Rise, Daniel Rodriguez
Rise, Daniel Rodriguez
List: $19.95 | Sale: $13.97
Club: $9.97

Rise
A Soldier, a Dream, and a Promise Kept

Author: Daniel Rodriguez

Narrator: Andrew Eiden

Unabridged: 7 hr 49 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 01/06/2015


Synopsis

The unforgettable story of a young soldier who survived one of the bloodiest battles in Afghanistan and lived to pursue his dream of playing Division I college footballAt five foot eight, 175 pounds, Daniel Rodriguez was an unlikely recruit for the gridiron. But on the battlefield, under the daily rain of sniper fire, he made a promise to his best friend. "When I get out of this shit hole, I'm going to play college football."Daniel had joined the Army just weeks after graduating from high school, having recently suffered a devastating loss. At age nineteen he had no idea what war really was; he just wanted to get out of town. Almost immediately, he was deployed to Iraq, and he would later serve in Afghanistan. And he grew up fast—stopped sleeping, started smoking. Killing became second nature. He fought in the infamous Battle of Kamdesh, and for his bravery he was awarded a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. But his best friend was not so lucky.Against all odds, Daniel returned home—broken but still alive. Stuck in the clutches of PTSD, Daniel remembered the promise he made to his friend and knew he had to make good on it. He embarked on a grueling training regimen, and when he posted a video of his efforts, it went viral overnight. By some mix of grit, determination, and the power of the Internet, he earned a spot on the Clemson University football team.A powerfully delivered narrative of a young soldier, his unlikely dream, and how he found his way out of darkness, Rise is inspiring, quintessentially American, and will resonate with anyone who has ever fought for what they wanted.

About Daniel Rodriguez

Daniel Rodriguez is a wide receiver for Division I football, an honors student, and a decorated war hero. He has served tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, rising through the ranks to sergeant. In 2009 he fought in the Battle of Kamdesh, one of the bloodiest battles in the Afghanistan conflict, earning a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device. He has been interviewed by Dan Rather; profiled in the New York Times, Washington Post, Esquire, USA Today, and ESPN; and has gained Internet fame for his viral Youtube video. He attends Clemson University in South Carolina on the GI Bill.

About Joe Layden

Joe Layden is an award-winning journalist and the author or coauthor of more than twenty books, including Street Justice and the #1 New York Times bestseller The Rock Says. He lives in upstate New York.

About Andrew Eiden

Andrew Eiden is an audiobook narrator who came from a long line of theater folk and has been acting since the age of four. He has starred in dozens of commercials as well as multiple television shows. At the age of eleven, he won first place in a local drama festival, which jumpstarted his acting career. He has performed in theaters ranging from the Glendale Center Theater to the Pasadena Playhouse.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Laura on June 22, 2016

Amazing to read about what this young man went through while fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. I had heard of his story as he entered Clemson at the same time as my daughter, but the book tells so much more depth than I'd heard. Daniel's background makes the story even that much more interesting, to......more

Goodreads review by Wendy on March 05, 2015

This is one of the best books I've read so far this year. It's a lot more about his journey that lead him to Clemson than his time there. The narration around the military service makes it easy for a non-military person to understand what is going on and get a glimpse of the emotions attached to it.......more

Goodreads review by Jen on November 23, 2014

Clemson family!......more

Goodreads review by Matthew on February 28, 2021

To be honest, I only purchased this book because the subject of the book played football. But after reading the book, there was soooooooo much more to him than being a wide receiver at Clemson University. Inside this book you will find the story of a man who underachieved in high school in the classr......more

Goodreads review by VictorS on October 29, 2017

Daniel Rodriguez is a teen that always wanted to play football. He loves to watch sports and is very athletic.He is faced with his parents divorcing and causing him to go through a depression. His father would later die and he decided he would go to the Military. The Main problem would be if he woul......more


Quotes

“Daniel’s service to his country and his ability to follow his dreams is what is truly right with America. His story, as movingly told in Rise, is a great example of where hard work, determination, and a never-quit attitude can get you.” Sal Giunta, Medal of Honor recipient and New York Times bestselling author

“Daniel Rodriguez—a decorated combat veteran—doesn’t sugarcoat the hard parts of his life. A warrior who fought on the battlefield, wrestled with PTSD, and now wins victories on the gridiron, his story reminds us that with grit and determination we can move through suffering to strength. Rise is an inspiring story of a resilient warrior who knows what it means to keep a promise.” Eric Greitens, Navy SEAL and New York Times bestselling author

“Rodriguez is unsentimental and straightforward about his experiences, whether writing about his struggle with PTSD or his weightlifting and exercise regimen. His drive and determination to overcome obstacles is extraordinary and admirable and should be an inspiration to people everywhere. This is an uncommonly solid memoir. Recommended for all readers, particularly those interested in sports and military books.” Library Journal (starred review)

"Rise is a surreal look at what today’s youth should aspire to accomplish. From Virginia to Iraq, from Afghanistan to South Carolina, Daniel Rodriguez shows the grit and determination it takes to rise above the hardships life throws at you. Life is designed to beat you down. Daniel shows you how to kick its ass.” Major Rusty Bradley, US Army (ret.), bestselling author of Lions of Kandahar