Heroes Are Human by Bob Delaney

Title: Heroes Are Human
Author: Bob Delaney with Dave Scheiber
Foreword: Dr. Richard Mollica
Publication: City Point Press, hardcover, 2022
Genre: Inspiration/Self Help

Description: In Heroes are Human: Lessons in Resilience, Courage, and Wisdom from the COVID Front Lines, author Delaney, who has survived trauma himself, looks at how our country’s medical professionals managed to cope with stress and hardship in order to provide care to patients. The goal of this book was to hear from these heroes in their own words, to understand their motivation, and to obtain inspiration from their dedication. However, Delaney also realizes that these individuals are exhausted and vulnerable; that they have cared for others at the expense of their own well-being. He tries to show humanity through these stories and also provides ten reminders designed to remind these frontline workers to care for themselves and their loved ones.

My Impression: I met Bob Delaney about 14 years ago when he first shared his amazing story. He is not someone one easily forgets. After college, he became a New Jersey State Trooper and, as part of his job, went undercover for three years to infiltrate the mob, a real-life true crime story, which he told in Covert: My Years Infiltrating the Mob. The danger he faced on a daily basis left psychological scars and trauma. After leaving law enforcement, he turned to something that had always given him pleasure, even at the darkest times, basketball, which became his therapy. He had worked as a basketball referee at various levels and in 1987 reached the big time as an official for the National Basketball Association. He has written on post-traumatic stress, extrapolating from his own experience, and here shines a light on how front-line professionals need to care for themselves in order to continue caring for all of us.

Bob Delaney and Phil Jackson
Photo credit: Winslow Townson, AP

Heroes Are Human is obviously very different from Covert but it reveals the same storytelling and is full of unexpected observations that show Delaney’s wide range of experiences. Many of those featured in the book found strength from being part of a team reminiscent of Delaney’s years in basketball. One of my favorite anecdotes is his description of attending Hamilton in 2015. Not only did he consider it “the best history lesson ever” but immediately saw the saddest song of the entire show, “It’s Quiet Uptown” as a framework both for grace and the temptation of pushing away feelings we do not want to face, in some instances, survivor’s guilt. Delaney paints a compelling picture of medical professionals who work together but suffer alone, often in silence.

I have an advanced reader’s copy to share if anyone has a family member or friend who would benefit from these lessons in resilience. Please leave a comment if you are interested (US only).

Source: Personal copy