Finally Free: An Autobiography

( 66 )

Overview

One of the most talented and polarizing athletes of our generation, Michael Vick's rags-to-riches, ridicule-to-redemption story has captured news headlines across the nation. Finally Free chronicles his years growing up in a poverty-stricken neighborhood, his success on the field and his rise to stardom in the NFL. The book also details how a gifted athlete spiraled out of control under the glare of money and fame—and the brokenness that brought his redemption. In his own words, here are the behind-the- scenes ...
See more details below
Hardcover
$15.32
BN.com price
(Save 38%)$24.99 List Price
Pick Up In Store

Pick Up In Store

Reserve and pick up in 60 minutes at your local store

Other sellers (Hardcover)
  • All (26) from $7.98   
  • New (15) from $14.45   
  • Used (11) from $7.98   
Finally Free: An Autobiography

Available on NOOK devices and apps  
  • Nook Devices
  • NOOK HD/HD+ Tablet
  • NOOK
  • NOOK Color
  • NOOK Tablet
  • Tablet/Phone
  • NOOK for Windows 8 Tablet
  • NOOK for iOS
  • NOOK for Android
  • NOOK Kids for iPad
  • PC/Mac
  • NOOK for Windows 8
  • NOOK for PC
  • NOOK for Mac
  • NOOK Study
  • NOOK for Web

Want a NOOK? Explore Now

NOOK Book (eBook)
$13.74
BN.com price
(Save 45%)$24.99 List Price

More About This Book

Overview

One of the most talented and polarizing athletes of our generation, Michael Vick's rags-to-riches, ridicule-to-redemption story has captured news headlines across the nation. Finally Free chronicles his years growing up in a poverty-stricken neighborhood, his success on the field and his rise to stardom in the NFL. The book also details how a gifted athlete spiraled out of control under the glare of money and fame—and the brokenness that brought his redemption. In his own words, here are the behind-the- scenes details of his wrong decisions, his fall from the spotlight, his search for forgiveness, and the unexpected, life-altering grace he received on the way to a fairy tale season with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2010.

From the Author:

"I want to be remembered as a guy who never gave up, whether with my family, out on the football field, in a prison cell, or playing one-on-one basketball with somebody in the neighborhood. Standing firm in God always, pushing through, even in my darkest moments."
—Michael Vick

Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly
While Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Vick tells the classic story of redemption and resilience in this reflective memoir, it stops just short of being a tell-all. Vick chronicles his rise from humble beginnings as a football star at Virginia Tech to his fall from grace as an Atlanta Falcon convicted on dogfighting charges in 2007, describing himself as a gritty, modern-day Icarus. He is candid about his 23-month prison sentence and incarceration and writes with humility about areas of his life where he has been fallible. He credits Tony Dungy, the widely respected football coach, for visiting him and vouching for his sincere desire to make up for taking his fame in the NFL for granted the first time. He writes most explicitly about his anti-dogfighting activism, and those pages sometimes read like extended public service announcements. Overall, the book portrays Vick as a reformed Icarus flying at the proper altitude after too many trips near the sun. (Sept. 4)
From the Publisher
“Vick has apologized and acknowledged the suffering he caused. He has expressed his remorse and his desire to help more animals than he harmed by being an advocate for the humane treatment of animals. We realize the potential Vick has to reach at-risk youth and pull them out of the quicksand…”
—The Humane Society of the United States

“Finally Free tells an amazing story. It’s not all pretty, but it’s real. This book will let you know why I’m so proud of Michael Vick and honored to call him a friend.”
—Tony Dungy, Former NFL head coach for the Indianapolis Colts

“I want to be remembered as a guy who never gave up, whether with my family, out on the football field, in a prison cell, or playing one-on-one basketball with somebody in the neighborhood. Standing firm in God always, pushing through, even in my darkest moments.”
—Michael Vick

Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781617950698
  • Publisher: Worthy Publishing
  • Publication date: 9/4/2012
  • Pages: 304
  • Sales rank: 34,538
  • Product dimensions: 8.90 (w) x 6.20 (h) x 1.30 (d)

Meet the Author

Michael Vick

Michael Vick is the quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League. The 2010 season was the most prolific of his career, earning him a start in the Pro Bowl and cementing his comeback in football. Prior to spending the last two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, Michael played for the Atlanta Falcons (from 2001-2006), the team that originally chose him with the first overall pick in the 2001 NFL draft.

Brett Honeycutt is the managing editor of Sports Spectrum, a national Christian sports publication that has been around for more than twenty-eight years. Prior to taking his current position, he worked for The Charlotte Observer for 16 years (six years as a freelance writer and 10 years on staff). Brett is a graduate of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Stephen Copeland is the editor of Sports Spectrum's digital magazine and a columnist at Sports Spectrum magazine, a national faith-based sports publication that has been around for more than twenty-eight years. He recently co-authored "The Jersey Effect" with former Indianapolis Colts punter Hunter Smith. Stephen graduated from Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana, and is from Plaineld, Indiana.

