What do you think?
Rate this book
Iron Heart: The True Story of How I Came Back from the Dead
It was a horrific car crash. On the way home from swim practice, eighteen-year old Brian Boyle’s future changed in an instant when a dump truck plowed into his Camaro. He was airlifted to a shock-trauma hospital. He had lost sixty percent of his blood, his heart had moved across his chest, and his organs and pelvis were pulverized. He was placed in a medically-induced coma. When Brian finally emerged from the coma two months later, he had no memory of the accident. He could see and hear, but not move or talk. Unable to communicate to his doctors, nurses, or frantic parents, he heard words like “vegetable” and “nursing home.” If he lived, doctors predicted he might not be able to walk again, and certainly not swim. Then, miraculously, Brian clawed his way back to the living. First blinking his eyelids, then squeezing a hand, then smiling, he gradually emerged from his locked-in state. The former swimmer and bodybuilder had lost one hundred pounds.
Iron Heart is the first-person account of his ordeal and his miraculous comeback. With enormous fortitude he learned to walk, then run, and eventually, to swim. With his dream of competing in the Ironman Triathlon spurring him on, Brian defied all odds, and three-and-a-half years after his accident, crossed the finish line in Kona, Hawaii. Brian’s inspiring journey from coma to Kona is brought to life in this memoir.
Iron Heart is the first-person account of his ordeal and his miraculous comeback. With enormous fortitude he learned to walk, then run, and eventually, to swim. With his dream of competing in the Ironman Triathlon spurring him on, Brian defied all odds, and three-and-a-half years after his accident, crossed the finish line in Kona, Hawaii. Brian’s inspiring journey from coma to Kona is brought to life in this memoir.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2009
46 people are currently reading
509 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
November 22, 2014
I attended an event at my work featuring Brian Boyle as a guest speaker and we received this book as a gift (and lunch, too!)
The author was kind enough to sign our books following his talk. While I'm not much of an autograph hound, it was an honor to meet with him and chat for a short minute. His wife and parents also attended the event and it was truly amazing to hear from them in person and get their perspective on his story.
Brian's life took a sharp turn only a month after graduating from high school, and while he survived, doctors had serious doubts whether he would ever regain the ability to walk, swim, or even communicate.
Coming back so strongly (and quickly) from such a tragic, traumatic experience is incredibly inspirational. I can see how the devotion, dedication, and caring of his family, friends, and caregivers helped give him the strength to push through the pain and frustration of healing from his injuries and rebuilding his wasted body.
I have the most unusual coincidences in my reading choices. My boss was just telling me about taking her daughter to the Henry E. Lackey High School for a strings concert, and then the next morning, I read that Mr. Boyle was driving home from that high school aquatic center when he had his terrible accident. I mentioned the description of the back roads in that area and my boss confirmed how twisty and treacherous they could be. We even pulled up the intersection of the accident on Google maps to see the proximity of the site to the school and where she had been driving. She lives in Charles County, not too far from the high school, and so she was far more familiar with the location that I was. I knew that Mr. Boyle was a 'local boy,' but it was such an odd coincidence to have that location mentioned regarding two completely disparate events in the span of a single day.
Overall, this was a fast read and I really enjoyed reading it. It certainly is an inspirational tale, and while I will likely never compete in an Ironman Triathlon, I may choose to attempt another sprint distance tri someday. If nothing else, his story shows how important blood donation is in saving lives.
interesting quotes:
"You're like Superman to have gone through what you have, or maybe your heart is just made of iron. Whatever it is, your recovery is beyond belief." (p. 67)
"...we don't have the power to decide what will happen to us today or tomorrow, but we do have the the power to decide how we can react to those events." (p. 137)
"When I'm swimming, I feel like the freest person on the planet." (p. 160)
"Life is all about taking risks and accepting challenges when faced with adversity. This sentiment might seem like a
cliché, but to survivors like myself, it means never giving up." (p. 228)
"I hold on tighter to the handlebars. It might be called a death grip. But I recognize it as a 'life grip.' I let out a cry of triumph and victory that acts as an emotional release of all the built-up aggression, bitterness, frustration, and anger from the past few years." (p. 234)
The author was kind enough to sign our books following his talk. While I'm not much of an autograph hound, it was an honor to meet with him and chat for a short minute. His wife and parents also attended the event and it was truly amazing to hear from them in person and get their perspective on his story.
Brian's life took a sharp turn only a month after graduating from high school, and while he survived, doctors had serious doubts whether he would ever regain the ability to walk, swim, or even communicate.
