Full Reviews
Must Read.​
Get ready to be blown away by the incredible journey of Paul, a man who refused to let a massive heart attack define his destiny. Doctors may have counted him out, but Paul had other plans! Trouble? Pfft, that's just a word in his book!
Join Paul as he takes on life's challenges with a can-do attitude, standing tall at 5'4" and proving all the doubters wrong. From battling addiction and abuse to dancing on the edge of the law, his memoir is a rollercoaster of resilience, faith, and a whole lot of sass.
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​This book is a shining beacon of hope for anyone who's been told they can't make it. Paul's story is a testament to the fact that with a little chance and a whole lotta heart, you can conquer anything life throws your way. Prepare to be inspired, uplifted, and ready to take on the world!
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​Dive into the world of Paul, the self-proclaimed "make-believe Christian with the gift of gab," as he navigates the rough waters of addiction, abuse, and crime. His story is a gritty reminder that no matter how tough things get, there's always a way to rise above and come out stronger on the other side.
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Trouble Ain't Nothin' But a Word is a gripping and honest memoir that will tug at your heartstrings and leave you cheering for the underdog. It's a raw and real account of a life lived on the edge, filled with moments of darkness and light. Don't miss out on this captivating read that will leave you feeling empowered and ready to tackle whatever challenges come your way.
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A Must-Read for Black Youth
Paul O. Scott's Trouble Ain't Nothin' But a Word: Conquering Fear is a powerful and thought-provoking memoir that should change your perspective on life.
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Imagine dying and coming back to life. That's a sign you're being given a second chance by God. Rights your wrongs. Apologize to the ones you hurt. Love your family. Care for your children. Thank your parents. It's really important to treasure the moments you have on Earth before you pass away. And you shouldn't live your life recklessly.
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There are so many lessons I learned. This memoir is a memoir like no other. Scott shares his story without hiding anything. The good, the bad, and the ugly. I can't imagine myself telling all of the good and bad things I did. He doesn't fear judgment, and that's what makes this memoir special. It's an uncensored look into his life, with the full truth laid out for readers. It's entirely up to you to read and learn with an open mind or to scrutinize.
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I normally read books really fast, finishing hundreds of pages in less than a week. But this was one of those books where I had to process each and every page and slow down with the skimming. I don't remember reading this slowly. Whenever I start reading a book, I have a goal to finish it quickly and leave a review. But this time, I spent a lot of time relating to Scott, much to my surprise.
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Racism and discrimination back then were way worse than it is now, and I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to live during a time when a black person's views and perspective were considered unworthy. I related to Scott when he recounted experiences with racism and discrimination as I have been underestimated and stereotyped for being a black person. And my experiences with racism are online because I don't socialize with people in real life very often.
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I found it relatable when Scott recounted losing family members because I've lost family members across the globe in another continent and have not been able to reach out to their families or attend their funeral. It's heartbreaking and it makes me feel helpless. The current civil conflict prevents us from being able to check in with my mother's family members living in Ethiopia or attend the funerals of those who were brutally killed because of the war. I related to the feeling of resentment and loss of hope Scott had. I totally understood where he was coming from, even though the way he handled it was wrong.
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This book has a lot of sensitive topics. I have to applaud Scott for the tremendous changes he went through. I don't believe I would have held up. I must admit, if I had been through all of those terrible things, I would've given up and committed suicide. Trust me, I would've.
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That being said, thanks to this book, I've been trying to change my perspective on life and trying to stop judging people solely based on the wrong they do, a bad habit I have. I also want to get to know more about people before I come to conclusions. If you don't believe that people can change, you should read Scott's story. It shows how human beings can change in ways you'd never imagine. This is a 5 out of 5 star read. It's an excellent book that highlights a black man's journey in life. Congratulations, Paul O. Scott!
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CAPTIVATING MEMOIR
A Massive heart attack, a dramatic ER scene, and a medically induced coma followed by a long rehabilitation. Doctors wondered whether he would survive, and if he did, would he walk again, talk again, recognize his family, or even have memories?
As the narrator begins recounting his life from childhood to high school to college to navy enlistment to parenthood to a meandering career in prisons and classrooms and politics, it’s not lost on readers that even his remembering is a miracle. Narrating these events is proof that the author did recover from the trauma and brain damage that results from lack of oxygen to the brain.
In the opening chapters and in the final ones, we’re introduced to Paula, a strong, fierce woman who fights to save her husband’s life. She has the herculean task of convincing first responders and scores of doctors that he’s worth every effort. The glimpse of her I got in the first chapters made me anticipate seeing her later on.
This memoir is always engaging. The narrator never minces words, his inflammatory remarks are simultaneously funny and biting. “I see you have an edge,” says a school administrator, an offhand remark that captures the author’s personality and so much of the book’s tone.
From a childhood raised as a Christian Scientist and peppered with scripture to run-ins with the KKK, police, and discrimination in many forms. College, car wrecks, homelessness, jail, getting mugged, systemic discrimination, and more means the story is engrossing throughout. It ends where it began, with the long road of rehabilitation recovering from oxygen deprivation to the brain. It shows that personal resilience goes a long way and a life is fighting to remember.
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A GEM OF A MEMOIR
I think that readers expect a lot of things from an autobiography. They expect the drama of family strife and marriages on the brink of disaster. They look forward to juicy bits of gossip that will keep them on the edges of their seats. What they don't expect is for the writer to announce his death on the very first page! Yet that is what Paul O. Scott does in his memoir Trouble Ain't Nothin' But a Word: Conquering Fear.
The very first chapter hooks the reader in with the compelling story of the author's very near death from a massive heart attack. From that point on, the reader is drawn into Scott's life growing up in Chicago with all of his siblings. He also takes us on the journey into his college career and, eventually, a life in politics. Scott's story is rife with beautiful stories of love, compassion, hardship, and determination. You won't be disappointed in this memoir!
K. Mazza - Amazon Reviewer
An Inspiring Memoir of Trouble, Toughness, and Faith
This memoir begins in a rather unconventional way: with the author’s death. Yup, you read that right. His death. He suffers a heart attack and subsequently goes without oxygen for more than ten minutes. He wasn’t supposed to survive, least of all without sustaining a massive brain injury. The opening ends with the author recounting all the neuro functions he had lost. Would he ever walk again, talk again? Would he ever recognize his family, or even himself? Were his memories lost forever?
And then he begins telling his story, and as you continue to read, you’ll see just how deep his memory goes. He details the story of his life, from growing up a Christian scientist and one of eight children to going to college, enlisting in the Navy, getting married, and having kids. He tells of the trouble he got into during his adolescent years, a time marred by fighting, dead-end jobs, womanizing, the death of his younger brother, a broken engagement, and a stint in jail. The detail with which he recounts these tales is extraordinary, especially given the opening scene and the uphill battle we know he must have faced.
The author’s voice draws you in from the very beginning, and you’re instantly submerged in his story and deeply invested in its outcome. It’s testament to his storytelling prowess and memory (an incredible feat given the extent of his health troubles), and it ends the way it began: with the author slowly regaining his cognitive and motor functions after his massive heart attack. Structurally this was a very cool way to end the book and a clear full-circle moment. It’s a true story of redemption, recovery, and resilience and was absolutely worth the read.
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Andrea - Amazon Reviewer
A Look at Love, Loss, and Finding Your Way
Paul Orlando Scott's memoir, Trouble Ain't Nothin' But a Word: Conquering Fear, chronicles the tumultuous journey of a man born into a large, complex family in 1954 Chicago. Raised as a Christian Scientist and the sixth of eight siblings, Paul navigated the challenges posed by his father's post-World War II trauma and resultant alcoholism. With an often absent father, Paul sought guidance from his older siblings and the streets, leading to a youth marked by delinquency, substance abuse, and instability in both his careers and relationships.
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The narrative reaches a poignant climax with the loss of his younger brother, Peter, an event that precipitated a profound personal crisis yet eventually spurred a transformative self-reckoning. Paul's subsequent career path—spanning roles in correctional facilities, teaching, campaign management, and ultimately, a respected consultant and educator—mirrors his journey from chaos to purpose. This memoir offers a recount of personal redemption and an insightful look into the vicissitudes of urban life and the resilience required to overcome them. Paul's vivid recounting of his youthful escapades, from romantic pursuits to spontaneous adventures with friends, enriches the memoir with humor and wisdom. Particularly moving is the portrayal of his relationship with his wife, whose devotion played a crucial role during his life-threatening ordeal.
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Trouble Ain't Nothin' But a Word: Conquering Fear is a testament to the idea that one's future can shine bright despite a shadowed past. Paul Orlando Scott's life story, characterized by significant adversity but also remarkable recovery, is engaging and imbued with lessons that resonate long after the last page is turned.
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Official Book Reviewer. 2,636 reviews, 228 followers - GoodReads
Gripping!
When you open a non-fiction book beginning with “I,” the next word you expect is not “died,” especially not referencing a past event. However, Paul O. Scott masterfully captures attention from the very first beep. His memoir, Trouble Ain’t Nothing But a Word: Conquering Fear, chronicles Scott’s tumultuous life, filled with challenging times, encounters with racism, criminal charges, jail time, and a near-death experience. The book opens with a gripping recount of Scott’s heart attack, which left him in a vegetative state. Despite doctors’ grim prognosis, his wife insisted on pursuing the best possible care. As Scott takes readers through his arduous journey to rehabilitation, he also reflects on his childhood in a Christian Science home, his troubled youth, and his struggles with faith.
Scott’s detailed recollection of his past, even after such a catastrophic health event, is remarkable. This aspect highlights his storytelling ability and the profound depth of his memories. With an engaging and immersive narrative, Scott draws readers into his life, making them deeply invested in his journey. His storytelling prowess is evident as he navigates through different phases of his life. Trouble Ain’t Nothing But a Word offers a satisfying and coherent narrative arc. The memoir is fundamentally about redemption, recovery, and resilience. It’s a story of overcoming immense physical and emotional challenges, leaving readers with a sense of hope and admiration for Scott’s journey. It celebrates his ability to overcome adversity and rebuild his life.
Trouble Ain’t Nothing But a Word is a compelling read that not only provides a detailed account of Scott’s life but also showcases the incredible human spirit’s capacity for recovery and resilience in the face of adversity. It’s a testament to Scott’s strength and determination, making it a highly recommended read for those seeking inspiration and a powerful story of personal triumph.
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Thomas Anderson, Editor In Chief, Literary Titan​