11 Responses to “We Are Not Afraid: Strength and Courage from the Town That Inspired the #1 Bestseller and Award-Winning Movie “October Sky” (Paperback)”

1. Vivek
   October 23rd, 2009 @ 9:54 pm

   Homer Hickam wrote a very enjoyable and informative book about his hometown of Coalwood, West Virginia, and the people who helped nurture him as a young boy. With his childhood stories, he took me on a journey through time to a place that many today would dismiss as “old-fashioned,” and Hickam would argue was “the way things can and should be.”

   Inspired by the events of September 11, 2001, Hickam reflected on his youth and realized the values he grew up with in Coalwood were what many people needed to move on with their lives following the tragic terrorist attacks on America. Hickam expertly wove his thoughts and experiences into the four “Coalwood Attitudes of Strength and Courage” (We are proud of who we are, We stand up for what we believe, We keep our families together, and We trust in God but rely on ourselves), which led to the “Coalwood Assumption” that most Americans found themselves either wanting to say or saying repeatedly following 9/11: “We are not afraid.”

   In his introduction, Hickam explains the purpose of this book: “If you want to stop being afraid, or if you want to avoid the habits of fear and dread, this book can help by teaching you a philosophy of life that will fill your heart and soul with a sense of well-being and confidence. It is a philosophy that was developed by real people who led good, happy and hearty lives while managing to raise a crop of children who went on to have successful lives of their own.”

   Hickam is a master storyteller, and his stories contained many powerful moral and inspirational passages. Some I related to as personal memories, others as things I missed growing up or never thought about, and still others as a father wanting his young son to experience in his childhood.

   This book has a lot to offer to many different people with many different needs in many different situations. I encourage everyone to read this book and let Hickam take you on a journey of discovery into your heart and soul.

2. Lindley
   October 23rd, 2009 @ 10:46 pm

   I love all of Homer’s books. With Rocket Boys, Coalwood Way, and Sky of Stone, it was as if I was living right there with the people of his little mining town. This book is the same although much different. Rather than a story that goes from beginning to the end, it is filled with the wisdom of a “people who always lived in perilous times.” I didn’t realize it but I am also a victim of long-term fear. Something always seemed to be holding me back from going to college, now that my children are out of the house. No more. Homer has shown me how to over come everything that has been keeping me from doing what I should, to really enjoy life. I am proud of who I am. I stand up for what I believe. I will keep my family together. I trust God but will rely on my self. I cried tears of joy reading this book, laughed out loud in so many places. It is a treasure of a book that you will never regret reading, learning, savoring for all the days of your life.

3. Kaikoura
   October 24th, 2009 @ 12:01 am

   The advice I found in this book has changed my life, too. Somebody told me I should read this when they caught be dragging around filled with worry. What can a little book do to change that I asked and they said well, just read it and see. The insights in this book have been just amazing. Homer teaches through stories that are fun to read but after you’re done, you just sit back and go I really see that. I really, really do. Honestly, I’ve spent money on a lot of these selfhelp do better kind of books but the way Homer does it, I think I really got my money’s worth this time.

4. Zuri
   October 24th, 2009 @ 3:33 am

   4.0 out of 5 stars
   Coalwood Attitudes to Confront Fear
   Homer Hickham, author of his best-selling boyhood story, “The Rocket Boys”,Rocket Boys (The Coalwood Series #1) (later made into the wonderful movie, “October Sky”October Sky…

5. Sybil
   October 24th, 2009 @ 3:46 am

   5.0 out of 5 stars
   Fear diminishes the quality of life………Don’t let it!!
   We Are Not Afraid is a very inspiring book about strength and courage in perilous times. I think everyone who reads this will come away a stronger individual for it.

6. Gurit
   October 24th, 2009 @ 10:07 am

   5.0 out of 5 stars
   A philosophy for life
   I read this book. It changed my life for the better. Enough said. Hickam is very gifted. Who are his people? You’ll be surprised.

7. Iorwerth
   October 24th, 2009 @ 3:52 pm

   5.0 out of 5 stars
   Homer hits a home run!
   I’m a strong person,an Idaho farm boy, but, I too, was weakened by the events of September 11. I needed salve for my soul, softening of my hardening heart,a mental map to see my…

8. Duval
   October 24th, 2009 @ 4:18 pm

   5.0 out of 5 stars
   Bravo!!!!!!
   Hands down one of the greatest books I have ever read! Time to stop dreamin’ and start taking some action.

9. Anonymous
   October 24th, 2009 @ 5:49 pm

   5.0 out of 5 stars
   Such a Great Writer
   In my opinion Homer Hickam is one of the most well written authors of our time. He writes in a way that is interesting and personal.

10. Zahur
    October 24th, 2009 @ 10:01 pm

    5.0 out of 5 stars
    An antidote for being afraid
    There are so many self-help books out there that just give you a lot of mush and feel-good words that don’t add up to something. This book actually tells you real stuff.

11. Edgar
    October 24th, 2009 @ 11:51 pm

    5.0 out of 5 stars
    A book of wisdom, humor, and great advice
    What Homer has done here is lay out the attitudes that he was taught by the people of Coalwood that allowed them to defeat fear. We are proud of who we are.

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