Coming back so strongly (and quickly) from such a tragic, traumatic experience is incredibly inspirational. I can see how the devotion, dedication, and caring of his family, friends, and caregivers helped give him the strength to push through the pain and frustration of healing from his injuries and rebuilding his wasted body.
I have the most unusual coincidences in my reading choices. My boss was just telling me about taking her daughter to the Henry E. Lackey High School for a strings concert, and then the next morning, I read that Mr. Boyle was driving home from that high school aquatic center when he had his terrible accident. I mentioned the description of the back roads in that area and my boss confirmed how twisty and treacherous they could be. We even pulled up the intersection of the accident on Google maps to see the proximity of the site to the school and where she had been driving. She lives in Charles County, not too far from the high school, and so she was far more familiar with the location that I was. I knew that Mr. Boyle was a 'local boy,' but it was such an odd coincidence to have that location mentioned regarding two completely disparate events in the span of a single day.
Overall, this was a fast read and I really enjoyed reading it. It certainly is an inspirational tale, and while I will likely never compete in an Ironman Triathlon, I may choose to attempt another sprint distance tri someday. If nothing else, his story shows how important blood donation is in saving lives.
interesting quotes:
"You're like Superman to have gone through what you have, or maybe your heart is just made of iron. Whatever it is, your recovery is beyond belief." (p. 67)
"...we don't have the power to decide what will happen to us today or tomorrow, but we do have the the power to decide how we can react to those events." (p. 137)
"When I'm swimming, I feel like the freest person on the planet." (p. 160)
"Life is all about taking risks and accepting challenges when faced with adversity. This sentiment might seem like a
cliché, but to survivors like myself, it means never giving up." (p. 228)
"I hold on tighter to the handlebars. It might be called a death grip. But I recognize it as a 'life grip.' I let out a cry of triumph and victory that acts as an emotional release of all the built-up aggression, bitterness, frustration, and anger from the past few years." (p. 234)
December 28, 2014
Rating:
4 of 5 stars (very good)
Review:
Brian Boyle was a high school athlete who competed on the school swimming and track teams. He was an accomplished swimmer – accomplished enough to earn a scholarship to a local college. He also dreamed of one day competing in a triathlon.
Those dreams seemed to have died off on July 6, 2007 when he was severely injured in an automobile accident. There is no need to list all of the injuries suffered here, as Brian does that during this account of his story. He tells of those believing he has no chance for survival, but through his will to live, unlimited parental support and the care and guidance of many medical professionals, he will not only survive, but be able to walk again and carry out daily functions.
The story of his recovery took a larger portion of the book than I had anticipated, as the title might suggest. The synopsis talks about his determination to compete in a triathlon – and not just any triathlon – it is the Kona Ironman triathlon, one of the toughest courses. After Brian has regained enough strength to do some jogging and gets back in the pool, he decides to train for this. A production crew from NBC follows him and his training for first a half-triathlon in Michigan before the Kona Ironman. The short amount of time he had for this seems incredible, but being able to finish these races is a testament to his determination and is an inspiring story for all of us.
What I liked best about the book is that it takes the reader into the mind of an athlete. This is evident even while Brian is in the hospital, as he talks at times about his scholastic swimming and field events like the discus and shot put. Then, during not only his training for the triathlon, but also during his recovery, physical therapy and even bodybuilding (he did that before training for the triathlon), Brian talks about what he is thinking while in this phase. He has his doubts, his highs and lows, and many adventures along the way. These are interspersed throughout the passages, making the reader keenly aware of what he is thinking about as well as what he is physically doing in order to make this dream a reality.
This book was a good choice to listen to as well as the narrator did a very good job of reflecting the feelings behind Brian’s thoughts as well. I felt these came out better on audio than they would have if I read the printed version. It is a well-written memoir that people will enjoy if they like inspirational stories.
Pace of the book:
For the most part, Brian’s story moved along at a good pace. Not being a triathlete, the sections when he listed what exercises were in his daily training regiment, I admit to skimming over these by fast forwarding to the next section.
Do I recommend?
For an inspirational story or for a story where a seemingly impossible goal can be achieved, this book delivers on both of those accounts. However, if the reader wants to learn what goes on in the mind of an athlete, this book does well for that as well.
Book Format Read:
Audio book
4 of 5 stars (very good)
Review:
Brian Boyle was a high school athlete who competed on the school swimming and track teams. He was an accomplished swimmer – accomplished enough to earn a scholarship to a local college. He also dreamed of one day competing in a triathlon.
