Reviews (5)

Great Book
James and Deloris met in high school after attending a basketball game. They married on Feb. 17, 1963. Michael one of four children was born. The youngest son of the Jordan household, baseball was Michaels favorite sport. One day his father put up two wooden backboards and baskets and gave the boys a basketball. They called it the Rack. Michael practiced often to try to keep up with his brothers. When in high school it was recommended he attend a basketball camp known as a Five
Star Camp. Education was always important to his parents, they knew that unless he was a good student all of his athletic talent would go to waste. In the fall of 1981 Michael enrolled in the University of North Carolina. After playing for three years there was little left for Michael to accomplish. He decided to turn pro and on June 19, 1984 he was picked by the Chicago Bulls. He made history and won championships for the Bulls and won consecutive MVP awards.

I liked this book very much. It is very hard to shorten in length the information this book has given me about the life of this great basketball star.

The saddest part of the book was when they talked about his father dying. From what the police could piece together James had apparantley pulled of the highway to take a nap and was attacked by two eighteen year old boys. They were later arrested and charged for the murder of James Jordan. Michael retired to spend more time with his family.

Caseys MJ review
On the court with...michael jordan was the best book I've ever read. it waz soooo cool. It had everything i needed for my book project that i had to do for school. I learned so much about michael jordan after reading that book. i recommend u buy this book.i would give it 5 stars cause it waz the best.bye

the phat mj
i think this book was the best book.i also hink mj is the best b-ball player well untill i come into the nba!=)i like how it tell about all his life and how he didnt make the high school team and i also learned a lot more than i already new i hope u read it

This is a good book.
The number one sports writer for kids, Matt Christopher, writes about basketball superstar Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player ever. He covers his childhood, college career, his spectacular debut year in the NBA, his Championship years, and his current proffesional standing. Matt Christopher's easy-to-read style of writing makes this even better.

I love this book because it tells you about Michaels life
In this book you learn about Michael's life and his struggles and his sucsess. When he was young he always played basketball with his dad,James. As he got older he grew very close to his dad. His dad was his best friend. In 1992 his dad got murded and Michael was in shock. He quit basketball to be with his family. He joined baseball for awhile, but then he quit. He then went back to play basketball for his dad. I loved this book. It tells you to go for your dreams and never give up even if something bad happens in your life. ... Read more

Amazon.com

It's not easy imagining a volume capable of capturing the grace, the joy, the flamboyance, and the wizardry of Michael Jordan, but this hybrid--melding autobiography, celebration, spectacular photography, and cutting-edge graphics--comes awfully close. Like Jordan driving the lane, it's a thing of beauty; harder to analyze than it is to admire, accept, gaze at, and enjoy.

As befits the ultimate star in a game that has marketed itself with perfect razzle-dazzle, For the Love of the Game is as visually brash as it is glitzy. In page after stunning page, Jordan traces his ascension from college star to object of worldwide adoration. While most of the focus is, of course, on the NBA, there are significant side trips into baseball, the 1992 Olympic Dream Team, his advertising omnipresence, his family, and even his privacy. On the surface, the pictures--and their presentation--are more than enough to preserve and praise the Jordan legend, but For the Love of the Game has something more. It has Michael Jordan.

Jordan's text is everything the flashy images are not; it is straight, thoughtful, and revealing. At times, the relationship of word and image is breathtaking, especially on a particular pair of two-page layouts. In the first, Jordan asks, "When does jumping become flying?" His answer, framed by photos that would turn Superman green with envy, indicates that Jordan is genuinely amazed by his own talents. The second is his reflection on "The Shot," his buzzer-beater over Cleveland's Craig Ehlo to win game 5 in the 1989 playoffs. The story is told in 24 pictures taken over the final three seconds. Below that is a chart of 25 of Jordan's game-winning shots. But it's this Jordan observation that pulls the image and text together: "I never considered the negative consequence of missing the last shot in a game." It's an attitude that defines the man, and For the Love of the Game reflects it with a stylish combination of elegance, power, and beauty. (Want more Jordan? Check out an image from his book. © 1998 by Rare Air, Ltd. Text copyright © 1998 by Michael Jordan. Photo credit: Walter Iooss, Jr) --Jeff Silverman ... Read more

Reviews (87)

Absolutely, positively outstanding!
As you read the narrative that is imaginatively layed out with different type and size mixed in with graphics and photos you can almost hear Michael Jordan speaking. They are his words and reveal some things about his life that I've never read before...and I've read everything written about him. As you can see I am a big fan and miss him so much on the basketball court. This book is just one of the many reasons that I along with millions of other people am a big fan of his. The book is as brilliant and polished as he is and also has the same good taste he has. Another great thing about "For the Love of the Game" is it will appeal to almost anyone of any age You can skim thru and look at the photos or read the stats or read every word. Whichever way you choose you will enjoy this book.

Michael Jordan: Author, Athlete, Superstar, and Idol.
For The Love of The Game: My Story is an exceptional easy to read book, which contains excellent photography. Jordan's life both inside and outside of his basketball career is explored and detailed. From why he signed with Nike to his relationship with his father to his turbulent meetings with Jerry Krause and to his life as a father and a husband are all explained with brilliant photography throughout the book. Jordan's confidence in himself is shown when he says, " On the day I decided to make myself available for the 1984 NBA Draft I knew I was going to Philadelphia." At the time Philadelphia had the first pick, however the lottery gave the first pick to the Houston Rockets. The Philadelphia 76ers had the fifth pick in the Draft that year, instead of picking Jordan the 76ers picked Charles Barkley because Jordan was already drafted. "He was my best friend and he knew everything about me," is how Jordan explains his relationship with his father. Jordan, the author of his life story, uses incredible graphics on each and every page of the book. These photgraphs capture the reader's attention. Each page's lettering is different in size, font, and color which grabs the eye of the reader immediately. When Jordan describes a shot he made to win a game, he includes a picture of the shot. Jordan does a great job describing his famous shot over Craig Ehlo, frame by frame photographs capture this Kodak moment. Inside the front and back covers are statistics of everything imaginable concerning basketball which further enhances the book. All-time stats at every arena where Jordan performed is another unique quality Jordan utilizes in this extraordinary book. Personally, as a fan of Michael Jordan, I found the book very interesting to read. From the second I opened the book until the very last word in the book I felt like I was with Jordan the entire time. My favorite parts were when Jordan kept comparing himself to Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. " When Bird acknowledged my performance, I became a player," Jordan remarked. I recommend any Michael Jordan fan, basketball fan, or young athlete who wants to "be like Mike," to read the book. Anybody who wants to read a book containing award winning photography should read For The Love of The Game: My Story as well. Anyone who wants to know the importance of a father-son relationship would enjoy this book. Michael Jordan, who wore number 23 for the Chicago Bulls for many years, clearly is more than just a basketball player. He proved all analysts wrong when he led the league in scoring and won the NBA Finals. " Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls, 1984-1993. The best there ever was. The best there ever will be." This message can be found outside the United Center in Chicago. Judge for yourself by reading For The Love of The Game: My Story.

For the love of the game
The book I read was for the love of the game. It's about Michael Jordan and his life. I'd give it four stars because it explores through his basketball statistics to personal information. He talks about how he was drafted and how he almost didn't chose nike. It talks about all the inside information. It is one of the best autobiography's I've ever read. If you like basketball or a sport, you will reall like it. I learned a lot of stuff I'd probabaly would have never known. Some of the things I didn't know was that he played baseball. He also was number 45 in basketball for a year. His first Air Jordan was band from the league. I would recommend this book for people who like sports and biography's.

#23
For The Love of the Game by Michael Jordan is the best book about Michael Jordan ever. This book is so cool. The pictures are great of Michael Jordan. I have read this book four times already and I also have the paperback and the hardback. This book means so much to me because I am going through what he went through when he was in high school. He got cut from his basketball team too, and he gives me ways in the book to put that behind me and keep me going on with my life.

