Relentless: How a Massive Stroke Changed My Life for the Better

by Ted W. Baxter

An Incredible Journey of Determination and Recovery

In 2005, Ted W. Baxter was at the top of his game. He was a successful, globe-trotting businessman with a resume that would impress the best of the best. In peak physical condition, Ted worked out nearly every day of the week. And then, on April 15, 2005, all that came to an end. He had a massive ischemic stroke. Doctors feared he wouldn’t make it.

But that’s not what happened . . .

In Relentless, Ted W. Baxter describes his remarkable recovery from a massive stroke. He’s walking again. He’s talking again. He moves through life almost as easily as he did before the stroke, only now, his life is better. He’s learned that having a successful career is maybe not the most important thing. He’s learned to appreciate life more and that he wants to help people, and that’s what he does. He gives back.

​Readers of Relentless will be inspired by Ted’s incredible journey of determination and recovery. This is a wonderful resource for stroke survivors, caregivers, and their loved ones, but it is also an inspiring and motivating read for anyone who is facing struggles in their own life

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Ebooks, Biography, Medical

237 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 24, 2018

Reviews

[KLH · Rating 2 out of 5]

(contains spoilers)

I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway and found it to be a very quick read. The writing is clear and concise, and the book is very informative on the topic of strokes, aphasia in particular. However, I was still pretty disappointed.

Baxter's experience should make for an excellent memoir, but it is devoid of any real emotional punches. Sometimes I got the feeling that he has trouble opening up, and that's fine and understandable even for someone who hasn't suffered a traumatic event like a stroke, but it's simply not an acceptable quality in the author of a memoir.

Furthermore, there are some odd creative choices in the structure of the book. For example, there are multiple narrators for seemingly no reason. They all sound pretty much the same, and like Baxter, they don't really open up. I was very curious about Kelly, but all of the interesting things we learn about her come from Baxter. Kelly gave up her job and life in the US to follow a man who prioritized work over her, she lived a lonely life in his shadow till they moved back to the US, by then their marriage was faltering, and they were discussing both divorce and children, and then he had a stroke and she became his caretaker, all the while going to grad school. She was married to a man who almost died, and when he woke up he didn't know her, yet he lit up when his co-workers visited him because he clearly recognized them. How did all of this feel? We'll never know because she doesn't tell us, and while it's true that it's not Kelly's story, I have to wonder why she is a narrator at all if she offers no insight beyond her initial fear and confusion. After that she simply states things that Baxter did, often right before or after he makes the same statement.

Several other narrators are included as well, mostly Baxter's family members, and they offer nothing at all. Why do we need a paragraph from his sister saying he worked too much? Why do we need to hear from his brother that he's more fun now than he was before his stroke? I would rather learn how he got there emotionally and why.

I wanted to be cheering over the epilogue, but by that point the narration felt so disconnected from emotion that I just didn't care beyond a basic human level (I'm not a monster!) It was basically just like "by the way I started dating this woman, and here's how I proposed to her. Now we're married." I just finished the book, and I don't remember her name. That could be fine, but it felt like there was supposed to be an emotional payoff there since he told the proposal story.

It's also important to note that Baxter was able to afford a lot of help and was lucky to have a strong support system of family and friends. His determination is still inspiring, of course. If nothing else, we can take away from his story that strokes are extremely difficult to overcome even in the best of circumstances (he was also physically healthy and active). I do like that there is an outline at the end of what worked in his recovery. That could be helpful for the people without the same resources.

The q and a at the back was pretty informative too, but it shouldn't have been necessary as the questions should have been answered in the book. I was kind of surprised to learn in that section that there was a ghostwriter involved. Not that the writing is bad. I just wonder if the ghostwriter was a doctor or someone very procedural.

[Elijah Levy · Rating 2 out of 5]

you sound like a prick but like sorry that happened i guess

[Cookie M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.

