Book Description

Bridging the gap between truth and the media’s often wild speculation, The Game of His Life tells the story of what really happened on the night of June 30, 2003 in Colorado when basketball superstar Kobe Bryant and a 19-year-old hotel employee crossed paths.

The Game of His Life provides insight into the most incredible true-crime case of the past decade. Containing never before released information about both the prosecution and defense teams’ secret strategies, this is the decisive book on a case whose outcome will have profound effects on popular culture and beyond.

Intriguing and astounding, The Game of His Life takes the reader on a high-speed chase through the real lives of the two main characters, down back alleys of fact and innuendo before reaching a conclusion that will leave the reader stunned. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

A Tragic Story
Jeffrey Shapiro's book is a fascinating account of what happened between Kobe Bryant and the alleged victim on that fateful night at a Colorado hotel last year. Filled with new information and interesting details, the book offers insight into what the victim has experienced since her terrible ordeal. It also reveals what Kobe and his family have been going through, and how the incident has negatively affected them. It's nice to see a book that doesn't trash the victim, because she has gone through so much trauma already, especially at the hands of the tabloids. Even though I believe that Kobe is guilty, this book almost made me feel sorry for him. Shapiro made it a point to show both sides in a favorable light. This is a tragic story for both parties involved. A definite must read!

FANTASTIC!!!!! I can't wait for the movie!
Shapiro has clearly brought Kobe Bryant to life in this fast paced high powered drama about America's greatest NBA player! I was a little worried at first that this book would slam him, but it doesn't. Instead, Shapiro focuses on Bryant's incredible past as an athlete and portrays his story as an almost Shakesperian tragedy. I think the authors are trying to say that innocent or guilty, Bryant having invited that girl into his room changed his life forever. I did some research on Shapiro and found out that he has a pretty wild past. He used to work for the Globe tabloid and then turned against them while working on the Ramsey case in Colorado. He seems like a pretty unusual guy and his writing is definitely inventive and unique. This is a well-written piece of hard news reporting and I totally recommend it!

Another N****R Excuse Book!
This is so much crap put out to get sympathy after yet another crime by a black man. Stop making excuses you phony.

A Fair Trial
I think that this book satisfies the abyss of hunger that Americans have for gossip and possibly the truth that is burried somewhere in all of these reports and interviews that have been out since the Kobe Bryant incident came into light last June. However, the book cautions that the accuser in this case did not give them an interview per say, so I would questions whether or not this book is just a bound collection of gossip that's been no different than what's already out there. I just think it's important to remember that the trial hasn't happened yet, and the only two people who know the truth are Kobe Bryant and his accuser.

The Game Of His Life
Though I feel the author portrayed Kobe's career success in a fair light, I don't think he gives Kobe the benefit of the doubt in this rape trial. It leaves some questions in my mind. If this young woman didn't want anything to happen then why did she go to his hotel room after she got off work? I'm not saying she's automatically guilty simply because she chased a successful famous NBA star to his hotel room, but I am saying that if it is not fair to assume she is a small town girl looking for attention, who just happens to have a large imagination, then it also isn't fair to assume that Kobe (and the rest of the NBA) are a bunch of wild animals driven by their raging hormones. All I'm saying is give him a chance, no one has ever accused him of this before. And though that doesn't make him incapable of commiting this crime, it also doesn't mean that he was just a bad guy waiting to explode. As of right now, he is only guilty of infidelity...no one can truthfully or factually say otherwise. This author claims to have the "real" story and that is not the truth. He wasn't in the room that night, and if he has interviewed the ALLEGED victim, she could be lieing, after all isn't that the defense attorneys whole case? That she has a motive to outright lie about what happened that night? Let's not jump the gun, no one knows for sure what happened. He deserves a fair trial as well as anyone else! ... Read more

Book Description

"A tough, street wise novel packed with an important message for young readers...." --Andrew Young, former Mayor, Atlanta, Georgia ... Read more

Book Description

Through 15 years as an NBA player, Clyde Drexler served as a model for the perfect professional athlete. He played with elegance and flair, with leadership and poise, with integrity and an ability to come through in the clutch. He led the Portland Trail Blazers to the NBA Finals twice and helped the Houston Rockets win the NBA championship in 1995. A 10-time All-Star, a member of the 1992 Olympic Dream Team, and now a member of Basketball’s Hall of Fame, Drexler reached the top of his profession without revealing many of his inner thoughts on himself, his team, and the game. Now, five years beyond his retirement as a player, Clyde the Glide is ready to talk. For the first time, one of the greatest guards in basketball history sounds off on a variety of subjects, including the state of the NBA, how he learned whom not to trust, the innate badness of certain referees, and how some current NBA owners "don’t know what the hell they are doing." Drexler takes readers through his days growing up in a single-parent household in Houston, where he became a local legend and teamed with Hakeem Olajuwon to guide the University of Houston into the NCAA Final Four twice in the early 1980s. He offers thoughts and background on his glorious 12-year run as the leader of the Trail Blazers and the most popular player in the history of the franchise, followed by his return home and the fitting sendoff to his career with a title as a member of the Rockets. Drexler reminisces about his former teammates and the greats of the game who became his friends and foes through the years. He also discusses his ideas on what can be done to make the NBA better. Clyde the Glide is a must-read book authored by an athlete who is unleashing a career full of emotions for the very first time. Clyde the Glide also includes an in-depth interview with Clyde Drexler that will take readers Beyond the Book. This very candid, personal interview with Clyde shot on location at Drexler's BBQ in Houston will give fans even more insight into his life. Highlights from the DVD include Clyde's stories about his Dream Team teammates, an informative round of name associations, and his reflections on being inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Must Read
I literally couldn't put this book down. Upon receiving this book as a Christmas gift from my wife (who has endured my fascination with Jimmy V for years) I read the book within a day of opening the front cover. As a student at NCSU during the last year of his tenure I was touched by his gifts. This book shows the human side of Jimmy and his relationships with his family, players, fellow coaches, sportswriters. You will find yourself laughing outloud and moved at the same time. The book gives an informative look into the truth behind all of the myths surrounding his departure from N.C. State. This is truly a motivational book which provides an insightful look to the life of coach Jimmy V.

