Triumph: Powerful Stories of Athletes of Faith

Williams, senior v-p of the NBA’s Orlando Magic, is the author of 80 books (The Difference You Make) and has a gentle touch with those special tales to tell on and off the competitive field. The anecdotes he assembles from athletes, coaches, and sports observers span many generations and comment on the nature of faith, using personal narratives and poetry to depict triumph and heartache in sports. “To be able to play or coach a sport is a gift from God, but with each gift comes a responsibility to use it the right way,” writes basketball coach Kevin Standford. In many ways this is a sports book, because it takes the reader onto the playing field. Yet it is also a spiritual tome because it reveals the heart and the soul of each narrator. Some stories are told first-person, while others are about an individual. The editors include contributions from 130 writers, so some stories are better written than others. This book should appeal to sports buffs and readers interested in accounts of disciplined individuals overcoming adversity through faith. (Aug.)