Wisdom and Things: Essays From an Unlikely Champion

Wisdom and Things is a collection of essays from the final decade of Vera Koo's pistol shooting career, documenting her journey from a 12-year-old immigrant who didn't know a word of English to the pinnacle of the action pistol shooting world. They chart the drive and ambition that led Vera to achieve great success, and show the perseverance and determination that helped her survive failures and setbacks. This collection paints an indelible portrait of a person who never gave up, no matter how difficult the challenges.

For readers familiar with Vera's first book, The Most Unlikely Champion, these articles will deepen your understanding of the quiet, behind-the-scenes moments of Vera's life - the motivations that inspired her, the setbacks that nearly broke her. For those who don't know Vera's story, the writing here will provide snapshots of inspiration and advice - how to learn new skills no matter your age; how to handle slights with humility; and how setting small goals can help you achieve big things.

These pieces show that despite thriving in multiple worlds, Vera has always remained true to her values: faith, discipline and kindness. They're values she learned from her parents and her husband, Carlos, and that she's instilled in her three children. It's Vera's hope that readers, new and old alike, will walk away from this collection with the same lessons - that even the worst tragedies don't have to break a person, and that through hard work and belief, anyone can achieve their dreams.