{"id":4916,"date":"2026-06-24T11:48:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T19:48:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/verakoo.com\/?p=4916"},"modified":"2026-06-24T12:00:23","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T20:00:23","slug":"book-reviews-of-the-most-unlikely-champion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/verakoo.com\/zh_tw\/book-reviews-of-the-most-unlikely-champion\/","title":{"rendered":"Book Reviews of \u2018The Most Unlikely Champion\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Throughout the years, we have been honored and delighted to share book reviews of Vera Koo\u2019s books. Michelle Cerino takes a look at some of the thoughts surrounding Vera\u2019s first book, \u201cThe Most Unlikely Champion.\u201d Continue reading to find out more, in this post originally \u300a\u5973\u6027\u6236\u5916\u904b\u52d5\u65b0\u805e\u300b\u4e0a\u7684\u7d9c\u5408\u5831\u5c0e\u3002<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2019, Vera Koo published her first book, \u201c

<\/a>\u201d At \u201cWomen\u2019s Outdoor News,\u201d 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\u2019s memoirs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Book Review Compilation: \u201cThe Most Unlikely Champion\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Industry Reviews<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Il Ling New<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u201cThe Most Unlikely Champion\u201d could also be placed in the self-help category. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Vera<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Il Ling wrote, \u201cKoo\u2019s autobiography, \u2018The Most Unlikely Champion,\u2019 is nearly impossible to categorize, and it\u2019s just as hard to put down. Short but deftly crafted, Koo\u2019s and collaborator Justin Pahl\u2019s book is paced like a mystery and reads like an intimate journal. It\u2019s deep look into one woman\u2019s journeys \u2013 yes, there are several \u2013 through unthinkable heartache, tragedy and dark family secrets, to find her way to personal bests and personal discovery.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Impressed by Vera\u2019s training regime, Il Ling New also mentions how Koo uses the negatives in her life to push her towards growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cKoo takes us with her as she meticulously engineers her own training, and \u2013 sometimes gruelingly \u2013 grinds out her practice. In physical and mental endeavors alike, she never settles for \u201cgood enough.\u201d She lets us in as she struggles to recover \u2013 and even goes on to live life to its fullest, after truly catastrophic events. Koo shows us how finding the positives \u2013 even when they might be obscured by negatives, goes hand in hand with seizing opportunities.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Il Ling New\u2019s review<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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, \u201cThe Most Unlikely Champion.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Julie<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Julie wrote, \u201cAt 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\u2019t resist the urge to give her a hug, sharing a heart-to-heart moment that mothers who\u2019ve battled serious illness in their children can share.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Julie Golob\u2019s review<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Julie Park<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Firearms instructor and homeschool mom Julie Parks identifies with Vera in many ways, and wrote,\u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Julie-Park-with-Vera-Koo-Book\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Julie Park\u2019s review<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Erin Garvin<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Competition shooter and exercise guru Erin Garvin had planned on taking her time to read Vera\u2019s book. However, she quickly became absorbed in her story as if catching up with a dear friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Erin-Garvin-Vera-Koo-memoir-copy-674x1024\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Erin Garvin\u2019s review<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jennifer Hansen<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Senior executive and author of \u201cManagement Musings from an \u2018Accidental Sabbatical\u2019: Thoughts of work, life home … and dogs<\/a>,\u201d Jennifer Hansen believes Vera\u2019s story as a \u201cchampion\u201d is less about her success on the range than it is off of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Jennifer-Hansen-Review-Vera-Book-feature\"
(David Hansen photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

She wrote, \u201cWinning eight women\u2019s titles was no accident. Of course, she is talented, but it was Vera\u2019s deep understanding of her mental process, her body, how she heals and understanding her faith \u2013 that allowed her to succeed competitively \u2026 and personally.  Vera may be a champion in the shooting sports, but because of her amazing self-awareness, she is a champion in life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jennifer Hansen\u2019s review<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The WON Reviews<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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Barbara Baird, Publisher and Editor at The WON and a freelance writer, author of the book \u201cMilling Around: Exploring 26 Mills in the Missouri Ozarks<\/a>,\u201d 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\u2019s mind to share her story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"vera_barb_and_daughters\"
Jackie Richardson, Barbara Baird, Vera Koo and Vera’s daughter at SHOT Show 2018<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Barbara wrote, \u201cHer book is so much more than the shooting sports and what it brought to her life. It\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barbara Baird\u2019s review<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jackie Richardson<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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

\"Jackie-Richardson-with-TMUC\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Jackie wrote, \u201cWhat 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jackie Richardson\u2019s review<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Michelle Cerino<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Cerino-and-Koo\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I wrote, \u201cVera Koo\u2019s book will resonate with any woman, regardless of anyone\u2019s 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. \u2018The Most Unlikely Champion\u2019 makes a great gift for anyone who needs a little boost to grow stronger and conquer anything that comes her way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Michelle Cerino\u2019s review<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more book reviews and learn more about Vera Koo at her VeraKoo.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Order your own copy of her book,\u300d<\/em>The Most Unlikely Champion,\u201d \u9ede\u64ca\u6b64\u8655\u7e7c\u7e8c\u95b1\u8b80\u9019\u7bc7\u6587\u7ae0<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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