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Life Is Magic
- An Extraordinary True Story of Trauma and Transformation
- Narrated by: Jon Dorenbos
- Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins
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Publisher's summary
“Jon Dorenbos is a magical person. Life Is Magic shows how we can all choose happiness in the face of overwhelming odds.” (Ellen DeGeneres)
An extraordinary and empowering true story of resilience, forgiveness, and living a life of purpose in the face of unfathomable obstacles.
You may know him as an NFL All-Pro or as a world-class magician who made the finals of America’s Got Talent, but Jon Dorenbos says that what he does is not who he is. He is someone who coached himself, at the most tender of ages, to turn tragedy to triumph.
One morning in August 1992, when Jon was 12 years old and living a seemingly idyllic childhood in suburban Seattle, he woke up for baseball camp. His dad waved good-bye. Later that day, Jon heard the news: His father had murdered his mother in the family’s three-car garage. In an instant, his life had shattered. He’d essentially been orphaned.
Thrust into foster care while his father stood trial for murder, Jon struggled. Left to himself, he discovered an unlikely escape performing magic tricks. If you found a way to alter your reality, after your dad - your hero - killed your mom, wouldn’t you cling to it, too? Then came football, which provided a release for all of his pent-up anger. Together, magic and football saved him, leading to 14 NFL seasons on the gridiron and raucous sleight-of-hand performances to packed houses across the globe.
In 2017, he was diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition leaving him with a choice. To either break down or - as he’d by now long taught himself - bounce back.
“Life Is Magic shows how we can all choose happiness in the face of overwhelming odds” (Ellen DeGeneres) and provides a road map for overcoming even the darkest of times. Jon’s story is poignant and powerful, told by a charismatic and optimistic man who has overcome life-or-death challenges with grace, persistence, a childlike sense of wonder...and jaw-dropping card tricks.
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In this inspirational memoir, Derrick Coleman, Jr., the Seattle Seahawks fullback who won the 2014 Super Bowl with the Seahawks in his second year in the NFL, relates his inspirational story of hard work and determination in his own words. Showcasing his unlikely and challenging journey to become the first deaf athlete to play offense in the NFL, he talks about overcoming internal and external obstacles in the course of reaching your true potential.
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Inspirational & honest!
- By Kari Piazza on 04-24-17
By: Marcus Brotherton, and others
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Curveball
- How I Discovered True Fulfillment After Chasing Fortune and Fame
- By: Barry Zito, Robert Noland
- Narrated by: Barry Zito
- Length: 7 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
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In 2007, pitcher Barry Zito signed a seven-year, $126 million contract with the San Francisco Giants. At that time, it was the largest contract ever given to a pitcher. He was at the top of his game, in peak physical condition, and had the kind of financial security most people can only dream of. He was also miserable. And it began to show. Zito's career declined over the next few years until he hit rock bottom - watching from the bench as his team won the World Series in 2010. In Curveball, Zito shares his story with honesty and transparency.
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The Seeker
- By Gary T. on 11-14-19
By: Barry Zito, and others
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The Pact
- By: Cody Garbrandt, Mark Dagostino
- Narrated by: Dave Hoffman
- Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
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Cody Garbrandt grew up in a rough town in the Central Appalachian region of Ohio, surrounded by a longstanding culture of fighting - and drugs. Raised in this environment by a single mom (his dad left him at the young age of three to reside in the Ohio State Penitentiary), Cody grew up fighting, and he grew up wild. His future seemed predestined to end in the coal mines or in prison. Thankfully, Cody had visions of something more. His American dream? Mixed martial arts.
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Yikes.
- By Rebecca Whitman on 06-20-18
By: Cody Garbrandt, and others
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This Book Has Balls
- Sports Rants from the MVP of Talking Trash
- By: Michael Rapaport
- Narrated by: Michael Rapaport
- Length: 7 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
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In This Book Has Balls, Rapaport uses his signature smack-talk style and in-your-face humor to discuss everything from why LeBron will never be like Mike to how Tiger needs the ladies to get his golf game back and how he once thought Mary Lou Retton was his true love. And, of course, why next year will be the year the New York Knicks win the championship. This book is a series of rants - some controversial, some affectionate, but all incredibly hilarious.
