HOT CORNER

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What: “One Man’s Leg”

Author: Paul Martin

Publisher: GreyCore Press

Price: $16

Paul Martin, who grew up in a small city in central Massachusetts, did not have a good childhood. He came from a broken home, didn’t get along with his father and for a time lived in a foster home. He went to college, but quit after a year and became a construction worker.

He also drank a lot and did drugs.

These days, Martin is a world-class triathlete, cyclist and skier. He also is a motivational speaker who has an inspiring story. And he tells that story with brutal honesty and a light touch in this 224-page paperback book.

After working in construction, Martin returned to college and got an engineering degree. That led to a well-paying job with a firm in Cleveland. Then on Dec. 12, 1992, he feel asleep at the wheel and crashed into a fire truck that was attending to an accident on a freeway.

As a result of injuries suffered in the accident, Martin’s left leg was amputated below the knee.

Martin, who had an able-bodied but wayward youth, became a less able-bodied but infinitely more accomplished athlete as a Paralympic competitor.

Martin details the joy he felt after his first marathon and after his first Ironman Triathlon. He seems to be very content with himself and has accepted his handicap.

The end result is a heartwarming story -- and some good lessons about life.

-- Larry Stewart