Resilience: Faith, Focus, Triumph
Alonzo Mourning (Author), Dan Wetzel (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
Publisher's Description:
Resilience. It’s not just the title of Alonzo Mourning’s stirring memoir; it’s the stuff he’s made of. Whether petitioning himself into foster care as an eleven-year-old, tirelessly studying his way onto the dean’s list at Georgetown University, making it as an all-star center in the NBA, or returning to peak form after organ-transplant surgery, Mourning has shown enormous inner strength. His faith, his determination, and his courage are what have driven and sustained him throughout his extraordinary life.
In 2000, Mourning was on top of the world: He had a fat new contract, an Olympic gold medal, and a second beautiful child–all that and the fame and wealth he had earned playing the game he loved. But in September of that year, he was diagnosed with a rare and fatal kidney disease. Over the next couple of years, as his health faltered, he retired, unretired, and retired again–and sought to make sense of the rest of his life.
Finally in 2003, after a frantic search for a donor match, Mourning had a new kidney and a new outlook. He vowed to make this second chance count by dedicating his life to others. He resolved that he would consider the disease a blessing, a revelation of God’s plan for him.
Although he battled his way back to the NBA, winning a championship with the Miami Heat in 2006, Mourning believed that the most important and fulfilling part of his life still lay ahead. Basketball, it turned out, was just the vehicle that would allow him to devote his talents and energies to a greater cause.
Alonzo Mourning’s return to basketball glory, already familiar to sports fans and non-sports fans alike, has inspired millions of patients suffering from kidney disease and living with dialysis, as well as organ donors around the world. By sharing his experiences of the physical, emotional, and spiritual roller coaster of illness and recovery, Mourning hopes to deliver a message of faith and fire, hurdles and hope, trust and triumph. Resilience is a story about the meaningful everyday lessons that he longs to share and about the things that truly matter in life.
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books; 1 edition (September 30, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0345507010
ISBN-13: 978-0345507013
Average Amazon Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
5 star: (11)
4 star: (3)
3 star: (0)
2 star: (0)
1 star: (0)
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read, October 3, 2008
By Q: I've read 11 of the 14 chapters in this book so far. I've only had it two days. It is truly a great read and I'm usually pretty hard to please.
I don't want to discuss any details and spoil it for anyone who may be reading it. Let's just say there are some inspirational parts, some informative parts, some funny parts, and even some parts that might make you a bit teary.
If you've followed his career closely, you may know quite a bit about some of the things he's mentioned...or at the least you might know some of the highlights of certain things, like his battles with the Knicks and so forth, but it's still very interesting hearing things from his perspective.
I definitely encourage anyone who is facing transplantation (or really, any sort of adversity) to pick up a copy of this book. It's also a good read for basketball fans who like knowing a little bit more about an athlete than what's on the surface, Heat fans who may want to know a little bit more about the man who was the face of their franchise for so many years, young men, misguided men. Honestly, I think that anyone who reads this book can take something away from it. Plus it's enjoyable and a part of the proceeds goes to charity.
Just be warned though. This book is about ALONZO MOURNING! NOT THE HEAT! NOT THE NETS! NOT THE NBA! Alonzo Harding Mourning Jr. So don't expect alot of juicy locker room details or something when you get this book. It's a nice clean read but it managed to hold my attention and my attention span is usually very short. Good work Zo.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Resiliant, November 27, 2008
By Kimberly M. Walterscheid (Merced, CA)(REAL NAME)
As someone who who endures with the same disease as Alonzo, I found it to be inspiring and it gave me hope. It is such an encouragement to read the story of someone who has gone through this and come out the other end. I only hope my witness can be as shining as his some day.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Resilience: Faith, Focus, Triumph, November 11, 2008
By C. Boydston (Aurora, CO)(REAL NAME)
Excellent book. Alonzo has truly survived a turmoil life and came out of it a Great person. So glad his shared his story. Would recommend this book highly.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Really worth a Read
This is not a book about Basketball, This is a book about Life. Alonzo is a very humble person who recognises that he got to where he is today through the help of other people... Published 12 months ago by D. Minihane
5.0 out of 5 stars Love it! I may be a bit bias as I am a huge Zo fan, but I can honestly say that this book gave me a clear understanding of why I admire Alonzo so much. Published 16 months ago by T. Blosser
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book with lots of inspiration
I found Alonzo Mournning's book to be very inspirational and I could see that it took something like a kidney transplant to bring him closer to God, family and friends. Published 17 months ago by Vilma F. Anderson
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a wonderful book
I simply loved this book. I passed it on to someone else in hope that they will enjoy it, also. Not only have I enjoyed watching Alonzo Mourning play basketball over the years... Published 21 months ago by J. Robinson
4.0 out of 5 stars Passing the gift along
Resilience Faith Focus Triumph is Alonzo Mourning's memoir of life before the NBA and life after a successful kidney transplant. Published 22 months ago by Mary G. Longorio
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiration and courage
I saw an interview with Alonzo Mourning during a showing of the 700 Club, and was impressed with his unwavering faith during his great physical trail with his health. Published on November 19, 2008 by Wanbli Galesh'ka
5.0 out of 5 stars A Magnificent Testament of Courage, Faith and Truimph
Alonso Mournings is a true hero on a compelling journey of courage, faith and being of service to others. Published on November 2, 2008 by Debbie Milam
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Read
I am a BIG fan of ZO and has been since his playing days at Georgetown. I can follow the book easily when talking about his earlier days in DC as I was born and raised there and... Published on October 21, 2008 by Ms. Leo
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book
I have always liked Alonzo Mourning as a basketball player. I now have new found respect for a guy I already thought was top of the class in the NBA. Published on October 20, 2008 by R. Williams
4.0 out of 5 stars RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN SAYS: "YOU CAN'T HURT YOUR TEAM BY TRYING TO GRAB TOO MANY REBOUNDS OR STOPPING TOO MANY SHOTS"
This is the life story of famed basketball player Alonzo "Zo" Mourning. Despite being a three-time All American at Georgetown University... a seven-time NBA All-Star... Published on October 6, 2008 by Rick Shaq Goldstein