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In an Instant: A Family's Journey of Love and Healing Audiobook
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(4.00) - 1,632 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In January 2006, Lee and Bob Woodruff seemed to have it all-a happy marriage, four beautiful children, and marvelous careers. Bob had just been named co-anchor of ABC's World News Tonight, but then, while he was embedded with the military in Iraq, an improvised explosive device went off near the tank he was riding in. He and his cameraman, Doug Vogt, were hit, and Bob suffered a traumatic brain injury that nearly killed him. In an Instant is the frank and compelling account of how Bob and Lee Woodruff's lives came together, were blown apart, and then were miraculously put together again-and how they persevered, with grit but also with humor, through intense trauma and fear. More than a dual memoir of love and courage, In an Instant is an important, wise, and inspiring guide to coping with tragedy-and an extraordinary drama of marriage, family, war, and nation
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"This book has personal significance to me since my 24 year old son had a traumatic brain injury last November. I found so many parallels in this book to our situation, and it reinforced the hope that we have for my son's full recovery. It's a good read even if you don't know someone who has faced this incredibly difficult situation though."
— Kate (4 out of 5 stars)
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“The Woodruffs reveal both the strengths and weaknesses that they brought to coping with Bob’s crisis. Their frankness heightens the book’s impact, as does its wider subject: the increasing frequency in Iraq of explosion-induced head injuries like those Bob suffered. This book means to draw compassion and attention to those casualties, and it surely will.”
— New York Times -
“An inspiring story and one that reminds us that there are countless families facing similar tragedies. The narration by both Bob and Lee enhances the listening experience and brings an added poignancy to the events they describe.”
— Library Journal
In an Instant Listener Reviews
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" Sadly, I love a good TBI story! "
— Jessie, 2/18/2014 -
" one of the best books!!! very inspiring! "
— Heather, 2/16/2014 -
" Great book about his tragic war accident, and the recovery. "
— Joan, 2/13/2014 -
" An amazing story of a family recovering from the effects of a traumatic brain injury. Very touching. "
— Suzanne, 2/9/2014 -
" I didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. I laughed, I cried, and I found the information on traumatic brain injury and the recovery from it very interesting. It was a book that I could have read straight through from start to finish if I'd had the time to do so. "
— Karen, 1/30/2014 -
" This is a must read. A very touching story about love and over coming something someone should never have to go through. This man is lucky to be alive "
— Madres, 1/28/2014 -
" Love to read of people's journeys "
— Stefania, 1/20/2014 -
" Wow-In January 2006 Bob Woodruff as con-anchor of ABC's World News Tonight suffered a traumatic brain injury that nearly killed him while embedded with the military in Iraq.In An Instant is the frank account of Bob and Lee Woodruff's lives after this event. I couldn't put this one down. "
— Joann, 1/14/2014 -
" I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I generally like biographical stories anyway. It brought back to the surface many feelings of when my son was stationed in Iraq from 2004 - 2005. "
— Leslie, 1/11/2014 -
" What a great story. A must read! "
— Gretchen, 1/10/2014 -
" Amazing account of their experience after Bob Woodruff was wounded in the war... including the history of their relationship. Pretty inspiring... "
— Kristen, 12/7/2013 -
" Read this book--it's beautiful and heart wrenching. "
— Carly, 11/16/2013 -
" I absolutely loved this book. What a gripping story. It really made me appreciate my family. I highly recommend it!!! "
— Mayde, 10/27/2013 -
" I read this book in 3 days! Lee is a remarkable woman! "
— Kelly, 8/28/2013 -
" Interesting and courageous story about how one copes with serious brain trauma. "
— Noreendenton, 4/10/2013 -
" Mildly interesting due to subject matter (TBI) but I sure can't like these people or their writing style. "
— Marsha, 3/22/2013 -
" This book was amazing. Since my dad suffered an anoxic brain injury (quite different from traumatic) it was comforting to read from Lee Woodruff's perspective. It reminded me of everything my mom went through. I really connected to this book and have given it to my mom to read. "
— Kelley, 1/9/2013 -
" Bob and Lee Woodruff share their story of recovery following an IED explosion near the vehicle Bob, an embedded ABC reporter, and his crew were in with troops in Iraq. He suffered a number of wounds as well as a severe traumatic brain injury. "
— Joy, 10/22/2012 -
" Amazing story of brain trauma recovery, but I thought the author, the wife, is a bit annoying and high maintenance. "
— Jessica, 10/1/2012 -
" This was more about how Bob Woodruff became an anchor than it was about living with a brain injury. Not what I expected or needed. It wasn't bad but it wasn't terribly interesting either. "
— Terri, 8/22/2012 -
" A true story depicting the devastating effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries and the war in Iraq written eloquently and simutaneously between a husband and wife. "
— Kelli, 3/19/2012 -
" Inspiring...not just Bob's survival and ultimate recovery but Lee's commitment to him and their family. She is real and honest about their experience. Listening to them narrate made it very easy to get wrapped up in their story. "
— S., 11/29/2011 -
" Good book what a remarkable recovery and the family with him all the way "
— Robert, 9/19/2011 -
" Amazing story of brain trauma recovery, but I thought the author, the wife, is a bit annoying and high maintenance. "
— Jessica, 5/14/2011 -
" Interesting and courageous story about how one copes with serious brain trauma. "
— Noreendenton, 5/7/2011 -
" Very interesting and what a strong couple to overcome his injury. The good news is that Mr. Woodruff is doing special reports for NBC TV again!! "
— Ginny, 2/20/2011 -
" Sort of a dual memoir of love and courage by Lee and Bob Woodruff. An inspirational story of coping with tragedy. "
— Ann, 2/16/2011 -
" Fabulous book. I never knee Bob and Lee had such a wonderful love story! I really feel like this book was worth reading. They let you inside their heads and hearts, leading you through their hardships as a family overcoming a TBI. Truly Inspiring is the love of this family. "
— Alexandria, 2/15/2011 -
" WOW...couldn't put this book down. An amazing story of recovery. The way it is written with each person, Bob and Lee, his wife, each writing their own parts is very well done. The book gives you insight into the profession of an international journalist. "
— Sue, 2/1/2011 -
" Good approach to the story from both Bob and Lee's viewpoints. "
— Nona, 1/16/2011 -
" Loved this book!! A heartwarming story of Bob & Lee's life together and how they navigated the waters of TBI as a couple and a family. A must read for anyone struggling with a hard time in their lives. "
— Allison, 12/12/2010 -
" Love to read of people's journeys "
— Stefania, 12/11/2010 -
" This was more about how Bob Woodruff became an anchor than it was about living with a brain injury. Not what I expected or needed. It wasn't bad but it wasn't terribly interesting either. "
— Terri, 12/4/2010 -
" A real story of bravery, courage and love after a well known journalist is embedded with us Troops in Afghanistan and survives an IED explosion, and incurred a head injury that even five years ago, he probably would have died from. The couple and their family is to be admired for their grit. "
— Rita, 11/12/2010
About the Authors
Bob Woodruff was named coanchor
of ABC’s World News Tonight. While
reporting on US and Iraqi security forces, he was seriously injured by a
roadside bomb that struck his vehicle near Taji, Iraq.
Lee Woodruff is the life and family contributor for ABC’s Good Morning America and a freelance writer. She is on the board of trustees of the Bob Woodruff Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides critical resources and support to our nation’s injured service members, veterans, and their families, especially those affected by the signature hidden injuries of war: traumatic brain injury and combat stress. Lee lives in Westchester County, New York, with her husband, ABC News anchor Bob Woodruff, and their four children.