"The Blind Side" by Michael Lewis - Book Review

After watching an interview with author Michael Lewis in the @Google interview series on YouTube I decided to get a hold of a copy Mr. Lewis' latest book "The Blind Side". I've read a number of Michael Lewis' previous books Liars Poker, The New New Thing, and Moneyball and find his work to be engaging and fun to read. The Blind Side did not disappoint and follows in the footsteps of Moneyball in terms of focusing on professional sports moving from baseball previously to football this time.

While I have no real interest in football the back story on Michael Oher the main character in this book seemed to be worth getting a copy of the book. I will say that Mr. Lewis does not disappoint laying out what is a truly remarkable story of how a neglected teenager from the worst part of Memphis has his life transformed through a series of unlikely events. We follow Michael Oher through a trial period at one of the top private Christian high school's in Memphis. An unlikely story emerges as someone that the system had effectively given up on is given a second chance. The book details how Michael Oher gains not only a second chance but a real family and home for the first time in his life. Also the bizarre high pressure world of recruiting for college and NFL football is laid out in intricate detail as we see Michael courted by every major college in the U.S.

Bottom line - whether you have any interest in football or not "The Blind Side" offers a compelling read with a positive story about how a life can be completely transformed through a series of circumstances.