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Gringo Mandingo Mike Rapaport does it again!
- By Kathryn Lara on 10-24-17
By: Michael Rapaport
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Game Changer
- By: Neal Shusterman
- Narrated by: Andrew Eiden, Jennifer Jill Araya
- Length: 10 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
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An explosive new novel by the author of the National Book Award-winning Challenger Deep and the New York Times best-selling Arc of a Scythe series, about the limited ways we see our world - and how a jolt out of the ordinary can upend the universe.
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mind expanding questions are asked and explored.
- By Klokfixr on 02-11-21
By: Neal Shusterman
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Rudy
- My Story
- By: Rudy Ruettiger
- Narrated by: Daniel Butler
- Length: 11 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
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How does a lower middle class kid, who suffered through school with undiagnosed dyslexia, get into Notre Dame and become the inspiration for millions in a Hollywood film that has become one of the most inspiring sport movies ever made? He never gave up. For the first time, read Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger's real life story and learn the behind-the-scenes details of the ten years it took to make the movie and how that tossed him into a new career of public speaking that continues on stages today alongside world-class leaders and speakers.
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The rest of the story...
- By Deidre on 09-19-12
By: Rudy Ruettiger
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Shattered
- Struck Down, But Not Destroyed
- By: Frank Pastore, Ellen Vaughn
- Narrated by: Frank Pastore
- Length: 6 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
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Shattered is part sports audio book, because you’ll go on road trips, enter clubhouses, and walk on the fields of professional baseball. It’s part romantic novel, because you’ll journey with two young kids who fall in love and eventually elope, evading not only her family, but the law as well - for she was only 16. It’s also a story of brokenness, betrayal, and burn-out. If you were raised in a dysfunctional family, if you’ve ever had your dreams fall apart, been betrayed by close friends, or hit the psychological “wall” in your professional career, this is your audio book too.
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Loved it
- By Jim Battle on 01-29-23
By: Frank Pastore, and others
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Million-Dollar Throw
- By: Mike Lupica
- Narrated by: Jeffrey Brick
- Length: 5 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
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Award-winning journalist and ESPN personality Mike Lupica crafts a moving tale of perseverance, loyalty, and of the hope that rides on one pressure-packed football toss. If 13-year-old Nate Brodie can throw a football through a small target at a Patriots game, he will win a million dollars. Since his dad just lost his job, Nate welcomes the opportunity at first.
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Best book ever!!!
- By kelly on 03-13-15
By: Mike Lupica
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Basketball Junkie
- A Memoir
- By: Chris Herren, Bill Reynolds
- Narrated by: Peter Berkrot
- Length: 6 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
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At basketball-crazy Durfee High School in Fall River, Massachusetts, junior guard Chris Herren carried his family’s and the city’s dreams on his skinny frame. His grandfather, father, and older brother had created their own sports legends in a declining city; he was the last, best hope for a career beyond the shuttered mills and factories. Herren was heavily recruited by major universities, chosen as a McDonald’s All-American, featured in a Sports Illustrated cover story, and at just seventeen years old became the central figure in Fall River Dreams, an acclaimed book about the 1994 Durfee team’s quest for the state championship.
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most powerful recovery story I've ever heard
- By Brian Swasey on 03-23-22
By: Chris Herren, and others
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Overtime
- Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines at the Crossroads of College Football
- By: John U. Bacon
- Narrated by: Johnny Heller
- Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
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For the past year, John U. Bacon has received unprecedented access to Jim Harbaugh’s University of Michigan football team: coaches, players, and staffers, in closed-door meetings, locker rooms, meals, and classes. Overtime captures this storied program at the crossroads, as the sport’s winningest team battles to reclaim its former glory. But what if the price of success today comes at the cost of your soul? Do you pay it, or compete without compromising?
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Good story.... but
- By Amazon Customer on 10-07-19
By: John U. Bacon
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Across the River
- Life, Death, and Football in an American City
- By: Kent Babb
- Narrated by: Ryan Vincent Anderson, Kent Babb
- Length: 11 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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On the west bank of the Mississippi lies the New Orleans neighborhood of Algiers. Short on hope but big on dreams, its mostly poor and marginalized residents find joy on Friday nights when the Cougars of Edna Karr High School take the field. For years, this football program has brought glory to Algiers, winning three consecutive state championships and sending dozens of young men to college on football scholarships. Although he is preparing for a fourth title, Head Coach Brice Brown is focused on something else: keeping his players alive.
