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You'll Never Walk
When Andy Grant's eyes blinked open from a 10-day coma in February 2009 he was alone in a hospital bed in Birmingham. He had a broken sternum, a broken leg, a broken elbow and shrapnel lodged in both forearms. He had a severed femoral artery, nerve damage to his hands and feet as well as deep gaping wounds in both of his cheeks. He had been blown up during a routine foot patrol in Afghanistan. Within days of coming to his senses, a doctor told Andy that because of the blast he would no longer be able to have children. You'll Never Walk is his story.
The tale of a Scouser who had to cope with losing his mum at the tender age of 12. The story of how a dream career in the Royal Marines descended into nightmare at the hands of the Taliban. The painstaking account of how he grew back six centimetres of shattered bone in his leg and learned to walk again.However, Andy wanted to run and push himself to the very edge of his limits and so he made a colossal decision.
Against doctor's advice and pleas from his father, he chose to have his leg amputated. The operation was a success, although there was a minor twist. Where once Andy's treasured Liverpool FC tattoo had carried the message 'You'll Never Walk Alone', surgery to create a stump removed a key word from the slogan. The scars of his amputation had been decorated with an ominous new motto, which read 'You'll Never Walk...'
Andy would walk again – he would do much more than that. Armed with a running blade he learned to run and play football, scaled mountains in South America and Italy and claimed two gold medals at Prince Harry's Invictus Games. Through public speaking he brought hope to people right across the country. In 2016, he set his sights on a 10k below-the-knee-amputee world-record and completed the run in an unprecedented 37 minutes 17 seconds. And, most preciously of all, after every obstacle placed in his path, Andy became a father to a little girl.
The tale of a Scouser who had to cope with losing his mum at the tender age of 12. The story of how a dream career in the Royal Marines descended into nightmare at the hands of the Taliban. The painstaking account of how he grew back six centimetres of shattered bone in his leg and learned to walk again.However, Andy wanted to run and push himself to the very edge of his limits and so he made a colossal decision.
Against doctor's advice and pleas from his father, he chose to have his leg amputated. The operation was a success, although there was a minor twist. Where once Andy's treasured Liverpool FC tattoo had carried the message 'You'll Never Walk Alone', surgery to create a stump removed a key word from the slogan. The scars of his amputation had been decorated with an ominous new motto, which read 'You'll Never Walk...'
Andy would walk again – he would do much more than that. Armed with a running blade he learned to run and play football, scaled mountains in South America and Italy and claimed two gold medals at Prince Harry's Invictus Games. Through public speaking he brought hope to people right across the country. In 2016, he set his sights on a 10k below-the-knee-amputee world-record and completed the run in an unprecedented 37 minutes 17 seconds. And, most preciously of all, after every obstacle placed in his path, Andy became a father to a little girl.
- GenresAutobiography
308 pages, Hardcover
Published September 1, 2018
12 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Andy Grant
1 bookBorn in Liverpool, Andy Grant joined the Royal Marines aged 17. He is an ambassador for charities such as Help for Heroes and School of Hard Knocks. Andy is the subject of the 2017 ITV documentary Paragon.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 8, 2021
So incredibly raw, honest, eye opening and inspiring!
November 1, 2018
Very inspirational, a must read. This lad has had everything thrown at him, and come out the other side. Hoofin
Per Mare Per Terram
Per Mare Per Terram
August 16, 2020
When I watched Ricky Gervais's After Life it was the first TV programme that made me laugh and cry with each episode. Andy Grant, and his collaborator Phil Reade, have now made a book that has made me laugh and cry at every chapter.
Andy Grant, the fastest one-legged man in the world, tells his srtory from the back streets of Bootle as a child to war torn Afghanistan in a story that contains so much heartache and pain but also shows what a super hero he is with his positivity and "can do" attitude and from his Scouse wit through to his motivational and inspirational public speaking. He is a man who can connect with all types of society from royal princes to his mates in the pub and right through to the children in his old high school.
