Family Power: The True Story of How "The First Family of Taekwondo" Made Olympic History

by Mark Lopez, Jean Lopez, Diana López, et al.

An inspiring sports memoir from the family who captured America's heart at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The Lopez family set new records at the Beijing Olympics with three siblings on the same U.S. taekwondo team'and a fourth sibling as their coach. Mark took the silver medal, and Steven and Diana both brought home the bronze, with big brother Jean coaching them to victory. Here, for the first time, is the inspiring story of a family united behind a...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451228510
• ISBN13: 9780451228512
• Release Date: November 2009
• Publisher: Celebra
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

If you are into Tae Kwon Do, this book is really interesting

This book details from the time the Lopez's started in Tae Kwon Do through competing in the 2008 games in Beijing. From the perspective of someone who is into Tae Kwon Do, I find everything from how they began their training in a garage through details of specific matches very interesting. Some very interesting stories about competing internationally after 911 also. Everything from TKD politics through strategies and details of specific matches and tournaments. If you like Tae Kwon Do, or any type of competitive martial art, I think you'll find this book very interesting.

AMERICA'S FIRST FAMILY of THE MARTIAL ARTS

If you're a fan of the martial arts and not just chop-sockey flicks,this is the book for you.The true story of America's first family of the martial arts.In 2000 and 2004 Steven Lopez won the Olympic gold medal in taekwondo.In 2008 he and his younger brother and sister ,Mark and Diana, all medalled.Mark took silver and Steven and Diana took bronze.Oh yeah,eldest brother Jean was the coach.This made the Lopez clan the first family to ever have four siblings on the same U.S.A Olympic delegation.This book tells their story in their own words.It's about their childhood in Texas(the children of Nicaraguan immigrants),their introduction to the martial arts(dad was a Chuck Norris fan)and of course their Olympic triumphs.This is a story as much about family as it is about athletic victories.And this is what makes this book worth reading.It's the story of real life good guys who win in real life.