 Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance
By Tony Dungy, Nathan Whitaker
Retailer's Choice Award winner!
Super Bowl–winning coach and #1 New York Times
best selling author Tony Dungy has had an unusual opportunity to
reflect on what it takes to achieve significance. He is looked to by
many as the epitome of the success and significance that is highly
valued in our culture. He also works every day with young men who are
trying to achieve significance through football and all that goes with
a professional athletic career—such as money, power, and celebrity.
Coach Dungy has had all that, but he passionately believes that there
is a different path to significance, a path characterized by attitudes,
ambitions, and allegiances that are all too rare but uncommonly
rewarding. Uncommon reveals lessons on achieving significance
that the coach has learned from his remarkable parents, his athletic
and coaching career, his mentors, and his journey with God. A
particular focus of the book: what it means to be a man of significance
in a culture that is offering young men few positive role models.
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Reader Reviews:
Good Follow Up to Quiet Strength
Recently retired Indianapolis Colts coach Tony
Dungy delivers an outstanding follow-up to his bestseller Quiet
Strength in his new book, Uncommon. The name of the book is derived
from a quote by former University of Minnesota coach Cal Stoll, who
said:
"Success is uncommon, therefore not to be enjoyed by the common man. I'm looking for uncommon people."
Dungy first heard these words as a freshman on Stoll's
football team almost three decades ago, and they have stayed with him
ever since. The only difference is that it is now Dungy summoning men
to an uncommon life of significance.
The book does not differ much from Quiet Strength, as
it is written in a casual tone similar to most sports figure's memoirs.
It is, however, less autobiographical, leaning more toward an advisory
manual on how to live life. It is divided into seven parts, each
dealing with important issues that men deal with in their lives, such
as family, friends, career, and relationship with Christ. It is
sprinkled with stories from Dungy's personal life which illustrate the
themes of each chapter. Perhaps most refreshing is the coach's tone. He
is never condescending or preachy, adamently proclaiming that his way
is the best way. Reading this book is almost like talking to a big
brother who is handing out advice because he's been there.
For those who are weary of self-help books, have no
fear. Dungy's focus is on service to God, family, and fellow man. There
are no get-rich quick schemes in this book, or promises of blessings.
This is just Tony Dungy trying to instruct men how to be better
husbands, fathers, and human beings. He doesn't claim to have all the
answers; he's just willing to share what he's been through.
It's a quick, easy read, and there's enough football
mixed in to keep most guys interested. There's a Q & A with Tony
Dungy in the back, giving his opinion on more direct questions. My only
knock on this book is the goofy picture of Dungy on the back cover. But
it's definitely worth the money. Tony Dungy scores again.
The Road Less Traveled
Tony Dungy, best selling author of Quiet Strength, has penned another
Super Bowl quality book in Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance.
The two books cover similar terrain: how to win in life. However,
Dungy's latest work focuses especially on how young men can pursue and
achieve a life of significance and success.
Dungy is eminently qualified to write such a book,
given his lifetime of leadership coaching not only athletes in sports,
but men in the proverbial game of life. Additionally, his own drive for
success, not simply defined by wins and loses, but by other-centered
relationships, is Dungy's ultimate qualification for writing Uncommon.
Dungy begins by defining success, not from the world's
perspective, but from his Christian worldview. He then notes how
uncommon true success and significance are, outlines many of the
reasons, and prescribes practical pathways: attitudes, ambitions, and
allegiances.
What Rick Warren achieved with Purpose Driven Life,
Tony Dungy has accomplished with Uncommon. Both books are
user-friendly, easy-reads, without being dumbed-down or simplistic. And
both books, while maintaining a Judea-Christian ethic, are not preachy.
Though focused somewhat on young males, Uncommon is
for every person pursuing a life of meaning, a path of purpose, and the
road toward significance. Learn from an uncommon man the uncommon art
of leaving a lasting legacy.
Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of Beyond
the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and
Spiritual Direction.
Much needed hope and help for a better life
Taking one's life beyond success in business, the
author describes how to be a person of significance and how to make our
life truly meaningful.
He reflects on lessons he learned from his parents,
his mentors and career and his faith. He provides fresh insight into
becoming significant, someone who matters.
A particular focus of the book is what it means to be
a man of significance in a culture that is offering young men few
positive role models. I personally think this is an excellent thing and
much needed.
“Highly recommended.”
—Susanna K. Hutcheson
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