I have to admit, I would not liked the author if I had met him before his stroke. He was hyper-competitive, totally focused on his work and working out.
After he had a massive stroke, which should have left him a totally disabled person, these very traits I did not like allowed him to push forward, challenge himself and his medical teams to make a remarkable recovery.
"Relentless" details the struggle. You are there with him ,his former wife Kelly, his family and his therapists as he becomes a new person. And yes, he does learn what really matters in life.

[Kiana · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about Ted Baxter who is a stroke survivor and discusses his life before and after the stroke. He experienced global aphasia as a result of his stroke and the dedication he took to his recovery was very remarkable.

Some things I struggle with in this story: He was a RICH, healthy, white, male.

The story is supposed to be an inspiration to other stroke survivors or those with disabilities but the resources available to him helped him recovery greatly. He was the sole provider for his family and after the stroke his wife was able to not only be one of his sole caretakers but she was also a college student making no money. They were able to move cities with no hesitation, had access to countless therapists (speech, psychologist, physical, etc), and was able to travel to other stroke treatment centers.

Now I’m not saying that Ted did not work his ass off to get to this result but it seems ignorant to not acknowledge these factors.

(also found out he and his wife are trump supporters??? they are actively taking away the right of disabled ppl so that’s just very gross and off putting you are actively voting against the ppl you help and yourself)

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

This aptly named memoir recounts the remarkable recovery of the author from a massive stroke at age 41. Uncertain initially if he would even survive, Ted Baxter demonstrated the same commitment to succeed in healing that he employed in his incredible business career prior to the event that changed his life — for the better, he contends. An important guide for stroke survivors and their caregivers, and for anyone who wants inspiration for living well in spite of life’s relentless obstacles.

Thanks to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group for the ARC. Opinions are mine.

#Relentless #NetGalley

[Huong · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's great that Ted had tremendous determination and support. I think a big part of his recovery is his strict exercise routine even before the stroke. His success however left me wonder if he would have recovered faster if his doctors were more determined, openminded and adaptive - in a sense that not all patients have to follow the same procedure; and if an average person would get access to such sophisticated medical care.
On a side note, Kelly is great. Their story is an example of peaceful divorce. As long as you start a marriage with respect and honesty it can transition to a beautiful friendship even if the marriage end.

[Abbey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of this memoir courtesy of Greenleaf Book Press via NetGalley.

Release Date: July 24, 2018

Publisher: Greenleaf Book Press

Genre: Memoir / Self-Help

Rating: 3 / 5


Storyline:

Ted Baxter was an extremely successful businessman when he suffered a massive stroke at a young age. This stroke occurred after a blood clot formed in his leg after a few days of long flights and managed to get to his brain through a small undiagnosed hole in his heart. Such an event could knock someone down for good, but Ted tackled the challenge head on and this is story of recovery from stroke and resulting aphasia.

The Good:

Ted is incredibly hard working and determined in everything he does. Nothing he does is halfway and his stroke recovery is no different. His story is inspiring and does a great job explaining what aphasia is and how he fights for recovery from it. He has been extensively re-training his brain for many years, a process I found amazing, but also seemed exhausting just reading about it! This story is fascinating and empowering, definitely puts a new outlook on what it means to live with aphasia and life after a stroke.

The Bad:

I was expecting the author to touch slightly on how he managed to cover paying for all of the extra therapies he received without working. From his high-end business career, I’d assume he had quite a bit of money reserved, but such therapies might not necessarily be available to everyone of all classes. As someone with a chronic illness myself, I know insurance does not cover every therapy, regardless of need and that hospital bills are large even with insurance. Without question, his hard work is what has helped him succeed, but I would have liked him to at least mention how the therapies were paid for and how others without his luxuries could go about obtaining similar results. I know most people don’t want to talk money in a book, but those with health conditions know that, unfortunately, it is a huge barrier to adequate treatment.

Bottom Line:

A great, quick read that had me inspired to work harder on the little things in my own OT and PT.

