One Man's Leg

Rating:
Summary: WOW! : Inspirational story; Inspirational author
Review: "One Man's Leg" is Paul Martin's story, and what a story he tells.

After what can best be described as a "challenging" childhood and adolescence, filled with too many excesses as well as a disproportionate share of family issues, Martin rights his ship enough to graduate from college with an Engineering degree and land a good job with a major manufacturing firm. However, while in his initial job training, he suffers a catastrophic car accident in which he eventually would be forced to lose the part of his leg just below the knee.

A decent hockey player in high school, Martin decides that this life-altering event was truly a message to him from above, and he decides to forego a business career to pursue a career in athletics. Martin, however, chooses the extra-ordinary challenges: marathons, triathlons, cycling and, for good measure, Olympic downhill skiing. And, as "fairy tales" go, he succeeds.

As any part-time, weekend warrior athlete would tell you, running an occasional 5k or the annual 10k is a pretty big accomplishment. Martin, however, not only runs the marathons and triathlons, but he wins them, beating many able-bodied athletes in the process... He also holds the American records in the half-marathon and the 5k.

Martin, who wrote the book without the assistance of a seasoned co-author (typical hard-headed athlete, as am I), writes with humor, sometimes brutal honesty and an easy conversational tone that makes the book a great read.

As an "athlete," One Man's Leg has motivated me and has me thinking of an attempt at triathlons; as a person, Martin's story makes me proud and inspires me... Our country and our world needs to hear more about the Paul Martin-type stories that exist. These stories are what the human spirit is all about.

Rating:
Summary: powerful statement on what a person can achieve
Review: Growing up in a wanderlust household (from Gardner, Massachusetts to Boulder, Colorado to Central America, etc.) Paul Martin found solace in sports, but mostly stayed in trouble especially with his martinet father. Though he attended University of Lowell, Paul's life truly begins at twenty-five when he loses part of his left leg in a car accident. Instead of quitting, Paul resolved to prove to himself, his father, and the world that he had no handicap. He accomplishes his goal when he becomes a world champion triathlete, a Para-Olympic contestant, and most of all an inspirational speaker traveling to encourage youngsters to be all they can be rather than use rationalizations to alibi failure.

Simply put, Paul Martin is a winner and his autobiography is a powerful statement on what a person can achieve if they put their heart and soul into their efforts. The key to this nonfiction work is not the inspirational message that lifts anyone fortunate enough to heed its wisdom. Instead Mr. Martin never preaches, but always advocates going for the gold as an individual and even more significantly as part of a team because it is the accomplishment of reaching the finish line whether one wins the race or not because it is the feat that provides fulfillment.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Inspiration
Review: I Loved this book. It was uplifting and inspirational. To over-come a tragedy and become a role model and world champion, is more then enough to get me out the door and motivated.
A must read for all who have or want to live a more active lifestyle.

Rating:
Summary: Inspirational...
Review: I usually don't get into books like this but I read a review on this one and had to check it out...and I was not disappointed. This is a great book for non-athletes and athletes alike. It really shows how someone can change their lives and become great in whatever they decide to focus their energies on regardless of the barriers in the way.

At times the book seems somewhat self-indulgent...but if it was my book I'd do the same...overall it's a great book and recommend it!

Rating:
Summary: One Man On a Mission
Review: One Man's Leg shows the strength of the human spirit, and the determination of one man in particular. But rather than bludgeon us with a tale of dark adversity and eventual triumph, this book delights in its accessibility and humanity. Paul leads us through his life and evolution with humility and honesty, and writes in a natural prose that inspires genuine identification with him as a person first, and an amputee secondarily.

I heartily recommend this book to anyone at any stage of life, for both a delightful read and a reminder that humans are capable of great things if we only rise to the occasion.

Rating:
Summary: A pre-requisite for truly living LIFE
Review: One of the most inspiring books I've ever read, Paul Martin takes us on a personal journey through his happiness and his heartaches.Through all of the successes and misfortunes, we are given an honest, and at times, very humorous look at one man's search for true joy and personal success. What does it take to be truly joyous and accomplished in life? It takes the will to try, and the willingness to take different roads until you find the one that belongs to you. It takes all that Paul Martin has to share in this wonderful book.

Rating:
Summary: Inspirational...
Review: This book is a must-read for anyone that has gone through a tragic event, rough time, or is feeling sorry for themselves. It puts life into perspective and shows that there is always someone worse off than you, no matter how tough things get. It shows that you can laugh at yourself no matter what, and provides insight to the strength of the human spirit.
Paul sets the example that you can accomplish anything that you set your mind to.
Inspirational!!!