Book Accolades
If you want to make big changes in your own life, but aren’t sure how, please read this book. It is one of kind!
Sam manages to take away all excuses and inspire readers to move past the valleys of hurts and disappointments in their lives.
I spent five years with Sam Bracken at a time of transformation for him. His is a stunning story of courage, resiliency, and servant-leadership.
Change is hard. Everyone wants it. So few get it. In this one-of-a-kind book, Sam lays out a fool-proof, step-by-step approach to change through sharing his own remarkable journey from victim to conqueror.
Sam Bracken is a shining example of the transformational power of education. A caring teacher looked closely enough at his life to take away his barrier to learning. That simple act launched Sam on his journey out of poverty.
Not only is Sam Bracken uniquely placed to relate and give hope to all those who share a past of abuse, neglect and fear, but his ability to do so in manner that resonates and strikes a chord with all walks of life, can only be seen as a brilliant gift.
Sam Bracken’s remarkable emergence from a life of poverty, mental illness, abuse and hardship is told with compelling honesty. It offers young people a set of accessible tools to support resilience and promote self-growth.
My mother always told me, no one has control over where they were born, but we do have control over what we do after we are born. My Orange Duffel Bag is a testimony to the miracles of hope!
Sam Bracken’s survival as a child depended on his ability to turn toward the light while living in a dark underworld. I thank him for sharing his strategies for forging his own path, for showing us a way out, and for sharing his story.
Sam Bracken’s life story is the perfect book for teenagers struggling to find their way out of abusive situations. It should be required reading in every high school.
I loved this story of struggle and success. The self help guidelines provide great insights for anyone to get their life on the right track and how to keep it on that track.
Sam Bracken’s story is for people who yearn for proof that they can create a joyful future despite a horrific past. His extraordinary path from childhood abandonment and abuse to a Division I football scholarship shines the light on the resourcefulness, strength and creativity that lives in all of us.
Through seven steps Sam shares with us the way to take our desires and make them reality. From desire to gratitude this book will touch your heart and change your life.
This straight-forward but incredibly thoughtful travel guide to life contains the most joyful and positive directions we need to live our days in the light. Share this book with the teenagers, graduates and other travelers in your world.
Sam Bracken is the real deal. As a former teammate who witnessed many of these events I can say that Sam is my hero! His courage, determination and virtue are an inspiration.
Sam Bracken’s engaging stories and message captivate both the heart and the soul. I am impressed with his ability to clarify timeless principles and by how his book provides a roadmap for positive personal change and lasting results.
My Orange Duffel Bag is a powerful story about overcoming adversity, combined with real, practical planning tools to help anyone get from where they are to where they want to be.
Sam Bracken’s message inspires me, my family and my associates. He reminds us all that we don’t have to settle for what life dishes out. We can choose what we want. Giving up is not an option.
Some who have never walked the road of sorrow try to offer a map out. Sam Bracken has both walked that road and followed the map he offers. He still follows the map, and his journey promises to be a long and fruitful one. Reading My Orange Duffel Bag will leave you with the exhilarating feeling that no matter where you are, you can rise.
… a touching story, told in an inspiring way. The sublime blend of hard-hitting graphics and soul-stirring prose makes My Orange Duffel Bag a must-read.
I really like My Orange Duffel Bag. It’s an interesting story in an interactive format. People from many different walks of life could relate.