Those dreams seemed to have died off on July 6, 2007 when he was severely injured in an automobile accident. There is no need to list all of the injuries suffered here, as Brian does that during this account of his story. He tells of those believing he has no chance for survival, but through his will to live, unlimited parental support and the care and guidance of many medical professionals, he will not only survive, but be able to walk again and carry out daily functions.
The story of his recovery took a larger portion of the book than I had anticipated, as the title might suggest. The synopsis talks about his determination to compete in a triathlon – and not just any triathlon – it is the Kona Ironman triathlon, one of the toughest courses. After Brian has regained enough strength to do some jogging and gets back in the pool, he decides to train for this. A production crew from NBC follows him and his training for first a half-triathlon in Michigan before the Kona Ironman. The short amount of time he had for this seems incredible, but being able to finish these races is a testament to his determination and is an inspiring story for all of us.
What I liked best about the book is that it takes the reader into the mind of an athlete. This is evident even while Brian is in the hospital, as he talks at times about his scholastic swimming and field events like the discus and shot put. Then, during not only his training for the triathlon, but also during his recovery, physical therapy and even bodybuilding (he did that before training for the triathlon), Brian talks about what he is thinking while in this phase. He has his doubts, his highs and lows, and many adventures along the way. These are interspersed throughout the passages, making the reader keenly aware of what he is thinking about as well as what he is physically doing in order to make this dream a reality.
This book was a good choice to listen to as well as the narrator did a very good job of reflecting the feelings behind Brian’s thoughts as well. I felt these came out better on audio than they would have if I read the printed version. It is a well-written memoir that people will enjoy if they like inspirational stories.
Pace of the book:
For the most part, Brian’s story moved along at a good pace. Not being a triathlete, the sections when he listed what exercises were in his daily training regiment, I admit to skimming over these by fast forwarding to the next section.
Do I recommend?
For an inspirational story or for a story where a seemingly impossible goal can be achieved, this book delivers on both of those accounts. However, if the reader wants to learn what goes on in the mind of an athlete, this book does well for that as well.
Book Format Read:
Audio book
August 17, 2010
The fact that this story is true is its saving grace. That a human could go from being a coma patient to finishing an Ironman competition is incredible. As an athlete, I see Boyle's story as nothing short of miraculous inspiration. However, as a book, Iron Heart stinks. Boyle is clearly not a writer, and while I respect the fact that he did not employ someone else to write his story for him, he must have at least had some sort of ghost writer helping him along--which doesn't speak well for that individual. The writing is simplistic, which in some cases could be effective; here, however, it makes the story sound flat. In spite of the horrific details Boyle presents about his condition and prognoses, the reader never feels a sense of horror or urgency at all, anywhere throughout the book.
Perhaps this is because of Boyle's incurably optimistic, sunny attitude. He portrays himself as a survivor (which he is!), but his tireless optimism shines through even his descriptions of the most (seemingly) hopeless events. Even when he tries to describe himself as feeling "down," those period only last a paragraph or too, and then he's back to blinking for the sake of his parents, or walking to prove the doubters wrong, or biking to keep his sponsors.
I don't discredit Boyle's experience or personal trials at all. However, I am disappointed by the presentation of what should be such a mind-blowing story. My mind was not blown. In fact, if I were not interested in eventually competing in triathlons myself, I probably would have been so un-enthralled with this book as to have returned it to the library half-read.
June 6, 2017
Meh.
The reality of what happened to this guy is beyond incredible and inspiring. The story told here is missing the "iron heart" that it attempts to portray. There is little beyond the surface of day to day succession of events. The reasons I had for wanting to read this book remain unanswered because the story was told in such a matter-of-fact way. Was the ghost writer a robot? At the end of 250 pages I know more about Brian's detailed triathlon training program (down to how many push ups were scheduled). I don't feel like I know much about Brian as a person, a human being, in the dig-deep spiritual way that I imagine is required to come back from such a horrific near-fatal potentially life ending event. I doubt this book does any justice to the person that he really is to those who know and love him.
I bet the movie version would be better.
Who was the guy..... who played Aron Ralston in 127 hours.......(looking it up). He'd be great cast as Brian. Ah yes, James Franco. That was another true story of astounding human grit that at the end of the day makes you rethink the depths of spirit and endurance as well as their potential limits, or lack thereof. Also, Aron does ultra marathons now, so an interesting parallel on the archetype of survivor, endurance athlete.......... what are they chasing and when will they know its found?
Yeah, so I'd totally watch that movie.
The reality of what happened to this guy is beyond incredible and inspiring. The story told here is missing the "iron heart" that it attempts to portray. There is little beyond the surface of day to day succession of events. The reasons I had for wanting to read this book remain unanswered because the story was told in such a matter-of-fact way. Was the ghost writer a robot? At the end of 250 pages I know more about Brian's detailed triathlon training program (down to how many push ups were scheduled). I don't feel like I know much about Brian as a person, a human being, in the dig-deep spiritual way that I imagine is required to come back from such a horrific near-fatal potentially life ending event. I doubt this book does any justice to the person that he really is to those who know and love him.
I bet the movie version would be better.
Who was the guy..... who played Aron Ralston in 127 hours.......(looking it up). He'd be great cast as Brian. Ah yes, James Franco. That was another true story of astounding human grit that at the end of the day makes you rethink the depths of spirit and endurance as well as their potential limits, or lack thereof. Also, Aron does ultra marathons now, so an interesting parallel on the archetype of survivor, endurance athlete.......... what are they chasing and when will they know its found?
Yeah, so I'd totally watch that movie.
January 3, 2012
Brian Boyle wasn't supposed to live long enough to tell his story. Instead, he details how he fought the wrath of a horrific traffic accident to defy any opinion that he might never walk again.
Boyle opens by explaining in vivid recall how he awoke in ICU after being in a medically induced coma for a number of weeks. He was alert, but the circumstances surrounding his condition were a mystery to him. He had questions about where he was, how he got there, and why there was a myriad of tubes and catheters running through his body. The truth was that the Camero he was driving home from swim practice one afternoon was T-boned by a dump truck. The impact was so great, he suffered major organ damage and lost more than half of his blood. The details of the incident become clear over discussions with family and medical personnel.
It's not surprising that being young and athletic may have been Boyle's saving grace. In the years since the accident, he remains determined to pursue goals of running a marathon and a triathlon, which he does. Boyle's story is a remarkable tale of perseverance and the true human spirit. The moral could be that in trusting one's own instincts, anything is possible.
Recommended for grades 6 & up.
Boyle opens by explaining in vivid recall how he awoke in ICU after being in a medically induced coma for a number of weeks. He was alert, but the circumstances surrounding his condition were a mystery to him. He had questions about where he was, how he got there, and why there was a myriad of tubes and catheters running through his body. The truth was that the Camero he was driving home from swim practice one afternoon was T-boned by a dump truck. The impact was so great, he suffered major organ damage and lost more than half of his blood. The details of the incident become clear over discussions with family and medical personnel.
It's not surprising that being young and athletic may have been Boyle's saving grace. In the years since the accident, he remains determined to pursue goals of running a marathon and a triathlon, which he does. Boyle's story is a remarkable tale of perseverance and the true human spirit. The moral could be that in trusting one's own instincts, anything is possible.
Recommended for grades 6 & up.
March 22, 2016
Brian Boyle is truly an inspiration. First of all, he survived a horrific car crash that damaged all vital organs and moved his heart across his chest! He was in intensive care for two months and had numerous surgeries. After his year or so of recovering, he wanted to return to how he looked before: muscular, athletic, and less sickly. Also, he was a record breaking competitive swimmer and track runner. So, he worked hard to regain his muscle and get back in the pool. He eventually topped his previous physique, and he started to look at the Ironman races. He always watched the Ironman triathlons on TV growing up, and he thought about it before the crash. Three years after the crash, he fulfilled his dream of racing in the full length Ironman triathlon in Hawaii. That's an amazing feat for someone who is perfectly healthy!
September 28, 2016
At times, I found myself bored by the writing style of the book and some of the detail with which the author tells his story, however, this was a tremendously inspiring book about tenacity, following one's dreams, the importance of family, and knowing oneself. It is hard to imagine what Brian endured as he pulled himself back from the edge.
September 24, 2011
This true story of Brian Boyle is inspirational. I liked the writing in the first half as Brian told the story from coming out of the coma and what he saw and heard but was unable to communicate. As the author, he could have chosen to start the story at the point that he was able to communicate, but it created a new depth reading the thoughts he couldn't even share to anyone in the same room as him. The description is incredibly well written, and although I knew the outcome of the story, I was pulling for his recovery.
Brian Boyle wrote this book about his long recovery after a dump truck crashes into his Camero while he drives home from swim practice one afternoon. His goals of attending college and continuing a successful swimming career look impossible from his bed at the ICU in the hospital. The possibilities of being stuck in a wheelchair the rest of his life drive him to work hard. After hours of physical therapy, he decides that maybe swimming is still in his future, and he begins training for a 1/2 Ironman. After a success there, he gets sponsored for a full Ironman competition in Hawaii. Is his heart ready? Has he had enough time to train for this almost impossible task even for the fitness? This book is a story of his journey from a hospital bed after fourteen surgeries to the finish line of an Ironman competition.
Brian Boyle is unstoppable. Without his prior work ethic in the weight room and pool, the doctors said his body wouldn't have handled the crash. The body fed on his muscles while he was in the coma. Coming out of the coma, his determination is stronger. Even after he is signed up for the full Ironman he mentions that he's never thought about not finishing. This young man has strength of body and mind.
His parents are also important characters in the book because Brian can see their pain, and he wants to get better to take that pain away from them. He wants their lives to return to normalcy, too. They visit the hospital each day, help him with daily tasks, support his dream to compete again, and even build a pool in their backyard to give him another place for water workouts.
Key issues include athletics and the disappointment of being in the wrong place at the wrong time determining the future. He brought up the question of what he did to deserve this. He justifies that other teenagers drink and drive and they get home quickly while he has never done that, and yet, he was just leaving the pool when his dreams were snatched away.
This book was recommended to my by our high school librarian. It won the 2011-2011 Iowa High School Book Award, and is compared to Lance Armstrong's accomplishment story.
Brian Boyle wrote this book about his long recovery after a dump truck crashes into his Camero while he drives home from swim practice one afternoon. His goals of attending college and continuing a successful swimming career look impossible from his bed at the ICU in the hospital. The possibilities of being stuck in a wheelchair the rest of his life drive him to work hard. After hours of physical therapy, he decides that maybe swimming is still in his future, and he begins training for a 1/2 Ironman. After a success there, he gets sponsored for a full Ironman competition in Hawaii. Is his heart ready? Has he had enough time to train for this almost impossible task even for the fitness? This book is a story of his journey from a hospital bed after fourteen surgeries to the finish line of an Ironman competition.
Brian Boyle is unstoppable. Without his prior work ethic in the weight room and pool, the doctors said his body wouldn't have handled the crash. The body fed on his muscles while he was in the coma. Coming out of the coma, his determination is stronger. Even after he is signed up for the full Ironman he mentions that he's never thought about not finishing. This young man has strength of body and mind.
His parents are also important characters in the book because Brian can see their pain, and he wants to get better to take that pain away from them. He wants their lives to return to normalcy, too. They visit the hospital each day, help him with daily tasks, support his dream to compete again, and even build a pool in their backyard to give him another place for water workouts.
Key issues include athletics and the disappointment of being in the wrong place at the wrong time determining the future. He brought up the question of what he did to deserve this. He justifies that other teenagers drink and drive and they get home quickly while he has never done that, and yet, he was just leaving the pool when his dreams were snatched away.
This book was recommended to my by our high school librarian. It won the 2011-2011 Iowa High School Book Award, and is compared to Lance Armstrong's accomplishment story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
March 31, 2013Ashley Annarelli
Ms. Emmett
Academic English 10
5 April, 2013
With the looks of the car, it is a miracle he is alive today. Eighteen year old, Brian Boyle was driving home from swim practice when his life took a turn for the worse as a dump truck crashed into the driver’s side of his Camaro. Brian was quickly airlifted to intensive care at a shock-trauma hospital. Sixty percent of his blood- gone, his organs and pelvis were crushed, his heart moved across his chest, and lost 100 pounds. After two months Brian woke from a medically induced coma without any memory of the crash. Brian could not move nor talk but he could see hear. If Brian were to live, his doctors predicted that he would not walk nor swim ever again. With his parent’s motivation and Brian’s determination, he slowly made little steps to recovery. Iron Heart: The True Story of how I Came Back from the Dead is a first person account of Brian Boyle’s suffering and unbelievable comeback
The little everyday things we do and take for granted, Brian did not have for the longest time. Boyle’s story teaches us that we must live every day with appreciation. We never know what might come to us tomorrow; Brian certainly did not expect his entire future to be changed. There are many people in the world living in poor conditions or living without the privileges many of us have. Another lesson learned from Iron Heart is that giving up is not an option no matter how bad the situation. Brian was on the brink of death but kept pushing to live out his dreams.
Iron Heart is truly an amazing story. It is so amazing, I rate it an 11 out of 10. For those of you who have never heard of this book or just haven’t gotten around to reading it, read it. It will leave you speechless. Putting the book down is impossible. Once it is read, you will feel inspired and ready to learn more about Brian Boyle. As you live, do not forget to appreciate every little thing.
Ms. Emmett
Academic English 10
5 April, 2013
With the looks of the car, it is a miracle he is alive today. Eighteen year old, Brian Boyle was driving home from swim practice when his life took a turn for the worse as a dump truck crashed into the driver’s side of his Camaro. Brian was quickly airlifted to intensive care at a shock-trauma hospital. Sixty percent of his blood- gone, his organs and pelvis were crushed, his heart moved across his chest, and lost 100 pounds. After two months Brian woke from a medically induced coma without any memory of the crash. Brian could not move nor talk but he could see hear. If Brian were to live, his doctors predicted that he would not walk nor swim ever again. With his parent’s motivation and Brian’s determination, he slowly made little steps to recovery. Iron Heart: The True Story of how I Came Back from the Dead is a first person account of Brian Boyle’s suffering and unbelievable comeback
The little everyday things we do and take for granted, Brian did not have for the longest time. Boyle’s story teaches us that we must live every day with appreciation. We never know what might come to us tomorrow; Brian certainly did not expect his entire future to be changed. There are many people in the world living in poor conditions or living without the privileges many of us have. Another lesson learned from Iron Heart is that giving up is not an option no matter how bad the situation. Brian was on the brink of death but kept pushing to live out his dreams.
Iron Heart is truly an amazing story. It is so amazing, I rate it an 11 out of 10. For those of you who have never heard of this book or just haven’t gotten around to reading it, read it. It will leave you speechless. Putting the book down is impossible. Once it is read, you will feel inspired and ready to learn more about Brian Boyle. As you live, do not forget to appreciate every little thing.
October 25, 2012
"Iron Heart" is memoir about Brian Boyle who had just graduated high school, and was about to go to college at Maine State University with a scholarship in swimming. Approximately 2 weeks before Brian goes to college he gets in a devastating car accident. Brian loses 60% of his blood and remains in the critical conditions room for 2 to 4 months, 1/12 of the time he is in the critical conditions room he is in a coma. Doctors find many internal organs in different places than they should be in for example his heart is on the other side of his chest. Everything is out of order, but maybe his doctors can fix his critical conditions.
Brian finally gets out of the critical conditions room and is in the regular hospital where he can not speak he can not walk and he cannot see and cannot eat or drink. One day in the hospital Brian opens his eyes for the first time in ages and then he opens up his mouth and says "hello" from that point on brian is able to speak, see and hear. The day had came he was just learning how to walk and and eat. when Brian gets sent to a nursing home for 3 to 4 weeks. I really liked this book it was better than the Hunger Games and I am a fanatic over the Hunger Games. I would rate this book 5 stars it's a page turner, and you will never ever want to put the book down.
Brian finally gets out of the critical conditions room and is in the regular hospital where he can not speak he can not walk and he cannot see and cannot eat or drink. One day in the hospital Brian opens his eyes for the first time in ages and then he opens up his mouth and says "hello" from that point on brian is able to speak, see and hear. The day had came he was just learning how to walk and and eat. when Brian gets sent to a nursing home for 3 to 4 weeks. I really liked this book it was better than the Hunger Games and I am a fanatic over the Hunger Games. I would rate this book 5 stars it's a page turner, and you will never ever want to put the book down.
April 15, 2013
This book was phenomenal! I found it to be extremely motivating, touching, inspirational, and awe-inspiring. This book is the first hand account of Brian Boyle, an 18 year old critically injured in a horrific automobile accident. He was not expected to live through the first hour after the accident because of all the internal damage his body received--every rib was broken, his heart shifted to the other side of his chest, his pelvis was smashed, and he had other extensive injuries. However, through sheer will and determination, Brian stuns all the experts by not only surviving, but thriving. Told he would never speak again, he speaks. Told he would never move again, he moves. Told he would never walk again, he walks. Told he would be a vegetable for the rest of his life, he becomes a world-famous Ironman competitor! This is probably one of the best books I have read in a very long time. A suggested read for anyone, for it reminds us all of the power of positive thinking, determination, and family love.
June 19, 2011
Amazing story about the power of the human will. This kid should have been dead, but it was his will to live that kept him alive. Considering how close he was to death, it's a remarkable story of his amazing recovery, not just to healthy life, but to doing things way beyond what normal people can do (like the Ironman Triathlon).
It caused me to rethink the issue of "pulling the plug" when someone is on life support. It also made me reconsider how much of our ability to accomplish physical things with our bodies is limited simply by our minds and our will to push more.
It was an easy read, and I found the beginning to be the most interesting. I've never read anyone who was in that situation, writing from the perspective of being stuck in the hospital bed, drifting in and out of consciousness while at the same time having their full mental capacity.
Worth the time... a very encouraging story.
