Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope by Gabrielle Giffords and Mark Kelly

AS INDIVIDUALS, CONGRESSWOMAN GABRIELLE GIFFORDS and her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, showed Americans how optimism, an adventurous spirit, and a call to service can help change the world. As a couple, they became a national example of the healing power to be found in deeply shared love and courage. Their arrival in the world spotlight came under the worst of circumstances. On January 8, 2011, while meeting with her constituents in Tucson, Arizona, Gabby was the victim of an assassination attempt that left six people dead and thirteen wounded. Gabby was shot in the head; doctors called her survival “miraculous.”...





This was an emotional book.

I, like many others, hadn't heard of Gabrielle Giffords until January 8, 2011. Since the shooting that day in Arizona, I have been following her story very closely. That is why I was happy to receive this book.

The book is written by Gabby's husband, Mark Kelly, with help from Jeffrey Zaslow. He tells the story from his point of view, which is interesting and emotional at times. The book covers more than just the day of the shooting and Gabby's recovery afterward. Kelly recounts both his and her childhoods, her political career and even his career as a pilot for both the Navy and NASA. Gabrielle, while giving the okay to everything in the book, didn't contribute to the writing except for the end chapter. This is, obviously, because it was written during her recovery.

I liked hearing the story from Kelly. It gave it a very personal touch and really brought you into what happened.

Kelly has a very interesting writing style. He shifts, back and forth, between subjects. Most of the time this would make a story feel jumbled but in this case it gave it more character, makes it more interesting.
My one problem with the book is that I wasn't a huge fan of everything he talked about in the book. I understand wanting to give details into their lives before the tragedy, but sometimes it felt like he was just writing these things to fill the book.

I admire both Giffords and Kelly. They are two very caring people. The book shows this, as does the 7 page acknowledgments in the back. I admire both of them for everything they have accomplished in their lives and for how dedicated they both are to Giffords's recovery. You can tell how much they love each other while reading this book.

I teared up on several occasions while reading this. It is about, just what the title says, hope and courage. I look up to Giffords for not only the person she was before the shooting but the person she continues to be despite the shooting. She is an amazingly strong person.

I recommend reading it and learning a little more about the two great people. Their story really makes you appreciate what you have and makes you want to hold the people you love a little tighter.

4.5 out of 5 stars

BUY IT HERE:Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope