Field of Hope: An Inspiring Autobiography of a Lifetime of Overcoming Odds

by Brett Butler, Jerry B. Jenkins

Brett Butler, the Los Angeles Dodger who defied all odds to become a big leaguer, has had his share of battles--including a recent one with throat cancer. Field of Hope is a story of love, of reality, honesty, and testing. A story of faith and victory and hope.

Genres: Sports, Biography, Baseball, Nonfiction, Autobiography

240 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1997

Reviews

[Clint · Rating 3 out of 5]

Former Atlanta Brave, Cleveland Indian and New York Met details his career leading up to his final season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, which occurred after a cancer scare the previous season. Speedy outfielder is honest about the ups and downs of his life and marriage and his faith, which was a bulwark in his life. Probably rates between three and four stars.

[Matt Tooley · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a 2-star book, but 1) I love baseball…and 2) it might be useful as reading material for kids who go to Butler’s high school alma mater.

[Chuck Neal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story of Brett Butler, a mlb player for 18 years, who battled cancer and other demons with his family, friends and faith

[Logan Lanier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Field of Hope was a very inspiring and well thought out autobiography. This autobiography was about a man named Brett Butler, who was a baseball player who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers. All of Brett's life he had many battles he had to face. He battle the "bigger guys", the "big guys" during the baseball strike and the "other guys" for his outspoken faith. On Brett's road to the MLB, he also faced physical battles. Some of these physical battles that he faced were a serious eye injury, potentially life-ending throat cancer, and recently broke his hand. Although Brett went through all of these battles, he did everything he could in order to stay on the baseball diamond. Brett has a lot going for him and he also has a lot going with him. He gives credit to his wife, his family, his friends, and God.

I think overall that this was a good book, but I don't think that it deserves 5/5 stars. I think it deserves 4.5/5 because it wasn't the best book I've read, but it was a very good book overall. I also rate it a 4.5/5 because I feel that this book was very inspiring and it can show you that you can do anything as long as you put your mind to it. Also, another reason that I think it deserves this rating is because it shows you that you should never give up. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a story of love, reality, honesty, testing, faith, victory, and last but most important, hope.

[Johnny Steinwart · Rating 5 out of 5]

The authors' purpose for writing "Field of Hope" is to inform people about Brett Butler's life and different encounters he has had in his life. For example, the book describes how Brett was always the smallest kid in school and was always the underdog, but persevered to do well in everything he did.

The theme of the book is to never give up on your dreams and no matter what anyone tells you, you can do anything you set your mind too. Brett was told by everyone that he would never make it to even college ball, but he somehow became an all star in the major leagues.

This book is an autobiography written by and about Brett Butler. The book would not be as good if it was written by someone else because Brett gives his his real opinions and feeling of things that went on in his life that a different author could not have done.For example, Brett describes how he was made fun of in Chicago for wearing white sicks, like a Californian, and he explains how that made him feel even at a young age, which is something that a different author could not have done.

In my opinion, i think that this book deserves a perfect five starts out of five. The structure of the book is spectacular, its' chapters flow perfectly, and I have never read an autobiography that leaves you hanging and the end of chapters the way "Field of Hope" does. I recommend this book to any baseball lover, Dodger fans, or anyone just looking for a good book to read.

[Stephanie P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I definitely recommend this book! Brett Butler is currently the manager of our MiLB team, the Reno Aces. I liked him already, but now I really appreciate him, his wife, and his story. His life was very different than mine, yet we seem to often deal with challenges in the same way. He shows a lot of character and strong faith and didn't let fame or money change him. Even though it is at times sad, it is an encouraging read.

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book about Brett Butler who overcame the odds and played baseball.