What if you just finished the most exciting day of your life -- a thirty-year dream exploding into a spectacular reality -- then the next day you found out you were going to die? How would you feel? What would you do? Lt. Commander Bill Goss, USN (Ret), lived the American Dream. Ever since he was a boy and heard about Chuck Yeager's historic flight, this hard-working man had dreams of breaking the sound barrier. Many things happened that could have defused his dream (including working as a garbage man), but Goss persevered...and twenty years after slinging his last trash can was strapped into the rear cockpit of a dual-seat F-18 Hornet ready to break the sound barrier. Bill Goss figured that this exhilarating flight would keep him on cloud nine for a very long time. He figured wrong. The next day he heard three of the most terrifying words in the English language: You have cancer. This is Bill Goss's inspiring account of his triumph over a deadly form of skin cancer: his love for family and friends, his courage and pride, and most of all, his affection for a little bundle of fur that fell from a nest in an old oak tree. Turns out that this tiny flying squirrel, soon named Rocky, was just the right copilot for Goss. Whether nestled in the pocket of Goss's bathrobe or perched high upon his head, this little aviator helped his pilot navigate the ups and downs of cancer. He turned out to be the perfect distraction -- and the perfect little friend. Writing with honesty, bravery, and humor, this former Navy pilot and father of twins shares the story of his all-out war on cancer, and his remarkable journey back to health. Determined and sincere, Goss describes how his deep-seated connections to his family, to his friends, to nature, to his animals -- and especially to his "copilot," an injured baby flying squirrel named Rocky -- aided him in the enriching and unforgettable fight of his life.
I picked up this book because of my interest in flying squirrels and was pleasantly surprised by the inspiration it imparted. I was unable to put it down and read it while my flying squirrel, Chuck, tasted a page or two himself. I had previously read "The Luckiest Unlucky Man Alive" and found Bill Goss' current book to be even more fasinating. This is a "must read" book for anyone interested in the therapeutic effects a loving creature can have on "his human". Inspiring, educational and down right fun ... don't miss it!
Fantastic reading for young and old
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
I'm not the kind of person to just decide one day that I'm going to read a book just for the heck of it. I have to be pushed and prodded to do it (or assigned by my English teacher). My dad obtained a copy of this book and just from reading the title and cover I was interested. I picked up the book one night and instead of placing it down after a few chapters, I had to read the entire thing. It kept me interested throughout the entire book, which is a rare quality of literature these days. This book is both inspirational, but not in a make-you-wanna cry kinda way. It gave me hope for the future, in a semi-humorous way. His writing style is excellent for readers of all ages, and reading preferences.
Excellent Book
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
This is the first book I've read by Bill Goss. I could hardly put it down. I've owned flying squirrels before. Recently becoming a night owl and researching the flying squirrels on the Internet I learned of Bill Goss and Rocky. Just last week I picked up a new pair of flying squirrels at Logan's airport in Boston. Bill is a fantastic writer. I would like to meet him some day and have him autograph the book. Bill grew up loving nature and all animals. His stories are witty, inspiring and give you hope. I plan on reading his first book too. "The Luckiest Unlucky Man Alive".
ThriftBooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices. We personally assess every book's quality and offer rare, out-of-print treasures. We deliver the joy of reading in recyclable packaging with free standard shipping on US orders over $15. ThriftBooks.com. Read more. Spend less.