Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

I Beat the Odds

4.06 of 5 stars 4.06 · rating details · 1,856 ratings · 273 reviews

The football star made famous in the hit film The Blind Side reflects on how far he has come from the circumstances of his youth.

Michael Oher is the young man at the center of the true story depicted in The Blind Side movie (and book) that swept up awards and accolades. Though the odds were heavily stacked against him, Michael had a burning desire deep within his soul to...more

ebook, 272 pages

Published February 8th 2011 by Gotham Books (first published December 21st 2010)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Mar 17, 2013 E Wilson rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was a great title for the book. When Mr. Oher gave the statistics for kids who are poor, foster kids, and kids with no strong family support ever making it to a successful adulthood,I realized it was a miracle that he became such a remarkable person.

Some things stand out in his story. Although his mother was a poor excuse for a mother, he does his best to show the love and respect that the bible teaches. It's hard to imagine a mother locking her children out of their home and disappearing...more

like · see review

Mar 01, 2013 Davian Ross rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The story in this book is an incredible one to read about. The movie is not completely accurate in its description of his life (haha not suprised) but the book told about his struggles in life and how he came to fame. I personally am not a big football fan but this story intrigues me. Micheal Oher who this story is about had a tough early life. His parents were never there for him because his mom was a drug addict and she would never pay attention to him and his dad was always getting in trouble...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 23, 2013 Kelly rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I used to subscribe to Sports Illustrated, and remember when they had a large portion of the book The Blind Side in an issue. Several years later, I was anxious to see the movie that was based on the original work. Loved the movie, but was disappointed with the fact that they took the character of Michael Oher and made him ignorant of all football rules, street dweller, and (if it's possible) made him poorer than he actually was. What I liked about the original story I had read was that there wa...more I used to subscribe to Sports Illustrated, and remember when they had a large portion of the book The Blind Side in an issue. Several years later, I was anxious to see the movie that was based on the original work. Loved the movie, but was disappointed with the fact that they took the character of Michael Oher and made him ignorant of all football rules, street dweller, and (if it's possible) made him poorer than he actually was. What I liked about the original story I had read was that there was a sense of Oher's determination to make better circumstances for himself, and the movie seemed to diminish that drive.

Not this book. It was written in the voice of a sweet, charming person who had a horrible childhood. He isn't trying to gloss over the hardships he experienced, he isn't trying to deny the experiences he had. What he does do is point out that even in the most horrible of circumstances there is joy to be found. The love you can have for your family, despite their situation. The grace that can be found in others that open their homes and hearts to you. The satisfaction that comes from doing well, working hard, and learning, and the joy that brings. The gratification of public acknowledgement of your efforts, like making Dean's list, when you know how hard you've worked.

This is not a story of Oher's life with the Tuohy's. It certainly is about that time in his life, as they are a part of his family. But more importantly, this is a story about Michael, and the determination he had to be a part of a loving family, the recognition he had that sports were his way out of the ghetto, and the discipline it took to make that happen. Most importantly, it celebrates the people that were meaningful in his life, that were pivotal in his perception of what it meant to succeed--be it as a student, a father, a family, or a human. And it also gives you ideas of how you can do the same--listing dozens of organizations that help children in foster care, that have programs that help underprivileged members of society, and that help in tutoring for those that need it.

I think what impressed me most about this was not the gentle voice that it conveys as it talks of all the things he went through in the past, or even of his determination to be a success. It was how he spoke of his family. It was never cutting or denigrating. In every experience you could tell that despite their issues he came from an extraordinarily loving family, that he would do anything he could to try and elevate them to the level he thought they deserved. The love he felt for his mother when she was sober and clean and the hope he had for her future when she was able to stay that way. The gratitude he had for inclusion in not just the Tuohy family but also for the others that allowed him to see, just for a little bit, what a family had the potential to be.(less)

like · see review

Feb 11, 2013 Kirsti rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: baltimore, memoir, nonfiction, wish-it-had-been-fiction

It must be hard for a shy, modest person to write a memoir, but Michael Oher does a good job of it. He describes his wretched childhood, his adoption into a wealthy family, and his athletic success in high school, at Ole Miss, and in the NFL.

He seems even prouder of his academic successes than his athletic ones; one of his few quibbles about The Blind Side movie is that the filmmakers portrayed him as a slow learner rather than someone who had almost no schooling until he was a teenager. (Altho...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 14, 2013 Cody rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

If you were to see a homeless kid at least six five and weighs at least 300, walking down the street wearing the same clothing he does everyday, would you have the courage to pick him up and bring him into your own house? Well, that's exactly what Leigh Anne Tuohy did in the novel The Blind Side by Michael Lewis. This book is a true story about a teenager that went from nothing to the being a professional football player all because of one person. You may have seen the movie The Blind Side and t...more

2 likes · like · see review

Dec 09, 2012 Gerald Kinro rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

We have heard of “The Blind Side.” I Beat the Odds,” tells the story in the author’s own words. Michael Oher was born with odds stacked against him: a dysfunctional family, poverty, a mother who constantly made bad choices such as drugs, and more poverty. He grew up as a street kid in Memphis, often not knowing where his next bed and meal would come from. Social workers did their best with the resources they had. His luck turned when he enrolled in a private school. From there he met the Touhys...more

1 like · like · see review

Sep 18, 2012 Jessica Keller rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

1.)I really enjoyed reading this book. I was interested in finding out Michael Oher's full story after I watched his movie "the Blind Side". The book goes into a lot more detail then the movie, and it was really interesting to learn about his life before he made it in hid football career. Michael's whole story truly inspired me, and I think any person who has a dream they want to fulfill should read this book. It will motivate you, and keep you focused on your goal.
2.)I gave "I beat the Odds" 4...more

like · see review

Aug 13, 2012 Yuki rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction

I LOVED the movie The Blind Side. Did you?

I thought I would eventually get around to reading 'The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game' by Michael Lewis but it never happened. So when I came across this book I picked it up.

I like Michael Oher.

Maybe I'm wrong but looking at his pictures and the things he has to say - there's something really sweet about him and you get a sense that he's truly NICE.

But I suspect a big chunk of the book was pieced together through the research efforts of the "contrib...more

like · see review

Jun 02, 2012 Gina rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: inspirational, nonfiction

I read this after having seen the Blindside. I loved the Blindside, but this is better. This tells the true story of Michael's childhood up to the present. He was helped a lot by the family, but that is really only a small part. He set himself apart to begin with by making the best choices he could against incredible odds. He was a truly a wise child. He is a hero, and he has some really quotable lines in this book. Very worthwhile read.

Sorry for the vague review...I read this quite a while bac...more

like · see review

May 11, 2012 Emily Driscoll added it · review of another edition

1. In the begining of the book, Michael discusses the struggles he expirenced as a child growing up in extreme poverty. Michael Oher is currently a professional football player for the Atlanta Falcons, but his life was not easy. In the begining few chapters, it goes into detail about Micheal's childhood. His mother was a struggling drug addict with more kids than she could keep track of. Many nights, she would leave all of the kids for days on end while she was off doing drugs so Michael and his...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 13, 2011 Jenny rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2011

Unless you just completely don't keep up with pop culture in any way (which there's nothing wrong with), you've likely heard of the movie, The Blind Side, based on Michael Lewis's book, The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game. Sandra Bullock won/was nominated for a variety of awards for best actress for her role in the movie. In brief, in case you aren't aware, The Blind Side, is the story of Michael Oher who went from being homeless to being adopted by the Tuohy family and ultimately overcoming his...more Unless you just completely don't keep up with pop culture in any way (which there's nothing wrong with), you've likely heard of the movie, The Blind Side, based on Michael Lewis's book, The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game. Sandra Bullock won/was nominated for a variety of awards for best actress for her role in the movie. In brief, in case you aren't aware, The Blind Side, is the story of Michael Oher who went from being homeless to being adopted by the Tuohy family and ultimately overcoming his difficult past by finishing high school and college and being drafted into the NFL by the Baltimore Ravens. While I thoroughly enjoyed the movie, as did mostly everyone I know who saw it, I felt as though the movie focused largely on the Tuohy family and their taking Oher in. I wanted to know more about Oher and his thoughts on everything portrayed in The Blind Side, be it his thoughts on the situation in real life or his thoughts on how the movie portrayed him.