A deep look into the mind and heart of brilliance
When I bought this, I was expecting a thick book filled with nothing but pages of reading, and I couldn't have been more excited about the chance of owning it. Upon receiving it, I was like, "What's this??" It was a thin book and it looked to be more filled with spectacular photographs moreso than interesting reading. I was disappointed at first glance because it wasn't what I was expecting, but before I'd know it, I would become deeply compelled by what this book has to offer. And I would also learn a valuable lesson in the process.

There's actually a good bit of reading here in this book, and the great photography of classic MJ moments, such as the free throw line dunks, the 1998 game-winner that won the Finals, etc., only enhance what is written in words from the man himself, Michael Jordan. For instance, MJ talks about how he used to tell people he could fly for awhile. He was just talking, but when he actually watched a video of his famous double-pump free throw line dunk, he even admits that he was in awe. On that same page is a few shots of him flying through the air with an eagle's grace. The photographs allow you to literally SEE what you're reading. A book with just pages of words wouldn't have been able to convey that imagery or subtle feeling as well.

The still photos that grace every single page are just icing on the cake, however. What's REALLY intriguing are some of the things you'll read. What did Michael Jordan do with all those pairs of Air Jordans? Does he think he's the greatest ever, or that he'll always be the greatest? Why did he like playing in Madison Square Garden so much? What does he TRULY think of Jerry Krause and the way he did what he did (VERY surprising what he has to say about this)? What one player would he like to play against, of all the ones that have ever played in the NBA?

Those are only a few of the questions that will be answered to those who read For the Love of the Game: My Story, by Michael Jordan. It covers nearly all the major stories and highlights of his career, including his baseball troubles and triumphs. Some of the responses and readings you'll probably remember or not be surprised by. But just wait until you read about MJ's opinion of Magic Johnson coming down with the AIDS virus, and about what MJ would do/think if he came down with it.

The book mainly focuses on each of Michael Jordan's six championships. He breaks them down separately and gives his views on the experiences, such as the 1992 NBA Finals between the Bulls and Portland, when almost everything was focused on how MJ would measure up to Clyde Drexler. Keep in mind, however, that this book was made in 1998. If you're wanting to read about MJ's Washington Wizards experiences, then look elsewhere, because everything, including the various statistics, all relate to Jordan's years with the Chicago Bulls.

One thing that For the Love of the Game: My Story really taught me is that looks can be deceiving. I like it even better than I would have liked a book filled with nothing but words, because the pictures really give the book its own life. Two heads are better than one, and the two heads in this case are the pictures and the words. If you're an avid Michael Jordan fan (he's certainly my favorite athlete of all time), then this is the one book you need to own. How could another one be better? The words are all from Jordan himself, and they cover his best years in basketball. ... Read more

Book Description

Walter LaFeber's timely analysis looks at the ways that triumphant capitalism, coupled with high-tech telecommunications, is conquering the nations of the world, one mind—one pair of feet—at a time.

With Michael Jordan and the New Global Capitalism, Walter LaFeber has written a biography, a social history, and a far-ranging economic critique. From basketball prodigy to international phenomenon to seductive commercial ideal, Michael Jordan is the supreme example of how American corporations have used technology in a brave, massively wired new world to sell their products in every corner of the globe. LaFeber's examination of Nike and its particular dominion over the global marketplace is often scathing, while his fascinating mini-biography of Michael Jordan and the commercial history of basketball reveal much about American society.

For this new paperback edition, LaFeber has added a chapter on globalization in a changed world, after mass protests and since September 11. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Complex theory EXTREMELY simple for Jordan fans
Those who want to know what the WTO and IMF protest are about can start with this book. Lafeber's book simplifies the key issues of global corporatism (not free trade; not merely capitalism but corporatism) while relating the rise of the US with the rise of basketball. A great intro book for basketball fans who claim to not understand or care about what is Globalization. They should, but LaFeber stops short of taking a stand on the issue himself. As a historian he merely reports what happened without predicting the future. Contrary to the anonymous reviewer who panned the book as "Liberal Junk," I felt LaFeber stayed extremely neutral- which is my major problem with the book. Remove the Michael Jordan biography, and this book says what Ben Barber's 'Jihad vs. McWorld' does in 1 chapter. Except Barber explains the WHY we should care; not just what's going on in this Corporate world as LeFeber.

