Beyond Belief

By: Josh Hamilton, Tim Keown (Contributor)

Narrated by: Ethan Sawyer

Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's Summary

Josh Hamilton was the first player chosen in the first round of the 1999 baseball draft. He was destined to be one of those rare "high-character" superstars. But in 2001, working his way from the minors to the majors, all of the plans for Josh went off the rails in a moment of weakness. What followed was a four-year nightmare of drugs and alcohol, estrangement from friends and family, and his eventual suspension from baseball.

Beyond Belief details the events that led up to the derailment. Josh explains how a young man destined for fame and wealth could allow his life to be taken over by drugs and alcohol. But it is also the memoir of a spiritual journey that breaks through pain and heartbreak and leads to the spectacular rebirth of his major-league career.

Josh Hamilton makes no excuses and places no blame on anyone other than himself. He takes responsibility for his poor decisions and believes his story can help millions who battle the same demons. "I have been given a platform to tell my story," he says. "I pray every night I am a good messenger."

©2012 Josh Hamilton (P)2012 Hachette Audio

Once I started I could not put it down!!!!!

This was a fantastic book. I went in knowing some details about Josh’s life and Baseball career. BUT WOW! To hear how this played out and where the journey currently is? Pretty amazing!!!!! I totally recommend this book for everyone, not only fans.

one of the best books i have ever read.

great inspiration i loved it. josh has a awesome story and comeback to where he is now.

Very Inspirational during my time of addiction. <3

Very Inspirational during my time of addiction. <3 Wishing for a Part 2. = ]

Amazing story Josh!

You are an AMAZING Baseball Player! You are always in my prayers, hope your struggle gets smaller the older you get. I'm sorry for everything, good luck!!!

Sincerely, Bob B!

Heart Warming & Hopeful

I struggle daily with addiction. I'm constantly asking why and how did I go from others somehow perceiving me as the kindest, prettiest, most caring, hard working and loving woman that I was.. to the thieving, liar I have become. I believe Jesus Christ, God's only begotten son, was sent to live and die for our sins; yet, somehow I am unable to fully ask for his help... because of the shame and guilt that consumes me. I do not believe I deserve the forgiveness for my sins, even though I know better.. I was considered the all American girl.. but I just do not have the hope and faith I should to get better due to the pain and disappointment I've cause to every single person in my life. I do know now, I'm not alone and that it is possible to find that old person inside I once was.. So thank you :)

Josh Hamilton, humble, skill, talent, MVP

A story of talent, natural gift for baseball, humility, a signing to a minor league, wrong influences, a downward spiral, drugs. Then his grandma's influence, coming clean, faith, God, to a pro baseball athlete for Texas rangers, all within four years, at 24. Josh is a real human witness to the Christian walk, with a wife and family currently. He choose a more difficult route to succeed and overcome all the odds, be content with this gift of baseball, and witness in Jesus name ultimately. What a come back, what a testimony, what an example for all of us to follow in our daily lives. #pursueyourdream #JoshHamilton

Absolutely Inspiring.

A truly incredible and inspiring story. Love and respect this man so much after learning of his battle and how he conquered it. Must listen

A Texas who "still" loves Josh Hamilton

Would you consider the audio edition of Beyond Belief to be better than the print version?

His book was right on. He showed the world that you can, as the world says... Fall from Grace... Even though God tells us as a Believer, nothing can snatch you out of the Hand of God. Josh lost his way for a time while drugs and alcohol controlled him... His story shows you can hit bottom and reach up for God's Hand and come back to His loving arms. With true repentance He will restore your life to the blessing of God, as He planned from the beginning... I like the way it was written but then again I am a huge fan of Josh Hamilton as a Godly Man and also as an athlete...

What did you like best about this story?

In the end with God all things are possible... Josh proved it!

Have you listened to any of Ethan Sawyer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Refreshingly Honest

If you could sum up Beyond Belief in three words, what would they be?

honest and insightful journey

What did you like best about this story?

That Josh really opens up and gives insight into how a drug induced mind evolves in their thinking. He is clear.....it is not easy to come back from drug use/abuse. It is an ongoing effort.

What does Ethan Sawyer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I think narrators with their performance and voice inflections, etc. help you to grasp more of the story.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes........but could not

Any additional comments?

This is not an someone I would normally pick up an autobiography about. I am not a major league baseball fanatic (I do keep up with the Texas Rangers - but casually), but I am glad I did listen to it. I am the mother of two sons.....who for whatever reason (not logical to me) went down the path of drug abuse. This book gives insight into the thinking pattern and how it develops and shows me that it was not a matter of not loving our family or how they were brought up......it is a matter of choices at any given point in someone's life - whether a good time or a bad time in their life I enjoyed learning through Josh's story.

Interesting story, though a little repetitive.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes. I love baseball and was interested in Josh's story based on the news about him that I've seen. I am also obsessed with stories of redemption and recovery, so this was a good fit for me.

Any additional comments?

I did enjoy this book. The narrator is especially good - I started to believe I was actually hearing Josh Hamilton's voice. The story is remarkable. The writing is a little repetitive which can get tiresome, but it is very much worth a listen. I read R.A. Dickey's book at the same time as I listened to this, and it was great to have two such different stories to experience at the same time.