Frank

Title- Beyond Belief Author- Josh Hamilton and Tim Keown Genre- Biography and Memior Publisher- Faithwords Publication Date- October 13, 2008 Hardcover/Paperback- Paperback First Paragraph- //The man watched silently, his arms crossed. He sat directly behind home plate, halfway up the concrete bleachers, a lone figure in the West Raleigh Exchange ballpark. I didn't know who he was, or why he was there, but ocasionally I'd catch my daddy glancing up at him from his spot on the field. They'd exchange polite nods like two men sharing a secret language.// Stand Alone/Series- Stand Alone How Did I Get This Book- A friend lent it to me Why Did I Read This Book- Because i had too, but I'm glad I did. A very good book. Review- Good book, Irecommend this book for sports fans also to people struggling with drug addictions. Notable Quotes/Parts- "I couldn't continue living the life of a crack addict, and I couldn't stop, either. It was a horrible downward spiral that I had to pull out of, or die. I lay there—in a hot and dirty trailer in the North Carolina countryside, in a stranger's house, in the cab of my pickup—and prayed the Lord would take me away from the nightmare my life had become. Teammates and coaches referred to him as a "very nice and humble kid." "I prayed to be spared another day of guilt and depression and addiction," "When I think of those terrible times, there's one memory that stands out. I was walking down the double-yellow of a two-lane country highway outside Raleigh when I woke up out of a trance," said Hamilton, “My wife, Katie, told me this day would come. At my lowest point, about three years ago, when I was wasting away to skin and bones and listening to nobody, she told me I'd be back playing baseball someday. She had no reason to believe in me. “During that time, I did nothing to build my body and everything to destroy it. I'd go five or six months without picking up a ball or swinging a bat. By then, I'd been in rehab five or six times—on my way to eight—and failed to get clean. I was a bad husband and a bad father, and I had no relationship with God. Baseball wasn't even on my mind. "And still Katie (his wife) told me, ‘You're going to be back playing baseball, because there's a bigger plan for you.’ I couldn't even look her in the eye. I said something like, ‘Yeah, yeah, quit talking to me.’” Literary Elements Used- Flashback, Hyperbole, Simile, Metaphor, Personification Author's Purpose/Style- To show people how he overcame his addiction, and to help people overcome their addiction. And to show people that it doesn't matter who you are or where you came from that anything can happen to anyone at anytime. Themes- Never give up on youself, you can overcome anything as long as you believe in it and you have support Additional Thoughts- No additional thoughts Rating, Why- 10, because it was a very good book. I don't read to often but this was a good book, I'm glad I chose this to read. Reading Next- Whatever comes along, probably something related to sports.

Part 2 Bio- I live in Pulaski. I have a great family, they are supportive in whatever I do and are always there if I need them. I have great friends too, I have a lot that I can count on if I need something or someone to talk too. Interest/Hobbies- I love baseball, its my life. I also like sports the New York Yankees are my team. Other than baseball I like to lift, go outside and hit, and I like to run. I like to be active. What Type of Books I Like- Mainly sports What Type of Music/Movies- Music is rap and hip-hop. The newer type rap. Movies are comedy and sports.