There Is More To Michael Jordan Then Playing Basketball...
In Michael Jordan And The New Global Capitalism, Walter LaFaber uses his ability to research and write about something to express to the readers how important advertising is to any corporation or business. For the Nike Corporation, they partnered up with Michael Jordan and worked out a plan to advertise him and their products through worldwide telecommunications. When Michael Jordan won (which was something he did a lot), the Nike Corporation won too, because everyone wanted to be "like Mike," and the only way to be "like Mike" was to buy his footwear and apparel or other Nike footwear and apparel. This book is a good awakening to anyone interested in how our economy works for big businesses, and its also a good book for anyone interested in basketball and or Michael Jordan. This is a definite must read all in all, because even if you end up not liking this book, you will be better off having read it.

Good Enough
Lafeber really shows you how putting time and effort into something can really take you far in life. I found the book to be very fascinating because it gives all the history of how basketball got started and how MJ and Nike became such powerful household names. This book is a really good read for any MJ fan who wants to learn the whole history behind him. It shows you what global advertising can do to a persons popularity. The bottom line this book is filled with tons of very interesting facts and just tells a good story, so go pick it up as soon as you can.

Michael Jordan And The New Global Capitalism
I think this book is well written for many reasons. It shows all that Nike went through to get their company started. They changed their name from Tiger to Nike, changed their shoe styles, and became popular by signing Jordan to do their ads. The shoes, in fact, became so popular that teenagers in the early 1990's would steal or even kill for them.
Even though Jordan made a lot of money from Nike, he lost all of his privacy and the media turned against him. The book clearly shows the down side of too much publicity.

Keep looking
Sure, this book is about the rise of transnational corporations and the influence cultural icons such as Michael Jordan have on it. However, LaFeber never gets into WHY this is the case. He throws around the same three points throughout the 164 pages of text, leaving the reader wondering how he could possibly write so much when he realistically has nothing to say. It is more filled with statistics and dates regarding Michael Jordan, the Bulls, and Nike, than what the title implies. The book is a good read for fans of MJ and Nike, but if you're looking for a sociological perspective on globalization, look elsewhere. ... Read more

Book Description

Michael Jordan.

The mere mention of the name conjures up visions of basketball played at its absolute best. But as a child, Michael almost gave up on his hoop dreams, all because he feared he'd never grow tall enough to play the game that would one day make him famous. That's when his mother and father stepped in and shared the invaluable lesson of what really goes into the making of a champion -- patience, determination, and hard work.

Deloris Jordan, mother of the basketball phenomenon, teams up with his sister Roslyn to tell this heartwarming and inspirational story that only the members of the Jordan family could tell. It's a tale about faith and hope and how any family working together can help a child make his or her dreams come true. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Excellent teaching tool that entertains as well!
One might imagine that legendary basketball star Michael Jordan was born with a boatload of confidence. That was not the case. "Salt in His Shoes", written by Jordan's mother Deloris and sister Rosalyn, tells an early chapter in the life of the athlete as he struggles to come to terms with his lack of height. Playing when he could with older brothers Larry and Ronnie, Michael is intimidated by a much taller boy named Mark. Every time that he plays against Mark's team, the Jordan boys lose.

Michael goes home complaining to his mother, wishing that he could be a little taller. Mother tells him that all she has to do is pray and put salt in his shoes. Michael's young mind wonders how the salt can cause him to grow, but he figures that his mother's skill with raising luscious flowers must be attributed to something. Every night he goes to sleep while Mother sprinkles her "magic" into his shoes. However, the boy's growth is slow in coming and he feels more depressed.

Michael's father comforts the boy and tells him that it's not how tall he is but how he uses his skills. This little burst of inspiration is just enough. The next time the Jordan boys tackle Mark's team, they are victorious with Michael scoring the winning points.

Being fans of Michael Jordan can relate to this tale from his early days. It is well documented that Jordan had a strong relationship with his father; however, the book reveals the powerful bond that he also had with his mother. The story shows a nuclear family featuring both parents and siblings, all of them concerned about Michael. This will prove to be an invaluable tool in stressing familial relationships.

