This was an interesting and inspiring read. I was riveted to his story and inspired by his courage. I cried through the last quarter of it.

READ THIS!!!! ( )

Beyond Belief is a fantastic autobiography that I highly recommend. Josh Hamilton is currently a superstar in the world of baseball and many people and fans do not know how about his past life. A talented kid from North Carolina is the first overall pick coming out of high school, the first high schooler ever taken first overall, and has extreme expectations. He begins his career in the minors with great success, but he then starts drinking and using illicit drugs now and then. His moderate use turns into addiction and he begins to fail drug tests. His life is beginning to crumble. Once such a promising young, talented baseball player now he is falling off the radar. At one point, he admits to the reader that he spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on alcohol and drugs a year. Through his grandmas encouragement and belief in God he is able to get sober.

This thrilling, interesting story is a must read for everyone, even non-baseball lovers. Josh Hamilton's story is fascinating, riveting and mind-blowing. The reader is able to sympathize and empathize with Josh through his auspicious and depressing times in life. Although Josh isn't the greatest writer, he is able to communicate with the reader through pathos. His story is unbelievable and it's hard to believe where he is now, a great and inspiring baseball player. ( )

As a huge baseball fan, I'd obviously heard of Josh Hamilton's story. I remember the 2008 Home Run Derby and the feel good story of Josh's amazing comeback. However, I had no idea just how far he had really come.This book is clearly written by Josh; the grammar and sentence structure aren't perfect, but I appreciated that. It made the story that much more authentic. You can feel all of his emotion in his words - joy, devastation, hopelessness, redemption. His is a truly unbelievable story that would have been a great plot for a movie, if only it weren't true.Baseball fan or not, if you enjoy a heartwarming, back from the bottom, feel good story that reinforces your faith in the human spirit, you have to read this book. ( )

Beyond Belief is a great story about a collage aged proffesional baseball player who was on his way to the Major Leagues. He later became addicted to cocaine and was suspended from baseball indefinently. His Grandmother took him in, and Josh Hamilton used God as his savior and fought his addiction and came back clean. He was reinstated back into the league and is now one of the best baseball players of our time.
5Q, 4P; Cover Art: Awesome!
This book is best suited for highschoolers and adults.
It was selected due to being a baseball player and being a fan of Josh Hamilton.
Grade (of reviewer): 9th
(RD-AHS-NC)

100% recommended for everyone. Josh Hamilton's story is one that will appeal to pretty much anyone. A man to be on top of the world, falling so far down and having the strength and tenacity to bring him back on the right path is something anyone can take to heart. This is a read simply for everyone. You will find something about his life story that you can apply to your own. ( )