I've always enjoyed Adam Schefter on ESPN, so I was very intrigued to read a book written by him. The book allowed readers a very personal look into a tragedy that touched the lives of anyone that lived in the United States on 9/11 in some way. I found myself laughing during parts of the book and also crying during other parts of the book ... and after finishing the book I found myself very thankful Adam Schefter allowed me, the reader, a chance to "peek inside" his life beyond ESPN. He is much more than the guy that reports on football and injuries. I was fortunate enough to receive a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. It was such a powerful read that I will also be purchasing a copy of the book.

I want to start this September with a book celebrating some victims of 9/11. As you know it's a theme I don't want to forget and a terrorist attack that touched me profoundly because I had various friends in NYC and one of them worked close to the Twin Towers as a bookkeper. Implied that their life, all our existences after all, changed forever, impacting with that horrible, senseless terrorist attack indirectly as well.

The Man I Never Met by Adam Schefter with Michael Rosenberg is a book, that, you will see, you will appreciate a lot because it speaks to your hearts and will let you discover the story of some employers who lost their lives at the Cantor Fitzgerald.
Only the CEO of the Cantor Fitzgerald, Howard Lutnik, that 9/11 for a stroke of luck accompanying his son to school, survived because in another place; all the rest of the Cantor Fitzgerald's employers died, in a way or in another when the Twin Towers were attacked. The Cantor Fitzgerald's offices were located in the North Tower.

Joe Maio was a wonderful man, someone appreciated by everyone and with a great, good and sociable heart. Asking to people close to him, his old friends, his old pals, parents, wife, what everyone share are positive vibes, because Joe was a wonderful man, ambitious, human, plenty of interests, a sport man, someone in love for his friends and life, and later for Sharri, his girlfriend and then wife, and for their new baby Devon.
I wasn't so sure that the perfect man existed, but reading this book, I discovered that maybe Joe was a perfect man, and not because he was a super-hero but simply because he acted with great humanity.
He developed this beautiful character since he was little, and when someone was his friend, not important if rich or poor, beauty or ugly, shy or easy-going, the door of Maio's house open for sure to everyone.

Some of his friends are still shocked for Joe's departure and everyone still speak of him at the present tense because they can't imagine that he is not yet anymore with them. He was special, he was a gift. A gift to the world, a gift to his dear ones.

That 2001 Joe Maio's family made an important change: they decided to move from Manhattan to Long Island. They could have built the house of their dream, because financially the family had a great solidity, but they didn't want to wait two years, so they discovered a beautiful house and they bought that one. They wanted to accelerate their existence now that Devon was with them.

It was wonderful to start to living there although they were still unpacking when Sharri and Devon's life would have known the departure of their beloved husband and father. The Maio's couple was in love and discussions were little, banals and they could be sorted out with good sense and with that love and understanding that characterized the couple.

Also the reporter of NFL, Adam Schefter, lost a friend, Billy, when the Twin Towers collapsed, and it was not simple to moving on.

Years passed by, and at 39 years, Adam was single, without a woman close to him, and uncertainties for the future. If his profession was wonderful, his private life miserable.

He lived the life of a single man, pretty free to do what he wanted to does, going wherever he wanted to goes, dedicating to his work, made with great passion, love and devotion the most of his time.

A friend of him suggested, considering the lack of time for meeting some women with which maybe to start something, some names and phone numbers: "Look: the first one is a widow of 9/11 and she has a son."

Sharri after the horrible departure of her husband at first decided to stay alone. Then, convinced also by the parents of Joe, it's correct to continue to living without to forget people who loved us, tried to start to meeting someone.

Sharri's priority was Devon. She told to all the potential partners about Joe and Devon; she wanted that, a potential partner would have understood that priority; for her a love-story didn't mean just romanticism; she had to find also a proper man in grade to taking care of Devon, with seriety.
Adam and Sharri fell in love; it was moving to read what happened to Joe's dad when Devon called him, letting him know that soon he would have had a new dad. I cried. I can tell you that.

Life at first was not a joke, because Adam's habits were not focused on family but slowly he became a devoted father for Devon and later, for the daughter that he had with Sharri, Dustin.

Devon doesn't ask questions about his father; not a lot; he was a years and something when Joe died and so he doesn't have memories, apart the ones shared by Joe's friends, relatives, parents, uncles, aunts, writes Adam but something let me think that he can goes proud of him.
Sure: with a man, and a family like the one of Maio, they completely adopted Sharri and cuddled her and they're still following her very closely, the perception of Adam this one: that he is currently living the life that, probably would have lived Joe, that man that Adam never met, but that he knows very well because celebrated thanks to his goodness and his being unique. No one wants to let goes Joe and some people report that they have been saved by Joe and his example. Joe has been in grade of helping people also after that he passed away.
I guess that at first Adam felt that he needed to prove of being in grade to be as good as Joe was. The legacy of love, friendship, beauty soul, left by Joe was important and admirable.

Written with great energy, opening the door of the souls of the various witnesses with genuine spirit and without leaving behind anything, this book is one of the most sincere, fresh accounts (it sounded to re-live that moments) of the first days and weeks after the terrible terrorist attack, but not only: it's the story of survivors,witnesses, their fears, their shocks, their reactions at this tragedy; their devastating pain and solitude shared with million of people in the world; a departure, or more than ones for families, part of a collective tragedy, an endless mourning for many people, all united by the same sufferance.
The book speaks also of hope, of life going one keeping precious the memory of the past and the good example of people that yes, deserve to be celebrated in a book because they were and are unforgettable.

I thank NetGalley and St.Martin's Press for the physical copy of this book.

We all know where we were on Sept. 11, 2001 and we all know stories about people that were killed that day. What we don't know and can never really know is the story of the people left behind and how their lives have changed. This book brings us a little closer to knowing that and understanding the profound changes that they deal with and the different ways that everyone deals with loss and tragedy. While we remember, they can never forget. It's a piece of them and this book let's us peer into one of the families affected by 9/11. I didn't know Adam Schefter through sports, just as the author of this book. I admire the way he handled this story (which is his life!) and his homage to Joe Maio. Sharri is very lucky to have found two very different, but very good, men to share her life with.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGallery and voluntarily chose to review it.

This was an incredibly moving, and healing, book. I wasn’t sure I wanted to read and relive 911, but somehow this helped bring a bit of closure to me.

Thank you for gifting me a copy #netgalley #stmartinspress.

SCHEFTER SHARES STORY OF LOSS, HOPE
Adam Schefter, NFL analyst and reporter, opens up about his family in his memoir, "The Man I Never Met” out September 4. Schefter says his purpose for this memoir is to show how good can come from the worst kind of evil, how life can continue and even grow from pain.

The story starts with Schefter's wife, Sharri. She is a widow and single mother to Devon, who was only 15 months when Joseph Maio, their husband and father, died in the 9/11 attacks. Schefter, a New York native, relates his stories and connections to the attacks, the state of his career and personal life, in parallel to the Maios' disaster. These two timelines eventually lead to the story of Schefter and Sharri meeting.

At the beginning, Schefter feels like an awkward choice for an author about Joe's life. As the story continues, the reader will start to trust Schefter because he is honest and earnest. He holds nothing back and honors Joe's memory.

The writing in the advanced copy has many errors and is a little choppy and repetitive, which takes the reader out of the story a bit. An absolute highlight in this story are the people, specifically Joe's parents. They are incredibly resilient, loving, and selfless.

This story feels unique and powerful: how can someone cope with this heartache? But the hopefulness of this story is that this resiliency isn't unique to the Schefters and Maios. This is a story about all of humanity; all who keep going and find good along side the pain.


(I have posted this to Goodreads and will post it to my Instagram @book_beat.)

Two confessions from the start: When I started this book, I only knew the author was from the sports world and the book was about Joe Maio who lost his life on 9/11/01. Second, the tragedy of the events of 9/11 affected me profoundly and I consider it the most devastating national event in my lifetime. So, I was rather unprepared for the story that unfolded as I devoured page after page of The Man I Never Met.

As author Adam Schefter (with Michael Rosenberg) states early on-- this isn't a book about September 11th, it is the story of September 12th and beyond. It is the story of living.

There are so many wonderful things in the book about strength, hope and survival that were unleashed as a result of those unimaginable tragic events. What moved me was the unconditional power of love and remembrance. Even more so-- author Adam Schefter's humility and honesty as he bears his soul in this touching memoir of the legacy of Joe Maio, the lives of his friends and family; and the powerful, yet difficult journey he (Schefter) and Sharri experienced and continue to experience as they build their lives 'after' is awe-inspiring.

While Schefter paints a wonderful tribute to Joe Maio, it is very much his own story as well. By the end, you've gotten to know two strong men-- though they never met-- that will forever be bound to one another, closer than brothers.

This is just one story of thousands-- families whose lives were forever changed. In reality, it is a story of us all. For anyone that has experienced great loss and struggled but found the courage and strength to move forward-- this is your tribute. We are all united, in grief and in the celebration of remembrance on this uncertain journey called life.

I gratefully received an ARC from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review.

Prior to this book, my introduction to Adam Schefter was through his reporting on ESPN, often breaking the news of the biggest basketball and football stories. Just glancing at the title of this book, I concocted the idea that this story was about Schefter and his possibly estranged father. Within the first few chapters, I learned that definitely was not the case: Adam's father was very present in his life. The man Schefter never met was Joe Maio, who had died in the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001 leaving behind his wife, Sharri and a 27 month year old.

This seems like it would depressing material, but this was an uplifting, inspiring read. The writing is definitely that of a seasoned journalist - Schefter writes an emotional, detailed, but concise narrative that was extremely well documented (thanks to his daily journaling habits).

The book is not truly a memoir in the sense that Schefter doesn't dive into his life history or a story about 9/11, but it is more of a tribute to Joe, who was loved by many, including Sharri, Schefter's future wife, and about moving forward with life after tragedy.

This book was very touching. I have read a lot of memoirs, and books about people who are deceased written by others who knew them, but this was different. I have so much respect for the author for how he embraced the life he has, accepting that he had to basically share his life with a man he never met.
This book written about 9/11 and the lives that it effected, from the author to his wife, whose husband happens to have died on 9/11. Adam, the author, has to step into his wife's life that still includes her deceased first husband, Joe Maio. Adam has to deal with her ways since Joe has passed, along with her 6 year old son who was just a baby when Joe died. He steps into the supportive husband role, as well as the stepfather role. It was a lot of adjusting on everyone's part, but it has all worked out. All marriages take work, so this is no different.
I really enjoyed reading this book and I would recommend it. An ARC of this book was provided by Netgalley for my honest review.

For many years, Adam Schefter was a beat reporter covering the Denver Broncos. His career then took him to the newly launched NFL Network, and ultimately to ESPN. If you follow sports then you likely know him as "Schefty". He is known as an insider in many areas of the business, most notably as often being the first to report breaking news in the sports world.

As a single guy in Denver with no family in the area, Adam engrossed himself in his work and went wherever it took him. But something was always missing. Adam loved his job, but ultimately he hated his life. A new job brought Adam home to New York, closer to friends and family. All things considered, Adam was living a great life. But on the inside he was spiralling out of control. Adam was more alone than ever. After a series of failed relationships (and one failed marriage), Adam was desperate to get married and settle down. His life forever changed when he met Sharri Maio.

Sharri was broken, lost, and alone in the aftermath of 9/11. She had lost her husband, Joe, and and was now responsible for raising their son in a home that she and Joe had just recently moved into.

Adam's new wife was a 9/11 widow with a six year old son and three dogs. This book chronicles the difficulty Adam had adjusting to married life since he had been a bachelor for so long. He delves into the relationship with his new wife and son, the arrival of their daughter, and the everlasting memory of a man he never met. But this book is not really about Adam Schefter. This book is written to honor the memory of Joe Maio and preserve his legacy. Joe's spirit is always present in their lives. Adam talks candidly about their relationship and evedyday lives. He is transparent and honest about this heartbreaking story.

Eerie similarities between Adam and Joe, and other people that he mentions in the book, will give you chills. It serves as a reminder that this is a small world, and everyone has a story. This is the story of Joe Maio, and Adam, Sharri, Devon, Dylan, and everyone they have shared their lives with, and everyone that has been an influence in shaping their lives.

You will laugh and you will cry. You will feel the genuine emotions that Adam Schefter has poured into these pages. I highly recommend this book.

I received this as a free ARC from St. Martin's Press on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the advance read of this title in exchange for my honest review. I was intrigued by the subject of this book for several reasons. 9/11/11 is a topic that always garners interest, but this story is different, because this memoir is by the second husband of Joe Maio's widow. Having been widowed myself, and remarried, I know that it's not easy for the second spouse, but in this case, the circumstances surrounding Joe's death would make him larger than life. The author, Adam Schefter, is an ESPN NFL reporter. That made me pause - I'm not a sports fan. Would I find interest? I'm happy to say that Schefter has crafted a story that is poignant and recommended. This is a book that could cover very different readers, yet leave all of them happy they took the time to read it. #Netgalley #TheManINeverMet

I just finished reading this book and I must say that I found it really interesting. As a sports journalist, the writer certainly knows how to hold your interest and does so in a manner that is a very smooth and easy read. He does a wonderful job on a subject that could be very depressing and of course sad as it is a time that we all lived through.

You get to know the author as well as his extended family on rather intimate levels. You learn his history, his wife's and the entire family. Needless to say these are very strong people. He does it in a way that almost makes you feel as you know them all. Too bad he never got to know Joe Maio, although if he did there would never be this book nor would he be living the life that he is now.

How do you say that you enjoyed a book about 9/11 and it's aftermath? Needless to say I did.