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One man can make a difference…and does!!
- By Willike7 on 01-30-24
By: Kent Babb
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Solo
- A Memoir of Hope
- By: Hope Solo
- Narrated by: Christina Delaine
- Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
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Hope Solo is the face of the modern female athlete. She is fearless, outspoken, and the best in the world at what she does: protecting the goal of the U.S. women's soccer team. Her outsized talent has led her to the pinnacle of her sport - the Olympics and the World Cup - and made her into an international celebrity who is just as likely to appear on ABC's Dancing with the Stars as she is on the covers of Sports Illustrated, ESPN The Magazine, and Vogue.
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Not your normal memoir
- By Rory on 02-14-15
By: Hope Solo
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The Keeper
- A Life of Saving Goals and Achieving Them
- By: Ali Benjamin, Tim Howard
- Narrated by: J.D. Jackson
- Length: 8 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
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In the summer of 2014, Tim Howard became an overnight sensation after more than 10 years as one of America's leading professional soccer players. His record-breaking 15 saves for the United States national team against Belgium in the World Cup electrified a nation that had only recently woken up to the Beautiful Game after decades of hibernation. In this inspiring and candid memoir, the beloved US and Everton goalkeeper finally allows himself to do something that he would never do on the field: He drops his guard.
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Tim Howard Saves more then Goals!
- By Ron on 12-16-14
By: Ali Benjamin, and others
What listeners say about Life Is Magic
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Jen Gonzalez
- 07-23-21
Great listen
Amazing story full of highs and lows and every emotion that goes with it but above all a story about perseverance and a love of life
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- WTC
- 12-28-20
listen and enjoy
A true listen and enjoy book. John can certainly help you get it if you are up to the journey.
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- Michelle Y. Rose
- 04-18-21
Inspirational
I did not know Jon Dorenbos before I chose this book but I am glad to know him now. Not just for football fans. This book, his story will entertain and inspire you. very touching look at someone else's life and how people cope. Highly recommend.
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- Slamb
- 12-17-19
Great man with a great story
I loved this book and didn't want to stop once I started it. This is a great roadmap for how to live an inspired life.
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- Ann
- 01-03-20
Amazing
What an incredible story from such awful circumstances. I cried, laughed & was overwhelmed with gut wrenching situations. Being a huge football fan & RN, I was able to learn more about the NFL & MD’s. I enjoyed learning what happens behind the scenes & how us as fans need to continue to embrace all the players. God Bless to The Dorenbos family & much happiness to you all. Such an inspiration to us all. Thank you for sharing.
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- PT
- 11-17-19
Magical
One of the absolute best books I’ve come across in seven years on audible. If you’re not touched, entertained and inspired by this book you don’t have a soul. Go Birds!
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- Erica K
- 09-26-24
All around fantastic! What an inspiration!
I really think this is one of the best books I have read. Jon has an outlook on life that we all should embrace. He includes a lot of references to things and situations he has learned from along his journey. Thank you for allowing us to learn from your experiences.
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- Writersblock
- 11-12-19
Fantastically Inpiring
When I first saw Jon on AGT, I sensed strongly that there was something special, kind and thoughtful about this man.....along with being amazed with his magic. Didn’t know his story then and I’m sure it would have explained my gut feelings at the time. I’m so happy I found this book, which brought me to tears many times, but also made me smile and say thank you Lord for all you do for us all, even when we don’t realize He’s there. Jon, your friend was right, you should be a motivational speaker, which you are through your magic. This book has inspired me to look at life differently.....to stop listening to myself and start talking! Bless you and your precious family and know without a doubt your Mom is SO PROUD! This is a MUST READ!
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- Amazon Customer
- 02-14-20
Relentless positivity
If you’ve experienced some adversity in your life, listen to Jon read his book to you. He’s experienced terrible adversity and channeled it into becoming one of the most positive people I’ve ever heard of.
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- Hilary Jacks
- 11-24-19
Inspiring, loved every word!
It made me laugh, it made me cry... lots of crying! What an inspiring story of forgiveness and positivity. On my list of all time favorites.
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