Melvin Juette grew up on the South Side of Chicago during the 1970s and '80s. Although he lived in a fairly stable familial environment, Juette became involved in a gang and, at age 18, he was paralyzed from a gunshot wound. He later called the experience "both the worst and best thing that happened" to him.

Rather than drowning in pity, Juette decided to overcome his disability by getting out of Chicago, attending college and, most importantly, becoming involved in wheelchair basketball. He went on to become one of the best players in the world, and he played on the U.S. National Wheelchair Basketball Team.

Juette and Ronald J. Berger describe Juette's life in Wheelchair Warrior: Gangs, Disability, and Basketball. The book was crafted in the life-story interview method, so sociologist Berger helped Juette describe his journey, and then transcribed the interview word for word.

Juette's story is incredible, but Wheelchair Warrior unfortunately does not do it much justice. Parts of the book are repetitive, and certain areas are confusing or do not provide necessary facts or details. Many of Juette's friend, as well as his two brothers, were involved in gangs, but he fails to tell what happened to them. All that is mentioned is that one brother was in prison several times.

In addition, there were numerous typographical errors in Wheelchair Warrior, for example, one of Juette's wheelchair basketball teammates, Chuck Gill, was named one of People magazine's sexiest men alive. However, the book writes that he is one of the "sexist men," which is quite a difference from the real honor.

But fans of Juette, wheelchair basketball or just those looking for a story of someone overcoming incredible odds should still find some enjoyment in Wheelchair Warrior. The Preface and Conclusion are rather dry, but could be interesting for readers who want to look at Wheelchair Warrior from a sociological perspective.

- Ashley