It caused me to rethink the issue of "pulling the plug" when someone is on life support. It also made me reconsider how much of our ability to accomplish physical things with our bodies is limited simply by our minds and our will to push more.
It was an easy read, and I found the beginning to be the most interesting. I've never read anyone who was in that situation, writing from the perspective of being stuck in the hospital bed, drifting in and out of consciousness while at the same time having their full mental capacity.
Worth the time... a very encouraging story.
November 7, 2014
I am struggling with how to rate this book. Brian's story is beyond amazing. I heard him speak at the library and he told most of his story. He is a soft spoken, gregarious, reflective, grateful, present, sincere, empathetic athlete & body builder. As a result of his accident, he has found his destiny in helping others in similar situations. He is becoming a spokesperson for the Red Cross. His appeal will help the Red Cross tremendously. With all of that said, the book is good. It is basically well written, but lacks punch, surprise or new details that kept me from wanting to put it down. Regardless, Brian and his family and friends are very likable and his story is unbelievable. I'd rate the writing average to good (3 stars) and his story 5 stars, so I'm averaging it out to 4 stars.
November 11, 2011
AMAZING BOOK!!! This is one of those books that I will always remember. I rented it from the library and I am very tempted to just go out and buy a copy so I can re-read it any time I need a reality check. There is so much I have learnt from this book. Our time can be up at any moment and it is so important to go after what you want and to defy the odds. Never take NO for an answer and just live every moment like it is your last because it may just be your last. I read reviews after I got the book and people said it wasn't written properly or they should have written it different. I disagree because this book was like reading his diary. The emotions are so real. I just can't get over what this book has done to me. I highly reccommed this to every single person.
July 25, 2013
This book was phenomenal!!! It is a true, inspirational story of a boy who is in a near-fatal car accident (not expected to live) and fights his way out of a coma to end up competing in the Hawaii Ironman triathlon world competition!! This story is incredible and so worth the read!! My favorite quote from the book is “’A person hasn’t lived until he has almost died, and for those who have fought for life, the world has a flavor the protected will never know.’ Life is all about taking risks and accepting challenges when facing adversity. This sentiment might seem like a cliché, but to survivors like myself, it means never giving up.”
December 10, 2013
Brian Boyle is an amazing story of how a boy who was told he would never be able to walk, swim, or be the way he was before the accident proved to others that he could persevere and prove them wrong. Little by little he got better even with small things like blinking or saying hello he showed that he wasn't going to quit. This shows to prove that even in the most complicated situations like Brian was in you can still achieve your goals. In the beginning state of his physical therapy he was barely able to lift a broom stick and curl a 2.5 pound dumb bell, now after extensive physical therapy and hope he was able to swim and even compete in the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon.
July 1, 2015
Oh the disappointment of the uninspiring and simplistic telling of what should have been a great story. Brian Boyle truly made a miraculous recovery from a nearly life ending car accident. Nevertheless, his telling of the story comes across as superficial and overly optimistic. Then again maybe this is what you should expect from a kid who nearly had his life cut short.
I had a particularly hard time reading through his cocky attempt at completing an Ironman with only weeks of training. His rushing into this serious long distance event only highlighted his childishness.
I really hoped to enjoy this book. Unfortunately Boyle failed to deliver.
I had a particularly hard time reading through his cocky attempt at completing an Ironman with only weeks of training. His rushing into this serious long distance event only highlighted his childishness.
I really hoped to enjoy this book. Unfortunately Boyle failed to deliver.
April 5, 2018
Bryan Boyle at 18 a bodybuilder and elite swimmer is involved in a horrific collision the trauma of which he survived based in no small part on his superb physical conditioning. The book follows him through months of semi-consciousness, paralysis, recovery and physiotherapy. One feels empathy for his plight but at around the two-thirds mark the book degenerates into the story of just another dumb jock bragging about the size of his biceps, the weight he can bench, the girth of his chest. At least we're spared the dimensions of his erections. The final chapters involve his Ironman Competitions.
January 15, 2019
What an inspiring story! Brian Boyle was nearly killed in a car crash when he was barely out of high school. The fact that he had beefed up for track and field is likely the reason he survived. His organs shifted all around, he broke multiple bones, and was in a medically induced coma. From Brian's perspective, he remembers trying to speak or move to make contact with his parents and the glory of that first smile. He relays his complete rehabilitation and path to becoming an Iron Man triathlete just a few years after his near-death experience. Recommended - enjoyable even for non-athletes like me!
