What do you think?
Rate this book
The Road Back: A Journey of Grace and Grit
“THE ROAD BACK, A Journey of Grace and Grit,” is the story of Matt Miller, 20, a University of Virginia student and member of the college triathlon club.He and two classmates had just pedaled up a mountain pass. Matt was on top of the world in so many ways, in love, with dreams of attending medical school, so fit his resting pulse was 42! And then, as he cycled along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia, he fell, face first, into an oncoming Porsche at 40 miles an hour. He broke every bone in his face, suffered massive brain injury. The real story is not what happened, but what happened after. Vitez shares with readers the incredible, humbling, miraculous story of Matt’s survival and recovery --all the way back to medical school and an Ironman Triathlon. It is a story, truly, of grace and grit, as gripping as it is inspiring. Ride along!
Vitez first wrote about Matt for his newspaper, The Philadelphia Inquirer, in a three-part series. He received such an overwhelming response, and continued to watch Matt recover in the most astonishing ways that he decided to take a leave, immerse himself in Matt's life, and write this book. THE ROAD BACK is not only about a young man’s drive to reclaim his life, but about the the people who rode with him, rescued him, helped him heal, and saw up close his amazing comeback.
"My mission as a writer has always been to celebrate life, to lift the human spirit when I can. I tried to do that with this book," said Vitez, who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1997 for a series of stories about end of life care.
"One of the things I love best about this book," said Vitez, "is that this was a kid who had been given everything – an affluent and loving family, a sharp mind, terrific athleticism -- and he recognized he'd been given these gifts and felt a responsibility to make the most of them. And when adversity struck, he doubled down, drew from deep within himself, and grew even more determined to fulfill the promise of his life, to make the most of his gifts and this greatest gift, his second chance. In an age of greed and selfishness, especially among many of the wealthy and privileged, I think this is very affirming for readers."
"Also," Vitez added, "I have made it my mission as a writer to celebrate life, to look for the good in people, to inspire when I can. And I found so much goodness in this book. This story really is the Perfect Storm in reverse. Everything had to work perfectly for Matt Miller to have any chance of survival -- everything -- and it did! The emergency responders, the doctors and nurses, his family, the community all delivered flawlessly for Matt. We hear so much negativity in America today, much of it justified, but in this book America shines. I love the family history, showing where Matt got his grit and work ethic. I love his mother's humility and strength. I love the goodness of the people all around him, from the Harrises to the Vanguard crew to Mark Bernardino. This book is my canvas to paint my view of America, a true and remarkable story."
Even though Vitez has been a writer and journalist for over 30 years, and won a Pulitzer Prize, and authored a previous and very popular book, Rocky Stories, he received little interest from the major New York publishers. The publishing industry is even in worse shape, and going through more upheaval, than his own newspaper industry. So rather than go with a small, regional publisher, in which he knew from previous experience that he would have to do most of the marketing anyway, he decided to publish the book himself. Technology has changed so much, making this possible. He used CreateSpace, a print-on-demand publisher, to design and print the paperback, which is available at Amazon.com, and Vitez created e-book versions for Kindle, Nook and Ipad.
Vitez first wrote about Matt for his newspaper, The Philadelphia Inquirer, in a three-part series. He received such an overwhelming response, and continued to watch Matt recover in the most astonishing ways that he decided to take a leave, immerse himself in Matt's life, and write this book. THE ROAD BACK is not only about a young man’s drive to reclaim his life, but about the the people who rode with him, rescued him, helped him heal, and saw up close his amazing comeback.
"My mission as a writer has always been to celebrate life, to lift the human spirit when I can. I tried to do that with this book," said Vitez, who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1997 for a series of stories about end of life care.
"One of the things I love best about this book," said Vitez, "is that this was a kid who had been given everything – an affluent and loving family, a sharp mind, terrific athleticism -- and he recognized he'd been given these gifts and felt a responsibility to make the most of them. And when adversity struck, he doubled down, drew from deep within himself, and grew even more determined to fulfill the promise of his life, to make the most of his gifts and this greatest gift, his second chance. In an age of greed and selfishness, especially among many of the wealthy and privileged, I think this is very affirming for readers."
"Also," Vitez added, "I have made it my mission as a writer to celebrate life, to look for the good in people, to inspire when I can. And I found so much goodness in this book. This story really is the Perfect Storm in reverse. Everything had to work perfectly for Matt Miller to have any chance of survival -- everything -- and it did! The emergency responders, the doctors and nurses, his family, the community all delivered flawlessly for Matt. We hear so much negativity in America today, much of it justified, but in this book America shines. I love the family history, showing where Matt got his grit and work ethic. I love his mother's humility and strength. I love the goodness of the people all around him, from the Harrises to the Vanguard crew to Mark Bernardino. This book is my canvas to paint my view of America, a true and remarkable story."
Even though Vitez has been a writer and journalist for over 30 years, and won a Pulitzer Prize, and authored a previous and very popular book, Rocky Stories, he received little interest from the major New York publishers. The publishing industry is even in worse shape, and going through more upheaval, than his own newspaper industry. So rather than go with a small, regional publisher, in which he knew from previous experience that he would have to do most of the marketing anyway, he decided to publish the book himself. Technology has changed so much, making this possible. He used CreateSpace, a print-on-demand publisher, to design and print the paperback, which is available at Amazon.com, and Vitez created e-book versions for Kindle, Nook and Ipad.
