Notable Reviews:
“I love a great story, and the story of Scotty Smiley is not only a great story of a true hero, but this gem is so well written that you will cry, laugh, and cheer as you turn the pages.”
– Dave Ramsey, New York Times bestselling author
“Captain Scotty Smiley was put to the ultimate test of faith and passed with flying colors, turning what was intended for evit into good. Hist determination to overcome and to allow God to be honored in the telling of his story is richly conveted through this book.”
– Steven Curtis Chapman, Grammy Award-winning artist, and Mary Beth Chapman
“It’s been said, ‘The worth of one’s character is measured by the trial of adversity.’ Hope Unseen is a compelling, inspiring, true story about courage, faith, and character revealed. You’ll never want to complain about your circumstances again!”
– Lieutenant General R.L.VanAntwerp, U.S. Army
“I know you will be inspired by the courageous story of Captain Scotty Smiley, and most of all by his everlasting faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
– Franklin Graham, president and CEO, Samaritan’s Purse; president & CEO, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
“Scotty and Tiffany have been an inspiration to the Duke community, to Team USA Basketball, and to me personally.
– Coach Mike Krzyzewski, men’s college basketball coach of the Duke Blue Devils
Reader Reviews:
One of the best!
March 11, 2011
By aisniper
I served with Scott Smiley on that fateful day in Iraq when he was still a “louie” and had no doubt that this book would be nothing short of spectacular! Scott was one of the best officers I have had the priveledge of serving with and all of his soldiers can attest to that! Everyone always had great things to say about him and would have followed him into hell…as many did,it killed us when this happened.Great to see that he continues to be an inspiration to us all.
An amazing book!
January 23, 2011
By bluegrass aficionado
This is quite possibly the best book I’ve ever read…I don’t usually review books, but I found this to be such an encouraging, profound, and well-written book, that I had to give it my highest praise! I hope to someday lend this book to my children and to recommend it to others. The prospective reader should also understand that it provides a Christian perspective on recovery from war wounds. On a side note, as a VA psychologist, the book also helped me to understand how someone on the receiving end of my services might perceive some of what I do…I appreciated the critique of the VA and his writing just inspires me to be better at what I do. Thank you to the authors for sharing Scotty’s story — it really stays with you!
Barnes and Noble Reviews
This book is wonderful, inspirational and honest. It is refreshing to read something that isn’t phoney or preachy. I couldn’t put it down.
A Story of Courage, Determination and Faith
April 16, 2011
You’ve graduated from The Military Academy at West Point and you’ve completed your Ranger Training, a required course for all First Lt.s. coming out of West Point, before you are allowed to lead soldiers in the field. You’re also a newly wed and looking forward to living a full life with your bride. Your orders come in and you are heading to Iraq. Both your wife and you have been church going, praying and Bible reading Christians all of your lives. So, everything is going your way and a year long tour in Iraq is only going to be a small bump in your life’s road. This was Scotty Smiley’s life. While in Iraq he was leading a patrol searching out insurgents and evil doers, when a suicide bomber detonated an IED (Improvised Explosive Device), just meters away. This device sent shrapnel into Smiley’s head, body and eyes, rendering him unconscious and blind. “Hope Unseen”, is the true story of Captain Scotty Smiley, as told by him. This story is one of courage, spirit, determination and most of all Faith. Neither Scotty nor his wife, Tiffany, ever lose faith nor turn away from God on their perilous journey of rebuilding their lives and rehabilitation. It is the story of conquering obstacles both seen and unseen. Follow Scotty Smiley as he describes this unforgettable story. I commend Captain Smiley for his courage and dedication. This story should be in everyone’s To Be Read List, and will undoubtedly become a Best Seller.
Christian Books Distributor reviews
christianreviewofbooks.com
March 30, 2011
By Irene
This is a very moving story about an officer in the Army who loses his sight while serving in Iraq. You will follow him on his journey through the loss of his sight to accomplishing goals he never thought possible.
This book is not about the tragedy of something lost but about the hope for a future. From mountain climbing to surfing you will follow this brave man as he conquers adventures even a man with sight may find hard.
I enjoyed reading this book. I liked how it showed the positive and negative of having a disability. I was encouraged by how the family relied on the Lord and how He never forgot them.
The book was well written and easy to read. Definitely worth your time, especially if you enjoy stories of triumph over adversity!
Don’t start reading this book late at night!
December 31, 2010
By Glenn Price (Lindale, TX United States)
I saw Scotty and Tiffany Smiley in a TV interview recently. When the host asked Scotty if he could go back to Iraq and change the sequence of events that led to Scotty’s eyes being taken from him if he would do so, Scotty answered that he would not. The host asked Scotty if he life was better, worse, or simply “different” since the car bombing that took his sight. Scotty replied his life is 100% better and he would not go back and regain his sight if he had the power to do so. This answer fascinated me and left me wanting to hear more, so I ordered this book. Scotty’s story is so compelling and the book is so well written, that once I started I could not stop reading until I had finished. Sometimes you come across a great story, but it is not well told, or sometimes you have a great writer, but the story isn’t truly outstanding. In Unseen Hope, friend and fellow soldier Doug Crandall teams with Captain Smiley to tell Scotty’s story and it hits every mark for excellence. Get this book, read it, and share it with others. I made it a staple of my Christmas gift giving this year. It’s too good to keep to yourself!
Unforgetable & Most Inspirational Book
October 7, 2010
Lumberton, TX
You won’t put this book down once you start it AND you will never forget the story of Scotty after reading it. His personal struggle/journey, after being blinded during his tour of duty, will inspire you in your daily challenges of life. Scotty put into action the words of Phil 4:13–“I can do all things through Christ…”. He omitted the word “can’t” from his life and his vocabulary. He revealed how GOD will help you to meet miraculous goals, when you totally depend on HIM and submit to HIS will for your life & your future. Scotty and Tiffany demonstrated what their wedding vows “for better of worse” really mean. Their commitment to GOd and to each other will inspire you to remember GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL. Scotty , with God’s help, has accomplished more as a totally blind person, than many do as a sighted person. Instead of ‘accepting’ a medical disability discharge from the Army, after injury to his eyes, Scotty goes on to become a teacher of leadership classes at West Point. He refuses to allow his blindness to get in the way of his military career. This book will impact your life for the better.