"Make no mistake, you need not be a minority, a Christian, or a sports fan to enjoy and profit from this book, though the author uses bigotry, Christian belief, and sports illustrations to make his points. He tells us how to overcome, even use, adversity to reach our potential as human beings. Since adversity enters every life, this book applies to all of us.



The author faced adversity. He was a black athlete in a Jim Crow environment. (Many of us remember when he was a great quarterback for the Oklahoma Sooners). Though segregation was under attack, some players quit the football team when he was named starting quarterback in jr high. He lived through the change from Jim Crow to the end of legal segregation and felt the effects of bigotry. Happily, (and to the detriment of their opponents) his coaches wanted the best players, regardless of skin color. Even better, many of the coaches encouraged those players to ignore the bigotry and make of themselves the best human beings they could be. This book describes how to do that. It also emphasizes the fact that not every unkind action is due to bigotry, often there is simple misunderstanding or carelessness. His recommended response to perceived bigotry would do much more to help minorities than does the too common idea of screaming for federal protection at every suspected slight.



Each chapter treats a different aspect of digging deep within oneself to improve life and to help build others. Biblical references are a big part of this and as a Christian I appreciate them. However, the non-religious need not fear, the principles Watts teaches here are valid with or without scriptural back-up.



I do wish that the author had put a summary at the end of each chapter. It would be useful to have a quick review of the ideas he discusses. The book also lacks an index, something that would be helpful to readers wanting to find specifics after they finish the book. In spite of those flaws, I strongly recommend this book. If widely read, it would make a big difference in our national dialog, and help develop the outstanding people this country needs in all walks of life."