Book Reviews of ‘The Most Unlikely Champion’

Throughout the years, we have been honored and delighted to share book reviews of Vera Koo’s books. Michelle Cerino takes a look at some of the thoughts surrounding Vera’s first book, “The Most Unlikely Champion.” Continue reading to find out more, in this post originally published at Women’s Outdoor News.

In 2019, Vera Koo published her first book, “The Most Unlikely Champion.” At “Women’s Outdoor News,” we shared reviews from many of our friends, both inside and outside our industry. The following is a compilation of those book reviews that may entice those who have yet to read Vera’s memoirs.

Book Review Compilation: “The Most Unlikely Champion”

The Industry Reviews

Il Ling New

Il Ling New is a very well-rounded and respected person in the outdoors industry. Not only is she a licensed guide in the US and a worldwide hunter, but she is also a National Sporting Clays Association instructor and teaches Defensive Handgun, Rifle and Shotgun courses at Gunsite Academy. 

Upon reading the book the first time, Il Ling New was moved with admiration for Vera for sharing her story. Then, after two more reads, she was confident “The Most Unlikely Champion” could also be placed in the self-help category. 

Il Ling wrote, “Koo’s autobiography, ‘The Most Unlikely Champion,’ is nearly impossible to categorize, and it’s just as hard to put down. Short but deftly crafted, Koo’s and collaborator Justin Pahl’s book is paced like a mystery and reads like an intimate journal. It’s deep look into one woman’s journeys – yes, there are several – through unthinkable heartache, tragedy and dark family secrets, to find her way to personal bests and personal discovery.”

Impressed by Vera’s training regime, Il Ling New also mentions how Koo uses the negatives in her life to push her towards growth.

“Koo takes us with her as she meticulously engineers her own training, and – sometimes gruelingly – grinds out her practice. In physical and mental endeavors alike, she never settles for “good enough.” She lets us in as she struggles to recover – and even goes on to live life to its fullest, after truly catastrophic events. Koo shows us how finding the positives – even when they might be obscured by negatives, goes hand in hand with seizing opportunities.” 

Read Il Ling New’s review.

Julie Golob

Julie Golob, one of the most accomplished professional shooters in the world, competed against Vera for many years in steel shooting competitions and at the Bianchi Cup. They even shared a podium as teammates representing the United States in World Championships. Julie thought she knew a lot about Vera until she read Vera’s memoir, “The Most Unlikely Champion.” 

Julie wrote, “At 161 pages, truthfully, the book left me wanting more. Even though Vera has retired from shooting, I hope I get the chance to sit down and ask her more about her childhood in Hong Kong, her wedding day and what type of flowers she planted at night in front of the apartment building she co-owned with her husband. I wouldn’t resist the urge to give her a hug, sharing a heart-to-heart moment that mothers who’ve battled serious illness in their children can share.”

Read Julie Golob’s review. 

Julie Park

Firearms instructor and homeschool mom Julie Parks identifies with Vera in many ways, and wrote,“I identify with her as a mother and her instincts to devote herself fully to her children. As an Asian, I understand simultaneously embracing and refuting the stereotype. As a wife, I balance traditional Asian roles with modern American values. As a woman in a male-dominated field, I strive to earn respect for hard work and skill, regardless of gender.”

Read Julie Park’s review.

Erin Garvin

Competition shooter and exercise guru Erin Garvin had planned on taking her time to read Vera’s book. However, she quickly became absorbed in her story as if catching up with a dear friend.

“I especially resonated with the way she describes her pursuit of shooting as a meditation and focus that at first took her from her pain, and later brought her joy. I understood how getting better at shooting was a way to clean her own house and how shooting is really more about self-growth than it is about beating others.”

Read Erin Garvin’s review.

Jennifer Hansen

Senior executive and author of “Management Musings from an ‘Accidental Sabbatical’: Thoughts of work, life home … and dogs,” Jennifer Hansen believes Vera’s story as a “champion” is less about her success on the range than it is off of it.

She wrote, “Winning eight women’s titles was no accident. Of course, she is talented, but it was Vera’s deep understanding of her mental process, her body, how she heals and understanding her faith – that allowed her to succeed competitively … and personally.  Vera may be a champion in the shooting sports, but because of her amazing self-awareness, she is a champion in life.”

Read Jennifer Hansen’s review.

The WON Reviews

Barbara Baird

Barbara Baird, Publisher and Editor at The WON and a freelance writer, author of the book “Milling Around: Exploring 26 Mills in the Missouri Ozarks,” met Vera over 20 years ago at The Bianchi Cup during the height of her shooting career. It is Barbara who planted the little seed in Vera’s mind to share her story.

Barbara wrote, “Her book is so much more than the shooting sports and what it brought to her life. It’s about Vera and how through the shooting sports, she brings salient, relevant and inspirational life stories for us to contemplate and apply to our own lives.”

Read Barbara Baird’s review. 

Jackie Richardson

Editor, COO and writer at The WON, Jackie Richardson found that she not only related to Vera, but also had similar life experiences.

Jackie wrote, “What I was not expecting, and why you should read this book, is the rawness and forthrightness with which Vera, helped by writer Justin Pahl, explains the heartbreak that became the catalyst to her shooting, drive, and later, success. Through absolute gut-wrenching betrayal, she focuses her energy on the positive.”

Read Jackie Richardson’s review.

Michelle Cerino

I first met Vera in 2013 when I also competed at the Bianchi Cup in Columbia, Missouri. In my review, I mention that my admiration for Vera began when I learned her shooting career didn’t start until her 40s, the same age I was at the time. She gave me hope and validation for my new career path; she became my inspiration.

I wrote, “Vera Koo’s book will resonate with any woman, regardless of anyone’s feelings toward competition shooting or the Second Amendment. If you play any sport, try to succeed in a mostly male industry, are a mother or wife, were born in another country or just need a push to persevere, I highly recommend reading it. ‘The Most Unlikely Champion’ makes a great gift for anyone who needs a little boost to grow stronger and conquer anything that comes her way.”

Read Michelle Cerino’s review. 

Read more book reviews and learn more about Vera Koo at her website.

Order your own copy of her book,“The Most Unlikely Champion,” here.