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Customer Reviews for Howard Books Hope Unseen: The Story of the U.S. Army's First Blind Active-Duty Officer
Howard Books Hope Unseen: The Story of the U.S. Army's First Blind Active-Duty Officer
When Captain Smiley was blinded by a suicide bomber in Iraq, he was robbed of his sight---but not his indomitable spirit! With God's help, he's climbed Mt. Ranier, won ESPN's "Best Outdoor Athlete" award, and taught leadership at West Point. His amazing story will challenge you to trust God to help you achieve your dreams. 256 pages, hardcover from Howard.
Average Customer Rating:
(7 Reviews) 7
Rating Snapshot (7 reviews)
5 stars
7
4 stars
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3 stars
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7 out of 7100%customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Hope Unseen: The Story of the U.S. Army's First Blind Active-Duty Officer
Review 1 for Hope Unseen: The Story of the U.S. Army's First Blind Active-Duty Officer
Overall Rating:
Powerful, real
Date:April 7, 2013
Jocelyn Green, author of Faith Deployed
Location:Cedar Falls, IA
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
I am not usually a big fan of books about people who lived through a traumatic event, and I’ll tell you why. Some books tell readers everything about a person’s life, when really, we just want to know about the traumatic event and recovery, with enough backstory to make it meaningful. But please, don’t tell me about your sixth grade dance. Other books about traumatic events either don’t feel authentic, as in, the author doesn’t really let us see the ugly side of their journey because he/she doesn’t want to seem unspiritual. Still other books are interesting enough but fail to inspire because it’s difficult to translate the lessons into the reader’s life.
None of the above were true of Unseen Hope. I truly loved this book. It’s well-written, to the point, and painfully, satisfyingly honest. What happens when a man of God loses his sight? Well, in Capt. Smiley’s case, he didn’t kumbayah-away the pain. He didn’t want to pray. He didn’t even want others to pray for him. This is tough stuff.
But his journey didn’t end there. He overcame so much, it was just jaw-dropping mind-boggling to read about. His wife Tiffany played an incredible role in her husband’s life. They had been married sixteen months before his injury, only four months of which were spent together.
In his book, Capt. Smiley says:
“’The me who could see was used to climbing mountains and thanking God for coming along. The me who could not see was totally dependent. “You need to trust Me, Scotty,” I sensed God telling me “And you need to depend on others.” I can do all things. There is nothing in the Bible that qualifies that statement, nothing that says I need eyes. It says only that I need Christ. It was a truth that my blindness was going to help me see. My confidence was being moved away from self—from my own ability to see and control—to a new hope, a hope unseen.’” (p. 148)
His story is truly inspirational. If you get a chance, read it. You’ll be so glad you did.
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Review 2 for Hope Unseen: The Story of the U.S. Army's First Blind Active-Duty Officer
Overall Rating:
Powerful, real
Date:April 7, 2013
Jocelyn Green, author of Faith Deployed
Location:Cedar Falls, IA
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
I am not usually a big fan of books about people who lived through a traumatic event, and I’ll tell you why. Some books tell readers everything about a person’s life, when really, we just want to know about the traumatic event and recovery, with enough backstory to make it meaningful. But please, don’t tell me about your sixth grade dance. Other books about traumatic events either don’t feel authentic, as in, the author doesn’t really let us see the ugly side of their journey because he/she doesn’t want to seem unspiritual. Still other books are interesting enough but fail to inspire because it’s difficult to translate the lessons into the reader’s life.
None of the above were true of Unseen Hope. I truly loved this book. It’s well-written, to the point, and painfully, satisfyingly honest. What happens when a man of God loses his sight? Well, in Capt. Smiley’s case, he didn’t kumbayah-away the pain. He didn’t want to pray. He didn’t even want others to pray for him. This is tough stuff.
But his journey didn’t end there. He overcame so much, it was just jaw-dropping mind-boggling to read about. His wife Tiffany played an incredible role in her husband’s life. They had been married sixteen months before his injury, only four months of which were spent together.
In his book, Capt. Smiley says:
“’The me who could see was used to climbing mountains and thanking God for coming along. The me who could not see was totally dependent. “You need to trust Me, Scotty,” I sensed God telling me “And you need to depend on others.” I can do all things. There is nothing in the Bible that qualifies that statement, nothing that says I need eyes. It says only that I need Christ. It was a truth that my blindness was going to help me see. My confidence was being moved away from self—from my own ability to see and control—to a new hope, a hope unseen.’” (p. 148)
His story is truly inspirational. If you get a chance, read it. You’ll be so glad you did.
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Review 3 for Hope Unseen: The Story of the U.S. Army's First Blind Active-Duty Officer
Overall Rating:
Change how you SEE your own life!!!
Date:November 7, 2012
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
Captain Scotty Smiley, might not see things like we do, but it doesn't mean he doesn't see what is important and how to live his life despite seemingly difficult circumstances. While serving in Mosul in Iraq he became the target of a suicide bomber and subsequently lost his eyesight. He could have dealt with things as most of us would have and simply come home and attempt to live a life as best as he could now being completely blind, but he didn't. He did things most of us only imagine. He scaled the heights of Mt. Rainer, served as the army's first action-duty blind officer and its first blind company commander.
He continues to inspire countless numbers of people including myself to stop feeling sorry for what life has dealt you and instead move forward in the grace and strength that God has given us all. In each chapter, you see how difficult things are for Scotty to pick up the pieces and simply do what all of us with sight can do. Perhaps we are the ones who are truly blind and Scotty has been given a different set of eyes to see the possibilities in life, if we are only willing to take a step of faith and move forward. I truly believe that this book is a great inspirational story and the perfect gift for those facing their own set of unique circumstances that are attempting to hold them back. It will hopefully provide them with enough hope that they don't have to settle for anything less than what God has in store for them. The possibilities are truly endless.
I received Hope Unseen by Captain Scotty Smiley compliments of Howard Books, a division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review. I truly value my gift of sight, and wouldn't know where to begin to do even some of the things that Scotty did. I could never imagine in my wildest dreams, taking on a mountain climb to a 14,000 foot summit, across endless ice bridges only strong enough to support one man, and knowing you must walk it alone with only words and a rope as your guide. Just closing my eyes and attempting to navigate a sidewalk is challenging enough for me. Scotty Smiley is a true inspiration to those of us that often wonder where the heroes are in this world. In my book, he is one of the greatest. I easily rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend this one if you are feeling with no hope in your life. Perhaps it might change how you "see" your life!
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Review 4 for Hope Unseen: The Story of the U.S. Army's First Blind Active-Duty Officer
Overall Rating:
Date:March 30, 2011
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
This is a very moving story about an officer in the Army who loses his sight while serving in Iraq. You will follow him on his journey through the loss of his sight to accomplishing goals he never thought possible.
This book is not about the tragedy of something lost but about the hope for a future. From mountain climbing to surfing you will follow this brave man as he conquers adventures even a man with sight may find hard.
I enjoyed reading this book. I liked how it showed the positive and negative of having a disability. I was encouraged by how the family relied on the Lord and how He never forgot them.
The book was well written and easy to read. Definitely worth your time, especially if you enjoy stories of triumph over adversity!
I was given this book by christianreviewofbooks.com to review
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Review 5 for Hope Unseen: The Story of the U.S. Army's First Blind Active-Duty Officer
Overall Rating:
Date:October 27, 2010
RaRa
Age:45-54
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
This book is full of hope faith and passion. May we all inspire to be so brave. Scott Smiley is a true American hero and the love and commitment that he and Tiffany share can truly be admired.
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Review 6 for Hope Unseen: The Story of the U.S. Army's First Blind Active-Duty Officer
Overall Rating:
Unforgetable & Most Inspirational Book
Date:October 7, 2010
LMTTX
Location:Lumberton, TX
Age:45-54
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
You won't put this book down once you start it AND you will never forget the story of Scotty after reading it. His personal struggle/journey, after being blinded during his tour of duty, will inspire you in your daily challenges of life. Scotty put into action the words of Phil 4:13--"I can do all things through Christ...". He omitted the word "can't" from his life and his vocabulary. He revealed how GOD will help you to meet miraculous goals, when you totally depend on HIM and submit to HIS will for your life & your future. Scotty and Tiffany demonstrated what their wedding vows "for better of worse" really mean. Their commitment to GOd and to each other will inspire you to remember GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL. Scotty , with God's help, has accomplished more as a totally blind person, than many do as a sighted person. Instead of 'accepting' a medical disability discharge from the Army, after injury to his eyes, Scotty goes on to become a teacher of leadership classes at West Point. He refuses to allow his blindness to get in the way of his military career. This book will impact your life for the better.
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Review 7 for Hope Unseen: The Story of the U.S. Army's First Blind Active-Duty Officer
Overall Rating:
I have passed this book along to friends!
Date:October 7, 2010
shyflower
Age:Over 65
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
This story is very inspiring, and a reminder that God does not always work in our lives the way we would expect or want Him to, but He is always good, and He is always right, even though we may not see it that way at times. I was thankful for this couple, that they both are strong in their faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 8:28. May God's will continue to be done in their lives.
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