The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game (2006)

Interesting study of Michael Orr as he moves from a destitute child in Memphis to a premiere college football athlete. Much different than the movie by the same name. ( )

There were two parts to this story. The first part was about the evolution of the offensive lineman in football. The other part of the story was about Michael Oher and his path toward the NFL. Both storylines were very interesting, but I didn't like how Lewis skipped back and forth in time between both stories. He would switch narratives abruptly and it was confusing at times because I was listening to the audiobook. But I was very interested in finishing the book. I was a graduate student at LSU when Nick Saban attempted to recruit Michael Oher and I remember the stories surrounding the recruitment and the NCAA. Coach O (who ended up with Oher at Ole Miss) is now our head football coach. The personal connections made the story more interesting. The best part of the whole book however was listening to the narrator attempt Coach O's speech and accent and then have to translate it. Priceless. ( )

The Blindside took me by surprise. I was expecting a book documenting the life of Michael Oher, but instead I got a 300 page description of how football has changed-- with Oher's experience to enhance it.

Lewis uses the facts of Oher's life parallel with notable changes in the National Football League (NFL). Though these events did not occur simultaneously, Lewis connects them as if they were meant to go hand in hand. And in some ways, maybe they were.

For anybody who has seen the movie portrayal of the book and has an interest in football, I would deem this book a "must read". I got much more out of it than I did from the movie. You get a better sense of who these people really were. But, I would also say if you're not too interested in the dynamics of the game this book is likely going to prove boring and a disappointment. ( )

This story is a very emotional and inspiring book and i believe it gives you a lot of good lessons on how the struggle you might be going through. There is a young boy named Michael and he is addicted to crack and he lives with his friends dad big tony. Tony decided to put his son in a christian private school. So big mike gets taken in by a white family. He stays there and he ends up getting his own room and truck. He is not good at school but he is good at football he wants to play so he brings his grades up. HE ends up making it on the football team he plays left tackle on offense. He has scouts coming to his game and he ends up going to college at Mississippi college and he goes to the Nfl and his drafted by the new York giants. One problem he faced was when he was living with Shaun he got in a car crash and ran away because he was scared of what was going to happen. The lesson it taught me is to always stay focused in school because no matter what i can always acheve my goal. I suggest you read this book if you like football and want to know that no matter where you come from you can always make your goal. ( )

Michael Oher was a first-round draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens out of the University of Ole Miss. Being drafted was the pinnacle of a roller coaster childhood Michael lived while growing up in Memphis. His mom was a drug addict and he never met his father, but one day the Tuohy family decides to make Michael a part of their family and Michael’s voids in his childhood are filled that eventually lead him to a multi-million-dollar contract and a story that captivated America. The Blind Side was a book that I couldn’t put down from the time I started until I finished. The obstacles Michael Oher endured growing up were immense. He never met his father and his mother was addicted to drugs. Growing up in the streets of crime-riddled streets of Memphis, Michael is taken in by the Tuohy family and the struggles they help Michael overcome is heart- warming. I would use this book for any students who are in fifth grade or above. This book is a good book to reference for students to learn about overcoming obstacles and reaching your full potential.