Review of Free and Fearless
Posted: 06 Mar 2024, 15:22
[Following is a volunteer review of "Free and Fearless" by Phil Moser.]
Free and Fearless by Phil Moser is a memoir that recalls the adventures of a father (Phil) with his daughter (Brittany), who was diagnosed with two autoimmune diseases: Hashimoto’s and Addison’s. In Hashimoto’s disease, the immune system attacks the thyroid. In Addison’s disease, the adrenal glands don’t produce enough hormones. The story shares how Brittany’s determination, adventurous spirit, and positive outlook changed Phil’s life. The memoir shows how a daughter inspired her ordinary farmer dad to explore nature and adventure.
The story begins with family and friends fulfilling Brittany’s wish to climb Sky Pond, a challenging hiking trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. The hike concludes with Phil and his wife (Marilyn) releasing Brittany’s ashes.
Phil then recalled Brittany’s childhood and young adulthood, showing Brittany’s zest for life and determination to succeed no matter what. Brittany’s career changes and moving experiences showed Brittany’s ability to change when needed. For example, her autoimmune diseases caused her to switch careers from being a flight attendant at SkyWest Airlines to working at a sports bar. Phil supported Brittany’s changes and drove cross-country with her twice, from Indiana to Colorado and later from Colorado to Utah. He was her friend, adventure partner, and hero.
Phil then described their travel bucket list of breathtaking places in Colorado and Brittany’s experience with Hashimoto’s and Addison’s. Brittany and Phil completed most of it together. After Brittany’s death, Phil found the strength to complete the physically challenging bucket list to honor his daughter.
I liked how Brittany’s memorial service included 32 balloons (representing each year of her life) with heartwarming messages inside and released into the sky.
The book has some grammatical mistakes. However, the errors do not distract readers.
I rate Free and Fearless 5 out of 5 stars and recommend reading it for these reasons:
(1) Inspirational: A source of inspiration for everyone, especially parents whose children died. Phil’s personal growth and experiences encourage readers to spend more time with their loved ones, embrace change, and live a positive lifestyle.
(2) Photographs: The photos give the book a sense of a personal travel guide with family pictures of the places they visited. Phil shares a YouTube link with a short video of their Sky Pond adventure.
(3) Educational: Phil’s account makes readers want to visit the lakes in Northern Indiana and nature in Central Colorado. I learned that President John F. Kennedy had symptoms of Addison’s.
(4) Awareness of Hashimoto’s and Addison’s: Phil describes both disorders and shares Brittany’s symptoms. He shares the physical, psychological, and emotional effects that these disorders had on Brittany. Phil emphasizes how stress and the external environment one lives in can kill someone who has Addison’s.
If your parents die, you lose your past. If your siblings die, you lose your present. If your children die, you lose your future. Phil shared that he had lost all three and needed the strength to move forward. However, Free and Fearless is not about a father’s grief over the death of his daughter. The book celebrates Brittany’s outlook on life and how we can make the best of our lives, regardless of external circumstances.
******
Free and Fearless
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Free and Fearless by Phil Moser is a memoir that recalls the adventures of a father (Phil) with his daughter (Brittany), who was diagnosed with two autoimmune diseases: Hashimoto’s and Addison’s. In Hashimoto’s disease, the immune system attacks the thyroid. In Addison’s disease, the adrenal glands don’t produce enough hormones. The story shares how Brittany’s determination, adventurous spirit, and positive outlook changed Phil’s life. The memoir shows how a daughter inspired her ordinary farmer dad to explore nature and adventure.
The story begins with family and friends fulfilling Brittany’s wish to climb Sky Pond, a challenging hiking trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. The hike concludes with Phil and his wife (Marilyn) releasing Brittany’s ashes.
Phil then recalled Brittany’s childhood and young adulthood, showing Brittany’s zest for life and determination to succeed no matter what. Brittany’s career changes and moving experiences showed Brittany’s ability to change when needed. For example, her autoimmune diseases caused her to switch careers from being a flight attendant at SkyWest Airlines to working at a sports bar. Phil supported Brittany’s changes and drove cross-country with her twice, from Indiana to Colorado and later from Colorado to Utah. He was her friend, adventure partner, and hero.
Phil then described their travel bucket list of breathtaking places in Colorado and Brittany’s experience with Hashimoto’s and Addison’s. Brittany and Phil completed most of it together. After Brittany’s death, Phil found the strength to complete the physically challenging bucket list to honor his daughter.
I liked how Brittany’s memorial service included 32 balloons (representing each year of her life) with heartwarming messages inside and released into the sky.
The book has some grammatical mistakes. However, the errors do not distract readers.
I rate Free and Fearless 5 out of 5 stars and recommend reading it for these reasons:
(1) Inspirational: A source of inspiration for everyone, especially parents whose children died. Phil’s personal growth and experiences encourage readers to spend more time with their loved ones, embrace change, and live a positive lifestyle.
(2) Photographs: The photos give the book a sense of a personal travel guide with family pictures of the places they visited. Phil shares a YouTube link with a short video of their Sky Pond adventure.
(3) Educational: Phil’s account makes readers want to visit the lakes in Northern Indiana and nature in Central Colorado. I learned that President John F. Kennedy had symptoms of Addison’s.
(4) Awareness of Hashimoto’s and Addison’s: Phil describes both disorders and shares Brittany’s symptoms. He shares the physical, psychological, and emotional effects that these disorders had on Brittany. Phil emphasizes how stress and the external environment one lives in can kill someone who has Addison’s.
If your parents die, you lose your past. If your siblings die, you lose your present. If your children die, you lose your future. Phil shared that he had lost all three and needed the strength to move forward. However, Free and Fearless is not about a father’s grief over the death of his daughter. The book celebrates Brittany’s outlook on life and how we can make the best of our lives, regardless of external circumstances.
******
Free and Fearless
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon