FINALLY FREE AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MICHAEL VICK by Michael Vick

by Michael Vick

Excellent Book

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Audiobook, Autobiography

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Michael Vick is the quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles. The 2010 season was the most prolific of his career, earning him a start in the Pro Bowl and cementing his comeback in football. Prior to joining the the Eagles, Michael played for the Atlanta Falcons (from 2001-2006), the team that originally chose him first overall in the 2001 NFL draft.

Reviews

[Debra Daniels-Zeller · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't usually read books by sports jocks who make millions of dollars but I was curious about whether Michael Vick seemed truly sorry for fighting and killing dogs since it was clear he knew what was going on and he participated in it every Tuesday while making millions in the NFL. Most of the book was the usuall back patting, glowing accounts of how talented Vick is and how he got in with the wrong crowd and let too many people dip into his wallet. When he was making 5 million a year, he said it's all about budgeting. About 14 pages in the middle and a few at the end were devoted to his dog fighting and he made excuses for killing so many dogs saying everybody killed their dogs after fights. It's just what they do. During his jail time, he rarely thought about those dead dogs buried on his property and when one of the people who adopted one of his cast off fighting dogs and approached Vick to tell him, Vick didn't get what the guy wanted. Vick basically said he had a dog, good for him, what did he expect me to do? was Vick's approach. Not "I'm really sorry I messed up so many dogs' lives." At the risk of spoilers I'd say the end was more bragging, for example: "In the midst of all this controversy, I was awarded NFL comeback player of the year." Please, he's a legend in his own mind. But that's how he'd like people to think of him--as a guy who hit rock bottom and pulled himself back up, to win the Superbowl, he hopes. He'd just like you to forget about all the dogs he killed and messed up along the way.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm soiling my Goodreads bookshelf with this book only to bring its rating down.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWkzN...

[Deacon Tom F. (Recovering from a big heart attack) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did a long review that went “poof”

[Dr. Corey Holmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vick served his time and is moving in a positive direction. Athletes need to have this book under their pillows as a self help tool.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Virginian who loves both football and dogs, the Michael Vick story has fascinated me for the last 5 years. I wanted to read this book to see what the man himself had to say about the horrible things he had done. The book was written with two co-authors, and there is a lack of cohesiveness in style that gave me the impression that different people wrote different passages. Some of the sentences you just can't imagine Michael Vick actually saying. So overall the book is certainly not a literary masterpiece.

That being said, I finished this in just over 24 hours because I was so impressed with the story. Michael Vick was the quintessential resilient child--someone who found trustworthy adults to mentor and guide him throughout life. He is frank about the fact that his downfall came from pushing those people out of his life and allowing negative influences to become his primary social network. I also found his description of his family relationships fascinating. He clearly loves both his father and brother, but realizes that other men will have to show him how to manage his outstanding athletic and financial success. I also found it interesting to learn that Michael had grown up not only reading the Bible nightly, but with a pet dog.

Ultimately I've always loved stories about people who overcome their circumstances to accomplish great things. I think Michael Vick's redemption story has many more chapters to come. Personally, I'm rooting for the guy.

[Mir · Rating 1 out of 5]

Apparently we're now not allowed to talk about the author even when the book is an autobiography.

http://www.goodreads.com/user_status/...

How does that work, exactly?

[Bettie]

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Zach Brink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally Free, written by Michael Vick and Tony Dungy(forward), is about one of the most talented and electrifying athletes of our generation. With the first pick in the 2001 NFL draft the Atlanta Falcons selected Michael Vick. With great expectation and potential, Mike quickly earned his wings and earned his way to stardom in Atlanta. He also earned his way to becoming the the highest paid NFL player at 130 million dollars, shortly after being in the in the league. On top of the 130 million Mike was also earning thousands from endorsements. Life was great for Mike until one phone call on April 25, 2007 that would change his life forever. The caller informed Vick that police raided his property, revealing evidence of dog fighting and mistreatment of animals, which could land the superstar federal charges. At this point in time, the onced beloved Atlanta Falcon found his back against the wall in not only his career, but also his own life. Vick was set to face a grand jury in Hampton, Virginia and was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison for dog fighting. After letting the city, the fans, kids, society, and his reputation down, Vick makes his intentions clear in his sentencing statement “I will redeem myself, I have too”. After serving his 23 months, Vick finds himself reconnected with god and within himself. He finds himself turning his life around and putting an end to his past mistakes. Mike was given a second chance and is out to prove himself and to everyone that he is worthy of it. The Philadelphia Eagles decided to take a chance on the new Mike Vick, knowing it would cause a buzz nation wide. They signed Vick for two years and later extended his contract after his history making 2010 season. 2010 would be Vick's redemption and at the end of the season Vick received NFL comeback player of the year. This story a classic fall down once and get back up twice type of deal.
I find this book to be very inspiring as it tells the story of not only an NFL superstar, but tells the story of a person looking for a second chance. It talks about how someone learned from their previous mistakes and were given a second chance. Through his own words a reader gets inspired to not waste a second chance.
This book gets a bad reputation because of the animal abuse. Some people will never forgive Vick and for what he did. However, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who would enjoy reading a true life story about redemption. This book is inspiring and tells one of the greatest rise, fall, rise again stories out there. Its a great read and I would give it a 4 out of 5 stars.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to say I am indecisive about Michael Vick in general. I did not completely finish the book because I was terribly disappointed in the explanation for his actions upon those dogs and how I felt that he did not dedicate much time to a chunk of his life that has supposedly formed him into the man whom he is now. I felt that there was a lot of butt-kissing in this book and that Michael Vick mostly put this book out to kiss all the football world's butts. He should have spent time butt-kissing the people who spent more time rehabbing those dogs - the ones who survived and were salvageable - than he spent in prison. I also felt that for each wrong-doing he explained in the book he knew that it felt wrong or was wrong but he still did it.


I honestly do hope that he has learned his lesson and hope that he really has found God and that his belief in God has helped him. I do wish him well as long as he continues to feel AND DEMONSTRATE that he has learned from life. I do admire people who are able to overcome their adversities but - judging from his perceptions in the book - I feel that he was too easily forgiven in the football world. I guess where else but in America can you be in prison one day and making millions another? If it was an average person that perpetrated these acts, they would be in prison much longer and would struggle for a very long time to recover from that.


I am not trying to be a "hater" just having a hard time grasping the sense or right and wrong in regards to Michael Vick. The book just confused me more. Prior to reading this book, I read the book about the dogs and that book broke my heart, made me cry, and made me mad. Ultimately, I just hope that Michael Vick has learned his lesson and learned it well.

[Ben · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although Michael Vick is by no means a hero, and although I personally abhor dogfighting and animal cruelty, I do feel he has been crucified by society to a disproportionate level when compared to his fellow athlete rogues. We can forgive rape (Mike Tyson), adultery (Tiger Woods), sexual assault (Ben Roethlisberger, Kobe Bryant), and manslaughter (Ray Lewis), but dogfighting is apparently the most monstrous of all crimes in the pantheon.

So I was eager to hear Vick tell his story in his own words. Unfortunately, there' s precious little personal insight or compelling narrative in this book beyond what you could find on Wikipedia. For example, the chapter on Vick's association with dogfighting totals SEVEN PAGES, most of which focuses on how much Vick loved animals as a child. He glosses over his actual dogfighting as if he is forced to mention it in a footnote but then goes back to what a nice guy he thinks he is.

"I could go into more detail," Vick writes, "but I don't want to teach people how to run a dogfight. I don't want to glorify it. But I will tell you that I know too much about it, and it's something I wish I'd never learned." Michael, I don't want to learn how to run a dogfight. I want to learn about your thought processes, your upbringing, and what drove you to do what you did and why. If you didn't want to talk about it, you shouldn't be selling a book about it.

[Saul Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this book a 4/5 rating, because its very in depth and interesting. What makes me so interested is Michael Vick, who I've always loved to watch. He tells his honest story about his life and his childhood. He tells some stuff that many people would be embarrassed to say, or not want to share at all. I cannot wait until I finish this great book!

[Liz Chiodo · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is pathetic. As a football fan, I appreciate taking pride in your skills and ability. Michael Vick is an amazing and wonderfully talented quarterback. As an animal lover, I DON'T appreciate assigning blame for which you're responsible in terms of major animal cruelty and claiming to love an animal but then forcing them to kill or be killed and then murdering them no matter the outcome.

This book seemed like a good way to make excuses, roll guilt onto the backs of others and escape blame by diverting attention to some lucky on-field talent.

I want to appreciate Vick's seemingly honest regret and what he's done in attempt to make amends by speaking on behalf of the humane society, etc. but I simply cannot when it comes down to "not knowing" how to respond when someone approaches you about a former dog...

Now onto the writing. I understand Vick is not well-educated and I wasn't expecting a flawless book but guess what? He had a CHOICE to be well-educated and CHOSE to drop out of college to join the NFL. I do get the timing and urgency of decisions in the NFL and along the drafting and recruiting process but I can't respect someone who threw away a great opportunity to better oneself like that for a game. The writing is appalling and hard to swallow. A little less than I expected from Vick personally, but very unsurprising in terms of "jock quarterback."

[Sadie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not a fan of Michael Vick for many many reasons but I was intrigued by how we would approach his many misgivings in the book. I was less than satisfied. I feel like he blamed a lot of the decisions he made in his life on other people.

I didn't see a whole lot of personal ownership and responsibility. I was especially appalled when he mentioned that he downsized his vehicle to a 90,000 car instead of 120,000 right before going to jail. Also his recounting of meeting a man who adopted one of the dogs he brutalized, he was brushed the man off and couldn't figure out "what he wanted from him."

I think more than anything he's sorry he got caught, since nothing was really his fault anyways. Not impressed with the book, his "Sob" story or anything else he presented in the book.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing is atrocious, but it's a good story. I do believe he's trying to turn his life around.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of the best whitewashing jobs I've ever read.

[Pierre A Renaud]

Deserves "Michael Vick's tortured fighting dogs dead and finally free" stickers next time I see his book in a bookstore. http://skepchick.org/2012/10/ai-the-m...

[ValeReads Kyriosity · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm always up for a good Christian testimony/bio. This was not one. "Dream big" and other such platitudes are not the gospel. Plus, there was way too much hockey for my tastes. ;-)

Reader was good.

[Zac M · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book I like how he talks about his whole life and how he has changed since the incident
anyway great book and definatly a top ten favorite book for me

[Nancy Nehila · Rating 1 out of 5]

I so wanted to be able to forgive mr Vick. Unfortunately this book only shows how unrepentant and delusional he is. He must think the public is ignorant. He will say how the events are his fault and then spends pages explaining how others were to blame. He talks about “getting rid” of dogs. And pridefully says that reports that he beat a dog with a shovel was not true. No he only hung then drown them. One dog he grabbed by the legs and threw repeatedly to the ground. If you believe him, he is the victim. He tries to explain away the other events like drug use and the death of his friend. Quite frankly I’ve heard toddlers tell better lies. He goes on at length about all the people who’ve wronged him. The bottom line is this he wanted to be a thug. He talks a lot about God. As a Christian I find it offensive that he hides behind God. In one chapter he wants to brag about himself but puts a im only bragging to show how God is good excuse in front of it. I was very disturbed that after his “friend” was shot he was more concerned about his career than the death. It seems human life is as valueless as animals to mr Vick. He’s still a self absorbed, conscienceless monster.

[Brian Eshleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shouldn't have figured that because somebody's luster and fall were Shakespearean in proportion, that a no better than average educated athlete would be Shakespearean in conveying it. Choosing language for precise impact seems new to Vick, and the words he chooses in the formal registry don't flow with the rest of his pedestrian prose.

