Major Book Updates - Ant Atkinson will be at Barton's FCA on Monday, Sept. 20, 2010

Depending on how recently you started reading this blog, and how much clicking around you've done since then, you may or may not know that I've written a book called The Edge of Legend. It's about Harlem Globetrotter Anthony "Ant" Atkinson and his incredible story of faith, basketball, and redemption. (See and listen closely to the trailer below. Amazingly, while that's the climax of the story, it turns out to be a very small part of it. That's why I'm so excited about this book.)

The book drops a week from yesterday, on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010. That's when the pre-orders will be shipped out, and that's when it will be available in the Barton College bookstore. In time, it will also be available in various Barnes and Nobles, Books-A-Millions, and various independent bookstores. We've all known that. 

But I just learned that we will be able to have a little surprise for the community of Barton College and the city of Wilson. 

On Monday, Sept. 20, 2010, I, and Ant and THE BOOKS will all be at the Barton College Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting. It starts at 8 p.m.and is held in the Bulldog Room in Wilson Gym on Barton's campus. Ant and I will be discussing the book. The books will, of course, be available for sale, and I and Ant will both be signing whatever copies you buy that night. 

The book retails for $15. 

So if you're at Barton or know folks there, spread the word, people!

So, to sum up:

When: Monday, Sept. 20, 2010 at 8 p.m. 

Where: Bulldog Room in Wilson Gym on Barton College's campus

What: Anthony Atkinson and author Brandon Sneed discussing Brandon's book about Ant, The Edge of Legend

Cost: Free. Books are $15 each. 

Thanks as always for your reading, and your support. Absolutely cannot wait for you to get this book, and read this story. It's a good one. I'm biased, but you have my word on it. 

Best,

Brandon

P.S. Sorry for all the bold font. 

Marshall Mathers Part II: Justin Bieber, or, Celebrities and Why We Love Them

We had a good discussion yesterday about my Marshall Mathers post. Let's continue that. 

No, I have no desire to write about Justin Bieber. Just to put your minds at ease. I mention Bieber because there is no pop star more worshipped than he is right now. He makes for a fitting metaphor for this discussion. I think about the way girls react to him, and the way sports fans react to their heroes, and the way fanatics react to their spiritual or scientific leaders, and I just wonder....why is it that we go so nuthouse crazy over....people? Because I think we all do it, on various levels, with different people. It's not a bad thing. It's human. But let's explore .... why?

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Marshall Mathers, a man I want to write about

It’s controversial—at best—for me, as a Christian, to like him. But I love Eminem. Well, maybe “love” isn’t the right word. I’m drawn to him. I want to know his story.

I want to know Marshall Mathers. I believe that there’s something beautiful beneath the black surface people have painted over him.

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Strawberries, and not the kind you want to eat

Last week I ripped my knee open pretty good during a softball game. Some things inspire me too easily, and so, here are some life lessons that boo-boos can teach us. 

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Pete Rose is back in baseball, for a night

For those of you who don't know, Pete Rose is the former Cincinnati Reds player who got more hits in his baseball career than anyone else ever has in the history of the game. Twenty-five years ago tonight, he got hit number 4,192 to pass Ty Cobb, and tonight, he'll revisit Cincinnati's Great American Ballpark, where they will recreate that hit. 

It's the first time he's been in the stadium in 21 years.

That MLB commissioner Bud Selig is allowing this is not only beautiful; it's only right. That Rose is still banned from the game for life is wrong. Here are some thoughts on all that.

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The beauty of sports, as seen when East Carolina beat Tulsa

East Carolina's dramatic last-second win over Tulsa this past Saturday was the thing goosebumps were made for, but so much about the game symbolized so much that is right in college sports. I at first meant only to write a few paragraphs about it. Then it turned into this....

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Stud Karl Dimachki survives tongue cancer, sings on X Factor

The other night, Karl Dimachki performed on the Australian version of "X Factor." He won't win it, and to be completely honest, I'm surprised the judges voted him on to the next round. But what Dimachki did is one of the bravest things I think I've ever seen anyone do.

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My life really isn't so bad, even when it feels like it (Part 1,872: Felicia)

Some days, like today, I get feeling down about things. Then I remember people like Felicia, the 47-year-old homeless woman I met last week.

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Humans, it's Cooper. That's right. I'm back. Again.

Cooper wrote a blog. He wants to start doing that again. I decided to let him. That said, I assume no responsibility for the following.

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How far would the God of the universe go for His children? Guest post by Karen Sneed, All Jesus Ministries

"How far would the God of the universe go for his children?" My mom, Karen Sneed -- vice president of All Jesus Ministries in Greenville, NC -- explored this question in her monthly newsletter's devotional. It is featured here today at brandonsneed.com.

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