Rise: A Soldier, a Dream, and a Promise Kept
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Rise: A Soldier, a Dream, and a Promise Kept Hardcover – October 7, 2014
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Daniel Rodriguez–a decorated combat veteran–doesn’t sugarcoat the hard parts of his life. A warrior who fought on the battlefield, wrestled with PTSD, and now wins victories on the gridiron, his story reminds us that with grit and determination we can move through suffering to strength. Rise is an inspiring story of a resilient warrior who knows what it means to keep a promise." –Eric Greitens, Navy SEAL and author of New York Times bestseller, The Heart and the Fist
"RISE is a surreal look at what today's youth should aspire to accomplish. From Virginia to Iraq, from Afghanistan to South Carolina, Daniel Rodriguez shows the grit and determination it takes to rise above the hardships life throws at you. Life is designed to beat you down. Daniel shows you how to kick its ass." –Major Rusty Bradley, U.S. Army (ret.), bestselling author of Lions of Kandahar
"Daniel's service to his country and his ability to follow his dreams is what is truly right with America. His story, as movingly told in Rise, is a great example of where hard work, determination, and a never-quit attitude can get you." –Sal Giunta, Medal of Honor recipient and author of the New York Times bestseller, Living with Honor
About the Author
Daniel Rodriguez is a 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 ranks to Sergeant. In 2009, he fought in the 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, USA Today, and ESPN, and has gained internet fame for his viral Youtube video. He attends Clemson University in South Carolina on the GI Bill.
An award-winning journalist and bestselling author, Joe Layden has written more than thirty books, including the New York Times bestsellers Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir, No Regrets, and Living with Honor.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By
Wilhelmina Zeitgeist
VINE VOICE on September 28, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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"Rise: A Soldier, a Dream, and a Promise Kept" by Daniel Rodriguez with Joe Layden is a true inside look at what it takes to be a solider in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's raw, it's real. Rodriguez takes the reader inside his head and is brutally honest with his thoughts. Until I read this book, I honestly had no idea what was happening in those wars, how it was carried out, who was doing what. Vietnam, we had it plastered on the TV night after night after night with reports from war correspondents' on camera reports. The wars going on now, we hear cryptic reports but are so much more removed in knowledge and emotion than during Nam. It's nice to know what we're thanking our service men and women for when we say, "Thank you for serving."
Physically going home doesn't mean leaving the war behind mentally. PTSD is no small matter to deal with. You don't just get over it like a cold. It's something that can stop a person with the strongest constitution and will in their tracks keeping them from going on with their life. But, Rodriguez finds a way to forge on and realize his dream of playing college football in spite of PTSD.
This is not simply a memoir. It's a personal account of a soldier's own life in intimate detail. He opens up about his war experiences as few have the ability to do, and I'm sure it was difficult to relive it all while writing this book. Such honesty shines a light on a pathway for anyone who finds themselves in a deep dark place. A light that allows anyone who feels trapped to be inspired and also rise.
To Daniel Rodriguez, I say: Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for serving. And thank you for the profound inspiration I have found in your story. Really.
Physically going home doesn't mean leaving the war behind mentally. PTSD is no small matter to deal with. You don't just get over it like a cold. It's something that can stop a person with the strongest constitution and will in their tracks keeping them from going on with their life. But, Rodriguez finds a way to forge on and realize his dream of playing college football in spite of PTSD.
This is not simply a memoir. It's a personal account of a soldier's own life in intimate detail. He opens up about his war experiences as few have the ability to do, and I'm sure it was difficult to relive it all while writing this book. Such honesty shines a light on a pathway for anyone who finds themselves in a deep dark place. A light that allows anyone who feels trapped to be inspired and also rise.
To Daniel Rodriguez, I say: Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for serving. And thank you for the profound inspiration I have found in your story. Really.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By
Agatha Christie
TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE VOICE on October 1, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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I'm not much into football, but this is an inspiring book that centers on following a dream and a promise against a mountain of adversity.
Daniel Rodriguez leaves high school only to go directly into the military and get packed off to Afghanistan. His story is one of the brutality of war, the desire and determination to survive, and loss. He promises his friend that he will realize his dreams, but he also sees his friend die in battle. He comes home with his life in shambles, suffering from PTSD, and his dream seems more remote and impossible than ever. Rodriguez is hardly a great candidate for college football, let alone Clemson football. He is 5'8", weighs in at 175 lbs, and is considered scrawny in comparison to the bruisers on the college teams.