Laughing Out Loud
While reading the Gifts of Jimmy V, I found myself laughing out loud while imagining the plots told by his brothers, coaches, and friends. Although I was too young to remember the Championship win at NC State, I do recall his ESPN days. I always thought he was a nut, and thought it was a shame that cancer took him away in such a tragic way. The book was great, and if you are like me and don't have time to read novels, it's a good short book that gives you a different look at life and how you should live it.

A fast, funny read and inspiring too!
Jim Valvano is best remembered for two things--running around the court after NC State won the 1983 National Championship, and for the emotional ESPY speech he made, where he urged everyone "Don't Give Up--Don't Ever Give Up." This book goes beyond that to tell amusing and often touching stories of Valvano's life through the eyes of those who knew him best, starting with his brother Bob who author's the book. Bob has a radio show on ESPN Radio that is pretty funny (I have heard it late at night while driving mostly), and he tells some funny stories in this book. The book is a biography of Jim Valvano, but VERY liberally spiced with stories all throughout.
It covers Valvano's firing at NC State, and raises interesting issues about it. Bob adored his brother, and makes no secret about that, but it serves him well here when talking about Jim's very courageous fight with cancer. Those chapters are often very moving.
It is a very quick read. Includes the entire text from the ESPY speech, and some columns from writers Tony Kornheiser, John Feinstein and Mike Lupica in an appendix.
I thought it was funny and moving, and really enjoyed it. It is not really a "basketball" book, and not really a biography...it is like Bob Valvano has just decided to chat with you and tell you about his brother. It helps that Jim was a very interesting guy...if you know who he was you'll enjoy it, and if you didn't you will probably get to know him and admire him, as I did! ... Read more

Book Description

"On August 18, 1992, I announced my retirement from the Boston Celtics. It was one of the happiest days of my life."

Just as he stunned opponents with over-the-shoulder passes, killer steals, and jaw-dropping long-range jumpers on the court, Larry Bird now offers one startling revelation after another as he candidly recounts his rise to become one of the most respected NBA coaches in the game today.

In between some knock-down, drag-out practice sessions, thrilling games, locker-room scenes, and coaching and playing philosophy, Larry Bird takes us through his unique world. He tells us for the first time what really happened in "Celtics Land" after he retired and why he chose Indiana for his first coaching job. He shares a last look back at the Celtics dynasty, at Robert Parish and Bill Walton, at Kevin McHale and Dennis Johnson. He describes his last duels with Magic Johnson and with Michael Jordan, as well as his experience playing on the great 1992 Olympic team...knowing that it was the last time he would be sharing a court with them.

Bird reveals what it was like to start a new coaching career, from his first meetings with Pacers president Donnie Walsh to his first look at his new players. Amazingly, we see a man who entered coaching against all the advice of his friends and peers-and a former superstar with a blue-collar attitude who feels that he needs his players and his assistants more than they need him.

But BIRD WATCHING is more than a book about basketball. Recalling his own painful shyness, battles with the press, and the demands of stardom, Bird also talks about the world he never left behind: drinking a beer at Jubil's bar in French Lick, doing his own yard work, and remembering the lessons he learned from his hardworking mother.

Here Larry Bird proves to be the rarest of birds: a human being who knows himself, knows the game, and knows how to win on and off the court. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

BIRD spelled backwards is WINNER
This book explores the post playing days of arguably the best forward to ever play the game of basketball. Bird recaps his days of playing in the olympics, his time in the front office of the Celtics, and his coaching days of the Pacers. I have been a huge Bird fan since I was a kid, yet I never knew much about him, except for what I saw on the court. This book gave me a lot of insight into Bird's dynamic work ethic as both player and coach and showed how he was able to use his winning attitude to take the Pacers from 39 wins to 58 wins in one season as well as to the infamous clash with Jordan and the Bulls in the 98 Eastern Conference Finals. Bird also reveals his thoughts about the NBA today. If you want to know about the legend that is Larry Bird, you should read this book.

Must buy for Bird fans; a quick but very interesting read
This book is virtually required reading for any fan of the Celtics, Pacers, or Larry Bird. If you ever wondered what Bird's thoughts were regarding his late-career injuries, his role with the Dream Team, his days in the Celtic front office, or his becoming a first-time NBA head coach, you're in luck. Larry Legend lays it all out in straightforward, no-bull fashion. While the book could hardly be labeled a "tell-all expose," it does contain a number of surprising revelations: his previously unknown heart condition, the machinations in the Celtic organization which wound up with the hiring of Rick Pitino, what Bird thought of certain former teammates and opponents, and so on. The book is a relatively quick read, even at approx. 320 pages, but I found it highly entertaining. I confess to being a big Bird fan before I ever read this book, but even if you're not, I suspect you'll come away duly impressed by the man's humility, honesty, and intelligence. As for the book's co-writer, Jackie MacMullan, it's impossible to know how much of the wording, tone, and style is hers vs. Larry's, but my impression is that she was true to her subject. In addition, I suspect her considerable writing skills were instrumental in creating such a smooth, concise work. Who'd have guessed that Larry Bird, painfully shy and inarticulate as a young man, would ever produce a candid and interesting book like this? The Hick from French Lick surprises us all again!

Bird Watching - Larry Bird
Bird Watching (by Larry Bird)
Reviewer: Known as one the of the best basketball players to have ever stepped foot onto a NBA court, Larry Bird's book will teach you many things about himself as well as the game. Larry brings the reader into some of his most personal things that he has never shared with anyone. He gives you a first class view on all of his experiences of playing professional basketball in the NBA. He shows you the downsides, positives, but most of all the victories. You'll find out first hand all of the injuries Larry has encountered that until now he has kept as a secret.

Through this book Larry will share with you information of his hometown, French Lick, Indiana. You'll learn about his family, about his fathers' death and the way up to his mothers' death. Larry talks about more than just his parents he introduces you to his wife, Dinah and his two children, Conner and Mariah.

Larry will walk you through his entire career. All the way from his high school career, where one of his favorite coaches, Jim Jones coached him. Jim Jones was the coach who really taught Larry all of the fundamentals of the game. Larry didn't seem to have that many coaches that he didn't care for. Larry is also a very hard worker, he really appreciated it when coaches made him run hard. He believed that every basketball player should be conditioned to play the game. Then later on in his career when he ends up becoming a coach he incorporates all of the coaching skills that he has gathered from his previous coaches and uses them on his players. He brings you through some of his most exciting journeys and some of his most famous friends and players.

Just about everything in this book flows together. Larry explains everything that you know about him and a lot of things that you have no idea of. The only thing that I disliked about the book is that none of it was put in order from the beginning of his life to the end of his career, it seemed to jump around a lot. Another big thing was that each chapter was long in itself, but it seemed to talk about the same thing and just ramble on and on. For example one of Larry's biggest problems was his back and he talked about it for a whole chapter then he talked about it more in a few different chapters. Although there some very good and interesting chapters in the book that taught me many things about Larry Bird.

Overall I thought the book was very good, but somewhat long for me, but if you read often then it will be just fine. I would recommend this to anyone who has a great liking of either Larry Bird or basketball. You also need to have a pretty good understanding of basketball to be able to understand some of the topics Larry teaches you.

Bird Watching: On Playing and Coaching the Game I Love
Bird Watching, an autobiography by Larry Bird, is a story for any lover of sports. Bird Watching is a detailed account of the life of Larry Bird, from his NBA career with the Boston Celtics to his coaching position with the Indiana Pacers. After reading the first page of the book, the reader realizes there is more to this NBA legend than meets the eye.
Unlike most professional basketball players, Larry Bird never regretted the day he left the NBA and even says that the day he retired was "one of the happiest days of [his] life." Faced with chronic back problems and an irregular heart, Bird was happy to see the day when he no longer had to endure the pain of playing the sport he loved more than anything. Coming from the man himself, the story describes Bird's life in a detailed and personal manner. From beginning to end, the reader easily notices the uniqueness of this man's character and not only sees, but feels the impact this incredible man left on so many fellow players, fans, and loved ones.
I thought this was a great book, especially for a sports fan. I felt that for a sport's book, it was particularly well written. The author's style allows the reader to get a personal glimpse of the life of Larry Bird and causes the reader to feel as if they knew this NBA legend. Because of the story's subject, the author employs very few literary devices. However, the author uses many similes in describing Bird's injuries, allowing the reader to appreciate Bird's choice in leaving the NBA. The book lacks an overall dominant theme, but simply wishes to convey the story of one of the greatest and most unique basketball players of all time.

Good Solid Book
Larry Bird has always been Straight&to the Put.from His Playing days with His Classic Battles with Magic Johnson to His Coaching Career&His Overall View on the NBA&it's players.I enjoyed the Book.Larry Bird is a Very Tough Minded Cat. ... Read more

Reviews (60)

One of the best Sports books in recent years by a master!
When David Halberstam undertakes any subject, you can be absolutely sure that it will be exhaustively researched. Having read several other books by Mr. Halberstam I can tell you that once again that he maintains his excellent standards. He is more than fair to all parties concerned. Mr. Halberstam takes us to the board rooms, playgrounds, press rooms, restaurants hallways, corridors and offices where things were set in motion.

This book covers so much more than Michael Jordan and the Bulls. He brings to light so many different people and faithfully traces the current sports scene and it's precipators to the source. He does all this in a fascinating manner.

This was compelling reading. He covers angles missed entirely in other sports books. You are introduced to the major and the bit players, who are no less compelling.

If you enjoyed "The Fifties" and "Breaks of the Game" and are a sports fan. If you want to really know things got to where they are now. This is the book to read.

Mr. Halberstam is one of the literary treasures of our time.

A great book for Jordan fans and detractors
Mr. Halberstam's book on Michael Jordan is absolutely fascinating. While I have always admired Jordan's game, I never knew what sort of person he was until reading Playing for Keeps.

Halberstam's book is quite flattering, and he often describes Jordan as a great person. At the same time, Halberstam includes many unflattering details about Jordan's personality. This technique allows the reader to decide for himself or herself what sort of person Jordan is.

After reading the Playing for Keeps, I appreciate Jordan's game more than before (he beat Utah, my favorite team, almost singlehandedly), but have a more reserved opinion of Jordan as a person. At any rate, the book is incredibly interesting and a wonderful read.

Playing for Keeps Michael Jordan and the Wolrd He Made
This book is the best Jordan book I ever read. Lots of great details about JOrdan was included. This is also my first time reading David Halberstam's book. After I read "Playing for Keeps Michael Jordan and the Wolrd He Made" I think I will read more books by David Hablerstam. This book not only showed about Michael Jordan's life but also mention about how NBA change over time in the 80's and the 90's. This book is just amazing so i highly recommand people to buy this book and read it!

The best sports book I have ever read
This book doesn't just tell you why Michael was such a great athlete, it tells you why. From his ultra (and I mean insane) competitiveness to his landmark athleticism. I began to understand that Michael Jordan is an argument for theism. There seems to be no way Jordan could have existed without God specifically forming him to be a basketball player. Many people talk about Jordans jumping ability but few speak about his olympic-type speed. Combine that with the ulitmate desire to win and you have a guy that could remain the greatest ever for a LONG period of time.
But David Halberstam is in no way offering a book full of praise to Michael Jordan. There were times in the book where I felt almost sick to my stomach reading how incredibly psycho Jordan can be. But you come out realizing that Jordan is indeed the best and there is good reason for it.
What I like most about the book is that it reads at times like a scouting report. It tells of Jordan in high school when he was cut from Varsity. He dominated on JV, and when he moved up to Varsity, he dominated on varsity. Scouts are quoted in the book as saying that Jordan was the best high school player they had ever seen. So he wasn't as much a late bloomer as a well-kept secret. Then it goes into college and we know the rest of the story.
This is most informative and intelligent book on basketball I have ever read. Highly recommended.

