The Keeper

A Life of Saving Goals and Achieving Them

De: Tim Howard, Ali Benjamin

Narrado por: JD Jackson

In this inspiring, down-to-earth memoir the revered goalkeeper and American icon idolized by millions worldwide for his dependability, daring, and humility recounts his rise to stardom at the 2014 World Cup, the psychological and professional challenges he has faced, and the enduring faith that has sustained him.

In The Keeper, the man who electrified the world with his amazing performance in Brazil does something he would never do on a soccer field: he drops his guard. As fiercely protective about his privacy as he is guarding the goal on the field, Howard opens up for the first time about how a hyperactive kid from New Jersey with Tourette’s syndrome defied the odds to become one of the world’s premier goalkeepers.

The Keeper recalls his childhood, being raised by a single mother who instilled in him a love of sports and a devout Christian faith that helped him cope when he was diagnosed with Tourette’s in the fifth grade. He looks back over his fifteen-year professional career—from becoming the youngest player to win MLS Goalkeeper of the Year to his storied move to the English Premier League with Manchester United and his current team, Liverpool’s Everton, to becoming an overnight star after his record-making performance with the United States Men’s National Team. He also talks about the things closest to his heart—the importance of family and the Christian beliefs that guide him.

Told in his thoughtful and articulate voice, The Keeper is an illuminating look at a remarkable man who is an inspirational role model for all of us.

The Keeper is illustrated with two 8-page color photo inserts.

Great story, well read, passion personified

If you could sum up The Keeper in three words, what would they be?

Passion, Perfection, Precision

What about J. D. Jackson’s performance did you like?

He was very clear and easy to listen to, he went quickly through the story and didn't seem to pause unnecessarily. He made the story more fun to listen to than if the story had been just on a page.

Any additional comments?

This book is a great. I personally have some mental issues that I work against/with however you'd like to say it. One of them is a high anxiety and hyper-vigilance (which means you're looking for threats everywhere constantly) and the way my mind works is well described in this book. It's a different ailment, but you can hear his explanation of his working with his OCD and you can feel the compulsions I have being explained on how I must be checking for threat. That made this book touch me closely to start... then, we talk about the game!

As a youth, I played the game. I went on to play football when my size began to grow and grow and football called my name. My family has always been big into soccer. Both my brother and I have bought shares of Manchester United as our favorite club so we could call ourselves owners (it's dumb but really fun) and when we watch a match together we call it "an owner's meeting". Both my younger siblings played at the college level and did well in my opinion! The love of the game runs deep with us and seeing it from another unique perspective is really fun.

As a US Soccer fan, some of the goals were so well described that I had to go straight to a certain online video watching site and watch those same highlights again. Loved that. Absolutely got CHILLS listening to some of them. Being that the World Cup was less than a year ago, I can remember where I was and what I was doing while watching those games. Well, I was in my living room and I was slamming my Brazuca Ball into the ground praying, hoping, screaming, what have you at the screen while the games played out.

Great read for so many reasons, great listen for those of us that can't take time to read because we got lots of stuff to do with our hands. I'm an artist and draw and listen at the same time. Try it!

Tim Howard Saves more then Goals!

There was a lot more to Tim Howard then I had first realized. This autobiography takes you through all the trials and tribulations of coming from humble beginnings, struggling from Tourette syndrome to playing in one of the greatest leagues in the world. Tim talks about the people he meet along the way that helped him make his dreams of playing professionally a reality. This book goes beyond that and dives into his personal relationships and also talks about the humanitarian work with NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome. Last but not least Tim talks about his time with the USMNT and the game that would forever make him a soccer legend. Win or loss it is all about the fight to overcome lives adversity's and never giving up. You do not have to be a soccer fan to be touched by this book. I would highly recommend.

Excellent story of courage and determination!

Tim Howard shares a story of family love and support through what could have been a debilitating diagnosis to the courage and determination to excel. His recounting of his soccer career and game situations is captivating. His description of his mother's care and his love for his children as he becomes one of the best American soccer players ever makes this an encouraging and important book. I highly recommend it!

So exciting to learn the inside perspective !

Very poignant comments about family, Tourette's, and USA soccer. We have the Fathead graphic of Tim Howard storming down the hallway in our pediatric neurology clinic as s inspiration.

Great for any soccer fan

I was pleased with how much strategy and inside information he talked about which was interesting to me. Any casual fan would enjoy as well. Great story that really raised my interest in him as a player.