Though written in a slightly amateurish, conversational tone that is at times repetitive, I Beat the Odds did provide the additional insight into Oher's life that I was seeking. He gave more detail about his life growing up, what it was like moving from house to house, being raised by a mother who was addicted to drugs, and being tracked down constantly by the Department of Children's Services (DCS). As a former case worker for Florida's Department of Children and Families (DCF), I did find Oher's childhood perception of DCS to be interesting. Of course, as an adult he realizes that his case worker was trying to help, but as a child he thought of his case worker as someone his family had to run from. I don't know if I've read anything yet that gave me the insight into growing up in foster homes as this book did. I was able to emphasize with Oher's feelings of being unloved in these homes despite being treated well. There really is something to be said about that feeling of belonging that all people, but especially children, need. He also provided some sad truths about the down side of some foster homes.

In a way, this book wasn't directed towards readers in general but more towards foster children or those who specifically look up to Oher. This did slightly take away from the reading experience, but at the same time, I respect Oher's purpose. He has apparently received lots of mail from children who are in the situation he used to be (some of which he quotes in the book). He appears to have written this book as inspiration for them. He wants other children in similar situations to feel encouraged to aspire for more than they are often relegated and to overcome the somber statistics for children in foster care. He also makes it a point to describe throughout how much effort he put into his success and the attitude he had to maintain. He provides tips for overcoming the difficult situations such as finding a mentor, carefully choosing friends, etc. I have a high amount of respect for Oher for being able to decide what he wanted in life and doing what was necessary to achieve it. Some of the things he did, such as only maintaining friendships with those who had positive influences, was a great depiction of his character.

There was a small part where I worried he would lead others to believe that they, too, could become professional athletes. Even though he worked very hard to get there, there still has to be the understanding that there was a great mixture of talent and luck that got him where he is. Not every child who is athletically talented will make it nearly as far as he did. But after a while I changed my mind about him saying this specifically. And what I appreciated was that even though he excelled in sports, he emphasized the critical need for academic success in addition to his athletics. He worked vigorously at improving his academics, especially since, as a child, it was fairly optional for him to go to school. He never had anyone teach him the importance of education, so this was something he had to learn for himself and then try to catch up with others his age. I get that memoirs are often self-serving, but I do believe these things about the efforts he put into these parts of his life.

On an interesting side note, Oher mentions in the book that one of the parts of the movie that weren't true to life were the parts where the Tuohy's taught him about football and how to play. He describes how he spent his whole life observing and studying athletes so he could imitate their skills. I'm not sure why they changed this in the movie, but I did feel bad for him for that because I can imagine, considering how big a deal sports play in his life, to be depicted as someone who had to learn these concepts from his adopted family must have been frustrating and possibly embarrassing. This also fits into my thoughts that the movie focused on the great deed of the Tuohy family rather than on the actual life of Oher. (That's not to say I didn't really enjoy the movie or respect the family though!)

In all this was a short, but interesting read and one that would be great to pass on to those younger people in our lives!

Taken from my blog at www.takemeawayreading.com (less)

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 24, 2011 Judy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read about an American Dream Come True. Michael Oher truly exemplifies what it means to be a decent, hardworking American. I am not a huge fan of sports, and I never saw The Blind Side; however, I am a teacher and after reading this book I realized how valuable the American Public School System is to its youth. For many children, school offers opportunities otherwise not available to them in their lives. I am so impressed by Michael Oher's incredible...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 11, 2011 Sally rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sport

If you follow the NFL, you'll know the name of Michael Oher. I first heard about him on Draft Day 2009. I don't read Sports Illustrated, and ESPN is not my favourite channel, but each year we have on the NFL Draft. ESPN spent a lot of time on Oher and that's how I first heard of The Blind Side. To be honest, I've still not seen the movie but loved that a positive movie was such a hit.

I Beat the Odds is Oher's own words. While he's happy that the book and movie brought awareness to foster kids, h...more If you follow the NFL, you'll know the name of Michael Oher. I first heard about him on Draft Day 2009. I don't read Sports Illustrated, and ESPN is not my favourite channel, but each year we have on the NFL Draft. ESPN spent a lot of time on Oher and that's how I first heard of The Blind Side. To be honest, I've still not seen the movie but loved that a positive movie was such a hit.

I Beat the Odds is Oher's own words. While he's happy that the book and movie brought awareness to foster kids, he had some concerns over how he was portrayed. He also wanted to show what his life was like BEFORE the Touhys entered into his life. I'm thankful I grew up in a comparatively stable home, but when I lived in Baltimore I commuted through some bad areas on my way to work each day. I saw the blocks of boarded up homes, the trash on the streets, the overgrown parking lots. As I read this book, I tried to picture a young kid growing up in such an environment.

Oher is someone who believes you have to WANT to get out of the ghetto and that you MUST work to achieve that. He knows how easy it is to fall into the trap of following your elders and never doing anything. He watched his mother go through periods of sobriety and addiction. Although Oher knows he was fortunate to have help, he believes you can't sit and wait for help to come to you. I suspect he received help because people saw he was making an effort. His message is constant: stay determined, work hard, don't sit back believing you should get something for nothing. For me, the 'hitting-home' was when he described an incident with his birth mother after becoming a Baltimore Raven. He'd taken his siblings shopping for things they needed. She'd later found the items and sold them for money, and called him because she was furious he'd not taken her shopping. He owed her. This was the woman who'd left him and his siblings on their own for days at a time while she was on drugs, a woman who'd never cared about his academic progress. She'd been very willing to sign over responsibilities as a parent to someone else. She threatened Oher, "You've got to answer to God." His response was, "No, you've got to answer to God. I'm just trying to do right by his brothers." In reading, I got the feeling he felt sorry for her in a way. But if a person isn't willing to help themself, how can you help them?

Oher's final two chapters are aimed at particular people. The first group is young people who might be in a similar situation as he was. Using his life as an example, he gives excellent advice regarding the company you keep and the actions you make. The last chapter is for the rest of us, those who feel the need to reach out to vulnerable youth. It's mostly a list of organizations in different parts of the country.

There are many Michael Oher's in this country. Many get trapped in a life of poverty mixed with crime and drugs. Oher wants to show that another way is possible. If at least 10 lives can be changed by this book, then he has done well. Because that 10 will multiply with each generation. They'll learn the lessons that Oher has learned and wants to pass on: don't blame others for your circumstances, it's never too late to change your life, and if you want to succeed you can't just wait for a handout.(less)

like · see review

Aug 04, 2011 Gen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: anyone, people who have or had challenges to become successful, foster children

Recommended to Gen by: no one

Shelves: audio, books-made-into-a-movie, celebrities, christian-faith-based, sports

I felt that the author of this book had some big obstacles to overcome. This was an awesome book. I loved it all. I loved that he became successful, even though he went through so much. I'm grateful that someone thought enough of him to see his potential and try to help him meet his goals. There was definitely some sad events in this book. But, the story was told in the most positive way. I love that through all that Michael Oher overcame, he was not bitter. It made him more loving, trusting, be...more

like · see review

Feb 16, 2011 Ellen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, sports-football

I am reading this on my Sony Ereader. Downloaded from the library. I need to get back to the story.

