I Beat the Odds: From Homelessness to The Blind Side and Beyond

( 175 )

Overview

The football star made famous in the hit film The Blind Side reflects on how far he has come from the circumstances of his youth.

Michael Oher is the young man at the center of the true story depicted in The Blind Side movie (and book) that swept up awards and accolades. Though the odds were heavily stacked against him, Michael had a burning desire deep within his soul to break out of the Memphis inner-city ghetto and into a world of opportunity. While many people are now ...

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Overview

The football star made famous in the hit film The Blind Side reflects on how far he has come from the circumstances of his youth.

Michael Oher is the young man at the center of the true story depicted in The Blind Side movie (and book) that swept up awards and accolades. Though the odds were heavily stacked against him, Michael had a burning desire deep within his soul to break out of the Memphis inner-city ghetto and into a world of opportunity. While many people are now familiar with Oher's amazing journey, this is the first time he shares his account of his story in his own words, revealing his thoughts and feelings with details that only he knows, and offering his point of view on how anyone can achieve a better life.

Looking back on how he went from being a homeless child in Memphis to playing in the NFL, Michael talks about the goals he had for himself in order to break out of the cycle of poverty, addiction, and hopelessness that trapped his family for so long. He recounts poignant stories growing up in the projects and running from child services and foster care over and over again in search of some familiarity. Eventually he grasped onto football as his ticket out of the madness and worked hard to make his dream into a reality. But Oher also knew he would not be successful alone. With his adoptive family, the Touhys, and other influential people in mind, he describes the absolute necessity of seeking out positive role models and good friends who share the same values to achieve one's dreams.

Sharing untold stories of heartache, determination, courage, and love, I Beat the Odds is an incredibly rousing tale of one young man's quest to achieve the American dream.

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Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble

To say that the odds were stacked against Baltimore Ravens tackle Michael Oher is a radical understatement: His mother was a crack addict and his biological father was murdered in prison when he was in high school. One of thirteen children, Michael bumped around from school to school, from foster home to foster home, living a deprived, sometimes homeless life in the Memphis ghetto. Many people know the skeleton of Oher's story through Michael Lewis' book The Blind Side and the Sandra Bullock film that it inspired, but this is the first time that Michael himself has told his own story in his own words. I Beat the Odds is a real-life inner city Cinderella fable that possesses a poignancy that you could not make up.

USA Today
"The real Michael Oher just might be the first person with more sparkle and good looks than his movie counterpart...the book offers a harrowing first-person account from a child's point of view of the Dickensian conditions many American kids endure."
The Washington Post
"With the release of his memoir...Oher finally takes ownership, filling the gaps in the familiar narrative and somehow managing to make his journey from the streets to stardom seem even more amazing and compelling...I Beat the Odds is thoughtful and heartfelt, a young man coming to grips with an amazing journey that required the distance of years and perspective to fully grasp."
-USA Today
"The real Michael Oher just might be the first person with more sparkle and good looks than his movie counterpart...the book offers a harrowing first-person account from a child's point of view of the Dickensian conditions many American kids endure."
-The Washington Post
"With the release of his memoir...Oher finally takes ownership, filling the gaps in the familiar narrative and somehow managing to make his journey from the streets to stardom seem even more amazing and compelling...I Beat the Odds is thoughtful and heartfelt, a young man coming to grips with an amazing journey that required the distance of years and perspective to fully grasp."
Yahoo Sports
"I'd understand if some people out there felt like another re-telling of the Oher story was flogging a dead horse, but personally, I feel like there's a need for Oher's own opus."
Library Journal
Oher was the subject of Michael Lewis's The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game and its subsequent and very successful movie. He is also in his adopted parents Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy's recent book, In a Heartbeat: Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving, and, of course, he's on the football field for the Baltimore Ravens. His positive story has been a welcome respite from all the reported poor behavior by professional football players over the years. Now here is Oher's opportunity, with Yaeger (former associate editor, Sports Illustrated), to tell his side of the story, which is especially distinct from the movie, in which a lot of the real details were left out while other circumstances were exaggerated to make the story more dramatic. For example, in the movie Oher was a football novice with difficulty learning plays; in actuality, as Oher reminds us here, he had been playing for years and knew the game very well by the time he met the Touhys.Verdict Recommended. A corrective to the movie, yet still an inspirational book for fans of Oher and the Touhys. Also, a good read on the pervasive nature of poverty in urban areas and the role of sports in young people's lives.—Todd Spires, Bradley Univ. Lib., Peoria, IL
Library Journal - Library Journal Audio
The football player we know from The Blind Side now tells his own story, relating his family's struggles, and how the right role models and continued determination can counter hopelessness and move you toward your dreams.
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781101484517
  • Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
  • Publication date: 2/8/2011
  • Format: MP3
  • Edition description: Unabridged
  • Sales rank: 507,536
  • Ships to U.S.and APO/FPO addresses only.

Meet the Author

Michael Oher

Michael Oher is an American football offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Ravens in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft. He played college football at the University of Mississippi for the Ole Miss Rebels. He is best known as the subject of Michael Lewis’s 2006 book, The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game, and the even more popular 2009 film The Blind Side, in which Michael is portrayed by Quinton Aaron.

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Table of Contents

Prologue: Reaching Back ix

Chapter 1 Begging and Bumming: Life in Hurt Village 1

Chapter 2 Life at Home 15

Chapter 3 The Day They Took Me Away 27

Chapter 4 Life in the System 37

Chapter 5 Running Back 49

Chapter 6 Escape from St. Joseph's 59

Chapter 7 "Home" Again 71

Chapter 8 MJ and Me 85

Chapter 9 Big Tony and Steve 95

Chapter 10 The Road to Briarcrest 107

Chapter 11 High School 117

Chapter 12 Finding a Family 131

Chapter 13 Finding Football 145

Chapter 14 Miss Sue 157

Chapter 15 Rebel with a Cause 165

Chapter 16 The Draft 177

Chapter 17 On Raven's Wings 187

Chapter 18 The Blind Side 197

Chapter 19 A Different Kind of Fan Mail 207

Chapter 20 Breaking the Cycle 221

Chapter 21 Ways to Get Involved 237

Acknowledgments 247

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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4
( 175 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(87)

4 Star

(36)

3 Star

(28)

2 Star

(11)

1 Star

(13)

Your Rating:

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 180 Customer Reviews
  • Posted February 12, 2011

    Gripping story

    What a pleasure to read a story about someone working hard and having their dreams come true. It is such a relief when a time of excessive athletes here is one with their head on right. A great story for all.

    8 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Posted April 25, 2011

    A great character education tool for students

    As a school counselor, I am always looking for ways to relate with at-risk students, and I think this book could go a long way toward reaching students from all walks of life. Michael Oher's description of generational poverty is very informative, and I think his book can be a wonderful guide for educators.

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Posted April 8, 2011

    more from this reviewer

    Highly recommended!

    I normally do not read biography's and I could care less about football, but I'm so glad I decided to check this one out! Michael Oher is an inspirational young man and truly blessed. A must read for anyone young and old alike!

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Posted February 17, 2011

    Inspirational

    Michael Oher really had an inate desire to succeed and no matter how much help he had along the way, his drive and ambition to overcome the adversities of his childhood are the primary reasons for his success. What a special and loving young man! Great read!

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted October 23, 2011

    Michael Oher

    He is my insipiration!

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted April 21, 2011

    Good read

    very inspiring easy read

    2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 14, 2011

    There is a message and lesson in this book!

    I had seen the movie FIRST,so,I cheated a bit,but,this is a really good book for young people who think they have no future and/or have no one to care about them and are alone. Michael Oher shows you and tells you what it takes to be like him-courageous and determined to succeed,which he has done. Encouraging read for struggling people. Good read!

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted May 20, 2012

    I beat the odds by micheal oher

    Very great book
    Go micheal oher

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted February 22, 2012

    Inspirational

    I found this a quick easy read. I find this young man inspiriational. I also noticed that movie The Blind Side, did not do him justice. He is clearly a bright articulate young man who did beat the odds. It gives a clear picture of inner city Memphis. I also noticed in USA Today that this is now required reading for High School students in Annarundel County, Maryland. Kudos to Michael Oher for getting out of the slums and drawing attention to the great need for effective foster parents. His story is a good one. This is a book I read very quickly and enjoyed reading. I have recommended it to several people.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 10, 2012

    mike oher

    This was the best book i ever read

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 31, 2011

    feel good

    This book is refreshing! As a white woman who is much like LeeAnn I am glad others can see past skin color. Michael Oher wanted out of the ghetto. He aspired to have a normal life and obtained one. A must read for all kids who want better for themselves.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted May 28, 2011

    Great followup to the movie "The Blind Side"

    The movie was good and had to read the book too, but it left me wanting more. Here at last is Michael's story, in his own words, without the sugarcoating. OK, so it's not a literary work of genius, but I enjoyed it. A great book for young people, adults involved with young people and anyone curious about Micheal Oher's story. I'm buying several hard copies to gift the young men in my life to share that rare gift of hope. Hope for our childern and hope for adults who care. Gives me reminders of what I don't know or may have forgotten when dealing with youths & teens. Thanks Michael for sharing your story with us all! Read great on the Nook Color.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 30, 2011

    good

    this book taught me some valuable lessons

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 28, 2011

    Great Book

    What a pleasure to read a story about someone working hard and having their dreams come true. He had mentioned to me how the book, "The 50 Laws of Control", has helped him gained wisdom about the manipulations that people use to hold hard working people back. Another MUST READ!!!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted February 25, 2011

    Couldn't Put It Down!

    I read this in one sitting, I literally could not put this book down. It answered a lot of questions I had after reading The Blind Side. In this book you really get a sense of where Michael Oher came from, who he is today, and where he's going. I recommend this book to everyone, all children and adults alike, not just fosters.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted February 25, 2011

    Great - it answers a lot of questions

    This book was very helpful, I've just had my 1st foster children and it really helped me understand of why why why.

    Things really clicked for me in reading Michael's book and just make me want to help even more.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted February 19, 2011

    Inspirational!

    Excellent book, every child should read this. It gives hope no matter what the situation might be.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted August 6, 2012

    LOVE!

    I love how it really talked about his life BEFORE he was taken in! Incredible story by an incredible human being!!!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted July 2, 2012

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  • Anonymous

    Posted June 30, 2012

    Great book!!!!!!!!!!

    I love the movie The Blind Side. It is a great movie to see for everyone!!!!!!!!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 180 Customer Reviews

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