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.

I second the emotions of readers who applaud Dr. Tynan for both his life choices and his generosity in sharing them with us in this book. I would add however that as the parent of a child with a disability (and as an attorney who represents these families) this story can uniquely help those not only in Ronan's position: but also in the position of his parents. Too often, we parents of physically or mentally challenged children feel compelled to overprotect them: to spare them any additional struggles or pain. Yet I learned from this book that teaching my daughter to take risks (and to learn "the hard way" from them!)is a far more lasting benefit to her than anything else I can teach her. I will share this book with my friends and clients. And on behalf of my daughter to Dr. Tynan: Thanks for getting my Mom to lighten up!!

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!