Fascinating non-fiction even for non-fans
I'm not a basketball fan. A friend of mine who is gave me this book as a present. Nonetheless it is an excellently written and riveting look at a very influentual aspect of American public life, society and culture. Halberstam delineates on-court and off-court intrigues expertly in a way that makes even the unitiated understand their significance. Jordan's early years are convincingly narrated as are powerful figures in his life, his dad, North Carolina coach Dean Smith, and Bulls coach Phil Jackson, compellingly portrayed. This isn't a private life though. Halberstam stays away from the wife and kids. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (28)

Insightful, But Sophomoric
I love the Lakers and I love Shaq, and the truth is that I would have bought and read this book no matter how badly it was written, simply because I am intrigued by the inner workings of an NBA team and the private life of such a huge superstar athlete. For that purpose, this book was exactly what I wanted.

With that said, my objective opinion of the book is that it was half intrigue, and half boredom. I liked Shaq describe his childhood in New Jersey and all the hardships he and his family endured. I also enjoyed learning about all the drama that unfolded within the Laker organization when Del Harris was coaching the team. Shaq proves to be a daring author, not hesitating to tell the reader what he really feels about certain players, coaches, and members of management. I didn't really care for the play-by-play narration of the games that the Lakers played against the Indiana Pacers during the NBA Finals. It was long and unnecessary. Shaq also tends to repeat the same information over and over again. In fact, I can recall one instance where he said the same thing twice on the same page.

If you're a Shaq fan you'll enjoy this book. However, in strict literary terms, this book seems like the rough draft of something that should have been revised and drastically shortened. However, Shaq isn't really an author, so the reader has to keep this in mind and give him some leeway. Nevertheless, I still recommend this book.

Everything you wanted to know about the NBA
I never knew what a pro athlete's life was like till I read this book. Everything from the conflicts in the locker room to the thrill of winning a championship to the benefits of strip clubs - this book has it all.

What touched me the most was Shaq's relationship with his family. When you watch him on the court, you see him as this unstoppable force and not as a father or son. He really opens up and talks about personal issues and situations that are both honest and touching.

But I think the thing that really impressed me was he sense of humor. Didn't know the big guy had it in him. I've never been a Laker fan, or even a Shaq fan, but I do respect him more and understand the life that has chosen him. I wish him the best in his carrer and hope he keeps practicing those free throws.

what a big joke!!!!!!!!!!!
this book is complete garbage....it has no moral or purpose just a bunch of bragging(ALTHOUGH IM A BIG LAKER FAN!)

Shaq Talks Tough
'Shaq Talks Back: The Uncensored Word on My Life and Winning in the NBA' is a giant of a book written by a sporting superstar. Shaquille O'Neal shoots clean baskets from every part of the literary court, delighting and dazzling the reader with his unique writing style. He has as much facility with language as he does with the ball, and his words bounce off the page with effortless grace.

There are many memorable encounters played and replayed throughout the text, but for me, the one that best epitomizes Shaq's sporting philosophy is seen on pages 68-81. It relates to the famous 'International Incident of 1996', and O'Neal is candid about his pivotal role:

'I first saw him in Europe and I'll never forget his name; Teodor Dobrowski. He played center for the Warsaw Warriors and he was a giant. Great skills. Hands the size of frisbees. By all reports a standup guy. So when he told me he wanted to settle in America, I arranged for him to try out for the Lakers. Even let him stay at my place. Eat my food. Drink my beer. Date my girl. He wanted to show his gratitude so he offered to sell me his family castle in Krakow for only $7000. I gave him cash. Big mistake. There was no castle. Not even a family. The bum scammed me. So I stuck him on an ageing Aeroflot and wished him luck. All of it bad. End of story. And he got those cuts and bruises when he fell out of the cab on the way to the airport. Honest. If I'd known that diplomats would later be recalled, two embassies closed, the Secretary of State ordered back to Washington and the UN General Assembly reconvened, I might have actually paid the cabfare before running away at the terminal. Do I regret sending the grifter back to Warsaw? Never. If there's one thing I can't stand, it's being touched by a 10-foot Pole.'

When 'Shaq Talks Back', you'd better listen. Better still, read this wonderful book.

Shaq's life Uncensored
Shaq takes you through his earlydays growing up in Newark, New Jersey and talks about his familyand friends. Then later on in the book, he talks about how he started playing basketball, beingbigger than most kids his age. He holds nothing back, always speaking what's on his mind. Towards the end of the book, he describes how the 2000 L.A. LAKERS got it all together and beat the Indiana Pacers in the finals. If you're a fan of Shaq or the Lakers, this book is for you. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Fall Of Ball
MAGIC JOHNSON WITH A JUMP SHOT, that's what they called him, who am i talking about? Read on my friend. In this grippin and tear jerking story of street ball, we learn the true goods and evils of the game. In this story, the main character, Lloyd "Swee' Pea" Daniels, struggles against his addication to "the rock". This story will give you the true vision of what it takes to be a great, and the situations young urban kids have to go through to make their dreams come true.

Sad dramatic story of fallen legend
Great book about could-have-been basketball legend Lloyd Daniels. A great inside look of how the glory of basketball corrupts youth. Inspirational because of Lloyd Daniels' limited success in the NBA and CBA. I loved this book because of its rags to seemingly riches to rags story about the Swee'Pea Lloyd Daniels. ... Read more

Book Description

This new book takes an inside look at the life of Jameer Nelson and his remarkable rise to become one of the top players in college basketball. The book also takes readers behind the scenes, covering St. Joe’s remarkable 2003 season through the disappointing loss in the NCAA tournament to Oklahoma State. This is a must-have for any St. Joe’s fan or Jameer Nelson fan! ... Read more

Book Description

Sweet Redemption is the amazing inside story of how Coach Gary Williams survived devastating defeats and overwhelming odds to build a championship basketball program at Maryland and win the 2002 NCAA title. In a series of exclusive interviews that take you into the huddle, into the locker room and into his head, Gary Williams, for the first time, pulls back the curtain and tells his incredible story through best-selling author David A. Vise, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for The Washington Post. Sweet Redemption also takes you into the heart and soul of Gary Williams and the team's star guard, Juan Dixon, providing a vast array of never-before-told stories about the mysterious forces and people that fueled their rise. It is a fast-moving inspirational tale of trial and triumph. And it is the story of a man, a family and a team whose lives were made, and saved, through a simple game involving a ball, a hoop and a dream. When he arrived in College Park in 1989, Williams absorbed one knockout punch after another as the new head basketball coach of his alma mater. His promising career seemed over and Maryland basketball appeared destined, like its greatest player ever, to plunge to an untimely death. But by the spring of 2002, when Coach Williams and the Terrapins stood on the podium in the Georgia Dome to receive the NCAA championship trophy, he had brought about some of the most far-reaching changes in the history of college athletics. Sweet Redemption is the story of how he did it. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A Terrible Account of a GREAT Story
Anyone who loves the underdog has to love Gary Williams. He has bounced back time and again over the course of his career and faced tremendous odds. Winning the National Championship was truly Sweet Redemption for him.