I finished the book this morning. Yeah!
I Beat the Odds is a well written book. Michael tells about his life before he met up with the Tuohy's. He tells his story without portraying himself and his life as poor, poor pitiful me. He is honest, straightforward and forthcoming. He tells about his homelife, his siblings, his mother. Of course, it is different than the movie The Blind Side as Michael men...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 24, 2011 Giovanni Gelati rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The week is winding down and we are still blazing a hot trail here @ Gelati’s Scoop. We had a fun interview this morning with Laurie Bowler, the vampire/paranormal/romance author of Moon Rising, Across the City and many other novels. Please check our archives for the post we had on those novels. Non-fiction is not something I pick up too often, but when I see something inspirational like this, it just seems to jump into my hand. Have you seen the movie, ”The Blind Side”? Yeah, this is the guy. H...more The week is winding down and we are still blazing a hot trail here @ Gelati’s Scoop. We had a fun interview this morning with Laurie Bowler, the vampire/paranormal/romance author of Moon Rising, Across the City and many other novels. Please check our archives for the post we had on those novels. Non-fiction is not something I pick up too often, but when I see something inspirational like this, it just seems to jump into my hand. Have you seen the movie, ”The Blind Side”? Yeah, this is the guy. Here is what is between the covers:
“The football star made famous in the hit film The Blind Side reflects on how far he has come from the circumstances of his youth.
Michael Oher is the young man at the center of the true story depicted in The Blind Side movie (and book) that swept up awards and accolades. Though the odds were heavily stacked against him, Michael had a burning desire deep within his soul to break out of the Memphis inner-city ghetto and into a world of opportunity. While many people are now familiar with Oher's amazing journey, this is the first time he shares his account of his story in his own words, revealing his thoughts and feelings with details that only he knows, and offering his point of view on how anyone can achieve a better life.
Looking back on how he went from being a homeless child in Memphis to playing in the NFL, Michael talks about the goals he had for himself in order to break out of the cycle of poverty, addiction, and hopelessness that trapped his family for so long. He recounts poignant stories growing up in the projects and running from child services and foster care over and over again in search of some familiarity. Eventually he grasped onto football as his ticket out of the madness and worked hard to make his dream into a reality. But Oher also knew he would not be successful alone. With his adoptive family, the Touhys, and other influential people in mind, he describes the absolute necessity of seeking out positive role models and good friends who share the same values to achieve one's dreams.
Sharing untold stories of heartache, determination, courage, and love, I Beat the Odds is an incredibly rousing tale of one young man's quest to achieve the American dream.”
Having something like this in my hands on occasion definitely gives me a sense of thanks and appreciation for what I have in my life. To read what this young man had gone through in his life, to have survived it, and come out on the other side and thrived is nothing short of miraculous. In my opinion there are not too many people that couldn’t benefit from reading this, it is just one of those books. When I watched the movie and saw him stare at the bed they had for him, and the smile on his face, it really hit me. The things I take for granted on a daily basis, check that, on a minute and hourly basis, this kid had to dream about, to wonder if he was ever going to have them or it. This totally blew me away.
Don’t deny yourself the read. Gaining a deeper appreciation for those around you and the things that you think are important are worth exploring. The life and times of Michael Oher is an amazing real life story that is not just compelling but is something that just about everyone can take something from and use it in their everyday life.
What are you reading today? Have you checked out our new blogtalk radio show The G-ZONE? Check us out and become our friend on Shelfari, The Novel Spot &Twitter. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Amazon Banner on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com

(less)

like · see review

May 15, 2013 Karen McCready rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: lorax-books

After watching the movie The Blind Side, I read this book to learn more about Michael Oher. What a great person. While his book shows the movie took certain liberties with this truth, his book also shows that the movie captured what an upstanding person he's always been & that he really just needed some positive adults to come into his life & commit to him. I also liked that he didn't lay all the blame for his lacking upbringing on the social services' system. He definitely pays more hom...more

like · see review

Jul 19, 2012 Karen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: biography, read-as-e-book

Anyone who liked the movie "The Blind Side" should read this account of the story of Michael Oher in his own words. The movie depicted him as rather slow in school, and made it seem like the Tuohys snatched him from a life of certain failure. In fact, although he was very behind in school, he had already been working for years on trying to get ahead and get out of the ghetto, and the Tuouhys were not the first family to give him a helping hand. He was hard-working and determined, and even withou...more

like · see review

Feb 18, 2011 Gina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook, memoir, read-in-2011

I read Michael Lewis' novel "The Blindside: Evolution of a Game a few weeks ago and while I loved the story of Michael Oher the intricate sports/strategy portion of the book left me bored and wanting more about the life of Michael Oher. Now that I have read Michael Oher's personal account I can safely say that THIS is what The Blindside should have been. Michael Lewis's account painted Michael as a dumb teenager that everyone had to poke and prod and help along to get him into the NFL. That coul...more

3 likes · like · see review

May 07, 2013 6andrew rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I Beat the Odds by Michael Oher tells the unprecedented and inspiring story of the author, Michael Oher. His life started in the projects (slums) of Memphis, Tennessee. His mother was a crack addict and neglected Michael and his siblings; as a result, he, along with his siblings were put in foster care. Michael had a dream of going to a small college and playing football. He found a family who was willing to put all of their energy into helping him achieve his dreams. After much dedication and h...more

like · see review

Oct 30, 2011 Curtis rated it 5 of 5 stars

Curtis Powell
Mrs. Romaniuk and Mr. Moyer
Book Review #2
30 October 2011
I beat the odds
By, Michael Oher
The book I beat the odds is about a man named Michael Oher. The genre of this book is an autobiography. He grew up in the projects of Hurt Village in Memphis Tennessee. He wants to break out of the ghetto, and have a better life for himself and his siblings. Michael and his friends grew up playing football on a blacktop in the projects of Hurt Village.

Michael lived in a really bad neiborhood, w...more Curtis Powell
Mrs. Romaniuk and Mr. Moyer
Book Review #2
30 October 2011
I beat the odds
By, Michael Oher
The book I beat the odds is about a man named Michael Oher. The genre of this book is an autobiography. He grew up in the projects of Hurt Village in Memphis Tennessee. He wants to break out of the ghetto, and have a better life for himself and his siblings. Michael and his friends grew up playing football on a blacktop in the projects of Hurt Village.

Michael lived in a really bad neiborhood, with gangs, fights, and people doing drugs in the projects of Hurt Village in Memphis Tennessee. Some of the violent that happened in the projects of Memphis Tennessee was when there was an all-out shootout going on in the middle of the neiborhood.’’ I was scared for my own physical safety I ever was as a kid was when I was eleven years old, and the gangs had an all- out shootout in the middle of the neiborhood’’.( Page 6) Michael ran into the nearest house, to try to stayed protected from the shootout that was going on outside. When the welfare check arrived in the begging of the month, Michael Oher’s mothers spend that money on drugs. Then she would be gone for days, leaving Michael and his siblings had to provide for themselves until there mother got back. Then when this happened Michael and his siblings would go over a friend’s house for dinner, and then they would just stay the night. The next day they all would go over to their house to see if their mother was back, and if she was not back, they would find somewhere to get food and a place to sleep for the night until their mother was back.

I think this book is a really good book. It shows how a man from the projects in Memphis Tennessee did not live a perfect life. It was a struggle for him as a kid. It was tuff growing up in Hurt Village in the projects of Memphis Tennessee. But he was able to have people in his life that pushed him to succeed not only in school, but in life too. This book is a great book for people who like autobiographies because it shows how a boy who lived in the projects was able to pursue his dream which was to go to the NFL and play football.

This book is a really interesting book for anybody who likes autobiopagrapies, or just wants a good book to read. It talks about how Michael Oher’s childhood growing up was not the best. But he was able to get trough it. He wanted to succeed in school and in life, so he had people in his life that wanted to help him succeed in school and in life. This book is a really good book, and I think that people who have not read this book should try to read this book. Because it’s a really god book.
(less)

like · see review

May 03, 2011 Geraldine rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

"The odds are stacked against kids with rough home lives. In the inner city, fewer than half of us graduate high school. Of those who drop out, about three-fourths are chronically unemployed, and by their midthirties, 60 percent have spent time in prison. Things look just as bad for young women. Only about one-third of all teenage mothers graduate high school and 80 percent end up on welfare. Teenage pregnancies are highest in inner-city areas, but it not just an urban problem.

"The odds are stac...more

like · see review

May 31, 2011 Stephen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is the book for all those fans of Michael Oher and the movie, 'The Blind Side '. Michael's autobiography fills in the story that we loved in the movie. It is the story of his childhood in Memphis. The story of all his siblings and his drug addict mother. It is the story of how he and his brothers stayed ahead of the welfare agencies that wanted to place them in foster care. But from the age of 8, Michael knew he had the dream and the strength to overcome his childhood. Luckily, he had a cou...more

like · see review

Jun 29, 2011 Nancy Bielski rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction

This was a very inspiring story. Michael Oher's message is to be determined and make something or yourself in spite of what might be stacked up against you. He was portrayed as a passive, somewhat dumb kid in the movie, and he seeks to set the record straight: that he was always determined to be better than what was expected of him. He did have a lot of help from people, but he ultimately put himself on that path. If only there were more people like Michael Oher to help lost kids who have resign...more

like · see review

Feb 10, 2013 Gypsy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: biography, favorites

Where do I even begin? I really love this book, I have not read The Blind Side nor have I seen the movie made from it. But I have heard enough about the movie that I was happy to learn that Michael Oher wrote this book so we can read about his experiences without all the 'artistic licenses'. I understand his coping mechanism of "Selective Amnesia" very well, going through life and block out the bad things in the past in order to move on toward a better future. It's amazing to me that Michael Ohe...more

like · see review

Jan 21, 2013 Nick Sch rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I Beat The Odds: From Homelessness To The Blind Side and Beyond by Michael Oher with Don Yaeger is a biography of a child growing up in the inner city ghetto of Memphis that has a dream and strong desire to change that lifestyle to achieve the American dream of being a successful young man in society. Michael Oher’s childhood revolved around a way of life which included poverty, addiction, dysfunction and hopelessness that often made him part of the social services system. Although Michael’s sit...more I Beat The Odds: From Homelessness To The Blind Side and Beyond by Michael Oher with Don Yaeger is a biography of a child growing up in the inner city ghetto of Memphis that has a dream and strong desire to change that lifestyle to achieve the American dream of being a successful young man in society. Michael Oher’s childhood revolved around a way of life which included poverty, addiction, dysfunction and hopelessness that often made him part of the social services system. Although Michael’s situation often looked bleak to the outside world, he held onto his positive attitude and desires to achieve his dreams to ultimately become a successful NFL offensive tackle.

The book is written in a very matter of fact style which makes the story very compelling and a good read. There is no sugar coating of facts and recollections of Michael’s childhood are told openly. The accounts are sometimes very moving to the reader as they are told with honesty and feeling in a way that only a child can recount. The book is not about a child becoming a football player but instead about “being positive and belief in a dream” (15). This theme carries through the book as Michael never sees himself as a victim of the system or in a dysfunctional situation. Instead he sees the challenges of his situation to be an opportunity to learn. An example of one of these challenges is found in a recollection that Michael gives of learning his first “play book”. He tells the story of how his oldest brother, Marcus, came up with a plan for how the children would scatter when social workers arrived at their home and wanted to place all the children in foster care. When the time came and the social workers arrived at his home the plan was put into action, often very successfully at first but in the end the social workers got their way.

Although, as a child Michael viewed the social workers as the enemy it wasn’t until he was a successful NFL player when he met one of his first social workers, Ms. Spivey, and saw the other side of the story. He goes on to tell how the social workers had insights that tried to maintain some semblance of normal family life. What may have seemed senseless to Michael as a child, he now saw the advantage it gave him and praises the structure, routine and discipline it provided in his life. “Loving homes that offer support and encouragement are so important because they can help reprogram what the child views as normal and okay.” (120)

Michael also spends a great deal of time in the book discussing how to achieve a positive outcome. Michael states “while you are coping with any negative influences in your family or from your friends, you should always be keeping your eyes open for positive influences.” (138) Finding mentors wherever you can and letting them into your life to ultimately be a part of your family. This was the situation when the Tuohy family took an interest in Michael’s life and helped him grow into everything he could be. The Tuohy’s developed from mentors to ultimately Michael’s new family which gave him the gift of wisdom whose value he could not measure.

