Breaking Back: How I Lost Everything and Won Back My Life

I received the book the night before I was leaving for the Indianapolis Tennis Championships where James was going to be doing a book signing. I didn't get a chance to read it until the night before the signing and I thought I should actually read at least a chapter or two in case I got a chance to speak to James - I wanted to at least honestly say I had read the book. I couldn't put the book down, reading it in one sitting. I am a huge James Blake fan and I had heard all the stories about him breaking his neck, his dad dying and getting shingles a million times. But learning it from his point of view was heart-wrenching. I literally cried from pages 98-138. The book is powerful, but not heavy and filled with so many wisdoms.

I have been following James Blake's career for many years and have never been more proud of his accomplishments than I am now, having read this book. I highly recommend that you pick this up and read it a few pages each and everyday. It will inspire you far beyond belief.

Maybe it's because I grew up in a Connecticut town just a few miles away from James Blake's hometown of Fairfield or that James is one of the most exciting tennis players to watch play a match....whatever the case, James has written a compelling memoir about the trials and travails of his recent life only to see him experience a renaissance in personal growth both on and off the court. "Breaking Back" is the story of James Blake's triumphs over adversity and it is one fine read. As James says, a tennis match is not unlike life, itself. It's packed with victories and losses and all the drama that accompanies it. For James, a serious neck injury, the death of his father and being diagnosed with zoster (or "shingles") all in one year would drive anyone underground for a time. On top of all of that, James reveals he was born with scoliosis (curvature of the spine) and had to wear a back brace for years. James is lucky, though, to come from a close, loving family, have a coach, Brian Barker, (who is as much a mentor as anything else) and have dozens of friends who support him in his darkest hours. They form the basis of J-Block, the chief rooting section for James. Shining above anything or anyone else, though, is his dad. Thomas's fatherly advice is well-taken by the young tennis pro and it serves him well as he struggles with his own illnesses and some of the psychological barriers that hold him back on the court. He refers to his Dad as "Superman" and the elder Blake's death from cancer is the harshest blow for James. This book plumbs the depths of an inner life filled with joy and sorrow but the great news is the rebirth of James Blake. And the ways he comes roaring back onto the court and takes control again over his own life make this book a fascinating look at one of the outstanding tennis players of our day and one of an inspirational young man who happens to play it. James's creed is "get better" and he does step by step and day by day. He is truly the comeback kid. I highly recommend "Breaking Back" for its honesty and courage.