Very enjoyable story. Open and forthright, written in a casual, humorous, easy to read style. Kevin Sorbo’s aneurysms and strokes and the continuing health complications and physical limitations proved to be nearly impossible for him to cope with. He didn’t just act the part of Hercules, he practically was Hercules with so much of his success throughout his life due to his strong physical condition and appearance, his stamina and strength and his ability to complete anything he put his mind to by just forcing himself through it. He seems honest in the book about his attitude and behavior and unwillingness to accept for a long time that his life was now different and he acknowledges that he was fortunate to be in a position where many adjustments and accommodations were made for him.

I didn’t know anything about his illness before reading this story. The book was recommended in an article I just happened to read, and I am pleased to pass that recommendation along. Good, thought-provoking read. ( )

I've been a fan of "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" since the day the first movie premiered. That show, and the character of Hercules, shaped my impressionable teen years. I learned a lot about myself through it, somehow. I remember when Kevin got sick and was off the show for a bit, but of course I really had no idea that the man almost DIED. The production team kept it quiet. But really no one aside from Kevin, his wife, and his doctors actually knew the true extent of Kevin's health issues. (Nerd alert: I listened to the DVD commentaries of those episodes when they were released in 2004, and even then they only eluded to his health scare.)

Kevin Sorbo's memoir of the health crisis that nearly killed him is unapologetically honest. It needs to be. Fourteen years after experiencing the aneurysm and the strokes that nearly took his life, Kevin spills it all. He doesn't hold back, even when he talks about how weary and depressed he was while struggling with his recovery while trying to move on with his career and life in general. I sobbed through most of this book. I laughed through the rest. Kevin's story pulled my heart in all sorts of directions.

I would have enjoyed this book even if I wasn't a fan of Kevin, though being a fan is primarily the reason I picked it up, of course. I loved Kevin's personal anecdotes. I was moved by his private struggle. I felt all mushy when he talked about his relationship with his wife. Kevin's likable personality shined through and held everything together. Interspersed are essays penned by his wife, co-workers from the production of "Hercules," and even one by his mother. I listened to this on audio, and Kevin does the narration himself while Sam, his wife, read the other parts. At a few points in the reading, you can almost hear both Kevin and Sam nearly break down in tears. Which, of course, made ME break down in tears.

I loved this book. It was both heart-warming and heart-breaking in all the right places. It left me with a wonderful feeling, and it thankfully never slips into "self-help"/advice-giving mode that it very easily could have. Kevin tells his story, and you're free to make of it what you will.

After reading this and learning what Kevin went through, he has replaced Hercules as my hero. This book is a remarkable act of bravery. ( )

Reviewed in SHELF AWARENESS Readers' Issue, 10/21/11: http://www.shelf-awareness.com/ar/readers/2011-10-21/true_strength:_my_journey_f... ( )