Anyone that has had an amputation or serious illness, etc should read this book as it shows that anything is possible. Having recently had a leg amputation I could relate to some of the things that Andy has been through but he has been through it ten times worse. I may never be able to run at my size and age but he has pushed me further with my new mantra of 'New Life, New Challenges' and I wold love one day to shake his hand and also give his Dad a big hug. And all of this is coming from a Man United fan who grew up not too far from Bootle in the town of Skelmersdale.
I keep pressing the button on Amazon but no matter what I do I cannot give this book 6 stars. It is probably one of the best books I have ever read and I am grateful to Andy and his family for sharing his story with us all.
Buy the book, read it from cover to cover and then check out the podcast Andy does, called The Leg It Podcast.
Andy Grant, the fastest one-legged man in the world, tells his srtory from the back streets of Bootle as a child to war torn Afghanistan in a story that contains so much heartache and pain but also shows what a super hero he is with his positivity and "can do" attitude and from his Scouse wit through to his motivational and inspirational public speaking. He is a man who can connect with all types of society from royal princes to his mates in the pub and right through to the children in his old high school.
Anyone that has had an amputation or serious illness, etc should read this book as it shows that anything is possible. Having recently had a leg amputation I could relate to some of the things that Andy has been through but he has been through it ten times worse. I may never be able to run at my size and age but he has pushed me further with my new mantra of 'New Life, New Challenges' and I wold love one day to shake his hand and also give his Dad a big hug. And all of this is coming from a Man United fan who grew up not too far from Bootle in the town of Skelmersdale.
I keep pressing the button on Amazon but no matter what I do I cannot give this book 6 stars. It is probably one of the best books I have ever read and I am grateful to Andy and his family for sharing his story with us all.
Buy the book, read it from cover to cover and then check out the podcast Andy does, called The Leg It Podcast.
June 7, 2019
This book gives you all the emotions you expect from a truly remarkable honourable courageous well respected soldier now a runner. Andy we thank you for your service to our Country and honesty in the writing of this book. And I hope the Guinness Book of Records and the Athletics federation acknowledges your 10k record 👍
November 14, 2019
I heard Andy Grant on the Anfield Wrap podcast, I thought about the story, but forgot that he had written a book.
When I saw Jordan Henderson with the book I remembered.
I started the book and I couldn’t put it away.
It made me weep. It made me laugh, happy sad.
A very inspirational story.
God I feel lucky.
When I saw Jordan Henderson with the book I remembered.
I started the book and I couldn’t put it away.
It made me weep. It made me laugh, happy sad.
A very inspirational story.
God I feel lucky.
June 2, 2019
Loved this book. Amongst the best I have ever read. A well written account of the authors rollercoaster life and the physical, mental and emotional trials that he endures. I could empathise and relate to it on so many levels. Well worth reading. Well done Andy, I knew your dad in the Fire Service!
August 26, 2019
Brilliant
I was recommended this by someone who explained how great Andy is and mentioned the story re the tattoo. I had actually came across the book before on my searches so thought I’d give it a go. I read this book in 2 days, I couldn’t put it down. Thanks for sharing your story.
I was recommended this by someone who explained how great Andy is and mentioned the story re the tattoo. I had actually came across the book before on my searches so thought I’d give it a go. I read this book in 2 days, I couldn’t put it down. Thanks for sharing your story.
January 7, 2019
About so much more than just running. Inspiring, heart-wrenching, and honest.
July 27, 2021
Fantastic book
This book came at a time in my life when I need it. It’s helped to make things clear for me. Thank you.
This book came at a time in my life when I need it. It’s helped to make things clear for me. Thank you.
August 6, 2023
A very inspirational read!
August 15, 2019
Brilliant !
A brilliant book, inspirational, funny and sad. I read it on holiday and couldn't put it down, can't recommend it highly enough !!
A brilliant book, inspirational, funny and sad. I read it on holiday and couldn't put it down, can't recommend it highly enough !!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews