Rodriguez Daniel Rodriguez

Rise: A Soldier, a Dream, and a Promise Kept Rodriguez Daniel Rodriguez

Publisher Marketing: Harrowing, heartbreaking, redemptive. "Sports Illustrated" An inspiring story of a resilient warrior who knows what it means to keep a promise. Eric Greitens, Navy SEAL and best-selling author of"The Heart and the Fist" Daniel Rodriguez joined the army just weeks after graduating from high school. Almost immediately, he was deployed to Iraq and then to Afghanistan. While there, he made a promise to his best friend: When I get out of this shithole, I m going to play college football. Daniel made it out; his friend didn t. After returning home, Daniel was unemployed and stuck in the clutches of PTSD, but he remembered the promise he had made and resolved to make good on it. When he posted a video online of his grueling training efforts, it went viral overnight. Through a mixture of hope, determination, and the power of the Internet, Daniel earned a spot on the Clemson University football team as a wide receiver. In"Rise, "Rodriguez tells his powerful story a story that will inspire anyone fighting to make their dream a reality. A compelling story of one man s quest to overcome the horrors of war through fortitude and determination ... If you re seeking a book to inspire you, this one deserves a look. "San Antonio Express News" Life is designed to beat you down. Daniel shows you how to kick its ass. Major Rusty Bradley, U. S. Army (ret.), best-selling author of"Lions of Kandahar"" Review Citations:

Library Journal Prepub Alert 05/01/2014 pg. 54 (EAN 9780544365605, Hardcover)

Booklist 09/15/2014 pg. 13 (EAN 9780544365605, Hardcover)

Contributor Bio:  Rodriguez, Daniel DANIEL RODRIGUEZ wasa wide reciever for Division I football, honors student, and decorated war hero. He has served tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, rising through the ranksto sergeant. In 2009, he fought inthe Battle of Kamdesh, one of the bloodiest battles in the Afghanistan conflict, earning a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal With Valor Device. He has been interviewed by Dan Rather, profiled in the New York Times, Washington Post, Esquire, USAToday, andESPN, and has gained internet fame for his viralYouTubevideo. He lives in Los Angeles. Contributor Bio:  Layden, Joe JOE LAYDEN is an award-winning journalist and freelance writer whose work has been honored by the New York Newspaper Publishers Association, the National Associated Press Sports Editors, the New York State Associated Press Association, and the International Reading Association/Children's Book Council. Mr. Layden has written or co-written more than thirty books for adults and children, including "The Last Great Fight "and "The Ghost Horse".