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:
interesting article ..thanks for this post..
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Glad you enjoyed it and thank you for stopping by.
DeleteI finished the book this morning and loved it . he was a great man and father I found the book very inspirational
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