Read More Show Less

Table of Contents

Foreword Tony Dungy ix

Acknowledgments xv

Introduction xvii

Part I The Rise

Chapter 1 In the Beginning 1

Chapter 2 Seven's Heaven 19

Chapter 3 Blacksburg's a Blast 27

Chapter 4 Favorite Falcon 51

Part II The Fall

Chapter 5 Warning Signs 83

Chapter 6 Dog Days 93

Chapter 7 Family Matters 115

Chapter 8 The Prison Experience 129

Chapter 9 Mad Money 161

Part III The Redemption

Chapter 10 Coming Home 179

Chapter 11 Starting Over 189

Chapter 12 A Crucial Offseason 201

Chapter 13 MV 2.0: The 2010-11 Season 215

Chapter 14 Moving Forward 247

Postscript 261

Career Playing Record 265

List of Illustrations 283

Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 2.5
( 66 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(20)

4 Star

(1)

3 Star

(3)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(42)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously
See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 66 Customer Reviews

  • Posted September 10, 2012

    Would never recommend.

    I will respect the opinions of people supporting this man if they have also read "The Lost Dogs" and have personally seen the victims of any dog fighting ring. If you can hold a dog in your lap that has been severely injured both physically and mentally by being forced to fight by a bunch of mean, ignorant people or witness the corpse of a dog that was murdered by these people because it didn't "perform" up to their standards and still respect this man then you are a far different person than I am. Even if he deserves a second chance, he should never be held up to the standards of a "hero" or someone children should look up to.

    18 out of 27 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted September 6, 2012

    I wouldn't spend a penny on Vick's book. How can you respect a

    I wouldn't spend a penny on Vick's book. How can you respect a man who has participated in such cruelty to these dogs? The only thing he's sorry for is that he got caught. He doesn't deserve to earn anything off the sale of this book. If someone did to him what he did to these animals, they would be put away for life. All he got was a short time in prison and slap on the hand. He thinks we should buy into the idea that he is sorry and a better person? You'll never convince me of that. Read the book by Jim Gorant. Vick does not deserve anything but disgust. Criminals should not be able to sell their life stories. Great football player or not, he is dirt beneath my fingernails.

    17 out of 35 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted September 5, 2012

    I will not be reading or buying this book. Vick is only sorry h

    I will not be reading or buying this book. Vick is only sorry he got caught. I will give him credit for opening my eyes to the horrors of dog fighting, bait dogs and the like. How anyone could do this to an animal is beyond my understanding. Understand he killed dogs with his bare hands. I will not in anyway support this kind of person.

    17 out of 33 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted August 25, 2012

    I think that anyone that would pay for this book is just as guil

    I think that anyone that would pay for this book is just as guilty as he
    is for the crimes he committed. I am also tired of hearing how "he
    paid his debt to society". That is a load of crap. He served time
    for lying in court not for the dog fighting charges. Once you have
    committed acts like this to another living being there is never enough
    time served to be forgiven for what you did. I am appalled that the
    HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES would promote a book written by this
    dog beating, dog fighting, dog killing piece of ghetto trash.

    17 out of 35 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted September 5, 2012

    Of course the HSUS would have something positive to say about th

    Of course the HSUS would have something positive to say about this evil dog murderer. They were given $50,000 by the Philadelphia Eagles to take him under their wing and say nice things about them. I don't believe anything that is said by an organization which mis-manages money. This book just reminds people of Vick and all his lies and excuses. He got a high out of fighting then killing dogs. That kind of behavior doesn't stop just because you got caught. He has said in the past he wouldn't change anything about his life. I bet his murdered and abused dogs would disagree.

    15 out of 29 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted September 5, 2012

    Shame on you all who judge this man. Whatever crimes he may have

    Shame on you all who judge this man. Whatever crimes he may have committed so be it. This is a forum for book reviews NOT your personal opinions unrelated to the book itself. Find the right forum and voice your opinion there where someone' might actually care what you think. I only rate this a 5 to offset your ignorance

    14 out of 33 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted September 5, 2012

    If anyone wishes to read a true autobiography of Michael Vick, t

    If anyone wishes to read a true autobiography of Michael Vick, then they should pick up The Lost Dogs by Jim Gorant. This book? Nothing more than a cobbled together version of the man Vick WISHES he was, but never will be. Vile and contemptible. This is not a role model for anyone to vilify.

