Title: 4:09 to 9:02 Boston To Oklahoma and New York Cities: Beyond The Bombings
Author: David Hamel
Publisher: PageTurner Press and Media, LLC
ISBN: 9781638716921
Genre: Memoir / Sports
Pages: 162
Reviewed by: Lily Amanda
Hollywood Book Reviews
4:09 to 9:02 Boston To Oklahoma and New York Cities: Beyond The Bombings is a passionate and inspiring memoir which chronicles the life of retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant and former marathoner, David Hamel. As a newlywed, Hamel and his wife longed for a child that saw them unsuccessfully visit a fertility clinic. During that time, the tragic Oklahoma bombings of 1995 occurred nearby which added to Hamel’s emptiness and devastation. The consequential bombing of the World Trade Center in 2001 and the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013 opened up unresolved wounds that took him back to the earlier bombings in 1995.
The memories of 1995 vividly returned and the anger of that era returned with it. Feeling like the terrorists were trying to steal the most highly prized moments in his life, the determined marathoner set off to win back his finish lines at the Boston and Oklahoma City Memorial marathons that he never got to have during the bombing incidences while also achieving true healing and peace.
Hamel is a deft storyteller. His expository descriptions will make a reader feel they were present with him every step of the way. I enjoyed how he offers a glimpse of his personal life, his marriage, his career, his journey as an athlete, and blended these with beautiful color images that provide an honest and authentic feel to this memoir. I admired too, his inner strength which goes to prove that limitations in life are only in our minds. Further, his easily accessible language will appeal to readers of all walks of life.
His persistence, determination, and discipline will catch a reader’s attention as it is nothing short of praiseworthy. One major strength of this text is that it does not stretch on the challenges, setbacks, and pitfalls that life may bring upon us but rather surviving the storm and moving ahead to attain our goals. It is a beautiful tribute to all the marathoners and one that will easily tug readers into the sport due to its charismatic and vibrant tone.
4:09 to 9:02 Boston To Oklahoma and New York Cities: Beyond The Bombings by David Hamel is a story of loss, hope, survival, and triumph that is bound to inspire sports fans, dreamers, and competitive people around the globe.