Stronger

April 7, 2014
Jeff Bauman was next to the bomb when it exploded at the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013. Pictures of him flooded the media as he became the iconic image of the tragedy: Bauman in a wheel chair, legs missing from the knees down. The following weeks of speculation and the eventual police shootout with the Tsarnaev brothers is well documented. Bauman and co-author Bret Witter are telling a different story, a personal story. Bauman is a likable narrator; he keeps the tone light while admitting the difficulty of his situation. He doesn't try to elevate himself. His honesty is welcome: he's a college dropout, lives at home with his parents. Bauman does not sugar coat the heroism of his situation. He's upfront about the difficulties of amputation, of his family adjusting to new realities, of being a sudden media personality, all which makes the book a worthy read. Bauman's story will serve to help others who have suffered similar losses, but the book feels rushed, calculated as is common with timely events, to get the story "out there". Bauman intentions feel genuine, pushing the book out is obviously a publisher decision which is understandable but affects the impact. The media frenzy over the bombing isn't over, and will likely continue through the trial of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.

April 1, 2014
One man's account of life before and after the Boston Marathon bombing. While Bauman waited near the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon, he happened to notice a man in the crowd: "There was something off about him....He had on a hooded jacket that seemed too heavy, even on a cool day. The thing that really struck me, though, was his demeanor. Everyone was cheering and watching the race....Except this guy....He was all business." Bauman had just looked into the eyes of Tamerlan Tsarnaev a few seconds before his pressure-cooker bomb exploded, taking Bauman's legs with it. With the help of Witter (co-author: Until I Say Good-Bye: My Year of Living with Joy, 2013, etc.), Bauman recounts his story of that day and the months that followed as he worked through excruciating pain, surgeries and rehab. He struggled with anger and depression at what had happened to him and the unexpected and sometimes-unwelcome focus of thousands of strangers. By losing his legs but remaining optimistic and upbeat in front of the cameras, he became a symbol of hope, and he adroitly addresses the emotional push and pull of wanting to be strong for others while feeling weak and extremely vulnerable inside. He leaned heavily on new friends and his girlfriend, Erin, a woman he had broken up with a few weeks before the marathon took place. Gritty details of how his life changed after the bombing intermingle with inspiring moments of throwing the first pitch at a Red Sox game or waving the flag before a Bruins hockey game. Although he lost his legs and his life is permanently changed, Bauman refuses to let those circumstances hold him back. A moving demonstration of how strength of mind and character helped one man stand tall despite the loss of his legs.

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November 15, 2013

Bauman's life changed dramatically when a bomb exploded at last spring's Boston Marathon, severing both of his legs. Since then, his upbeat, determined attitude has been an inspiration to people worldwide. To be published on the first anniversary of the event; expect huge media (so far, Bauman has given few interviews). With a 250,000-copy first printing.

Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.