    13 out of 24 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted September 17, 2012

    first of all, to the anonymous sept. 5 poster who said that this

    first of all, to the anonymous sept. 5 poster who said that this is not a forum for personal views but for book reviews...you may have had a point except, where exactly is YOUR book review? your post is the exact same as every other post that is not a book review.

    second of all, i want to echo every negative review posted here. michael vick is scum. no, i have not read this book and i never will. clearly anyone willing to read, and more importantly pay for, this book does not understand or care to understand the crimes he committed against dogs and humanity. i suggest that if you are going to sing michael vick's praises as a "changed man," you should read "the lost dogs" and see if you still feel that way. you will never convince me that someone who is capable of committing those kinds of acts against animals is a good person. every person deserves a second chance, i truly believe that, even in michael vick's case. but his second chance is not one of learning from his mistakes and gaining perspective -- instead he is back living the high life, repairing his image, and now apparently profiting off this horrible situation. and no, michael vick has NOT duly paid for his crimes -- he has done the bare minimum required for getting caught and lying about it. if he had never got caught, every single one of those dogs and countless others would be suffering a horrible existence and dying at his hands. it's completely DISGUSTING. shame on ANYONE who makes excuses for that!

    i want to leave everyone with this quote: "the greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." --ghandi

    12 out of 19 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted September 13, 2012

    What...is this his story of how to run a dog fighting ring? His

    What...is this his story of how to run a dog fighting ring? His story isn't worth putting on paper! Burn every copy of this damn book. No apologies will be accepted for what he did to those innocent dogs!

    10 out of 18 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted August 25, 2012

    To the Anonymous writer who wrote the comment below about Michae

    To the Anonymous writer who wrote the comment below about Michael Vick
    being a piece of Ghetto trash. You need to get a life, your just jealous
    because you probably haven't been smart or strong enough to get back up
    when you fall. Stupid ass !!

    9 out of 26 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted September 5, 2012

    I will be reading this book because I think Michael Vick is an e

    I will be reading this book because I think Michael Vick is an elite quarterback and has a great story to tell. I am a huge Eagles fan and a Michael Vick fan. What he has done is in the past and I forgive him for what he has done. This should be a great book and am definetly going to buy it. Michael Vick is the man!

    8 out of 20 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted March 7, 2013

    So we have come to a point in our society where one can be the m

    So we have come to a point in our society where one can be the monster that Michael Vick is and still get support and affirmations by just writing abook about it.
    The title of his book is Finally Free. Can the dogs he tortured and killed say that?

    7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 5, 2013

    Rather than line Vick's pockets with any more $$ when it comes t

    Rather than line Vick's pockets with any more $$ when it comes to the suffering of those animals, why not buy a book that tells of the SURVIVAL of the pups that were owned by this monster!   Jim Gorant's book: The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption

    7 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted September 7, 2012

    Quit acting like you guys are so innocent, we all made that one

    Quit acting like you guys are so innocent, we all made that one mistake that we can't change until we get caught. So everyone talking bad about the book you shouldn't even be here in the first place. EAGLES ALL DAY! He is a changed MAN. YOur breath is a killing piece of ghetto trash.

    7 out of 18 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 7, 2013

    I will not buy this book and I will be cancelling my Barnes &

    I will not buy this book and I will be cancelling my Barnes & Noble account.

    6 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted September 13, 2012

    A great insight to the person behind the past scandal!!!

    I notice there are six 5 star reviews and six 1 star reviews. The 1 star are clearly people who have not ever read the book and probably won't, just because they don't care for Michael Vick. Writing things like "I wouldn't spend a penny on this book" yet YOU spend YOUR TIME writing a negative comment. As someone else stated THIS is for book reviews!!!!! Not a forum for your opinion on the person and there past actions. Everyone has made mistakes and NOBODY is prefect so STOP judging someone as if you are. Apply your time to something else. Anywho, the book give a clearer insight and understanding into Vick's life past and present. It's a great read and I wish him all the success x10!!!

    6 out of 17 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted March 11, 2013

    A better read would be "The Lost Dogs" where the socio

    A better read would be "The Lost Dogs" where the sociopath vick's crimes against innocent animals are described.  This cretin should not be glorified by ANY individual and he certainly is no different today than he was then, he's just got more lawyers and publicists covering his butt.  B&N lost my business.

    5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 11, 2013

    This sociopath tortured and murdered dogs for fun and profit, an

    This sociopath tortured and murdered dogs for fun and profit, and has shown no remorse. When the Humane Society of the United States raided his property, the inner perimeter of the electrified pool into which he threw live dogs, was deeply scarred with scratch marks as the dogs tried to claw their way out of the pool. Why would anyone care what this sadistic monster has to say? And spend money for it? I don't think so. It won't be long before the NFL kicks him to the curb like so much trash.

    5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted September 7, 2012

    I look forward to reading this book. Everyone deserves a second

    I look forward to reading this book. Everyone deserves a second chance.

    5 out of 15 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted November 5, 2012

    Mike vick

    I am horrified at all the negetive coments mike vick is tacking can you guys forgive ?are you guys even humen? It seems like you guys think you have never done anything wrong i mean seriosly i dont know what it is maybe you guys are just jealose because he has the potental to be the best QB and the only thing you guys can do is tear down all the peaple who are better than you

    4 out of 13 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 66 Customer Reviews
If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
Why is this product inappropriate?
Comments (optional)