September 11, 2001 is a day that I will never forget. It was one of the days for Americans that will live in infamy. We will always remember where we were and what we were doing on that day. We also remember the sadness and utter disbelief and despair of that day along with the days following as we learned of all the lives lost that fateful day.
Now imagine driving your husband, the love of your life, and the father of your 15 month old son to the ferry that morning so he could go to his job at The World Trade Center for Cantor Fitzgerald.
It’s unimaginable to us but it is the real life story of Sherri Maio and Devon, the wife and son of Joseph Daniel Maio.
Adam Schefter’s memoir, The Man I Never Met, is a tribute to Joe but also the story of the family that is created after Joe’s death.
ESPN NFL reporter, Adam Schefter, opens up his personal life to us in this poignant story of finding love with Joe’s widow, Sherri, and his instant role of step dad to Devon, along with the later birth of Adam and Sherri’s daughter, Dylan.
What I took away from this story is how surreal their life must be for all of them. If Joe hadn’t died that day, this story never happens.
For all of us who remind ourselves on the anniversary of 9/11 to never forget, Adam Schefter and his family don’t have to ever remind themselves because they live it everyday.
Schefter writes this story not with doom and gloom but with honesty, love, and in a hopeful yet realistic way of what life is like for all of them including extended family members.
You don’t have to be a lover of sports or the on-air Adam Schefter to enjoy this story.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. This did not effect my review of the book. #Netgalley #TheManINeverMet

In “The Man I Never Met,” fans of ESPN’s NFL Insider Adam Schefter have an opportunity to get a deeply personal look at the author’s trajectory to becoming a widely known journalist/sports reporter. As the title suggests, Schefter relates his experiences dating and then marrying a 9/11 widow (her tragically deceased first husband is the man Schefter never met). Readers get an “inside” glimpse into Schefter’s life and his family dynamics.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Net Galley, and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have always been fascinated by things that have transpired from 9/11; especially relationships. I really wanted to enjoy this book more than I did. For me, it was just an "ok" read.

9/11. Say those words and everyone has a memory attached. A rushed conversation to find out where a family member was. A shocked gasp while making breakfast. Being glued to the TV for more news, or the sky if you were in a flight path. TV anchors never stopped talking about it because our need to find out more was insatiable. Now imagine being the wife or husband of one the people in the towers, planes or Pentagon. Sharri Maio doesn't have to. She lived it.

This is a nonfictional story about that day, but twisted slightly. It deviates from the norm, but maybe the story isn't so unusual. It's not the story of loss that we've all come to expect. It's also not the story of recovery that we could expect. It's loss, recovery, self discovery, tragedy, triumph, and above all else, family.

This isn't just Sharri's story though. It's really the story of three people. Sharri, her husband, Joe, and her other husband, Adam. Twisted. I told you.

Adam is the writer of the book (with Michael Rosenberg). He grew up in New York but life had other plans for him. On 9/11 he was working in Denver. His life was there and he never thought to leave. He was professionally happy and stable but his dating life was the pits.

Sharri and Joe had moved into a new house and were busy trying to parent Devon, while decorating their new home. He worked for Cantor Fitzgerald in the North Tower of the World Trade Center, in one of the higher floors. We know now that no one from those floors made it.

Sharri became a 9/11 widow and learned how to survive without him. She learned how to parent Devon alone and they had a happy life. Eventually she wanted more than that and began to date, mostly unsuccessfully.

Adam was essentially a serial dater. He was looking for external perfection. Instant bonds. THE ONE. He never found her.

Life is funny that way. Change is always just a blink away. He moves home to New York and they meet through a mutual friend but things aren't easy.

Eventually they find their way but lingering always, like a specter, is Joe. His house, his wife, his son, his life. The more stories that are related about Joe, the less likeable he becomes. I don't know if this is the intent of the author. It seems unlikely, but it doesn't wash away the impression.

He doesn't tell us much about himself, at all. Don't get me wrong. He talks about himself, but in small, insignificant ways like an interview he did or what he wrote in his journal. He doesn't give us that emotional connection, that depth, that warmth.

He gives us plenty about Joe, however. His childhood antics and fears, quirks and easy confidence. That makes Joe more tangible. There is simply none of himself on the page. How ironic. A writer that leaves himself out of the story.

He could have talked about his fears of becoming a father. He did it twice with Sharri. It has to be a huge part of their life together. He could have talked about how he bonded with Devon, but only ever mentions temporary tattoos. It's simply not enough.

In the end, there is no meat on the bone. It's a handshake, and only barely that. We never meet the author or his family. We never see beyond the superficial. We learn more about his dating life before he married Sharri than we do after. There is no flavor, color or texture to this story. It's unfortunate.

The premise of the book was the hook. Unfortunately, I wiggled off and jumped back into the water.

My star rating 🌟🌟🌟

Remember #PleaseReview. Authors live feedback.

#TheManINeverMet

#AdamSchefter

#MichaelRosenberg
#NetGalley

My goodness, this book was uplifting and sad at the same time. Well written, brings back memories for all to read.
Thanks to author,publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free,it had no bearing on the rating i gave it.