A Father First
How My Life Became Bigger Than Basketball
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- $6.99
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
Dwyane Wade, the eight-time All-Star for the Miami Heat, has miraculously defied the odds throughout his career and his life. In 2006, in just his third season in the NBA, Dwyane was named the Finals' MVP, after leading the Miami Heat to the Championship title, basketball's ultimate prize. Two years later, after possible career-ending injuries, he again rose from the ashes of doubt to help win a gold medal for the United States at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. As co-captain, he helped lead the Heat to triumph in the 2012 NBA Championship. Little wonder that legendary coach Pat Riley has called Dwyane "B.I.W."—Best In the World.
As incredible as those achievements have been, it's off the court where Dwyane has sought his most cherished goal: being a good dad to his sons, Zaire and Zion, by playing a meaningful role in their lives. Recounting his fatherhood journey, Dwyane begins his story in March 2011 with the news that after a long, bitter custody battle, he has been awarded sole custody of his sons in a virtually unprecedented court decision. A Father First chronicles the lessons Dwyane has learned as a single dad from the moment of the judge's ruling that instantly changed his life and the lives of his boys, and then back to the events in the past that shaped his dreams, prayers, and promises.
As the son of divorced parents determined to get along so that he and his sister Tragil could have loving relationships with both of them, Dwyane's early years were spent on Chicago's South Side. With poverty, violence, and drugs consuming the streets and their mom descending into addiction, Tragil made the heroic decision to take her younger brother to live with their father. After moving his household to suburban Robbins, Illinois, Dwyane Wade Sr. became Dwyane's first basketball coach. While this period laid the groundwork for Dwyane's later mission for fathers to take greater responsibility for their kids, he was also inspired by his mother's miraculous victory over addiction and her gift for healing others. Both his mother and his father showed him that the unconditional love between parents and children is a powerful guiding force.
In A Father First, we meet the coaches, mentors, and teammates who played pivotal roles in Dwyane's stunning basketball career—from his early days shooting hoops on the neighborhood courts in Chicago, to his rising stardom at Marquette University in Milwaukee, to his emergence as an unheralded draft pick by the Miami Heat. This book is a revealing, personal story of one of America's top athletes, but it is also a call to action—from a man who had to fight to be in his children's lives—that will show mothers and fathers how to step up and be parents themselves.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In 2011, Wade, a basketball superstar with the Miami Heat, won full custody of his two young sons in a much publicized battle with his high school sweetheart and ex-wife, Siohvaughn. Using the happy resolution as his starting point, Wade recalls his own life, returning to the courtroom ugliness and peppering the story with his observations on fatherhood. Forget about Wade's soft-focus parenting advice or the endless drama surrounding his deteriorating marriage and custody woes. Wade's frank examination of his childhood, most of which was spent in a Chicago neighborhood ruled by gangs and drugs, focuses the narrative. His mom, Jolinda, kept finding a new bottom due to almost insurmountable drug addiction. Wade's older sister, Tragil, swooped him out of the chaos, taking the eight-year-old to live with their disciplinarian, basketball-loving father. Recalling his younger days, Wade is honest and clear-eyed, whether it's describing his mother's destructive behavior, outlining his misguided reasons for starting a relationship with Siohvaughn, or describing the peace of backyard basketball. All things considered, Wade's narrative is inspirational, and his enthusiasm for life and parenthood is apparent. 16-page color insert.
Customer Reviews
A Father First
I am a huge NBA fan and Heat. I always felt Dwayne was very good and could make great shots. About half way thru this book, you realize how very special he is. I am so very proud to have read this book and got an insight not only what he endured as a child, the kind of parent he wanted to be and that evolution. At times, I couldn't put the book down. His sons and Dada are very lucky to have this person as a parent and role model. So disappointed in his ex and all the BS, why do people do this? She had it all, but it wasn't enough. Von is very selfish and greedy. Great job Dwayne.
Riveting
Tears, laughter, a roller coaster of emotions! It's a Great read, I felt every emotion every pain every victory...I'm speechless by Dwayne's transparency and his willingness to reveal to the world his most inner thoughts, fears, and triumphs...this couldn't have been easy to write and relive, but I thank you for your courage. I'm blessed to no that someone's life will be changed for the better by reading this book. You've planted the seed of forgiveness in my spirit, to forgive my daughters father for being an absentee father. Your email to your ex was an ahah moment for me. I'll start working on my own draft, though it won't be easy, it will free me.
Thanks, and may God continue to bless you and your family
Wow
Please read this!