Book Review - Shattered

Finished my latest book last night and I can honestly say it was very different than what I expected. Autobiography/memoirs are not really my cup of tea but since this one was written by a former baseball player and I'm a huge baseball fan, I figured why not? I'm glad I took the chance. Frank Pastore has written a compact book that impressed me with his open, honest assessment of his life growing up, his baseball history and his conversion and life since his conversion.

Pastore came from a tough childhood, no doubt about it. He chronicled a distant relationship with his dad, his mom's uncaring, reckless parenting and his athiest approach at life. Baseball was his way out and he made the most of it, working hard and chasing his dream. His stories of his antics in the minors and life as a professional baseball player gave me a little more insight into how difficult a time young baseball players (especially 30 years ago) could have.

I think though, what most impressed me about his story was his honest assessment of his life coming to faith in Christ and his life post-conversion. He doesn't sugar-coat the issues he's faced - a spouse who didn't understand fully the change in his life, being "overly eager" to share with friends and relatives and the ups and downs life brings. Pastore honestly and openly talks of time spent in counseling, hurtful experiences at the hands of Christian men he looked up to and struggles with his mom's death. He wrapped the book up with a nice chapter or two detailing how God has worked in his life and how he is now doing what he knows God called him to do.

The only negative I have about the book is that there are several paragraphs interspersed throughout the book that really don't fit. They are great stories and anecdotes but don't fit the chapter they're in. Almost made me wonder how the editor missed them. Just kind of weird in my opinion. That being said, this was a good read and I'm glad to have had the opportunity.

Now for the legal stuff...to comply with Federal Trade Commission rules, I must tell you Tyndale House provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review of this book.