"Unscripted" by Ernie Johnson Jr. made me laugh and made me cry. It helped to fill my heart with admiration for the author and it moved me to say more than once, "Praise the Lord!"
Johnson is the three-time Emmy winner, known primarily for his work on TNT's popular "Inside the NBA" sports program. Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O'Neal talk basketball and any other popular topic and have a great time doing it. Johnson appears as a nice guy, someone you'd enjoy having a Starbucks or grilling some burgers in your backyard on the 4th of July.
"Unscripted" tells the story of how Johnson became that nice, considerate guy. He writes with great affection about the influence of his father, Ernie Johnson, a major league pitcher with the Braves, a man who also went on to be a star in the broadcast booth. He is head over heals in love with his wife Cheryl and together they've raised six kids (four are adopted). He describes his faith journey and the circumstances behind how he learned to "trust God...period." And the book helps the reader to learn how to look for "blackberry moments."
These are defined as "an unpredictable moment that makes life extraordinary." Johnson's life has been filled with "blackberry moments" and he shows how everyone has them - you just need to be looking for them. Searching for blackberry's is an effective theme that runs through the book. I could tell you about some of Johnson's but I rather that you buy the book and get the complete picture.
I promise you this - you'll be glad that you read "Unscripted." Learning about Johnson's relationship with his Dad, the Johnson's adopted son, Michael, and his battle with muscular dystrophy, Johnson's battle with cancer and his love for his family - all of it will warm your heart. And it will lead you to become a blackberry picker too!