[Deborah Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a lot of mixed emotions on this book! The first half of the book was slow, and a bit confusing with all the changed viewpoints. The second half of the book really kept my attention! I suffered an ischemic stroke eight months ago and so part of me felt anger while reading this book, as the doctors can't tell me what caused my stroke, so just like with my chronic migraines and host of other health issues it's all an "educated" guess. This made me angry as why do some stroke survivors get those answers? Not that I am happy that he knows his clot was from a clot in his leg and a PFO, but when we checked my heart to see if I had PFO, I did not. BUT BUT BUT...then reading about his severe aphasia and years and years of therapy and recovery efforts my emotions changed to gratitude, and realizing once again, I have nothing to complain about. Everything aligned when I had my stroke and as the saying goes, "time is brain." My life and recovery is good in comparison to most stroke survivors and most definitely in comparison to Ted's.

What I will say that I found to be very fascinating is because of Ted's exercise regimen prior to the stroke, he was able to get back into his workout routine quickly after the stroke and it made a huge difference. I was also told due to all the walking I do, that is one of the reasons I bounced back so quickly as well. More research needs to be done on this! I actually just pitched it to a professor I know who researches stroke so we shall see!

I also felt very inspired by his story and more so by his grit and determination. His story is truly amazing, and how he figured so much out on his own, and if he wasn't seeing improvements, he made adjustments constantly until he did see improvements! I tell everyone I can, life can change on a dime, mine sure did! Live each day to the fullest and stop and smell the roses! Although it took Ted a massive stroke and years of recovery to be able to do this, he now does, and I have to say I am a sucker for happy endings. I am glad this story had a few of them! <3

[Firebug · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book via a Goodreads giveaway.

I really like this book. It has certain problems, however, every memoir does. What surprised me most, is that Ted's experience is very relevant even beyond the circle of people who experienced a stroke that resulted in aphasia. I think that a lot of people moving to another language-speaking country face the same difficulties (especially if that process is exacerbated by social anxiety). Before the stroke, Ted seemed to be an ambitious, top-of-the-heap person, so I can only imagine how devastating it was for him to regress so much in his abilities to interact with the world. So I have only a deep sense of respect for him for not falling into depths of depression (which I would have done, inevitably), but instead making such great progress in recovery. The title of the book and the cover illustration are exactly spot on.

Having said that, from me the book still got 4 stars. I enjoyed it, but was not engrossed by it. The writing is indeed dry, and some ideas are repeated over and over again. A big plus is that the author actually shared all the milestones of his recovery and plans he made for himself at the end of the book. While I can't really put my finger on it, I feel like the composition of the book itself and of some of the chapters is a bit off. However, I recognize this is tremendous for a person who re-learned the language from scratch.

I also wanted to notice quickly that I find criticism of this book around the financial part of Mr. Baxter's recovery not at all well-grounded. The author told us he was really successful in his career before the stroke, which leads us to believe he worked really hard to give himself the quality of life he has now. He tells his own story, and if financial well-being is a part of it, so be it. He does not need to apologize for this, nor does he need to alter his story to cater to different society levels. This is a memoir, after all.

[Lexxi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book but I had so much trouble connecting with the author. He was very clinical with the story and I didn't feel much emotion or connection with him. It felt like reading a technical guide rather than an inspirational story of his recovery. Though the book is short, I really had to drag myself through it and finally switched to skimming at about 60%.

The book also switched to other characters narrating and it also felt very clinical and detached. It felt awkward and especially after the author was released from the hospital, it seemed unnecessary.

It was clear how hard the author and his family worked and I wanted to like it, but it came up short.

[Kaytlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This memoir is perfect for anyone wanting to learn more about what it is like to have a stroke, aphasia in particular. The writing style, though clean, is very bland, offering little more than a direct summary devoid of emotional input. Also, while I can appreciate the choice to have multiple narrators, the voices all sound the same. Part One of the book reminded me of a promotional piece from a doctor's office or a drug rep. The book seemed to be less of a memoir and more of a play by play of what a stroke and its impact on an individual and their family.

[Jason Hillenburg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ted Baxter's "Relentless: How a Massive Stroke Changed My Life for the Better" is a rare book in the world of non-fiction. It is an oral history documenting the immediate prelude to a cataclysmic stroke afflicting Baxter, the aftermath, and his improbable road back from the stroke. Some reviews and reviewers can and will trot out the expected platitudes about how this book is a stirring testament to the human spirit and there is a clanging ring of truth to such claims. One of the qualities striking me, however, after an initial reading of the book is that it is a gripping drama told in an unusual way. This oral history of Baxter's life pre and post stroke is told through a myriad of voices – medical professionals, Baxter’s wife, family, and friends chime in with their recollections and impressions of the events surrounding Baxter’s life before and after this medical emergency. It is compelling stuff. "Relentless..." grabs readers with the captivating power of thrilling fiction and the reality of its story makes it all the more dramatic.

AUTHOR WEBPAGE: https://www.tedwbaxter.com/

I appreciate how the book avoids sentimentalizing the story. It should be and is an inspirational tale, but the book disabuses you early on that it has any sort of cookie cutter trajectory when it makes it clear the events depicted therein may not be literally factual, particularly Baxter’s own memories given his physical condition, but rather how different individuals remember things. This has the effect of further humanizing the narrative in a plausible way. The pathos in this book are honest; there’s no flirtation with bathos.

The book is driven by Baxter’s desire to convey to others that overcoming any obstacle is possible given that you have the motivation and passion to do so. He has put himself out there carrying this message to people as a speaker and the book is an extension of that mission. It isn’t just Baxter ballyhooing his accomplishments; numerous medical professionals testify about Baxter’s determination to recover and how he has surmounted conventional medical wisdom at every turn. Make no mistake that a certain amount of Baxter’s story is attributable to capricious blind good luck. Many others who face a stroke are not as fortunate as Baxter and there’s a strong sense of gratitude laced throughout the book’s pages.

AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/Relentless-Mas...

There’s a strong consistency to the book despite the assortment of voices fueling its story. They hit upon common themes throughout the text and, even if they remember things in a different light at various points, they nevertheless coalesce into an unified whole that holds up under repeated readings. This isn’t a book you’ll read once and dispense with - you can return to it as both a bracing story and an inspirational tale without feeling wearied by the text. Ted Baxter’s "Relentless: How a Massive Stroke Changed My Life for the Better" is more than just a feel good story; among other things, It’s a lesson about meeting life head on and bending it to your will. Baxter’s story is powerful and inspiring without ever seeming cheap.

[Jude · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a insightful read into the gruelling process a stroke survivor needs to undertake to overcome aphasia, loss of movement, and other debilitating symptoms.

Unfortunately, while the detail can be very helpful to other stroke survivors and caretakers, the story itself is really dull. There’s a lot of unnecessary description. For example, I don’t know why I need to know Ted asked the air stewardess for a pillow before he continued speaking to his wife, or that his hotel didn’t offer coffee in the lobby. It’s very distracting.

Having multiple narrators is a really odd thing, given that they all sound the same and say the same thing. Ted’s very driven, very determined, etc. Not sure how including their perspective adds anything to our understanding of stroke recovery or Ted himself.

Honestly after reading through the first half and skimming over the second, I feel sad for Kelly, his ex-wife. From the start of their relationship, she was never given the space to make her own decisions, and was forced to move wherever Ted’s career took him. I was pretty darn pissed when Ted was angry that she arranged for a psychiatrist for him, because he figured that should be his own decision to make. And then he got angry when she went to consult a marriage counsellor without him - even though he kept doing things his own way THE WHOLE TIME? Like renting an effing Hertz and not letting anyone know when you barely recovered? Oh come on Ted.

Also, I can’t help but notice how the average American won’t even be able to afford the variety of treatment options available to Ted. He could choose from many university programmes, and had the money to move from state to state for the sake of pursuing those programmes. And his boss could send for a private jet to get his family to the hospital when he had a stroke, and immediately secure the services of a good doctor for Ted.

I mean of course all this doesn’t diminish his tenacity, but we mustn’t forget that the resources he had definitely played a huge part in his amazing recovery.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Straightforward and informative, Mr. Baxter portrays his recovery for years following his stroke. He captures the frustrations well, and he admits to the times of seeming helplessness. He doesn't give up, however, even when frustrations set in. Chapters that focus on his earlier life helped us readers recognize the whole person that was fortunate in surviving a massive stroke; his formative self would then need to apply strengths and qualities in hard work, much more hard work than luck as we come to learn in the ongoing story. Each chapter that focuses on his healing presents his progressive experiences, both hopefully ("relentlessly") positive and painfully negative. As a survivor myself, I appreciated his frank descriptions of both challenges and victories. He also was honest about the risks he took, often to others' consternation (part of his earlier, formative life had involved huge risks and rewards to equal them). Simply, I admire that he took on his healing with persistent and -- again -- relentless energy; we all need to draw on these qualities in healing.

Another feature that I liked about this book is that multiple perspectives were given, and we often do not learn the perspectives, fears, and hopes of his wife as his primary caregiver, his family members, and his therapists (sometimes those people in overlapping roles). While I found that feature helpful, I wished it had been more consistent and better developed. Even with this observation, I found this to be a strong book, and I recommend it to others, especially those who are in the process of lifelong healing. // Added feature for Kindle readers. This was the first book I read on Kindle, and I found the highlighting and definition features to be accurate and encompassing. For the various medical references in this book, this was an extremely helpful feature for me.

[Sondra Brooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose to read "Relentless" based on the belief that it was a memoir, but after finishing the book I felt I knew very little about the author, Ted W. Baxter. He and his wife provide information on a long string of events, but the reader is rarely allowed to experience much of their emotions or private thoughts. I was not allowed to get to "know" these people, and I felt shortchanged.

After Ted Baxter suffered a stroke, we learn of his hospital treatment, his education and career up to that point, and a little about his wife. But even this knowledge left me with more questions than answers. I really wanted to know how the stroke affected them at the core, not just on such a surface level. Did the stroke cause him to lose his love for her? Did he fully know who she was? If so, when? Did he lose all sense of closeness and intimacy? Did she secretly resent the demands his illness placed on her and their relationship? Why did the author wait so long to reveal the pre-existing and developing strain on their marriage?

The frequent point-of-view changes were jarring, especially when several other family members' experiences of the event were sporadically inserted. There were times when a POV change would occur and I couldn't remember what relation the person was to the author.

The book will no doubt provide invaluable information for medical professionals, caregivers and/or family members dealing with stroke survivors. The author's options, choices, self-experimentation, setbacks, progress, etc. will provide a wealth of guidance. I do, however, hold the opinion that a more personal voice should have been adopted in telling the story of his illness and recovery.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is mostly excellent due to its value to those who have never dealt with the devastation a classic stroke may bring. However, let me give my impression of its negatives.
From early in his life to the present he seems to be the most self absorbed person I've encountered in a while. Driven, to be sure, especially in the aspects of body, money, and position.
While most people post stroke have judgment problems, I have real issues about his managing to rent a car and put countless others at serious risk.
I felt that he pretty much glossed over the value and judgment of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and I find it hard to accept that RIC backslid to the point of not emphasizing Music and Art Therapies, not to mention early days with Speech/Language Pathologists.
All of the hard work he did to organize comprehensive programs for aphasia should be loudly applauded.
Insofar as the marriage issues are concerned, when family members asked if the person was ever going to be the same; our answer was "Will you? "
Disclaimer: as an RN I have worked with stroke and TBI patients off and on for many years, including a number of years working in a small progressive facility in SE Wisconsin which serviced patients unacceptable to RIC.
Another disclaimer: I won an ebook copy in a Goodreads Giveaway. However, I then purchased the audiobook.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Power of Determination

I was very excited when I received this from a Goodreads Giveaway; I read the whole book including the author questions in a little under a day and a half!

Relentless is indeed the right adjective to describe Ted Baxter's incredible journey. Ted Baxter was a hard working man at the top of his "game" when a massive stroke derailed him from what his original life goals were. Through hard work and a never ending stream of conviction, Ted was able to overcome the obstacles that had been placed in his path.

I enjoyed reading about the steps Ted took to work his way back to living comfortably again. I also connected with his determination and his will power to not give up even when the obstacles seemed insurmountable. I was so glad at the end that Ted was able to build stronger relationships with his family and friends, and that these relationships were the foundation for his strength all along.

I wish the story was organized more linearly and I had read about his early life first and gotten to know Ted's background before being thrust into the main storyline, but I enjoyed the book thoroughly regardless.

Ted's story is a great reminder to everyone that you never know what lays around the corner in life, but whatever it is, if you work hard you can achieve the goals you set for yourself.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

After my husband suffered a stroke a few months ago, I have set out to learn more and read about other’s experiences post stroke.
While I felt like it was informative and educational; it was also very boring. The author seems to keep the readers at arms length-no emotional connection at all. It’s touted as a memoir, but reads more like a bad autobiography. Also, what was up with the chapter on his career? I honestly didn’t really care about how successful he was in big business.
3 stars I think is pretty generous here.
Multiple narrators makes it read kind of clunky-the extra narrators just reiterate what was already said.
The whole book also seemed a bit like he was bragging a lot about how amazing he is. While he was ultra successful in his career, and his recovery I’m sure is equally as amazing-I just wasn’t that impressed. This guy has access to recovery resources that likely an average person can’t even come close to affording. And while his determination is admirable, I don’t think it is extraordinary. Lots of people successfully recover from stroke (even massive ones) when given enough time and support.
Anyways, I came into this book really excited and lost it within about 10 pages. I’m not entirely sure why I stuck with it, but I did.

[Lori Shinkō Snyder · Rating 3 out of 5]

For all stroke memoirs, I most enjoy reading the experience of the person detailing their discovery of being in the midst of discovering their sudden loss of control and the confusion or awareness and subsequent discovery with the diagnosis of massive brain attack. This book is unique in that it also includes the perspectives of the family and friends and this area of the book is the strongest. Once this detailed experience is finished, the book gets a bit dry and relentless in conveying Mr. Baxter's determination to recover his body. There is some useful advice to stroke families in the variety of treatments he found, however he was very financially well off to afford these programs and not all TBI survivors can afford such luxuries, and not all patients have his focused determination.

I was able to meet Mr. Baxter at his SRALab (formerly RIC) book signing event and he is doing quiet well - you could not tell of any residual deficiencies. He then went to the Aphasia Support Group and they benefited from his participation in the group.

[Amelia.S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ted W. Baxter’s Relentless: How a Massive Stroke Changed My Life for the Better is an extraordinary story of resilience, determination, and transformation. Baxter’s candid and heartfelt account of recovering from a massive ischemic stroke offers both inspiration and practical guidance for stroke survivors, caregivers, and anyone facing significant life challenges.

What makes this work particularly compelling is Baxter’s honest reflection on the redefinition of success and priorities. Beyond the medical and physical journey, he explores emotional and philosophical growth, showing how adversity can catalyze a deeper appreciation for life, meaningful relationships, and giving back to others.

Relentless is a powerful reminder that recovery is not just about regaining what was lost, but about building a richer, more purposeful life. It’s a story that motivates, educates, and uplifts resonating with readers from all walks of life who seek courage, hope, and the relentless pursuit of personal transformation.

[Kayla Tornello · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book shares the author's experience of having a stroke and then having to work for years overcoming the physical and mental effects. It was interesting to learn how a stroke feels from someone who actually experienced one. I also learned a lot about aphasia. However, the writing just wasn't that exciting. It changed viewpoints sometimes, but in a confusing manner. I was also left wondering how middle class people are affected by strokes. Spending all your time volunteering is a fabulous way to give back to the community, but it isn't financially viable for the majority of people. This book would have been better if there had been more emotion involved.

I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway. Yay!

[Pat Probasco · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw the book on Goodreads, I knew that I needed to read it. My friend had a stroke a couple of months ago, and I wanted more information. Altho her stroke was not massive and she did not have aphasia, another one could be in the future.

Ted was only in his 40's and was very healthy. You think old and in bad shape for a stroke, not so. He must have had a lot of money and not on a normal insurance policy, to get the care that he got. Money was never written about, but he must have had a lot of it. My friend on Medicare, could not get the care that he did.

The book was very detailed regarding his treatments and he build his future life around the care and treatment of stroke and aphasia.

The book was more of a test book than a life story. I certain that doctors and patients can get a lot of information from this book.

[Ruth York · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an Kindle copy of this book on Goodreads in expectation of an honest review. Relentless is written by a man, who, at the age of 41, had a massive stroke. I can't say I "liked" the author. He was a bit too much of a Type A, self absorbed person than I would have cared for. But, those same traits also helped him to recover the best he could after his stroke. That driven determination to work hard at his rehabilitation and therapy helped him to beat the odds. The points of view from his wife, family and friends added in were a nice counterpoint to Ted's narrative. Overall, a good story about overcoming possible tragedy.

[Marina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book from a goodreads giveaway.

I found the writing to be very clear and concise. Ted Baxter's story is amazing and very inspiring. It is clear that he is a very dedicated and driven person and commits to excellence in all that he does.

That being said, I felt like this book lacked emotion and I was always left wanting more. His ex-wife and siblings had excerpts in this book, but none of them were very insightful and Ted rarely allowed the reader to delve into how he was feeling or his personal relationships. This book left me feeling like I have a deeper understanding of aphasia, but that I don't necessarily know much about Ted Baxter.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received as a GoodReads giveaway. An informative and easy to read look at what it's like to experience and recover from a stroke. I especially liked the different points of view, from his wife, siblings and therapists, in addition to the author's own voice. The section on Ted's past was the weakest part for me. I understand that he wanted to show how his background influenced his approach to recovery, but the biographical section was too long, not what I was reading for, and I ended up skimming through it. But overall, a really good read.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learning about various diseases fascinates me especially strokes. As I was reading this book I gained a new perspective on what the person affected is going through and what the people around them are going through as well. Strokes effect individualds differently, however, I am glad to read that Ted was able to overcome it especially at a young age. Sometimes it takes a disease for us to stop and smell the roses! Great memoir to get an inside look of a stroke survivor! I recommend!

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this in a Good Reads Giveaway. It was a very interesting read. I learned a lot about stroke and the recovery process due to this book. Relentless describes Ted perfectly. He never gives up and keeps going! This would definitely be a beneficial read for anyone who has a family member recovering from a stroke with all of his therapies described. I also enjoyed reading about events from the perspective of those around him.

[Jennifer Wrage · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I won this book on Goodreads.com.
I found the beginning very interesting. Not knowing any stroke patients, the middle of the book was a little too technical for my needs, so I struggled a bit to see it through. I think it would be a great read for anyone associated with a stroke victim. Thank heaven, that's not me at the present. Thank you for sharing your journey for those who may need it, Ted.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in a goodreads giveaway. I always love a story where someone beats the odds, and Ted Baxter's is an unexpected one. It was really amazing to read about how dedicated Ted was throughout all aspects of his stroke recovery and how it shaped his life to be even more than expected. A great read!

[Renee(Reneesramblings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this in a GoodReads giveaway(a nice surprise, since I enter a lot & rarely win). I am always drawn to stories told by people who have overcome adversity. The author suffers a massive stroke at an early age and fights to recover. This is certainly a condition that can affect people of all ages and it was a quick and informative read that gave me a deeper understanding of the challenges.