Publishers Weekly
01/24/2022
Acho (Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man), a Fox Sports analyst and former NFL linebacker, encourages readers to think illogically and reject convention in this optimistic guide. After Acho broke his thumb while playing with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015, he made the “illogical” decision to pivot to sports media instead of returning to the NFL, and soon became the youngest national football analyst at ESPN. Pulling from his own life, from history, and popular culture, Acho gives advice on how to buck conventional wisdom, recommending that readers get comfortable with uncertainty and risk, remain open to changing their goals on the fly, follow their gut, and learn to not fear failure. For example, he uses Steve Jobs’s promotion of the iPhone to illustrate the power in believing in oneself, the Wright Brothers’ first flight to demonstrate how one can learn from one’s predecessors, and the biblical story of Peter walking on water to extoll the virtue of being willing to act alone. While most may find Acho’s suggestions unsurprising, his upbeat tone adds spunk and confidence to such self-affirming statements as “You are valuable, worthy, and beautiful.” Though Acho leans on common maxims, this brims with infectious positivity. (Mar.)
From the Publisher
"An accomplished athlete becomes a cheerleader" and calls it "a heartfelt guide to personal success." -Kirkus
"Acho, a Fox Sports analyst and former NFL linebacker, encourages readers to think illogically and reject convention in this optimistic guide." The review goes on to praise that "his upbeat tone adds spunk and confidence" and adds that the book " brims with infectious positivity." -Publishers Weekly
"Former NFL linebacker, Emmy–winning broadcaster, and bestselling author Acho provides a step-by-step guide advising readers on how to stop letting society's metrics or allegedly logical expectations determine their value, success, or greatness." -Booklist
MARCH 2022 - AudioFile
Acho, a former NFL football player who is the son of Nigerian immigrants, was working as a sports commentator when George Floyd’s murder inspired him to become a racial justice blogger and the author of the TV series and book UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATIONS WITH A BLACK MAN. Though he presents his latest audiobook with exaggerated enthusiasm, the strongest features of his performance are his warmth and belief in human determination. “You are exceptionally skilled at something!” he proclaims as he urges people to look beyond rational obstacles to their goals. His lively stories about improbable achievers and his own journey overcoming setbacks and rejections make this strategy sound inviting. It’s advice that draws heavily from the traditional motivational playbook, but his audible faith in the human spirit makes it sound fresh and inspiring. T.W. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2021-12-29
An accomplished athlete becomes a cheerleader.
In 2015, Nigerian American linebacker Acho suffered an injury that caused him to be dropped by the Philadelphia Eagles. The footballer, who had been cut five times by the age of 25 and traded after his rookie season, faced a real dilemma: the need to reinvent himself as something other than a football player. Acho draws on that experience, biblical stories (David and Goliath, Noah), and the successes of people like Steve Jobs, Oprah Winfrey, and his own immigrant father to offer upbeat encouragement to anyone mired at a crossroads in life. Now an Emmy Award–winning sports analyst for Fox Sports and host of the podcast—and author of the book—Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man, Acho urges readers to follow their dreams, take risks, and refuse to let other people tell you that what you want is not logical. “Take the chance,” he advises. “Life is short and tomorrow is not promised. Do not live a half-filled life leaving yourself to wonder, ‘What if ?’ Just go do it.” He cautions against letting other people determine your value or success and even advises against aiming toward one particular goal: “If you open up your peripheral vision to different paths your impact is so much greater than crossing one finish line.” Children, he reminds readers, “just believe, they don’t overcomplicate things” by weighing the pros and cons of whatever they want to do. “My coach always used the phrase, ‘Paralysis by analysis,’ ” Acho writes. “Don’t overthink, just believe, and thus achieve.” The author urges readers to find their natural gift—something they’re inherently good at or thoroughly enjoy—and develop it through perseverance and hard work. Never let other people’s doubt stop you, he insists: “The moment you think to yourself, ‘I might be crazy,’ is the first checkpoint on your path to accomplishing greatness.”
A heartfelt guide to personal success.