Rodriguez has that moment of clarity amidst all the adversity and goes after his dream and to also satisfy the promise made to play college football. He trains, put his efforts out there on the WEB, and realizes his dream.
This is a great story along the lines of the movie Rudy or even The Pride Of The Yankees. It tugs at the heart strings, but more importantly it speaks of the human spirit and the ability of the ordinary person to prevail against all odds.
Beautifully written, this is a transformative story celebrates the human spirit.
Daniel Rodriguez leaves high school only to go directly into the military and get packed off to Afghanistan. His story is one of the brutality of war, the desire and determination to survive, and loss. He promises his friend that he will realize his dreams, but he also sees his friend die in battle. He comes home with his life in shambles, suffering from PTSD, and his dream seems more remote and impossible than ever. Rodriguez is hardly a great candidate for college football, let alone Clemson football. He is 5'8", weighs in at 175 lbs, and is considered scrawny in comparison to the bruisers on the college teams.
Rodriguez has that moment of clarity amidst all the adversity and goes after his dream and to also satisfy the promise made to play college football. He trains, put his efforts out there on the WEB, and realizes his dream.
This is a great story along the lines of the movie Rudy or even The Pride Of The Yankees. It tugs at the heart strings, but more importantly it speaks of the human spirit and the ability of the ordinary person to prevail against all odds.
Beautifully written, this is a transformative story celebrates the human spirit.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By
S. Power
TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE VOICE on October 1, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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Today's Pop Culture would have us believe that today's youth are selfish and lazy, and that all kids today have to look up to is the Jersey Shore type of celebrity. Daniel Rodriguez and his story will prove to you that today's young men and women have the same dedication, drive, and resilience that earned The Greatest Generation their title back when they earned it.
Rise will inspire you, and it will captivate you. More importantly, through his true story Daniel's story will shape him as a role model for today's youth. Rise, is extremely well told and in the spirit of Rudy (Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger) will prove to you that the real human spirit is more powerful and more entertaining than anything that Hollywood or a fiction writer can come up with.
I highly recommend this book, and also hope that the people that turned Rudy into a movie will consider the idea with Rise.
Rise will inspire you, and it will captivate you. More importantly, through his true story Daniel's story will shape him as a role model for today's youth. Rise, is extremely well told and in the spirit of Rudy (Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger) will prove to you that the real human spirit is more powerful and more entertaining than anything that Hollywood or a fiction writer can come up with.
I highly recommend this book, and also hope that the people that turned Rudy into a movie will consider the idea with Rise.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By
Bob Sounder
on October 9, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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"Rise" is an excellent book that details events in the life of Daniel Rodriguez. From his high school days to eye opening descriptions of his Army duties in Iraq and Afghanistan to his fulfilling his dream of playing college football, Daniel is a real life hero.
I have read other books about battles and conditions at Keating in the Kunar Province, in NE Afganistan, on the Pakistan border and "Rise" gives another first-hand look at what occurred there. My main reason for wanting to read this book was to learn more about Daniel's path to the Clemson University football team, but I was also enthralled by his description of his Army experience.
Mr. Rodriguez gives credit to many people who helped mold him into a respected man. From Sergeant John Breeding and his military brothers to Coach Dabo Swinney and his Clemson football brothers, Daniel gives both serious and humorous accounts that bring the book alive for the reader.
Daniel doesn't beat around the bush when describing the hard times and the language and situations are for an adult audience, but the dreams and promises kept are an inspiration to all. His story has already been picked for a future movie and I cannot wait to see it!
I have read other books about battles and conditions at Keating in the Kunar Province, in NE Afganistan, on the Pakistan border and "Rise" gives another first-hand look at what occurred there. My main reason for wanting to read this book was to learn more about Daniel's path to the Clemson University football team, but I was also enthralled by his description of his Army experience.
Mr. Rodriguez gives credit to many people who helped mold him into a respected man. From Sergeant John Breeding and his military brothers to Coach Dabo Swinney and his Clemson football brothers, Daniel gives both serious and humorous accounts that bring the book alive for the reader.
Daniel doesn't beat around the bush when describing the hard times and the language and situations are for an adult audience, but the dreams and promises kept are an inspiration to all. His story has already been picked for a future movie and I cannot wait to see it!
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