Halfway Home: My Life 'Til Now

"Truly, an inspiring book" - I have seen that phrase on more book jackets than I care to count over the years. Perhaps some were truly inspiring to certain people. This book is universally inspiring. I can't imagine anyone, from any walk of life, not being moved by Ronan Tynan's story.He may be well-known to many people or a total enigma to others.In his unpretentious way, he describes his journey from a smallfarm in Ireland to become one of the most popular singers of our time. And just to make things interesting, he did it without the use of his lower legs which were, eventually, amputated. Fitted with prostheses of varying quality he became a star disabled athlete, a top-rated equestrian, and picked up a few degrees along the way - physical education, music, and medicine.He is now known in the great opera houses of the world as a tenor with few peers. To most of us he is known as one of theIrish Tenors. You simply MUST read his autobiography to reallyknow the many obstacles he overcame by unwavering determination and faith in himself. The book is as unpretentious as Dr.Tynan, beautifully written,and shows you just how good life can be - no matter how many things were against you as you passed through life's starting gate.

"Halfway Home" is an incredible book written by an incredible man. It's written in such a way that you feel that Ronan's right in the room talking to you. If you haven't read the book yet, then you need to! You'll laugh, cry, and be inspired, by the man known as Dr. Ronan Tynan. So here is my book review (in rhyme):An awesome book that's writtenin Ronan's inimitable way,His writing comes straight from the heartNo ghost writer was paid!He expresses all his feelingsof joy and pain and sorrow,Seldom giving in to pity,but looking to tomorrow.Ronan was born into this worlddeformed below the knees,The priest told Mam "He'll make you proud,""With those lungs, he'll surely sing!"Mam's greatest trait, her iron will,imparted to her sonAnd yet, in Ronan, that's tempered with,his father's wit and fun.Accidents and errant horse rides,things done with reckless abandon!A good thing Mam didn't always know,and Dad was understanding!Fiona was a helpmate,A blessing to be sure,While Tom required a little more time,to form a bond, now pure.Braces helped this child to walk,painful though it was,But still a horseman he became,winning honors and awards.The braces could not last forever,There would come a time,When amputation was the answer,to spasms that paralyzed.And Ronan forged ahead through trialsof a double-amputee,To win at the Paralympics,Setting records, he felt so free!With that same determined spirit,there was more his mind conceived!Becoming a medical doctor,was the next goal he achieved!Meanwhile, this young man learned to sing,with a voice that's strong and pure,He realized his life's next goal,was to sing for venues full!The first step came when he won first prize(his Mam and Dad were proud!),in the "Go For It" competition,"Return to Sorrento" stunned the crowd!And having sung across this world,He joined a special trio,The Irish Tenors, as they're known,have world-wide appeal!So no matter what the obstacle,Seems he always overcomes,With sheer determination,What an example he's become!And now his life seems blessed and full,There's so much that he's done,But we must remember who this is....And he's only "Halfway Home"!

This beautiful and touching memoir is not just for music fans of this larger-than-life tenor, but for all of us who face challenges in our daily lives. Ronan so honestly and simply tells the story of his life to date, that you will live through the good times and the bad times with him. You will laugh, cheer, cry and then repeat the cycle. In addition to being a wonderful singer, a doctor, a world-class athlete and an incredible and kind human being, Ronan now adds "writer" to his list of accomplishments. His writing style is so natural and easy to read, that you feel that he is at your shoulder reading the book aloud to you-I could almost hear his voice. His portrayal of the people in his life is very effective. They jump off the page at you as the real people that they are, particularly his beloved father, who now owns a piece of my heart. If you feel in need of inspiration to face any challenges that you may be facing-this is the book to reach for.

This uplifting book is for anyone who treasures family values. One moment it brings laughter the next tears. Dr. Tynan writes with such sincerity and such humor. He does not hesitate to make fun of himself and his wild way of life as a young man trying to find a niche in which he would feel comfortable. As a doctor he has finally found it and as a singer he has learned how to make use of all the emotions he had experienced by rotating through the various levels of medical school. The book is an inspiration to anyone, whether physically challenged or not. It is also an inspiration to all who for just one moment have the thought of not being able to accomplish something. When I read the last page and closed the book, I had only one word to say, More!

When reading Ronan Tynan's newly-released autobiography, I thought of a favorite quote of mine: "The only difference between stumbling blocks and stepping stones is how you use them." This man has encountered many stumbling blocks in his forty-one years, on his path to manhood, champion athlete, physician, and world-class singer, but he has approached them all with grit and heart, and used them as stepping stones. In this book, he takes the reader on that path with him, writing so as to allow the reader an insightful, and sometimes amusing, look into his experiences, fears, dreams, and triumphs. He writes with the same style with which he performs--with wit, sensitivity, and passion. I can only hope that the title of the book, "Halfway Home..." is ominous, that God grants Ronan Tynan a long life, so that he can continue to touch us with his music, inspire us with his courage, and, if we're lucky, bring us up-to-date on his life by writing another autobiography forty-one years from now!