Book Review

If you like reading books nonfiction about sports, family, and how people overcome obstacles then, The Blind Side by Michael Lewis is a great book for you to read. This is like any other story about an underprivileged black boy who lives in the rough downtown of Memphis, except this one just so happens to be over 6 feet tall and 300 pounds and blessed with rare athleticism. Michael Oher has had a very tough upbringing and is the son of a drug addicted mother, and a missing father. He moves around from place to place and usually doesn’t know where he is going to sleep at night. It appears that he will be just another kid who was forgotten about, and will likely end up heading down the wrong path.

However, his life takes a turn for the better when one of his close friends takes him to enroll at the Briarcrest Christian Academy, a very prestigious and predominantly white school in the better part of Memphis. This was not an easy task since Michael has been “passed along” by the inner city school system, but thanks to a coach who thought he could use Michael’s ability on the sports field. After being seen roaming around Memphis, the Tuohy family offers Michael a permanent home. Michael becomes part of the family, and that’s where his new life begins.

The Tuohy’s help to turn Michael into a standout athlete and look to steer him towards college. With his natural physical gifts, it isn’t too difficult for Michael to become a dominant high school athlete. With many colleges taking notice in Michael’s athletic ability the new struggle is finding a way to turn him into a college eligible student athlete. This book takes you inside the world of NFL and NCAA football. It goes into NCAA’s recruiting rules and violations and explains certain positions. It tells why Michael Oher is such an important player on the football field. But even than that, it takes you into the life a boy who becomes a man with the help of his new family. It explains the thinking behind why the Tuohy family allowed a strange and extremely big black boy to become a part their family. This is an inspirational, insightful, and a make you feel good book that anyone can read.