cover image Heart of Iron: My Journey from Transplant Patient to Ironman Triathlete

Heart of Iron: My Journey from Transplant Patient to Ironman Triathlete

Kyle Garlett. Chicago Review, $24.95 (256p) ISBN 978-1-61374-005-7

Garlett (The Worst Call Ever) takes a break from sports writing to tell his own valiant story of survival. After four bouts with cancer, years of radiation and chemotherapy, and a treacherous five-year wait for a heart donor, Garlett shocked the world by competing in two breathtaking Iron Man Triathlon World Championships. This tale of heartbreak opens a window on the life of an 18-year-old boy who suffered numerous medical traumas until he was 35. Garlett's story is insightful and inspiring, although at times the details become too much. For those who seek an inspirational story, the technical words and meticulous re-enactments add potentially unnecessary hurdles. However, a hero in every sense of the word, Garlett's unwavering courage, raw honesty and brilliant love for life absolutely radiate from the page. (Nov.)