Review: Inspiration, Love and Forgiveness

In this post, Vera Koo’s memoir “The Most Unlikely Champion” is reviewed by Chris Micheal for Online Book Club. The reviewer notes that Vera’s book tells a story of inspiration, love and forgiveness, and rates the memoir 4 out of 4 stars. Keep reading to learn more.

Becoming a sport shooting champion was the least of Vera’s expectation. The Most Unlikely Champion by Vera Koo is an amazing memoir of the author. It is an account of Vera’s journey from childhood, until her retirement as a sports shooter at 71 years. Vera is a Chinese – American woman who migrated with her family from Hong Kong to San Francisco in the United States when she was still young. After graduation from high school, she met Carlos whom she married after four years of dating. Together they were involved in number of sports including camping. To protect themselves during camping, Carlos bought pistols but Vera was afraid of guns. To overcome this fear, she enrolled in a fire arm safety course where she emerged as the best shooter. She continues to pursue a number of safety courses in order to improve on her shooting until she was advised by her instructor to go for sports shooting competitions. She started competing in local tournaments in San Francisco until she went to Bianchi Cup Women’s championship where she became a National title holder.

Inspiration, Love and Forgiveness

In the memoir, Vera with the help of Justin Pahl discusses her life as a mother, a wife, an athlete and a business woman who overcame a number of challenges and hardships to succeed in a male dominated sport and business. It is a story of inspiration, love and forgiveness. Through self-discipline, hard work, determination and faith in God, Vera became a champion in national and international competitions in sports shooting, winning eight Women’s National Rifle Association titles, two Women World Championship titles and four teams gold medals at the World Action Pistol Championship. She became one of the best sports shooters in the world.

What I liked about the book is that it is an inspiration to people. Even in face of difficulties and failure, we can succeed if we are determined and work hard. It encourages readers to set goals and strive to achieve them. Vera’s story teaches us to be patient, resilient and strive to be excellent in whatever we do in order to be successful. The book is motivational and encourages readers never to lose hope despite the problems they may face. In Vera’s words, “pain, betrayal, and difficulty do not have to destroy you. They can make you stronger.” Indeed, Vera’s difficulties and challenges motivated her to work even harder in sports shooting and her business. To the married people, Vera is an example of a woman with strong family values of patience, forgiveness, perseverance and support to her family. She is also an encouragement to women that they can succeed even in male dominated fields.

There is nothing to dislike about the book. It is professionally edited with only two grammatical errors. It is a joy to read. A few events are repeated in some chapters, but this makes the story flow and thus interesting to read.

I recommend this book to young men and women, adults and all those who enjoy reading inspirational stories. To those competing in different sports activities, this book is invaluable. Anybody can attain success in whatever they are doing with hard work and dedication. Vera’s story is a testimony to that fact.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars for it is an inspiration to men and women that anybody can succeed in whatever they decide to do if they are determined, work hard and have faith in God.

Purchase your copy of Vera’s memoir at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.