Back in the Game

The Majority Whip's Remarkable Fight for His Life

By: Steve Scalise, Jeffrey E. Stern - contributor

Narrated by: Steve Scalise

Length: 7 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

The "gripping and inspiring" true story (Washington Examiner) of how Congressman Steve Scalise survived a political mass shooting and returned to Congress with the help of his friends, family, and faith.

On the morning of June 14, 2017, at a practice field for the annual Congressional Baseball Game, a man opened fire on the Republican team, wounding five and nearly killing Louisiana congressman Steve Scalise. In heart-pounding fashion, Scalise's minute-by-minute account tells not just his own harrowing story, but the stories of heroes who emerged in the seconds after the shooting began and worked to save his life and the lives of his colleagues and teammates.

Scalise delves into the backgrounds of each hero, seeking to understand how everyone wound up right where they needed to be, right when they needed to be there, and in possession of just the knowledge and experience they needed in order to save his life. Scalise takes us through each miracle, and each person who experienced it. He brings us the story of Rep. Brad Wenstrup, an Army Reserve officer and surgeon whose combat experience in Iraq uniquely prepared him for the attack that morning; of the members of his security detail, who acted with nearly cinematic courage; of the police, paramedics, helicopter pilots, and trauma team who came together to save his life.

Most important, it tells of the citizens from all over America who came together in ways big and small to help one grateful man, and whose prayers lifted up Scalise during the worst days of his hospitalization. As we follow the gripping, poignant, and ultimately inspiring story, we begin to realize what Scalise learned firsthand in real time: that Americans look out for each other, and that there is far more uniting us than dividing us.

©2018 Steve Scalise (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Steve's faith, from the moment of his injury throughout his recovery, is a powerful example to us all, as he and his family trump over the evil that found us on the field that day." (Congressman Brad Wenstrup, R-OH)

"A must-read for all Americans! Despite being targeted and nearly killed for his political beliefs, Steve Scalise came back stronger than ever to keep fighting for our values. He's a true conservative leader, and his story is powerful." (Sean Hannity)

"The firefight described in Back in the Game had me on the edge of my seat." (Townhall)

Powerful Just Powerful

Marla Cilley
We all watched and prayed! His telling touched my heart and made my eyes leak! I am so proud to be an American!

Things we didn't know

There us so much about this incident that we didn't hear in news broadcasts. Steve Scalise has put many of them in this book. It is an extraordinary tale of fate, Faith, family and friends. The medical story line is awesome. One of the best books I've read in a long time. Thank you Steve, for sharing your journey. God Bless you and yours.

When is the movie Coming out!

What a beautiful way to take an evil action and turn it into a Blessing from God. Who brought many "Players" together to unite a nation and heartfelt prayers and encouragement from even other parts of the world.

So happy to hear all the wonderful emotions that you shared with us that didn't bring this book to an end, but brought new beginnings.

riveting and inspiring!

Terrific narration by Scalise brings his story to life. I found it interesting and compelling.

Great book, must read

This book has every element of great literature, comedy, tragedy, great characters, epic events, gripping personal emotions and great writing. And it is all true.

Rep. Steve Scalise has gifted the listener with his personal struggles and triumphant return to the House and the Game. In doing so he pays tribute to all of the people who helped save his life by telling a portion of their story and how each of these parts came together to give his story a happy ending.

From the concerned citizen who walked to the fire station when 911 was jammed, to the Congressman who just happened to be a combat surgeon, his Secret Service detail who saved unknown lives that day, even the nurse who would not let him have a drink of water (for his own good of course) are introduced not only for their part in his story but given due for their own stories.

The trauma surgeon who was most instrumental in saving his life and his wife are rightly given top billing as the dynamic duo whom he could not have survived without.

The audiobook is read by the author which lends the reading a sense of gratitude and awe that reading it alone could not possibly convey.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is definitely a Must Read.

Thank you Rep. Scalise for telling your story and giving such a wonderful gift to the reader/listener.

How challenges show the insignificance of politics

Well done book that could pnly be written and voiced by the one who went through it. If only politicians and citizens could remember their humanity more than their ideology

Excellent!! Read by the author

This is a well written book made even more interesting by being read by the author. It’s an inspiring story of courage and miracles.

Spellbinding. Couldn’t put it down

This book did a masterful presentation of the events from multiple viewpoints . I especially enjoyed the medical professionals inside views. Mr Scalise was able to give a lot of medical information using proper terminology but making it understandable to all. This is the best book I’ve read in a long time. The audio version is read by the author.

Inspirational

A great listen. Nothing is out of reach. A news junkie will love. Democrats or Republicans

Written from the heart

Miracles do happen and I believe this is the closest call I have ever heard of. This is such an inspiring story that should be told to all Americans instead of the garbage that we get from the so-called leading news stations.