Book Description

There are few figures among America's media-saturated landscape that loom larger than the National Basketball Association's undeniable superstar Allen Iverson. He was the first overall pick of the 1996 NBA draft, and the spotlight has not left him since. Defiantly tattooed, with his hair in cornrows, the six-foot Philadelphia 76ers point guard has been vilified by a sports press still fawning over Michael Jordan's non-threatening, clean-cut visage. From Iverson's rap sheet to his rap album, from his on-court feats to his off-court antics, breathless fans and journalists alike seem determined to track his every move. Part sports star, part antihero, part hip-hop icon, Iverson has managed to cross over into the mainstream of American culture -- without compromise.

It wasn't long before Iverson's prodigious athletic skills became apparent. Raised in poverty, with his father in prison, Iverson retreated to his local playgrounds and found escape from the all-too-common woes of the inner-city dweller. In one summer alone, eight of his friends were killed in shootings. But Iverson's talent simply could not be denied, and basketball remained the one constant in his tumultuous existence.

And so Iverson, despite all odds, rose. A now-infamous scuffle in a bowling alley led to near race riots in Iverson's hometown of Newport News, Virginia, resulting in his being sentenced to jail time during high school. Eventually, Governor Douglas Wilder granted him clemency, the conviction was overturned on appeal, and his ascent continued. Georgetown coach John Thompson stepped in, giving Iverson a berth on his team at a time when other universities were too skittish to offer the same. It was their loss. After two tremendous years at Georgetown, Iverson declared himself eligible for the NBA draft. And the rest is history.

In Only the Strong Survive, Larry Platt offers up the first full portrait of a complicated and intensely private star, a man whose loyalty to his family, the streets, and his friends (a group he calls Cru Thik) trumps any other concerns -- and that includes multimillion-dollar endorsement deals. Possessing an almost otherworldly talent, Allen Iverson is determined that everyone -- his mom, his homeboys, his cousins -- benefit from it. By embracing his roots and refusing to conform, Iverson has won fans and admirers far beyond the boundaries of the sports world.

Filled with exclusive interview material and unprecedented access to many of Iverson's inner circle, Only the Strong Survive provides the first in-depth look at the truth behind this newly minted legend.

Reviews (13)

Behold Iverson, the human being.
As a young Caucasian man, I would never claim to understand Allen Iverson's meteoric rise from a dilapidated home in Newport News to the sparkling arenas of the NBA. Surely Iverson, his unique talent notwithstanding, has faced and cleared obstacles I cannot even fathom, obstacles to which so many have succumb. No, it is only those dominated by arrogance and pride who write off Allen Iverson as a thug, a threat, a disaster, a "them." Having read this book, though, I am content to trade whatever pride and arrogance I have for a new vision of Allen Iverson that transcends the "worst days" his critics are so quick to cite.

This book is looking for Iverson's core, digging deeper than Sportscenter highlight reels and police blotters. A careful reading reveals that there is more to Allen Iverson than cornrows, tattoos, snarls, and jumpers, even while each of these points to the man behind them. Indeed, if one wants to know anything of Allen Iverson, this book leaves you with one thought: no one loves like this man.

Iverson loves the game others claim he is destroying. Only love could score 20 points with a broken hand. More than that, Iverson loves his friends and family. So many have denigrated his "posse" as a distraction or a poor influence. This book, though, tells of a shared concern and loyalty between Iverson and his friends that existed long before the NBA millions and will surely survive his withdrawal from the spotlight. The importance of this love to Iverson's life cannot be overstated, but that's not the story you'll read in any newspaper.

You will find that passion in the pages of Larry Platt's book, and it is a passion with which everyone can sympathize. I do not know Allen Iverson. I know only what I could pull out of this book. Still, I know enough to declare that there are shades of Iverson we all could do well to find within ourselves. Far from painting Iverson as a model citizen, Platt's book does the next best thing: it paints him as a human being. For that reason, it is a worthy read.

A Book About Inspiration
Here I was walking up and down the aisle in the book store looking for an interesting book to read and then my eyes fell on this Allen Iverson book. Since I'm a fan of Allen I decided to get it knowing I wasnt gonna to read it cause I believed I knew everything there was to know about him. So that night I was bored, grabbed the book, and started to read. And I was amazed at what I read.

This book is not just about Allen Iverson and his trials and tribulations its about inspiration. If you only believe you can achieve. Not only is Allen an amazing athlete he is an amazing person at that. This book is about believing in yourself and to never give up for when you fall just pick yourself up, dust your self off, and try again. This book is not just about Allen Iverson and his trials and tribulastions its about inspiration.

Good Read for A.I./Basketball fans!
I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was honest and more detailed than most books about athletes. It did not sugar-coat or villanize the subject. For the most part it just presented situations and let the reader be the judge. There were some things in the book that made you not like AI and there were things that made you really like AI. In the end, I think the book really captured who AI is: A work in progress, an honest guy who plays with enormous passion and lives the same way. What makes him interesting is his unpredictability. His life off the court seems like the one on the court. You never know his next move. Yet you never doubt his confidence and self-awareness. This is a very good book for AI fans and anyone interested in knowing the details of his seemingly tumultuous life.

Left me amazed
Prior to reading this book, I had read EVERY thing on Allen. I'd read every magazine and newspaper article I could find. I thought this book couldn't possibly be anything I didn't already know. I was wrong. This book captures Allen in a way no other writer has. There is insight from people who haven't spoken to the media before. Platt is not an AI apologist. The good and the bad is included. 5 stars!

Ghetto basketball
This is a great book for all the basketball fanatics, that want to see how one of the best (Allen Iverson) went from down in the dirt to rising to the top.
In this book Iverson has to defeat many obstacles to work his way to becoming the best. Just when you think it's all over, and he's defeated all of his obstacles, you're in for a suprise! ... Read more

Book Description

HE HAS TAKEN HIS GAME -- AND THE GAME -- TO A NEW LEVEL

He grew up in Virginia with nothing but his talent and his heart. But he had The Plan: his never-say-die dream to become an NBA superstar. So he began his journey down a road full of obstacles. But the world underestimated Allen Iverson....

Fear No One

From his first days playing college hoops...to his turbulent early years in the pros...to his leading the Philadelphia 76ers to the 2001 NBA Finals and being named league MVP, here is the real story of controversial superstar Allen Iverson. Acclaimed sports journalist John Smallwood -- who has covered Iverson extensively -- shows readers the Iverson they never knew: the boy, the man, the rapper, the player, the role model, and the icon.

Get to know ALLEN IVERSON...the man behind the legend. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Allen Iverson Fear no One
This story is about a famous basketball player named Allen Iverson. He was born in Virginia Hampton. He lived in a bad neighborhood where people sold drugs and killed people for no reason.Iverson had two sisters.He was the oldest one. he went to Georgetown when he was in college and was a point guard. In college he was the mvp on his team and is the mvp on his team right now in the NBA.Allen Iverson plays for the Philidelphia Sixers.In the 2001-2002 Allstar game Iverson was the mvp.He led his team to the playoffs and then to the championship to play against the L.a. Lakers who was number one on the western cenference.Although the Sixers lost the championship Allen Iverson and the other players on the Sixers Played a heck of a game.The Lakers were impressed to see how good Allen Iverson was and how a little man like Iverson played with sush a big heart. Even though the Sixers had a chance to win the championship in a long time they still kept there head up and waited until next year.I recomend this book people who like Allen Iverson.

GREAT BOOK!!!!
I picked this book up to learn more on "The Answer".
This book is good for kids ages 9-12 years of age.
It is a great book to pick up if you want to know some more of what when on in his younger years.
I think the author could have went into the younger years of Iverson. He mostly focused his writing on his current actions and a couple run ins with th Law.
But other wise I think it is a great book if you are looking to read more about his NBA career and College Career.
But if are looking for more a book where it tells about his childhood I would not tell you to pick this one up.
It is great for kids that want to learn about there favorite Basketball player!!

The Life of Allen Iverson
-Fear no One by John Smallwood Jr. is a biography about Allen Iverson. Allen Iverson is by far the greatest basketball player of all time. The press paints a false picture of Iverson. They portray him as the "bad guy", however deep down Iverson grew up in the worst neighborhoods in Virginia. He went through many struggles as a child, his younger sister was sick and medical bills stacked up, meanwhile the family was heavily indebted. His stepfather got arrested for being a drug dealer and upon being arrested he claimed the reason for leading this way of life was simply to support his family. Iverson, on the other hand, was not mad at his stepfather for choosing his lifestyle because he understood the need to raise his family. Since his stepfather was now incarcerated Allen had to take the role as the "man of the house".
-Iverson was not only an outstanding basketball player, but was also a great football player. In high school, he set records, broke records and even broke his own records. My favorite part of the book was when Iverson finally made it to the Georgetown basketball team. He became a Hoya. While he was a Hoya, one of the things he said that was written in the book that showed how hard Iverson led his life was "And growing up the way I had to grow up. That's pressure. That's life."
-The theme of the book is to keep striving for your goals, to never give up. Even though Iverson went to a juvenile detention center, he never quit. He overcame all his obstacles and is now one of the greatest and best-paid basketball players in the NBA. This book taught me to never give up my goals, and to keep pushing until I reach all my goals. I would strongly recommend this book to all the readers who have a dream.

Iverson is tough
I respect how Hard Allen Iverson the Player plays.I also Respect Allen Iverson the Person for what He has had to overcome.though He plays in a Very Tough Profession nothing Compares to His Upbringing&Surroundings&the many things He has Endured&gone through.The Man is Tough On&Off the Court.

Brandon Clay's Review of Allen Iverson: Fear No One
If you are a Allen Iverson fan theny ou will love this book because of the detail, and background information about Allen Iverson. It tells about how his mother Ann Iverson got pregnant at 15. She didn't want her son to grow up in the same neighborhood that she did, because of the gangs, drugs, and violence. So she moved to a apartment complex that was a little better for her son. once she moved she end up having two more children that were both girls. Allen youngest sister had medical conditions. Such as having ceasars at any time of the day. Allen first sport that he fell in love with was football. He didn't really like basketball so his mother made him like it through tuff love. Once he started playing, he started to enjoy playing b-ball. he then went to high school and won the championship, and the state title in both basketball, and football. He then decided to go on and play ball for coach John Thomas at the University of Georgetown, Since he wanted Allen to play for him. Once there Allen enjoyed himself and wanted to help his family, so he decide to go in to the NBA draft. He was then choosen as the #1 draft pick of the 1996 draft by the Philidelphia Seventy-Sixers. Once there he played to the best of his ability but didn't have any teammates that were reliable to help through the hard games. After they aquired Dikemba Metombo they were on there way. They won the eastern coference championship. They then went on to lose the NBA finals to the Los Angeles Lakers. In that same year Allen won the MVP award. He and the sixers battled through and lost in the first round to the Boston Celtics. ... Read more

Book Description

Get up front and personal with one of the NBA's most exciting scorers!The biography traces Allen Iverson's rise from childhood poverty in Virginia to a record-breaking career with the NBA.A perennial All-Star, Iverson of the Philadelphia 76ers was the NBA's Most Valuable Player for the 2000-2001 season. ... Read more

Book Description

At 6 feet tall and 165 pounds (maybe), Allen Iverson was the smallest first-overall draft pick in the history of the National Basketball Association. Everyone wanted to know if he could survive in NBA’s land of big men. By the end of his debut season, he had set records and earned awards such as NBA Rookie of the Year. Allen proved that not only could he survive in the NBA, but that he could come out on top as well.

Although he has been criticized for his "bad boy" image, Allen has been working to overcome that without severing his ties to his past and who he is. Controversy? It follows Allen. But, no one can debate the contribution he has made to the NBA. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

"IT'S THE BEST 4GET THE REST"
I THINK THE BOOK IS WONDERFUL. I HAVE READ I A MILLION TIMES AND I STILL CAN STOP READING IT,WELL WHAT CAN U SAY IF IT'S ABOUT ALLEN IVERSON. THE STORY REALLY INSPIRED ME AND MY SUGGESTION IS ---IF U HAVEN'T READ IT ALREADY ,GET IT AND READ IT NOW AND IF YOU HAVE READ IT, READ IT AGAIN!!! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Allen Iverson: Motion....
This book is great i recomend it to all allen iverson fans this is the best biogarphy ive read in a long time I give it 5 stars. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Hes a true star in my books (a true inspiration)
I LOVE IVERSON he is an true role model. He went through alot as a child and teen and still going through pure hell as an adult. He shows me that you should never give up and forget where you come from. If you have an goal and dont understand Iverson and you only know him as an ball player and dont know why he has so many fans you should read this book. It made me think and rewind my thoughts on the game of basketball and look at him as a total different person. Hes a true role model and thats why true fans like me dont look at him and just see cornrows and tattoos we see an awesome gift from god and a pro at the game of life as well

book review
I thought the book was very entertaining, mainly because of my love for the man the book was based on. I think he is great basketball player and I have never known a point guard to score like him. Although we live two different lifestyles, I admire you because you shine regardless! I love that about you. My personal advice to Allen Iverson is to keep your head up and continue ballin'. The next Director of Public Relations for a team in the league, Miss La'Keisha

TO ONE OF THE BEST NBA STARS IN HISTORY. I LOVE YOU
WHATZ UP TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGSTO SAY TO/ABOUT ALLEN IVERSON. I LOVE YOU AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

tells you all the things you wanna know about allens life
buy this book.It is the best

Allen Iverson is the best.
Hi my name is Skyler Williams and Allen Iverson is my favorite basketball player. I've liked him ever since the first time I saw him play. He plays like he's been playing all of his life every day, but he didn't start until he was ten years old. I like his cross-over alot, but my favorite move is his comercial move, the answer shoe commercial. I am hoping that he does more commercials. I like his cornrows. Someday I hope to meet him. If I ever met him I would probably faint. I think it is awsome how he is so good and yet he started playing at the age of 10. I like the way he is shorter than everybody and he is still better than everybody. I think that he is the next Michael Jordan. Every move he does, I try to do and it takes me an hour to get it good and he is the one that makes them up. That is awsome. And he is good at making poems and rap songs. He might come out with a record. He is also good at football and won the AAA MVP award in high school. I wish I could meet him. I have collected 50 of his basketball cards so far and I am hoping to collect some more. Allen Iverson is the best.

Skyler Williams ... Read more

Reviews (1)

IM LOVIN ALLEN IVERSON STYLE
YEA I READ THIZ BOOK AND I THINK ALLEN IZ THE BOMB.HE LETTIN PPL KNO U CAN PLAY B-BALL JUST WORK HARD AND DO YO BEST YO KNO.ITS NUTHIN MUCH 2 TELL GOT2 READ THA BOOK YA SELF. WELL A BIG SHOUT TO ALLEN DOIN HIZ THANG 2! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Emphasis on the "Needs of the Spectators"
3/24/04 author Glen Macnow's bio on Allen Iverson in a profile of Iverson via the "Sports Great"series is an applaude to the author as well as the talents of Iverson (sans his outfits and tatoos). His determination to "enjoy the sport" spills over to the spectators and obviously helps his skills in a sport where "height" had always been one of the criteria in being one of the "favorite draft picks". Playing in a town like Philadelphia (the Quaker City) who consider "the Arts" as no more important than their sports leagues ,his attitudes which are discribed even initially by MacNow ("basebasket ball's most fascinating player"; "ray energy"; "loyal"to fans,friends,family; mentored by Georgetown coach John Thompson and coach 76'ers Larry Brown and 76'ers team President Pat Croce ,)the emphasis is on the fact :the "game" is not the only place to focus on being a winner. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Weak
The best thing about this book is the pictures. This was definitely written by an outsider with limited insight into the real Allen Iverson. The book appears to be written from news accounts with little insight into Allen Iverson and the important players in his life. If you want to get a look at who Allen really is, look elsewhere. ... Read more