As an amateur yet passionate fencer myself, I was curious about reading this book. What I read inspired me beyond the fencing. It is a book of a great character, passion, belief, dedication, struggle, inspiration and never-give-up attitude. I always admired world league athletes, and Sergei definitely deserves a place in the overall sports Hall of Fame for his achievements.In this book you literally feel his pain, struggles, desires, doubts, disappointments and problems he encountered during his long career and a hope, hard work, dedication, inspiration, stubbornness and talent that helped him to achieve these unbelievable heights.As you read thru this book, you would not read a story of wunderkind of fencing. Even his physical characteristics that he described in the book, 182cm height and 82kg weight, are very average to give any advantage in fencing. But what made him to get into sports Hall of Fame is his character and his character only. I definitely would recommend it to be read by every athlete, even if sometimes fencing terminology is confusing and unclear.Moreover, you would believe that if you, a normal average person, decide to take a path to a success, put all your dedication and hard work, don't give up your hope and inspiration - you can achieve phenomenal results. Maybe not quite of Sergei's - after all, he is unique - but high enough to fulfill your desires.Not only that I started to admire him more as a person, with whom I would really want to meet, but I started to admire him for the fact that he showed that the goal is yours to set and achieve, yours and nobody's else. Be it in fencing or in life as general. I read a lot of inspirational books that teach you to dream and achieve this dream, but unlike others, he does not teach you that. I doubt he even meant to, but page after page this is an inspirational source you would discover.That what in my opinion makes this book so different.