January 3, 2011
Boyle is not the most lyrical or stylized writer but this was an inspiring and humbling book. I was amazed at his tenacity and his ability to rebound from his injuries. Probably the most astounding aspect was his matter-of-fact attitude about his recovery and subsequent feats. You don't struggle and groan through every triumph and he almost makes it seem like an easy and uneventful recovery.
I found this story to be inspiring and uplifting and made me have a desire to do more with my life. Brian Boyle is pretty amazing.
I found this story to be inspiring and uplifting and made me have a desire to do more with my life. Brian Boyle is pretty amazing.
November 12, 2012
Good. Inspritional. It's also unreal. Not in reality, but it seems like it should be. What he went through and how quickly he healed. Although, that's only a small part of it. Going from no training to the ability to complete Kona Ironman with such a short amount of training is staggering even without considering how soon it was after his accident (you know, the one he was a vegetable/not able to walk/never going to swim again accident-depending on how far you are in his story). Fun to read.
Read
May 11, 2015Iron Heart By Brian Boyle
This Book covers his recovery from a car accident it took 4-5 years.Two people that had a huge influence on Brian were his parents.I think he wrote this memoir because he survived something that others wouldn't have.First he was hit by a a dump truck then put in a coma for two months during these two months his heart stopped multiple times after all this he still ran a triathalon this book was some times boring there were some parts where nothing would happen and it would be boring this book is good for anybody if you want a inspirational
This Book covers his recovery from a car accident it took 4-5 years.Two people that had a huge influence on Brian were his parents.I think he wrote this memoir because he survived something that others wouldn't have.First he was hit by a a dump truck then put in a coma for two months during these two months his heart stopped multiple times after all this he still ran a triathalon this book was some times boring there were some parts where nothing would happen and it would be boring this book is good for anybody if you want a inspirational
December 8, 2017
This is a nonfiction book that takes place in the hospital when a athletic kids by the name of Brian is put in the hospital because of a car crash. One of the most emotion filled scenes is then Brian is able to slightly move his hands and he then goes into a seizure. This allows you to get so happy for the kid then all the enjoyment is stripped away, and you really feel for the author (Brian). You would like this book if you liked books that teach you about perseverance. You may have challenges with this book if you can't handle sad and happy stories.
December 3, 2011
This is the true story of Brian Boyle who manages to survive a horendous car accident and come back to excel in several athletic events. It is inspiring, I suppose, but I really felt I knew this story already. The "triumph-over-adversity" genre has been played time and time again and Brian's story - while heartfelt - offers nothing new to the mix sad to say. It's a Lifetime movie in the making.
August 20, 2014
This was not something I would normally read. I'm not an athlete in any sense of the word. But it was a book club pick so I read it and I liked it. It was an easy read and very uplifting. A little too much brand name dropping for my taste, "And then this brand sponsored me, and that brand, and that brand too, blah, blah, blah..." But I looked past that and overall was amazed at Bryan's accomplishment.
February 15, 2015
Really amazing story and quick read. Brian Boyle is absolutely inspirational and really came back from the dead to do what everyone else said was not possible. he never let anything get in his way or any of his dreams. 3 stars only because I felt like it was a tad repetitive at times and because I knew the book had a happy ending, the way the book ended was just ehh. I wish I had more closure at the end as opposed to the end saying 'I finish the race.'
May 2, 2015
This was an inspiring read. Brian never should have survived his accident. He never should have walked. Yet, he did survive and he didn't just relearn to walk, he became a triathlete and he became an Ironman. Not only does he have an ironheart, but he also has a ironmind and has persevered in the face of great adversity, suffering, and pain. His story is a great reminder that with hardwork and dogged determination one can meet his or her ultimate goal.
February 4, 2016
This story about a horrible car accident and being "locked in" was very difficult and painful for me to read--evoking the same kind of panicky, claustrophobic feeling inside of me that I experienced reading Jean-Dominique Bauby's The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. But it was well worth powering through the opening chapters in order to cheer on the narrator. This memoir forces you to think about important issues such as end-of-life decisions, parental love, and our will to live.
November 10, 2009
Nicely written survivor story. Kind of hard to read because i have a weak stomach and there's no sugar coating Brian's injuries. I am considering doing an Ironman triathlon and read this book for inspiration. Brian's survival is inspiring but little of this book covers triathlons, therefore probably not too motivating for my triathlon ambitions.
March 27, 2010
Amazing story. I am literally in tears after reading "Iron Heart" by Brian Boyle. At 18 he was in a horrific car crash. He lost 60% of his blood, his heart was shoved across his chest, his internal organs and his pelvis were pulverized. Three years later he completed the Kona Ironman. What a powerful story of strength and determination,so inspiring.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews