Hamilton book release in October

ARLINGTON -- Josh Hamilton has shared his life story with anyone willing to listen this season. On Oct. 14, fans will be able to read about his story in great detail in his soon-to-be-released book, "Beyond Belief."

Of course, between the well-known Sports Illustrated cover story and the attention he received during the All-Star festivities, many already know his tale, but he said his book will delve deeper into his life.

"It's going to talk about my childhood, from what my parents were like, what my childhood was like, and what I was like as an athlete growing up," Hamilton said.

In fact, the book will focus more on Hamilton's life than his career as a Major Leaguer.

"It's not really a baseball book," Hamilton said. "It's in it just because I played it my whole life."

Co-authored by Tim Keown, "Beyond Belief" documents the path Hamilton's life went down that led to his drug addiction and suspension from baseball. In the book, Hamilton tells Keown never-before-told stories and reveals how his faith and those closest to him helped him overcome his addiction and get to where he is today.

Hamilton said he picked Keown to help him write the book because Keown wrote a story, "Hell and Back," on Hamilton for ESPN the Magazine back in 2004. To help Keown with the book, Hamilton drove him around and showed him significant locations from his past.

Other parts of the book-writing process were more difficult for Hamilton.

"It was challenging just to sit down and rehash all the memories -- the good memories as well as the bad ones," Hamilton said.

And some of the few baseball parts were more enjoyable -- like when Hamilton turned heads during this year's Home Run Derby by hitting 28 home runs in the first round with his personal pitcher, Clay Council, who tutored him as a youth.

"After the Home Run Derby, we kind of revised it at the end to get that in there and talk about Clay," Hamilton said.

Even after the book was complete, Hamilton got emotional over it as he read over the finished product.

"There were some parts where I laughed and cried," Hamilton said. "But it wasn't as exciting to me because I lived it."

Hamilton will make two public appearances next month to help promote the book, published by FaithWords.

On Oct. 21, he will be at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, to speak and sign copies of his book. On Oct. 22, he will have a book signing at 7 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble in South Arlington, Texas, near Interstate 20.

The message of the book is the same one he'll spread while promoting the book: "Just the fact that everybody has struggles and nobody's perfect," Hamilton said.