Vick comes across as a sincere motivation speaker, which works from stage but not as well in a book. Descriptive details of what it was like to be atop the football world would have been nice to provide texture. He actually does a better job describing the downswing of prison life, and the reader can really get a personal sense of him in these sections. A glut of reflective time seemed good for him as a writer in the intensity he conveys, but he doesn't use it to carefully select meaningful scenes from his Icarus rise -- a good literary allusion he does actually use.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Celebrities and athletes often get a second and third chance to do things over again. Micheal Vick appears to be taking full advantage of the second chance that he was given and I hope he continues to make the most of it.
While he was organizing dog fights, he was contributing time and money to the boys & girls club, helping a kid financially that needed a heart transplant, and doing many other helpful things for his city and community. It was as though he had two separate personalities.
Eventually the dirty truth of what he was doing came out.
He did his time and he now works with organizations talking to young people trying to encourage them to not make the mistakes he made.
It was good to hear his side of the story.

[Wes F · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall I was disappointed in this book. I felt Vick was superficial through most of his story and seemed to make excuses. There were big blanks left and not much in the way of details regarding how he went down the wrong path. Sad, stupid choices were part of it, obviously--and bad companions. The stuff of Proverbs playing out just like we warned against by Wisdom personified. And very, very superficial about his faith in Christ--mainly a nod to God, a few verses here & there, and statements that he knows he's been forgiven. Sorry--but it all comes across way too superficial & culturally Christian. Just didn't have the depth I was hoping for that would reveal how his life had truly been turned around for good.

[William Derry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe that this book has many strengths. One being the message. That if you receive a second chance take full advantage of it. The second being the quality of the detail and the information of the book. The third and last being the change from the beginning of the book to the end and how Michael Vick matured through the years. I would recommend this book to other people. I believe that this book is a good book and is very informative. Overall this is a good book and I recommend to others to read.

[James Conroy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read. Only read it because there was nothing else to do out on the floor during my shift with the Nipr down. I still find it hard to believe what he has to say about the situation surrounding the dog fighting. sure he now admits to doing it but his whole I knew it was bad and I was going to stop schtick seems kinda heavy handed and force fed. He lied so much about everything in his life is he really giving us the truth behind a lot of stuff in this autobiography...Who knows.

[Jamie Bratton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not particularly well-written, but an inspiring story. Would make a great book study for a youth group maybe? Glad I read it.

[KB Burke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick read. A glorified "mea culpa" that just screams of reasons why young athletes of all major sports should have guidance on lifestyle choices, finances, and the company they keep. 2 1/2 stars.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its not pretty but its quite real.. He made bad choices, hit rock bottom, but made himself believe in God again and work his way back to the top.

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have never rated a book I didn’t read, but I’ll make an exception for this POS.

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent story of second chance and redemption. Michael Vick's story is honest and inspiring.

[Jemima]

This is what a penitent man looks like. With his natural athleticism and superior skills, Michael Vick was one of the highest paid athletes to make it to the NFL and then the success and trappings of it came too fast.

A few things that stood out to me from his autobiography:

1) The role his culture had to play in his crime. Dog fighting was just another neighborhood activity Vick grew up watching. As he says, the police would come break it up, but no one ever got arrested. In other words, this was not a young man who had psychopathic tendencies.

2) The commitment of the woman who loved him. She stuck with him through the worst of it and waited for his return.

3) Going bankrupt on a $100 million dollar contact. So how does one do that? Vick says it was his own reckless spending, greedy financial advisors and allowing family and friends to access accounts.

4) Unsung heroes who mentor. Tony Dungy's visit to the prison, encouragement and endorsement carried Vick in some dark moments. His unconditional forgiveness after being blatantly lied to showed that Roger Goodell, the NFL Commissioner, is in it for more than just business.

5) His love for his grandmother. The worst part of being in prison was missing his grandmother's funeral. It was almost a worse punishment than being sentenced to prison. He talks of telling his grandmother he was leaving for training camp on his way to prison. He then hears of his grandmother's heartbreak and tears when his mother finally breaks the news that Vick was actually in prison. When she dies shortly after, Vick feels responsible. Later, when he's back in the NFL, he talks about longing to see her in the stands.

6) The importance of his faith. Much of his repentance is rooted in his faith in Christ and in several places Vick talks about how much he has received from the Lord.