award winner, and he's changed the way people view the knuckleball – and himself. An inspiring true story about beating the odds, R.A. is proof that with hard work and devotion, anyone can overcome whatever life throws at them.
Synopsis
"An astounding memoir--haunting and touching, courageous and wise." - Jeremy Schaap, bestselling author, Emmy award-winning journalist, ESPN
In 1996, R.A. Dickey was the Texas Rangersand#8217; much-heralded No. 1 draft choice. Then, a routine physical revealed that his right elbow was missing its ulnar collateral ligament, and his lifelong dreamand#151;along with his $810,000 signing bonusand#151;was ripped away. Yet, despite twice being consigned to baseballand#8217;s scrap heap, Dickey battled back. Sustained by his Christian faith, the love of his wife and children, and a relentless quest for self-awareness, Dickey is now the starting pitcher for the New York Mets and one of the National Leagueand#8217;s premier players, as well as the winner of the 2012 Cy Young award.
In Wherever I Wind Up, Dickey eloquently shares his quintessentially American tale of overcoming extraordinary odds to achieve a game, a career, and a life unlike any other.
Synopsis
Felix knows his dad was a famous baseball player in Cuba—and that his father risked everything to send Felix to America. But his mom won’t reveal anything else. When a team with Cuban players comes into town, Felix wonders if they knew his dad, and sneaks into their locker room to ask. That’s when the players mistake him for their new batboy.
To uncover his father’s story, Felix runs away from home to become the team’s batboy. His bittersweet adventure glows with the friendship of a miraculous dog, the warmth of a mother’s love, and the magic of baseball.
About the Author
R.A. Dickeyand#160;of the New York Metsand#160;is one of the premier pitchers in baseball. and#160;In 2012 he became the first knuckleballer to win the National League Cy Young Award,and#160;major league baseballandrsquo;s highest honor for a pitcher.and#160; Immensely popular with fans and deeply respected by his teammates, Dickey lives inand#160;Tennesseeand#160;with his wife and four children.
Wayne Coffey is an award-winning journalist for the New York Daily News and the author of more than thirty books, including The Boys of Winter, a New York Times bestselling chronicle of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team. A three-time Pulitzer nominee, he has long been regarded as one of best sports feature writers in the nation.and#160;