Bauman is a survivor of the Boston Marathon bombing. He lost his legs to hate, but he refuses to hate anyone back. He is honest about his struggles as well as his triumphs, and he is proof positive that hope can help heal emotional wounds as much as any medicine can help heal the body.

I read this book not too long after learning that one of my kids, a former student, was killed by an IED in Afghanistan. He was a young man of great courage, morality, and a strong sense of duty and responsibility. He cared about other people and seemed to get the most joy out of life when he was doing something to share someone else's burden and bring a smile to someone else's face. Learning of his death at the hands of a suicide bomber rocked me to my very core in more ways than one.

When I saw Stronger, I knew I had to read it, but I didn't know why. In fact, I initially felt a sense of trepidation. Then I came across those words, the ones quoted above, and I knew why I needed this book. When I read those words in the book, they literally, honestly took my breath away. I felt those words go through me like a jolt of electricity. And that, I believe, is when I began to heal.

If you're looking for a "perfect" person, Jeff Bauman isn't him. But if you want to read an inspirational story about a real person, with real struggles, who experiences both real setbacks and real victories, Stronger is a great book to choose. I now have two copies in my class library. ( )

I listened to the audio book. Stronger by Jeff Bauman is the story of the Boston Marathon bombing. Jeff Bauman was in the crowd to watch his girlfriend finish the race. He actually saw the bomber and the backpack and then the explosion and Jeff was lying there missing both his legs. This is his story about almost being killed. The struggle just to survive and then the long recovery to learn to live with no legs. The average person sees what happens to the victims but then in time it's forgotten. Unfortunately this is not the case for the victims and their families. Written in his own words Jeff describes the struggle which is as much mental as physical. He describes the family conflicts that develope from the strain of the incident. The book also describes the good from such a horrible incident. The heros who help save Jeff. The outpouring of support from the Boston community and world wife as well. I found it a very interesting story with a lot of things you would not think about. Yes, Jeff Bauman is a hero and an inspiration to all. He again proves that terrorism will never win over true American heros. ( )