A Season to Remember: Faith in the Midst of the Storm

by Carson Tinker, Tommy Ford

In Tuscaloosa, Alabama the world revolves around one The University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide. But on April 27, 2011 everything changed. An EF4 tornado ripped through the small college town and changed it forever. Carson Tinker, the starting long snapper for the 2011 and 2012 National Champion Crimson Tide, was among those forever changed by the events of April 27. Tinker lost his girlfriend Ashley Harrison to the storm, but not his faith. In the midst of unfathomable destruction, Tinker saw love, companionship, perseverance, and triumph in a community torn apart by a natural disaster. Where everyone else saw tragedy, Carson Tinker saw blessing. Following the storm, the Crimson Tide suited up to face their most challenging season to date. Tinker’s personal story guides readers through what cannot be described any other way than a season to remember.

Genres: Sports

224 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2014

Reviews

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gripping memoir about the 2011 tornado outbreak as it affected one man and his community. Football player Carson Tinker is my age, and I was also in college at the time and I sure do remember all these terrible news stories coming out of Tuscaloosa, so it's really cool to see the literal boots-on-the-ground view of what happened.

It's hard to make a once-in-a-lifetime tragedy into something relatable, but the way Carson Tinker describes his anxieties about leaving the hospital and his frustrations during the recovery process are indeed so relatable. "Being recovered is always worth the pain and frustration to get there" is a line that I believe will inspire other people in recovery situations.

I found myself once in a while wishing for more details since this is such a high-energy, emotional situation -- one time where I sort of wished for a little more feelings and in-depth notes was around page 63 when he talks about being allowed to go to sleep after having a concussion. Stuff like that seems a little "fast" and I think it'd be easier to connect with if we had a little more descriptive writing in times like those.

But in general, this is an optimistic and charming autobiography! Glad Carson Tinker got his story out there because there's a lot of really amazing stuff he experienced and still keeps on fighting for.

[Sophie Lott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good memoir. I don’t even like football but this one was so perfect. I liked it even better than the one I read last year by time Tebow. This was perfect memoir because it was interesting but not whiney. I often find that memoirs are just an excuse for the author to complain for 499 pages but this was quite the opposite. It was the perfect length and was really focused on how he wasn’t going to complain but was going to live through his adversity and choose to live on his vision. I do wish that he would have spoken more about how he missed Ashley or dedicated the book to her or put her in the acknowledgements or something. It almost seemed like he didn’t care that she and his dogs died bc football season was coming up. That’s my only complaint but as far as memoirs go this was a good one because it was short and sweet.

[Jonathan Beigle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this. I think it is a similar read to Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow. I would have loved to read more details of the games during the 2011 season, but it is great to read Carson Tinker's story and hear him talk about his faith. The guy went through a lot, and it is great to hear of someone where their circumstances didn't dictate the outcome of their life.

[Jame Bond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just amazing. If you want to know how to strengthen your faith when facing something unbearable, read this book. It shows what he dealt with when he lost it all, but it shows us what to do when we don’t know what to do. I will always recommend this book even if you’re not a Christian, I would recommend it to you.

[Margaret A Krueger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This true story is a wonderful reminder of the power of faith and hope in hard times.

[Lucas Wooten · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve heard this story before and seen bits on tv about it over the years, but reading it through Carson’s point of view is different experience. A great reminder God is with us through the best and worst of times.

[Nic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a diehard Crimson Tide fan, and in 2011, I was saddened by the devastation that a tornado caused in Tuscaloosa on April 27th. I remember hearing the news reports that a Crimson Tide player, long snapper Carson Tinker, had been ripped from his house by the storm and was later found in a field across the street. I was shocked when I learned that his girlfriend had been killed in the storm. The tornado wreaked havoc on Tuscaloosa and its inhabitants. So, when I saw that Carson Tinker had written a book about it, I was eager to get my hands on it.

In Tinker’s own words, the storm was terrifying in its intensity and devastating with its aftermath. Left injured and bereft, his book is one about healing, coming to terms with loss, and turning to his faith to get him through the hardest time of his life. I didn’t realize how badly he had been injured, how, without dedication and tenacity, his football career could have ended on April 27, 2011. Instead, Tinker persevered through surgeries, wound treatments, and rehabilitation. He even underwent a skin graft in the locker room after a game. Now that is a man who wants to play some football!

Tinker’ story eventually moves from his healing to the 2011 football season, and I love this part of the book. I remember that season, watching the games. Feeling anticipation build with every win and knowing in the back of my mind and all Tide fans’ minds that the words “national championship” were quietly rolling around. Tinker takes the reader through each game. He gives insights into his teammates and coaches, especially Nick Saban and his approach to the team and the game. He explains Saban’s “process” and how the focus is never on winning or losing. I thoroughly enjoyed the firsthand account of what was happening on the field and off, what was going through the minds’ of our players, and what each victory meant to Tinker and the Tide overall.

But this book is about so much more than football. It is about one man’s approach to life and to discovering how he wants to live that life, the path he takes to achieve his goals, and the decisions he makes to live his life in the manner that best suits him. Carson Tinker (as the title suggests) is man of deep faith and that faith plays a huge role in the decisions he makes and the way he lives his life. I’m not a religious person, so I did find the book to be a bit preachy when it comes to faith and God, but, in spite of that, I enjoyed Tinker’s personal account of the storm and playing on a championship team. He definitely has a great outlook on life and quite a bit of wisdom to share.

[David Schroeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent, tragic, and triumphant storytelling of the 2011-12 U of Alabama football season. From Carson Tinker's eyes, he shares excellent life lessons in the book and provides a blessing to anyone going through difficult circumstances. " We have two choices. We can live in circumstance or we can live in vision." I've met Carson and was very impressed with him and his story. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a hopeful story.

[Helen Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this book five stars because I thought it was really inspiring and truthful. Carson Tinker did a really good job of talking about the tough times he went through without over exaggerating about the situation. The way he explained it was very inspiring and truthful. This book was also really good because not only was it inspiring, it had lots of action with some sad moments as well. It was very well balanced. Even if you aren't an Alabama fan, I would read this book.

[Clint Priest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving and inspirational. Carson Tinker's recount of the 2011 tornadoes that destroyed Tuscaloosa and how he and a team and a city responded. How he became a blessing. This book will make you laugh and will certainly make you cry. And for the Bama readers, a few Roll Tides in the inner monologue. Encouraging read. Highly recommended. Roll Tide.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I put this book on my gift list, I was completely unaware of how it would offer me hope and comfort within my own "storm." Is it about Alabama football? Somewhat, but not the way you think. If you are experiencing or have experienced a "storm" that you never imagined you would be in, I highly recommend this book.

[Nola · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for any Alabama football fan. Carson Tinker has such a wonderful message throughout his book "to be a blessing to others." I think that this book can appeal to all ages and to those who are not sports fans as well. He choose to not give up and to keep going after his tragic experience during the April 2011 Tuscaloosa, Alabama tornado.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great motivational book. We all remember the destruction of the 2011 tornadoes in Tuscaloosa. This book is a beautiful mix of football memories and overcoming adversity. I highly recommend!

[Chasity · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a young man to strive to be like!