Uncommon - Finding Your Path to Significance by Tony Dungy with Nathan Whittaker

There could be a number of reasons to pick up this book.

Maybe you're a football fan and recognize Tony Dungy as a Super Bowl winning coach. (I am and I do.)

Maybe, more specifically, you are a fan of his Indianapolis Colts and know he has recently retired from coaching and thought it would be interesting to read this book in the wake of his retirement. (I am and I did.)

Maybe you read his previous book Quiet Strength
and have been looking forward to this follow-up. (I did and I was.)

Maybe the title alone was enough - after all who doesn't want to live a life of significance? (It IS a great title!)

Or maybe all the football stuff puts you off, and as a non-fan you're actually thinking this book may not be for you. (Don't be so sure.)

Dungy was a professional football player and a coach so there are football references and occasional commentary, but this is not a book about football, nor do I feel that the as a non-fan you would be put off or left clueless by the references that are included.

This book isn't about football; it is about life. Specifically, it is a book about living a life that has meaning for you - and those around you.

In the introduction, Dungy quotes his college football coach who often told his team, "Success is uncommon, therefore not to be enjoyed by the common man. I'm looking for uncommon people."

This quotation surely led to the title, but it serves as a talisman for the entire book.

While the book can be read and enjoyed by everyone, the clear focal audience are men, and the underpinning of the book's messages are rooted in Coach Dungy's strong Christian faith.

Using that foundation he talks in quick reading chapters about a broad ranging set of topics that are in his estimation factors leading to a significant life, from character to friendship to education and powerful thinking to setting priorities and more. There also are chapters on fatherhood, being a good husband and others with a more male focus.

There are scriptures mentioned throughout, but the last section deals most directly with his faith and beliefs.

I found the book to be thought-provoking, inspirational and well written with a good mix of personal stories to illustrate the points - something we tend to want in a book by a well-known person.

The book is humble too - like the man writing it - he talks about is trials and stumbles. He talks about the hard times related to his teenage son taking his own life. You leave this book feeling like you know the author and that he's a real person - something else to like about a book from a well-known figure.

For all of the reasons you might pick up Uncommon, you will enjoy reading it. Even if your beliefs don't mesh completely with the author's, there is still much to learn about life, parenting and leadership from this powerful book.

I recommend it highly.