However, this is quite possibly one of THE WORST BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ. As a voracious sports biography reader, this book falls short of the mark made by even the lesser sports books out there. Vise did a TERRIBLE job of accounting the situation. This book is DEVOID of any passion on his part. It reads as if a high school journalism student slapped it together using a simple writing formula : "Here is what happened", , "Review what I just told you again."

You could get the ENTIRE contents of this book by reading newspaper clippings from Gary's career. That's basically all this book is, one big newspaper clipping.

Gary Williams deserves a much better book than this one.

mastry to innovation
i rated this four out of five becouse i
didn't fully grssed the intoto of your information
about the issue bein discussed there from ma point of view
as a reader.

For all basketball fans and Maryland fans.
Sweet Redemption is the well-told story of how a very good and very dedicated coach and some very good and very dedicated players -- whom most other schools overlooked -- finally brought the NCAA Division I men's basketball championship to the University of Maryland. Like the movie Hoosiers, it should be of interest to all basketball fans -- indeed all sports fans. But it will be a special treasure to supporters of Maryland basketball who for years watched their generally quite good teams suffer one frustration after another. Maryland's 2002 basketball championship was indeed sweet redemption which all true sports fans should be able to savor.

Very well done
This is the story behind the 2002 University of Maryland basketball championship season and also serves as mini-biographies of Gary Williams, Juan Dixon, and the University of Maryland basketball program. Very well written and organized, it will be interesting for sports fans, even those not U. of Maryland fans. The many tragedies suffered by the institution and individuals associated with the program are heart rending and compelling.

The Maryland championship season is a real life triumph over tragedy story. Regardless of where one's rooting interests lie, I dare say nobody can read Juan Dixon's story and not marvel at his perseverance and leadership. A true, shining example of heart and courage.

Compelling, if superficial, account of Maryland's NCAA Title
For all Maryland Terps, past and present, the 2001-2002 basketball season was a magical one to follow. It marked the culmination of years of hard work and overcoming almost insurmountable odds by both coach Gary Williams and star guard Juan Dixon. "Sweet Redemption" tells the tale of the separate, yet similar, journeys these two men took, along with the Maryland basketball program, to overcome tremendous hardships and reach the summit of excellence with the 2002 NCAA National Title. Gary Williams came from a broken home to become hard driven coach and successful coach at the expense of his own marriage and estrangement from his daughter. Williams returned to his alma mater, University of Maryland, to coach the men's basketball team in 1989, just in time for all the bad blood of Len Bias' death from cocaine and subsequent recruiting violations to cripple the Terrapin program in a way that made it impossible to win (or even get fan and university support) in those first few years. Juan Dixon came from a harsher background. His parents, while bright and intelligent people, were caught in the vice grip of heroin addiction. They were in and out of prison through most of Juan's young life and he was shuttled from family member to family member to be cared for (a role that mostly fell to his older brother Phil). Though his parents finally cleaned up, the damage was done and they died from HIV-related complications brought about by using dirty heroin needles. Prior to his death, Juan's father made saw to his that his brother looked after Juan and made sure he got his education. Basketball was an escape for both Juan Dixon and Gary Williams. So, it would make sense that the two would come together and help each other achieve the highest level of success possible.

"Sweet Redemption" does give some details into backgrounds of Williams and Dixon, but, at 252 pages, it is understandably superficial in its overall treatment of the subject. Additionally, the progress of the Maryland basketball program from a being nearly dismantled to winning the National Title over 13 seasons is given a perfunctory treatment. All things considered, though, this deficiency does not detract from the overall impact of the book. There is a list of sources in the back of the book that give reference to more in-depth material on which this book is based. "Sweet Redemption" is designed to be a quick study and companion piece of the championship season for fans to ready and enjoy while they get re-energized for the upcoming season. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Her great story
I was already a huge fan of Rebecca Lobo before reading this book. 'The Home Team' gives you a look into the lives of Rebecca and Ruthann Lobo. It's such a real look at how their lives truly are and how much they love each other. After reading this book I was blown away by the courage both of these amazing women have shown in thier lives.

How I feel about the book and why
I really love this book! I did not want to put it down. A couple of reasons I love the book is because now I know she was a normal child once and she did'nt always play basketball. I also liked it because her mom talked about her life. Now I know they had problems just like any other family does.

A moving story
This book is a must read for all WNBA fans. Rebecca Lobo's life is revealed in many aspects, that of her point of view and her mother. It talks about many issues such as Ruthanne's struggle with breast cancer and how the family dealt with it. As a 15 year old girl, reading is not one of my favorite pastimes. When I heard of a book about my idol Rebecca Lobo, I decided maybe I should give reading a try. I finished the story in a total of two days and found myself waking up in the middle of the night wanting to know what was going to happen next. It is an extremely moving book in which I fould that it was very easy to relate to. As a basketball player, some of Rebecca Lobo's theories such as playing basketball to relive stress and cope with problems I use also. It gave a new perspective to why I am two different people a hustler and leader on the court and a shy and proscinator off of it. Athlete or not, this book will get you moving. It will leave the message in your heard that anything is possible and it will help you to get out and reach that goal that you have been striving for.

A Great Book By Two Great Role Models
I had the opportunity to meet the Lobos at a seminar, and they are as congenial in person as they appear in this fantastic book. Each personal chapter of this narrative made me feel like I was almost a part of the Lobo family. I liked reading about how Rebecca and her brother and sister grew up, what it was like to be part of a team as tight as the Huskies, and how the family dealt with RuthAnn's cancer. I have read this book over and over, and my mother and grandmother both love it as well. It is definitely worth sharing!

Inspiring story of mom and daughters relationship and life!!
Very well written and inspiring. Surviving with strength and heart to carry her family, Mrs. Lobo is amazing! Rebecca's tales of life and the heart ache of her moms struggle with breast cancer. They stuck together and beat it out! WAY TO GO MRS. & MS. LOBO!!! ... Read more

Book Description

Charley Rosen, author of New York Times Notable Books of the Year Barney Polan’s Game and The House of Moses All-Stars, gives us an engaging look into the rise and fall of a brilliant but corrupt basketball legend. Jack Molinas had everything: good looks, charm, brains, and a talent for basketball that made him an NBA All-Star. He was also a swindler and gambler deeply involved with the Mafia, and he had been fixing games since high school. After he was arrested in 1954 and banned from the NBA, Molinas created a gambling empire that had dozens of college teams rigging games for him. Drawn from numerous firsthand accounts, The Wizard of Odds examines Jack Molinas’s life, from a sparkling beginning to his gruesome murder in 1975. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

BORING
This is probly the most boring book I have ever read. I have read alot of basketball books and by far this is one of the worst. It seemed interesting so I bought it. Then it started out all right but by page 100 I could not keep reading it I just lost interest. I would not reccomend this book.

A terrific read.
Once I started this book, I could not put it down. Jack was a person with a great deal of athletic and intellectual talent. However, I thought he blurred the line between life and the game of basketball.

I was never interested in sports when I was growing up, but this book has certainly sparked my interest. It was a mind opening experience.

How did I come to read this book, considering my lack of interest in sports? I heard it reviewed on Nat'l. Public Radio. When I heard the name Jack Molinas, I remembered an athletically inclined boy that attended PS 33 and PS 79 with me. My memories of him in school were good so I think of his life as he felt compelled to live it as a tragedy.

fiction disguised as fact
This book is a work of fiction.The list of errorsis too great to warrant a non-fiction label.The author makes the case that Molinas is a habitual liar.So,why would Rosen print Molinas comments in interviews other sports writers had with him without corroboration.There is no doubt that Molinas was an unusual character with huge talents who preferred to break all the rules,making him a tragic figure.It is hard to enjoy this read,because there is no way to discern truth from fantasy.I think Molinas had the last laugh with his creative tales to writers.He figured they would accept his stories as the gospel...Bob Reiss

Factually Inaccurate
Caveat Emptor: This book is based in large part on interviews conducted by the late New York Post sports columnist Milton Gross, my father. They were used without the permission of his heirs, and were never checked against the audiotapes on which they were based which are in my possession and have been for almost thirty years. But what's worse is that the book is factually innacurate and the author did not even attempt to confirm what he printed. Instead of thanking the person whose work he based his book on, Rosen prints untruths about him. One example: on the last page of the book, Rosen has Milton Gross skipping Molinas' funeral and instead, attempting to cash in on his death. Milton Gross had been dead for over two years when Molinas died. He would have had to make that call from his grave.

required reading for student hoopsters
In a historical sense, this book is a continuation of a story Charley Rosen wrote about in "Scandals of 51". The life story of Jack Molinas, a central figure in the college basketball scandals, reads alternately like a novel and a reporter's notebook, and keeps you glued wondering what will happen next. Charley Rosen includes all the names involved, directly and peripherally, including the denials. There are surprises at every turn, whether its Jack Molinas childhood, his time in prison, or his business dealings. It makes you realize how easy it would be to have history repeat itself. An interst in basketball is not crucial. If you are interested in true crime, or just a fascinating true story, you will enjoy this book and learn some history in the process. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

I had a hard time putting it down-easy reading and unbiased.
I saw this book on the bottom shelf at a popular supermarket about two weeks ago. I had not done much free reading of late and thought it looked like a good book to get me back into a good habit and hobby. It reveals the good and the bad about coach Knight and covered a great deal of ground without getting into too much details about the incidents of Knight. Since I grew up on the Kentucky-Indiana border, I was able to watch more than a handful of Indiana's games on the Indiana basketball network and found Phil Berger's coverage of Knight's best and worst years exciting. The end of the book even has a glossary of all the IU players that made it through all four years without transferring(and tells what they are doing now). It even goes back to Knight's formative years as an assistant coach at Army and discusses Knight's shortcoming as a player at Ohio State(defense) lead him to stress defense and team-play the most as a head coach. Ex-player Landon Turner (who was paralyzed in a car wreck that cut his playing career short) praises Knight for benching him while his mind was more on having a good time off the court than being successful on the court. As far as the statements by ex-players that lead to the demise of Knight at Indiana, Mr. Burger just reports the facts and does not lash out any judgments against Knight. In summary, this is a very enjoyable book to read and will not bore the reader with too much details. Go ahead and buy it(you may finish it in one day).

An Interesting Story Beset by a Biased Storyteller...
I read this book from the unbiased perspective of a college basketball fan looking to learn a little more about Bobby Knight, but Berger clearly didn't write it from an unbiased point-of-view.

There were parts that were informative, and it was an interesting read, but Berger's anti-Knight bias came through on every page, sometimes in obvious ways, and sometimes subtley, like using the word "claimed" instead of "said" when quoting Knight.

There were quite a few typos, misspelled words and grammatical errors, and they detracted from the book.

If you're only going to read one book on Knight, read Feinstein's A Season on the Brink. But if you have a little more time on your hands, Berger's is still worth the read, typos, biases, and all.

Weak - maybe worthy of a magazine article... maybe...
I've read just about every book on Knight. As an IU alum who graduated one of the years that the Hoosiers won a national championship, most of the student body (myself included) - viewed RMK as a demi-God. Certainly he was blessed with one of the finest basketball minds in history.

