Companions in Courage

by Larry Weisman, Pat LaFontaine, Chas Griffin, et al.

Book Overview

Pat LaFontaine shares the personal details of his own struggle with depression & physical rehabilitation, as well as those other amazing athletes who were challenged by adversity & won. These are... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 044652705X
• ISBN13: 9780446527057
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Warner Books (NY)
• Length: 266 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Not just about pros- good people facing hard choices

The reviewer who says HA! can't have read this book. Maybe Canseco's book, but not this one. I recently met LaFontaine, a man who loved his sport passionately, and like all professional athletes, was trained to ignore the pain. He now works very hard to create multimedia rooms in hospitals for very ill children. His foundation is called Companions in Courage. There's a chapter in the book about a potential Olympic medalist who didn't fight the final bout to qualify (tae-kwon-do). It was not because her opponent was also her friend, though she was; it was because her opponent had dislocated her kneecap in the previous bout. The athlete forfeited, rather than take a sure win from a wounded opponent. That's an amazing story, not another "pro athlete look at my pain" whine. Michael J. Fox wrote the most recent foreword. LaFontaine is always working for his foundation, and he volunteers to be part of the prize for several charities' live auctions.These prizes have included: Golf with Pat LaFontaine, Hockey lessons with Pat LaFontaine, and more. LaFontaine's book is like the man; genuine, intensely hard-working and willing to face fear head-on and try to come out the other side. I can't say enough about it.

A matter of balance

The previous reviewer does not appear to have read the book. While there a fair amount of discussion about LaFontaine and his career challenges, the book focuses on anonymous, unremarkable people, who manage to accomplish absolutely amazing things. There are several themes running through the book: the crucial role fathers play in the development of their children; the importance of faith in healing families and overcoming obstacles; the power of persistence and determination in changing lives. LaFontaine comes across as a humble, thoughtful, and decent man; there is little self-promotion or self-pity in his writing. Most of the stories (and there are dozens of individuals' stories told in this book) are told in two or three pages, making it perfect for teenagers. I have used these stories in teaching my own family, and in my role as a Church leader. We are a nation steeped in nastiness. We spend incredible amounts of energy thinking of creative ways to tear one another down. A great man has said, "Cynics do not contribute, skeptics do not create, doubters do not acheive." Pat LaFontaine is a good and decent man, who has given much of his life to service. This book is a wonderful reminder that there are ample reasons for hope, that there is much goodness left among us. His work trancends the naysaying of people who can't get past the fact that he made his living playing professional hockey.

An inspiring and uplifting collection of life's stories

Companions in Courage is an inspiring and emotionally touching collection of the stories of how over 50 athletes were able to cope with their misfortunes. Few of us go through life without being tested either physically or mentally. Everyone who has been struck with these problems and is looking for inspirational guidance to overcome their condition should read this book.

Inspirational!

This is not your typical "athlete retires, writes his memoirs" book. Rather, it is an aggregation of inspirational stories that are as uplifting as they are touching. The dynamic of the human spirit is on full display in this compilation, and it's all wrapped in a neat bow by one of sport's all-time great role models - Pat LaFontaine. If you are looking for some personal inspiration or want to raise the spirits of a family member or friend in need of "companionship" or "courage", then this is the book for you.