Iron Heart: The True Story of How I Came Back from the Dead

Brian's story is one that if it were a screenplay, people would say that it wasn't realistic. But instead of a feel good picture, you have a very real story of a young athlete that was a victim of a horrible accident. You will be touched by his drive and desire to recover, to overcome, and to excel. This is not the story of an athlete, rather, it is a story of the strength and power of the human will. Brian draws you into his experience so you are not seeing from the outside but as it unfolded and as he experienced it. Expect to cry and expect to be touched by his story for long after you finish his book and put it away. You will find yourself reaching for it again when you encounter challenges that feel overwhelming.

Up front I should say I am Brian's (much older) cousin and admit to some bias, I was able to follow this adventure closely the first time around. The book is well written, flows and is an easy read....except for the time taken to cry. My tears ranged from terror to joy, and there were plenty. Brian's recounting of this journey is crystal clear and makes you feel you are in the "movie", although this isn't fiction but very real life. The book is a very personal insight to an incredible young man, his passion and determination and the effect he has had on family and friends in a relatively short life. It also is a story of that family and the strength and commitment of his parents, the support of his network and the person they have helped mold. I told Brian that this story can't help but work to achieve his goal of helping others through their difficult, seemingly impossible times. I know for a fact that is already happening as I have passed the book to someone close who is now dealing with their own challanges. A tough first chapter grabs you and the rest don't let go...you may never say "I can't" again!

There is no better story of a miraculous comeback than Brian Boyle's. There is more to it than was revealed by the spotlight NBC trained on him during the 2007 Ironman in Kona, more than the ESPN feature and more than he told Ellen DeGeneres last year. In "Iron Heart" the story unfolds through Boyle's own eyes. These are the things that Boyle did not know when his world came into blurred focus one day and he found himself in an intensive care unit bed. He did not remember driving toward home after a summer swim practice. He had no recollection of the massive dump truck that broadsided his Camaro, crushing it from the driver side like a tin can. No memory of being cut from the car or flown to the trauma center. And, pinned to the bed without the ability to move, speak or acknowledge that he was conscious, he had no way to find out. "I'm alone in a white room and looking straight up at the ceiling. Bright lights shine all around me. My heart is beating fast. I try to raise my arms, then legs, but I can't move them. My head won't budge either. I can't blink or wiggle my fingers." And then he realizes a priest is beside him, giving last rites. Had he not been an 18-year-old state champion swimmer and body builder when the truck struck, Boyle would have died in the wreckage. In the aftermath, his ability to beat the odds could put every bookie out of business. Would brain function recover? Yes. Would he walk again? Yes. Would he swim again? Yes. Run? Yes. Bike? Yes. Realize his dream of doing an Ironman? Yes. The word "miracle" is overused these days, but when the full scope Boyle's dance with death is played out, the genuine miracle of his trip to Kona is underscored.

It is simply flabbergasting that one could overcome tragedy with a death-defying recovery like Brian Boyle. This story is amazing and inspirational. Recovery is one thing. To recover and complete the Kona Ironman? Unbelievable! Read it yourself! Impressively written by Brian and esteemed author Bill Katovsky. Aloha!

There are 3 reasons why this book should be read by anyone wanting to be inspired or motivated: First, it is incredibly well written; second, the story is nothing short of a miracle; and third, the the central person in the story (the author) is one of those rare individuals that leads you to believe in the phenominal power of the human spirit. This is not a story of a car accident and the recovery. It is an exploration into the mind of an incredible athlete who draws the reader into experiencing everything the he experienced. The reader feels what is like to come out of a coma and see the blinking of an eye or the slighest smile as huge achievements in communication. And the reader also feels the pain and exhiliration of completeing the swimming, biking and running of an Iron Man Triathlon. The book centers on the person, the struggle and the success rather than on the details of a tragedy. Miraculous healing, everpresent parental support and intense athletic drive seem to be the formula that led Brian Boyle to not only recover from this horrific accident but to defy medical science and go from a 2 month coma the a 14 hour IronMan triathlon in under 2 1/2 years. Read the book, share it with your friends, give it to someone needing to overcome struggles in their own lives.