Showing posts with label alcoholism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label alcoholism. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
After the Cheering Stops: An NFL Wife’s Story of Concussions, Loss, and the Faith that Saw Her Through by Cyndy Feasel tells the life story of Grant Feasel, a center in the NFL. His ex-wife Cyndy chronicles his story, mainly during the almost thirty years they were married. When their life together started, he was at the top as a college football star being scouted by the NFL. He died young, his body wracked by addiction, his brain full of CTE, and his family penniless.
Cyndy Feasel describes her life with Grant in a somewhat objective manner. While being clear about the ugliness that occurred between them in the latter years of their life together, she also made it clear that it was a direct result of the CTE and alcoholism Grant was dealing with, even if she didn't realize that was the case at the time. She never crosses the line between describing what happened and slandering Grant.
There were some comments and observations that seemed overly personal, mainly concerning the physical aspect of their love life. Overall though, Feasel stayed within the parameters of discussing the alcoholism and other personality changes brought about by the CTE that was caused by Grant's years playing professional football. She mentions her faith a few times, but not enough that it could be considered a main theme of this story.
Anyone interested in the NFL, specifically the effects on a player's body and family, will find After the Cheering Stops an interesting read. It is an easy and quick read. Those interested in alcoholism and other addiction issues will also find this book an interesting read.
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookLook book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Jesus, My Father, the CIA and Me by Ian Cron is easily the best book I've read all year, and would probably fall in the top ten books I've ever read, if I could ever sit down and make such a list. This was the first memoir I've read; I had an obviously wrong preconceived idea that memoirs were dry and whiny accounts of people who thought they'd had a unique life. I wouldn't have even picked this up if it weren't for the title. I simply couldn't resist finding out what was inside the pages of a book with such an intriguing title.What I found was nothing short of the literary equivalent of an exquisite Pavlova - it's light but surprisingly filling, and absolutely delicious. (Thanks to my friend Kristen for the comparison!) It was a feast of imagery, humor, and poignant moments that caught me by surprise. Cron's use of language is nothing short of masterful. As he recounts growing up the youngest son of an alcoholic father who worked off and on for the CIA (a fact Cron didn't know until much later) I felt as though I was there with him experiencing each moment he recounts.
There were moments I was struck with sadness; moments when I laughed out loud so hard I startled the dog; moments when I felt the presence of Christ. I felt a strong sense of connection with this man whose life has been nothing like mine, save for the fact that we are both seekers of the One who saved us.
I recommend this book to anyone and everyone. Usually, books are enjoyed by a specific population. Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me however, cannot be put in such a box. It is so well written, with such a universal sense of story that anyone who picks it up will be delighted, inspired, amused, challenged, and left with a sense of appreciation for the story of humanity.
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255
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