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Kicking Ass and Saving Souls: A True Story of a Life Over the Line
The story of a boy from Baltimore who evolves from a safecracking, jewel-heisting, deep-sea diving, ultimate-fighting, international playboy into a globetrotting humanitarian.
Stefan Templeton was born a child of extremes. The son of Ebba, an aristocratic Norwegian love child, and Roye, a militant African American philosopher, Stefan spent his early years shuffling betwee...more
Stefan Templeton was born a child of extremes. The son of Ebba, an aristocratic Norwegian love child, and Roye, a militant African American philosopher, Stefan spent his early years shuffling betwee...more
Hardcover, 272 pages
Published
July 21st 2011
by Penguin Press HC, The
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Told in a frenetic, almost stream of conciousness style, this is a biography of a fascinating man few people have ever heard of. The child of a Black American Vietnam vet and philosopher and a Norwegian aristocrat and new age healer, Stefan Templeton spent his childhood divided between the ghettos of Baltimore and the elite society of Europe. By the age of 17 he could speak four languages and had a black belt. Stefan's childhood friend, David Matthews tells the story of his incredible life in th...more
The synopsis above pretty much says it all. Kicking Ass and Saving Souls is a memoir of sorts, following Stefan's crazy and slightly unbelievable life. The twist is, that it is written from his friend, David Matthew's point of view, as he is being told the story. I guess that would make it more of a biography? Not certain, but it was categorized under memoir when I researched it so that is what I labeled it! Semantics, eh?
I can't even begin to express my feelings properly for this book. Stefan's...more
I can't even begin to express my feelings properly for this book. Stefan's...more
We all have choices in this life, many of them involving risk-taking and a determination in the moment of how much risk we're willing to take. Risk-taking tends to run on a bell curve with some falling on one end or another and most falling in the middle. I have always been a risk-taker. I have an aversion to the thought that I might get hit by a bus at any moment and my last thought would be, "Damn it, I wish I had ..." If there's one thing I've learned in my life it's that death can come quick...more
I would be lying if I said the story of Stefan Templeton didn’t grab me from the start. He is a human being just like the rest of us, but he has lived an extraordinary life. Things that the general population can only dream of were seen and done by Stefan by the time he became an adult. Deep sea diving, traveling over several continents, a run in with a member of the Yakuza, walking through crime ridden neighborhoods in the dead of night for an adrenaline fix as a teenager, and helping people in...more
I'm a sucker for a good memoir, and I know it might seem cliche, but Kicking Ass & Saving Souls literally has it all. A not always likable protagonist, living a double life between urban Baltimore and European splendor. Seriously, what's not to like?
Stefan Templeton became friends with the author in 1970's Baltimore. Baltimore is rough town even now, and from an early age Stefan realized that would have to carve out his own path in life, and what a life he's lived. When I read any memoir, I...more
Stefan Templeton became friends with the author in 1970's Baltimore. Baltimore is rough town even now, and from an early age Stefan realized that would have to carve out his own path in life, and what a life he's lived. When I read any memoir, I...more
Sorry. I skimmed, poked into various pages. Then couldn't find what I thought might be there and after the dippity-doo approach decided the book belonged back on the library shelf for another patron. I have too many unread and half-read books about Burma (Myanmar) calling me right now. Perhaps we need a "Gave Up" category.
I liked this story because it was true. What happens to Stephan is nearly unbelievable. I wanted to understand the main character a bit more, wanted more depth. He seemed a bit distant.
Insanity. I definitely recommend, but so we're clear, the title does not reference Christian missionaries of any sort.
3.5. erratic storyline but the anecdotes highlighted were humorous enough. told from a "dude" pov which was a little irritating sometimes.
Oct 26, 2011
Neil Mudde
added it
A very strange tale, it was not interesting to me at all, yet surprised that it was well like by others.
Great adventurous true story, I want to be his friend.
Short, easy to read, and interesting. Stefan had an early life full of experience. From living in Baltimore in a hard neighborhood, to swimming off the coast of Spain, Stefan lived a full life by the time he reached 15.
By the time Stefan reached 21, he had already touched most continents, either by helping disaster relief or running illicit gems.
If you've got a few days to burn and you want to read an interesting story about a guy who simply goes out and lives life, this could be your book.
By the time Stefan reached 21, he had already touched most continents, either by helping disaster relief or running illicit gems.
If you've got a few days to burn and you want to read an interesting story about a guy who simply goes out and lives life, this could be your book.
An amazing amount of ass kickery (in various forms) and NOTHING to do with religion!! Unfortunate title; great book.
Good book David.
Apr 19, 2013
Dsmither
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