213 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 29, 2012
17 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
Michael Vitez
7 books1 followerMichael Vitez is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author whose work celebrates resilience, dignity, and the extraordinary within the everyday. For three decades, he wrote human-interest stories for The Philadelphia Inquirer, including a landmark series on end-of-life care that earned him the Pulitzer Prize in Explanatory Journalism in 1997. He is the author of several books, among them Final Choices, Rocky Stories, The Road Back, and Great Americans. Today, he directs the Narrative Medicine program at Temple University's Lewis Katz School of Medicine, helping future doctors understand the power of storytelling in healthcare.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 10, 2022
At times, this book was very difficult to read, as I found the descriptions of the horrific accident in which Matthew Miller was involved too detailed for me. But Matthew Miller's long battle to good health, the completion of his education, and a normal life are very compelling and truly inspirational. The support of his loving family is also heart warming and touching. I'm not sure this book is for everyone, but I am glad that I read it.
September 2, 2021
Great story
I recommend this book. I like the writing style. I love the ending. All good.I could not lay it down.
I recommend this book. I like the writing style. I love the ending. All good.I could not lay it down.
May 28, 2023
A book of inspiration for any involved in a terrible accident. Michael Vitez wrote a great story of heartbreak, hope and the power of setting goals. A well written book!
October 25, 2012
I too am an Ironman triathlete, but am not nearly as good, determined or as driven as Matt Miller! I am pretty driven (especially given the fact that I have done 3 Ironman's and am in training for my 4th)... but this guy is in a completely different realm when it comes to self discipline. Absolutely amazing. The first thing I did this morning was run 5-miles at 5:30am. If Matt can do it while going to medical school, I sure in the hell can do it too - and I just have an office to go to every day!
Okay - don't read this book for an absolutely brilliant writing style, and the flowing sentence structure, or the abstract words to create a beautiful picture... you will not find that here. However, you will find a mind blowing story! Matt Miller's recovery & story is truly unbelievable. You will shake your head, cry, smile, and be completely inspired by him. It is a must read for anyone - he can & will touch so many people in so many different ways.
Very happy I found this book - thank you Michael Vitez!!
Okay - don't read this book for an absolutely brilliant writing style, and the flowing sentence structure, or the abstract words to create a beautiful picture... you will not find that here. However, you will find a mind blowing story! Matt Miller's recovery & story is truly unbelievable. You will shake your head, cry, smile, and be completely inspired by him. It is a must read for anyone - he can & will touch so many people in so many different ways.
Very happy I found this book - thank you Michael Vitez!!
October 19, 2012
This book is the true story of Matt Miller, a University of Virginia student who was severely injured when being struck by a car during a bike ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The injuries he sustained to his head were so severe the doctors did not expect him to make it, but instead Matt defied the odds to an incredible degree recovering at an incredible pace and going on to attend medical school and run a triathalon. It's truly an incredible story of an amazing young man. I'm not sure it was something I needed to read an entire book about though. The book was written by a reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer, who profiled Matt in the paper. I imagine I would have gotten just as much out of the newspaper profile as I did from the book. Not that I'm dissuading anyone from reading the book because it is an impressive story.
September 30, 2013
This story is absolutely amazing. I've never heard/read anything as amzing as this. Mathew Miller is a triathlete who collided head-on with a car. He's lucky to be living today. Matt is a very good friend of my uncle. Also, Matt's swim coach, Bernadino, was my swim coach when I went to Virginia for camp. He is a very sweet guy. Mathew Miller is a fantastic guy. Very sweet, and has a brave heart. It was an absolute miracle to have the doctor save his life on the road at the scene. It's an amazing book. Just fantastic. I strongly suggest that you read this story. Matt is one os my close family friends and I'd like to have you know about his accident. God bless you Matt<3
June 17, 2012
Interesting read about a UVa student who was in a horrible bicycle accident on the Blue Ridge Parkway a few years ago. I'm local to the area where the accident happened, and know, at least by name, many of the people involved. I had heard some of the details previously, and enjoyed the opportunity to hear the full story of this exceptional young man.
September 11, 2012
The story itself propels the book. I had read the series in the Philly Inquirer years ago and was encouraged to read the book. Such an incredible man - we should all aspire to have such courage and determination.
August 27, 2012
Fascinating book about Matt Miller's road to recovery after sustaining horrific injuries while biking! Loved it!
October 13, 2012
I am on Chapter 5 and it is riveting, miraculous, courageous, and not a book I will stop reading. I will finish this tonight!
January 19, 2013
A very interesting and well-written story. What Matt Miller had to overcome was incredible. Good, quick read.
November 25, 2012
Well written story of an unbelievable comeback - great story. Must read for road-bikers and triathletes - just don't let your better half read it or you might not be allowed back on the bike!
December 29, 2012
Hope this never happens to me or any of my friends and family...however, if it ever does, I hope to have the same attitude and results! Inspiring.
January 16, 2013
Best book I've read in a long time. Well written and a compelling story, it flows quickly, focussing on the recovery and indomitable spirit, rather than the accident and the injuries.
December 28, 2023
Good story. Quick read. Remarkable recovery. Could have been a little more in-depth.
July 12, 2021
Well told story of grit perseverance and luck. It made me really stop to think about what you don’t realize that some people are going through outside of work.
August 30, 2012
Stunning!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews