The Heart of a Champion: Inspiring True Stories of Challenge and Triumph

by Bob Richards, Dan Gable (Foreword)

What makes a champion? Olympic champion Bob Richards says it's the will to win no matter what the odds. In The Heart of a Champion , he shares the incredible stories of athletes who have overcome hardship, disability, racism, sexism, and more to become the best the world has ever seen. A celebration of hard work and the indomitable human spirit, this book captures Richards's contagious enthusiasm for individual greatness as well as the beauty of working as a team.

These inspirational true stories have been loved for fifty years. Now repackaged for a new generation of athletes and coaches, The Heart of a Champion is poised to influence thousands more with its message of hope and perseverance.

Genres: Leadership, Sports, Nonfiction, Self Help

144 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2009

Reviews

[Allika Inkeri Moser · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jah, ootasin enamat. Eriti kui autoriks kahekordne teivashüppe olümpiavõitja. Kahjuks Richardsi enda lugu ei saanudki lugeda, vaid ta tõi ainult näiteid kaassportlastest, nende katsumustest ja triumfidest. Pigem oli teos nagu spordiõpik ehk stiilis- loetelu mida teha selleks, et saada tsempioniks. Kusjuures lisaks julgusele, distsipliinile, trennis higistamisele(jne) on lausa hädavajalik uskuda jumalasse ning enne sooritust (või lausa jooksu ajal) palvetada, sest vaid sellisel juhul suudetakse end täielikult realiseerida ja imesid korda saata. Nojah. Vähemalt leidis 52 ja 56 olümpia kohta põnevaid fakte.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

sure, it's older stuff in here (stories), but CH.6 is full of good things for all of life

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Although written in 1959, it uses timeless examples of Olympic champions, coupled with sound scriptural references, to encourage readers to live the life of a champion both naturally and spiritually. This book is a short read (159 pages) and would be a perfect gift for young people. One of the key points it makes is that instead of there being a huge gap between the champion and others, there is usually on a small difference between winning and losing (hundredths of a second, 1/8" of an inch) and these small differences are the result of the champion making the time and putting forth the effort to correct small errors, tiny flaws, over the course of months and years in order to realize their dreams. If we all took the same approach to living for God there is no telling what could be accomplished for Jesus Christ!!!

[Ann Schaffer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book wasn't quite what I expected. I thought the book would focus more on short stories about inspirational athletes. It did mention a lot of athletes, but most of them only in a sentence or at most a couple paragraphs. Most of the book focused on the importance of working and training hard, using restraint in eating, drinking and smoking, focusing on strengthening your weaknesses, and prayer. It felt like a piece the former Olympian wrote to promote to profit from his public speaking engagements. I think it might mean more to someone who has met the author or has seen his speak.

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe it's because I'm not striving for the Olympics, or because I'm not super religious, but this book just kinda bored me. I would, however, like to read more about the lives of some of the athletes Richards mentions; several sound like their biographies would be extremely interesting! So that's good.

[Don Gubler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful stories of trial and triumph.

[Edmond Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first heard some of these stories back in the early 70s. Reading them today still inspires me to do better.