Berger's book follows in the footsteps of three major works on RMK: Feinstein's _Season on the Brink_ (the success of which every subsequent effort attempts to duplicate); Mellen's _Bob Knight: His Own Man_ and Alford's _Playing for Knight_. All three are worth reading (especially _Season_) for the serious "Knight-o-phile".

Berger's book is definitely tabloid in appearance. Each page seems to have 30 lines of large text on it. Therefore the book appears as though it could have been printed on 75 pages in a conventional book format. The sparse text maps directly to the quality of content. It is sketchy at best.

IMO, Berger's heavy reliance upon previously published histories and newspaper articles dooms this work from the outset. The only area I found remotely interesting was Knight's childhood and schoolboy athletic career.

The remainder is a rehash of mostly negative Knight incidents. Certainly RMK deserves criticism for his histrionics and outrageous behavior that erupts from time to time. However, Berger mostly omits the litany of his positive and charitable achievements. More importantly, he never mentions what is certainly one of RMK's most engaging aspects: his incredible sense of humor. Knight, when he wants to be, is among the most humorous and quotable characters on the public landscape today.

Thumbs down for this vapid attempt to capitalize on the "Knight effect". Berger certainly can do better than this. Instead - read any of the three books mentioned earlier - they're far better uses of your time.

Don't waste your time or money!
I bought this book while traveling through an airport bookstore. Don't make the same mistake I did! The book is fluff, I almost finished it on a less than two hour flight. I was hoping to find out something new on Coach Knight given his recent dismissal, but found nothing more than a newspaper article could of given me. In fact, the entire book reads like a collection of newspaper articles strung together to make a book. There is nothing new here! If you want to read about Coach Knight, buy "Season on the Brink," so far the most definitive text on him.

Thrown together in a hurry!
It's obvious that this book was put together pretty quickly in order to make a few bucks. Typos and spelling errors were evident. I don't suppose there will ever be a definitive Bob Knight book written. Knight wouldn't collaborate because it would have to show the total man, warts and all. And most writers probably wouldn't be interested in the good deeds he does behind the scenes for many people. The man was a tremendous coach but his complete story will probably never be told. Still, it was time for a change. The lust for winning created a Texas-sized ego in Indiana. It's just too bad he went out in much the same way as Woody Hayes. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Chin's book is worthy while also being cutting-edge.
If you are expecting to read "The Tao of Yao" because you are a Yao Ming fan, you will come away with some good & funny info about this gentle giant. But, this book is so much more as you progress from chapter to chapter! I often wondered why my hair would rise whenever I watched Yao play basketball on TV, but, I just thought it was because I was watching a very good "tall" basketball player with some skills.
Chin does a marvelous job of blueprinting how Yao's impact on the NBA scene is more profound than many thought possible.

Yao Ming isn't even the main focus of the book.
I (and probably everyone else who got this) bought this book simply because I thought it was a biography on the life of basketball player Yao Ming. Turns out that I was wrong. I found nothing on how Yao Ming grew up or how he decided he wanted to play basketball (and if these topics were in the book, they were probably only briefly mentioned).

The main topic in this book is the history of China, along with a few past quotes from Yao thrown in every once in awhile. I find it ridiculous how they need to make a book that was supposed to be about Yao into nothing but a history lesson for us. That's like if I were to go to some foreign country, become a famous basketball player, have a book written about me, and have it include nothing but American history. People buy books to learn about the person, not the country he's from.

The many quotes included was another bad decision which shouldn't have been in the book. Yao pretty much says almost the exact same thing in each one of his quotes (something along the lines of "I'm so honored to be playing in America and am really enjoying my time here".) I'd say there's about 60 quotes in "The Tao of Yao", so this can get boring pretty fast. Simply put, there's very few redeeming factors in this book and Yao Ming fans will most likely be disappointed. ... Read more

Book Description

College basketball and its annual March Madness extravaganza have emerged over the last three decades as one of the most popular sporting phenomena in America. Perhaps no one personifies the excitement of this tournament better than Jim Valvano, whose heavily underdog North Carolina State Wolfpack achieved the pinnacle of success in college basketball in 1983 with an unlikely run through the NCAA tournament, culminating an incredible one-point victory over Houston's heavily favored Phi Slamma Jamma squad in the championship game.

While that Cinderella story was Valvano's only national championship, he quicky came to symbolize the exuberance and excellence of the exciting world of college basketball. Valvano transcended his sport, touching millions as he emerged as one of the most charismatic and, ultimately, courageous figures in American life who touched millions.

Diagnosed with bone cancer, he joined ESPN to comment on college basketball games. Later he received the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at ESPN's first ESPY awards, where he announced that he was starting the V Foundation for cancer research. Shortly after receiving the award, he died at the age of forty-seven. In I Remember Jim Valvano, he is remembered by former players, coaches, a variety of other basketball experts, close associates, and many others as one of college basketball's great movers and shakers, a man with a heart as big as his popularity. Valvano's life is the classic story of courage and determination as borne out in his memorable line: "Don't give up. Don't ever give up." ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Most Wonderful
This book written by Mike Towle shows a very positive and very accurate look into the life of one of, if not, the best personality in college basketball history. We all miss Jimmy V very much and this book makes all the memories of Jimmy V so very special.

Most Wonderful
This book written by Jim' brother, Bob Valvano of ESPN, shows a very positive and very accurate look into the life of one of, if not, the best personality in college basketball history. We all miss Jimmy V very much and this book makes all the memories of Jimmy V so very special. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

nice companion piece to Smith's memoirs
Nice companion piece to Smith's own memoirs ("A Coach's Life"). A less complete portrait of Smith's inner life and interests off the court than the autobiography, but a more complete, and in many ways a more compelling, account of his public life as coach/power broker of what amounts to a multimillion dollar franchise. In this sense it is more entertaining than Smith's book -- a more open treatment of the recruiting process (including the ones that got away), the management of the Nike contract, the rivalry with Duke etc.

Like the Smith book, it at times gets bogged down in season by season recapitulations of win-loss records. It also includes some material (such as a few paragraphs on the murder of Michael Jordan's father) which presumably are worth mentioning, but don't really fit into the thematic or narrative flow, and seem to be inserted in a kind of obligatory fashion. But these are quibbles.

Unfortunately, the book ends with Smith's retirement and the installation of his hand-picked successor, Bill Guthridge, and, as a consequence, misses the surely interesting story of Guthridge's resignation two years later, and Smith and Guthridge's apparent inability to again stage manage the selection of the next long-run leader of the Carolina men's basketball program. Nevertheless an interesting and worthwhile read.

As a life long fan, the greatest book I've read.
I have been a tarheel fan for my whole life, I met "THE MAN" as a kid. He is just as portrayed in the book. This was a book that I could not put down. The best book I've read. Great work Art.

Hard Core UNC Fans will find new information
I recommend this book to true, long-time dedicated UNC fans. Probably no one else could read the whole thing. You will remember each game from your own perspective but Chansky gives you the details from behind the scenes. Many tid-bits and juicy morsals to satisfy your curiosity about the program and about the man. If you like Smith, this book will affirm your respect for him. If you don't like him, this book will not change your mind. Smith is presented mostly sympathetically, but his flaws are too numerous to hide, yet for the true fan, they are expected and when seen within the contaxt of his life, they are forgivable. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. Also, I recently read "Playing for Keeps" about Jordan. There is no redundancy here.

insider's view which will interest Heel fans as well as ABC.
Art Chansky has been a close associatr of the Carolina Basketball program for yaers. He gives in depth background about many situations I had always wondered about. This in no way a book which sugar coats UNC. I love Carolina, but it shows a that Coach Smith is human like the rest of us. Reccomended reading for any TRUE basketball fan.This book gives you a sense of what it took to become a long term success and what were some of the events that defined the program.

inside look on the greatest basketball program ever
Inside look on the greates basketball programs eve ... Read more

Book Description

Basketball legend Bob Knight is fond of saying that he has never gotten over West Point. In Same Knight, Different Channel, Jack Isenhour takes him at his word. A player on Knight’s first West Point team, Isenhour shows how the controversial coach has changed little from his early days at the academy, temper tantrums and all. Knight made up his mind there to "win-gotta win" and follows that philosophy to this day.

Knight’s sentiment was in step with the core value of "there is no substitute for victory" at West Point, where soldiers were being trained to fight and win the next war. So it came as little surprise following Knight’s 18-8 record in his inaugural 1965-66 season-a season in which the twenty-five-year-old hot-headed coach berated officials, totaled chairs, and got into his first shouting match with an athletic director-that West Point chose to keep the young Coach Knight on. What’s a tantrum or two in the name of winning? With that, "Bobby T" was born. Knight’s bad-boy persona-the hair-trigger temper, the acting out, and the defiance-was codified as at least tolerable, if not acceptable, behavior.

Relying on firsthand experiences and interviews with teammates, administrators, and Knight himself, Isenhour traces the pattern of misbehavior established during Knight’s inaugural year at West Point, during his last days at Indiana, and to his reemergence at Texas Tech. The result is the most even-handed portrait of Knight to date. In a narrative both lively and irreverent, Same Knight, Different Channel demonstrates who Knight is today and shows how he was shaped by his experiences at West Point, ending with a thought-provoking discussion of just what it takes to play, coach, and win in the high-pressure world of college basketball. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Knight - good role model
This book gives an objective account of coach Knight at the beginning of his remarkable and continuing career. Isenhour's book is based on firsthand accounts and grounded in actual experiences and not best guesses. Knight is an extraordinry role model in perseverance and integrity despite the constant barrage of media critics. Coach Knight is a remarkable coach, demanding what more parents should demand -- academic excellence and personal excellence.

A Compelling Read
I've heard of Coach Bob Knight, but I am not a basketball fan. I got a strong recommendation of this book from a friend and I can't say that I'm disappointed that I read it.

Isenhour (or "Ike," as Knight apparently called him) writes in an extremely lucid, conversational style. Facts, historical quotes, and dates come off as something remembered over a cold beer rather than information recorded and then regurgitated for the purpose of writing a book. Honestly, I could care less about the history of basketball, but this is a very interesting book, and it kept me reading to the end.

If I had to pick something to complain about, it would be the fact that for much of the book, Isenhour seems to be extremely preoccupied by the culture of West Point itself. Of course having read (and then re-read) some of his astounding accounts of this institution, had I been raked over those coals, I'd probably be preoccupied with it, too. Don't get me wrong, the material is fascinating, it's just not about Bob Knight. Still, I'll accept the emphasis given to The Point since it offers the reader one of many explanations as to how Bob Knight came to be the way he is.

Note that I said "explanations" and not "excuses."

West Point not about celebs
Just the fact that this book is written tends to hold Bob Knight up as a role model, unfortunately. It needs to be said, he is not a role model for anyone, nonetheless for West Point. While it is nice to have known someone who has become a celeb (infamous celeb, concerning all that West Point is supposed to stand for), West Point is not about celebs. For the good of West Point and West Pointers, past, present, and future, I think the Bob Knight connection should in no way be advertised and promoted.

The real deal
I have read alot of books on Knight, this book was great, Isenhour being a player for Knight in the early years gave the book an inside angle that no other author could, Isenhour tells it like it is, the good the bad and the ugly. It is a great read.

Fair, honest, even, outstanding
Just like the back cover says, this isn't a love song to Bob Knight, and it's not a cheap shot to the chops. This is a fair and accurate portrayal of the fiery Coach by a player underneath him when Knight first started out.

The fact that this player will criticize Knight speaks volumes about his integrity -- and the fact that he defends him speaks volumes about his fairness. He looks at the situation without pigeonholing things into what he calls a "Bob Knight moment" that most media paint things as.

He talks about Knight's early years in coaching. He goes into more detail on Knight's firing -- and more evenhandedly than I've ever seen -- and talks about Knight at Texas Tech too. The level of access he got is astounding, and the personal touch makes the book golden.

Such a quick read too. The author had a great, conversational writing style that makes it a fun read.

Definitely five stars, the best Bob Knight book out there and the fairest one ever. ... Read more

Book Description

Meet Kobe Bryant,