Throughout the book Michael also stresses that he does not want his situation to be unique. Michael tells about the necessity of seeking out positive role models and friends who share the same values to achieve one’s dreams. His message and hope rings true in the last chapter of the book where Michael states “I want to provide a voice for the other half-million children in the foster care system who are silently crying out for help.” (178) Along with Michael’s “voice” he hopes that his vision will encourage ordinary people to get involved with disadvantaged children. He believes if there are caring teachers and mentors along with a strong family foundation and a supportive community anyone can achieve success if they desire it.
(less)

like · see review

Apr 28, 2011 Jason rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: library

Best word I can use to describe this book is simple. It seems to be written for a younger reader. It covers a lot of the time period before the book and movie The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game started covering the Michael Oher story. Then once he gets to that time period things move fast in the book and its more about how he was feeling and what was actually going through his head. He makes corrections to the movie and the book that was written about him. Like setting the record straight. I fo...more

like · see review

Aug 15, 2012 Ashley rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: memoir

3.5 stars. Much more personal than The Blind Side. Michael Oher's story relays his journey from a childhood with a drug-addicted Mom, being shuffled by the foster care system and floundering in his early teens, to eventually winding up with more stable friends who lead him to better schooling and better opportunities, then culminating in a successful college and professional football career. He seems eager to correct some inaccurate characterizations of himself from the other book and movie, mos...more

like · see review

Dec 30, 2011 Lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really liked this book. Michael Oher is even more amazing in real life than the guy depicted in the movie "The Blind Side" (which I also really liked). The whole time I kept thinking that he's only my brother's age, and yet he has already seen and experienced so many sad things. Kudos to him for choosing a life better than the one handed to him. I get a kick out of watching the Ravens play now because I understand more about #74 and the position he plays.

There are times throughout the book whe...more

like · see review

May 26, 2011 Leslie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

As a person with a deep love of adoption and as a hopeful future adoptive and foster mother, I loved the movie The Blind Side, so I jumped at the chance to read I Beat the Odds by Michael Oher. This memoir is an honest monologue about Oher's very difficult upbringing in the worst of Memphis ghettos and the foster care system. Oher is an incredible young man who is honest about is mistakes and shortcomings and always respectful of his mother and other who contributed to his fractured young life....more

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 99 100 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
I can't wait to read this!	7	15	Nov 01, 2012 05:25am

combine
Other Editions (7)

More editions...

Genres

Non Fiction

53 users

Biography

47 users

Sports And Games > Sports

35 users

Autobiography > Memoir

16 users

Biography > Autobiography

12 users

Inspirational

6 users

Biography Memoir

4 users

Adult

3 users

Young Adult > High School

3 users

Cultural > African American

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

Books by Michael Oher

I Beat the Odds: From Homelessness, to The Blind Side, and Beyond

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About I Beat the Odds: ...

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

Quotes from I Beat the Odds: From ...

“People like to talk about "Cinderella stories," but Cinderella didn't get her happy ending without lifting a finger. She had to show up at the ball, be charming and smooth, and win over the prince. Of course she had help along the way, but ultimately it was up to her to make the fairy-tale ending happen.” — 19 people liked it

“Don't ever allow yourself to feel trapped by your choices. Take a look at yourself. You are a unique person created for a specific purpose. Your gifts matter. Your story matters. Your dreams matter. You matter.” — 10 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: I Beat the Odds
avg rating	preview: I Beat the Odds Goodreads rating: 4.06 (1856 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10094265-i-beat-the-odds?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347513256l/10094265.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10094265-i-beat-the-odds?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]I Beat the Odds by Michael Oher[/url]

I Beat the Odds

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website