Official Review: I am Fearless by Quintero Caldwell
Posted: 27 Aug 2020, 01:53
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "I am Fearless" by Quintero Caldwell.]
I Am Fearless, a memoir by Quintero Caldwell, chronicles the author’s experiences from childhood to young adult. I was not able to determine his age at the time this book was published in 2019, but given the milestones covered, this young author from Alabama appears to be in his twenties.
In this authentic and refreshing book, Caldwell shares the struggles of being an introverted, people-pleasing person who longs for others to see the real him, not the preacher’s kid or the youth worship leader or the lightning-fast basketball player with a fierce set shot. The pressure he faces balancing his individuality while trying to stay out of trouble will resonate with children of parents in visible leadership positions.
The author states that writing is a life-giving outlet for him. I appreciated his candor and his mindful discourse. He also included a few of his blog entries and references to songs he has written.
Although the book is less than 100 pages, I chose not to read it in one sitting. This introspective memoir spans the author’s life from middle school through young adult, and I enjoyed taking a break periodically to ponder his growth over the years. One thing I disliked about the book was it was difficult to figure out how much time had elapsed between events. For example, the author described a pivotal trip he took with his parents in which he returned with a newfound determination to go deeper in his relationship with God. Later, he would be confronted with a life-changing decision, but it was hard to determine if the time between the trip and the confrontation was months or years. This was not a major distraction, however.
There are many positive aspects of this book, but what I love most is the book’s cover. Caldwell’s pose reflects his introspective nature, his humility, and his reverence for life. The book references the Bible verse Isaiah 40:31, which encourages one to wait on God for renewal of their strength so they can soar like eagles. Furthermore, Caldwell recounts that when he was a little boy, he loved The Lion King, and he would run around the house roaring like the king of the Pride Lands. The cover expresses his journey to gain the wisdom and insight needed to soar and exude leadership. I also feel that the symbols within the letters of the title give a nod to his heritage and purpose.
I rate I Am Fearless 3 out of 4 stars. Quintero Caldwell is a talented communicator, and I look forward to reading more of his work. I deducted one star because of the number of grammatical errors. This is the author’s first book, and I recommend hiring a professional editor in the future so that nothing hinders his message. This book has a Christian focus, and several age groups can relate to the author’s wisdom. Young adults, particularly those who struggle with pleasing others and finding their own identity, would benefit from reading how Caldwell is approaching these issues in his life. This book would also remind adults in youth leadership positions about the pressure young people face to conform rather than express their individuality. In the author’s experiences, this pressure was often from adults, not peers. There is no profanity or erotic content in this book, so it is appropriate for all ages.
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I am Fearless
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
I Am Fearless, a memoir by Quintero Caldwell, chronicles the author’s experiences from childhood to young adult. I was not able to determine his age at the time this book was published in 2019, but given the milestones covered, this young author from Alabama appears to be in his twenties.
In this authentic and refreshing book, Caldwell shares the struggles of being an introverted, people-pleasing person who longs for others to see the real him, not the preacher’s kid or the youth worship leader or the lightning-fast basketball player with a fierce set shot. The pressure he faces balancing his individuality while trying to stay out of trouble will resonate with children of parents in visible leadership positions.
The author states that writing is a life-giving outlet for him. I appreciated his candor and his mindful discourse. He also included a few of his blog entries and references to songs he has written.
Although the book is less than 100 pages, I chose not to read it in one sitting. This introspective memoir spans the author’s life from middle school through young adult, and I enjoyed taking a break periodically to ponder his growth over the years. One thing I disliked about the book was it was difficult to figure out how much time had elapsed between events. For example, the author described a pivotal trip he took with his parents in which he returned with a newfound determination to go deeper in his relationship with God. Later, he would be confronted with a life-changing decision, but it was hard to determine if the time between the trip and the confrontation was months or years. This was not a major distraction, however.
There are many positive aspects of this book, but what I love most is the book’s cover. Caldwell’s pose reflects his introspective nature, his humility, and his reverence for life. The book references the Bible verse Isaiah 40:31, which encourages one to wait on God for renewal of their strength so they can soar like eagles. Furthermore, Caldwell recounts that when he was a little boy, he loved The Lion King, and he would run around the house roaring like the king of the Pride Lands. The cover expresses his journey to gain the wisdom and insight needed to soar and exude leadership. I also feel that the symbols within the letters of the title give a nod to his heritage and purpose.
I rate I Am Fearless 3 out of 4 stars. Quintero Caldwell is a talented communicator, and I look forward to reading more of his work. I deducted one star because of the number of grammatical errors. This is the author’s first book, and I recommend hiring a professional editor in the future so that nothing hinders his message. This book has a Christian focus, and several age groups can relate to the author’s wisdom. Young adults, particularly those who struggle with pleasing others and finding their own identity, would benefit from reading how Caldwell is approaching these issues in his life. This book would also remind adults in youth leadership positions about the pressure young people face to conform rather than express their individuality. In the author’s experiences, this pressure was often from adults, not peers. There is no profanity or erotic content in this book, so it is appropriate for all ages.
******
I am Fearless
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
