Review of "Every Day I Fight" - Stuart Scott memoir

When I learned of Stuart Scott's passing on January 4, I was saddened as I felt the sports world lost one of its best reporters far too soon.  So when I was offered an ARC of his memoirs before they would be published on March 10, I jumped at the chance to read the book. It was even better than I thought it would be.  I am very happy to be able to post this review of "Every Day I Fight" at the time of publication.

Title/Author:

“Every Day I Fight” by Stuart Scott with Larry Platt

Tags:

Sports broadcasting, autobiography, ESPN

Published:

March 10, 2015

Length:

311 pages

Rating: 

5 of 5 stars (Outstanding)

Review:

Like every other sports fan, I was saddened to hear of the passing of Stuart Scott on January 4, 2015 to cancer.  Since first being diagnosed with appendiceal cancer in 2007, Scott still lived life and was seen on ESPN for his work regularly. This memoir of his life is written in a manner that will make the reader think that he or she is watching an ESPN production about Scott – complete with some of his trademark catch phrases.

There is plenty of sports talk and recaps in the book, and the reader will even learn about a couple of those expressions that Scott made famous.  For example, he does talk about the origination of “Booyah!” and how he simply decided to be himself when he got his break by being an original broadcaster on ESPN2.  His rise in his career would be an inspiring story by itself.

However, the book gets even better after Scott learns about his diagnosis. It was a moving account of not only what he did to combat the disease (don’t talk about it as a fight, as he states he doesn’t particularly like that phrase), but the love he felt for his daughters Sydni and Taelor.  He never took any time with them for granted, from the time they were born until the end of the book.  That love for them also was what drove him. 

Scott still appeared on ESPN for various assignments after learning his diagnosis and through bouts of chemotherapy and multiple surgeries.  Like the love for his daughters, he loved his line of work and it showed in how he brought the same energy and compassion for his on-air work as well.  One of the more poignant passages that combined these two loves was when he admitted to doing something that a sports journalist never says – that he was openly rooting for a team. It came in the 2014 NBA Finals. Which team Scott cheered for and why is a wonderful story of love that will tug at the heartstrings of every reader.

No matter if the reader likes sports or couldn’t care less, or whether or not cancer has touched the reader’s life, this is a book that should be read by everyone as a message of inspiration, of the fight to enjoy life and as a story of love.  This was an outstanding memoir from a man that was taken from us far too soon. 

I wish to thank NetGalley and Penguin Group Blue Rider Press for providing an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Did I skim?

No. 

Pace of the book: 

Much like one of his SportsCenter newscasts, the book moves at a fast pace that the reader wants to keep up with.  It was a very quick read – one that I completed in less three hours.

Do I recommend? 

This book will touch everyone who has ever had to be part of that team that has faced cancer – whether as a patient, family member, friend, colleague or medical professional. Scott’s attitude and enthusiasm for life will leave the reader cheering – then heartbroken knowing that he has passed away.

Book Format Read:

Ebook (Kindle)

Buying Links:

http://www.amazon.com/Every-Day-Fight-Stuart-Scott-ebook/dp/B00OI5PHGU/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1425951185&sr=1-1&keywords=every+day+i+fight+stuart+scott

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/every-day-i-fight-stuart-scott/1120849685?ean=9780399174063