Hard Work, Determination, and Michael Jordan Magic...
This book has it all. Kadir Nelson's illustrations immediately capture your attention. The cover is representative of the size and quality of pictures throughout the book. I've used this book in my classroom. Kids love it. Both boys and girls enjoy the story of the young Michael Jordan. They relate to going up against the big kid and wanting to change physically (in this case to become taller). Some kids even admit to putting salt in their shoes. The family support in this story provides the direction he needs to accomplish his goal of becoming a great basketball player and becoming the playground hero. Great message, great story, great illustrations. Everyone needs to realize the importance of hard work, determination, and believing in a little Michael Jordan magic. We want to encourage our kids to reach for the stars, and this book helps do that.

Salt in his shoes
There once was a kid that just wanted to play baskerball with his older bothers but there is a taller kid at the basketball park. That all was picked on him and told him he cant play bastekball because he was to short. So Micheal asked his mom how can he grow faster. She told him to put salt in shoes every night before he goes to bed. so he does for two mouths and doesnt grow. so his dad has a talk with him. Then he goes and playes and the game.

Salt In His Shoes ~ Deloris Jordan
I like this book's interesting way on how to teach a child to chase his dreams. Most children think it is impossible to reach for your dreams, but this book shows an interesting way to make a child pursue their dream. When you tell a children to do something they may not want to do it. But when you take a different approach, the request might have an effect on the child. Showing a chilren how to acccomplish his/her dreams is better then talking to them about it.

This story shows a little boy who loves to play basketball, how to make himself a better player. When you explain to a child how to overcome their enemies, and set a goal for them they are more likely to accomplish it. Yosu cannot accomplish your child's dream, but you can show them a good path to take. Kids always need an extra push to understand how something work. To achieve your goals all you need is practice, persistance, and determination.

Wonderful Book
This is a wonderful book. I purchased it for my 8 year old nephew and he absolutely enjoys it. He reads it all the time especially before his basketball games. Its wonderful and inspirings and lets kids know with hard work their dreams can come to fruition. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

An in-depth look into the mind of Michael Jordan
This book answers the question that millions of people were thinking when Jordan quit basketball: What was HE thinking! With everything from his first retirement and death of his father to his attempt at baseball and return to the NBA, Greene's book lets you know exactly what Jordan was thinking during this period of time and his reasoning behind everything. A good book!

EXCELLANT BOOK!!!
I am the biggest Michael Jordan fan in the world and I thoughtthat the book is great. Bob Greene is a great author, and I love theway he made this book. He wrote a little over half of the book talkingabout him playing baseball, and then the other half of the book when he returned to basketball. He gives you a lot of facts about him playing baseball, some that I didn't even know! Great book, I suggest you read it.

MJ Book Review
Any book or anything with Michael Jordan is great because he is the best of ALL time!And all his books like Rebound are great books to read.And they have great pictures.

Soso book
It explored some issues, like is Jordan a ballhog, but not in depth. It is average quality. I wouldn't recommend it, but I wouldn't disparage it either.

not "hang tine"
don't get me wrong...it's a good one. boby greene really writes well.... but it's just not the magic of "hang time" ... Read more

Book Description

As one of the greatest, most celebrated athletes in history, Michael Jordan conquered professional basketball as no one had before. Powered by a potent mix of charisma, nearly superhuman abilities, and a ferocious need to dominate the game, he won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and captured every basketball award and accolade conceivable before retiring and taking a top executive post with the Washington Wizards. But retirement didn't suit the man who was once king, and at the advanced age of thirty-eight Michael Jordan set out to reclaim the court that had been his dominion.

When Nothing Else Matters is the definitive account of Jordan's equally spectacular and disastrous return to basketball. Having gone on the road to chronicle Jordan's final two seasons, award-winning Washington Post writer Michael Leahy draws a riveting portrait of a deeply complex man waylaid by his impulses and impatience, frequently hampered by injuries, assaulted by younger players eager to usurp his throne, and ultimately done in by his presumption. Encouraged for two decades by his sport's magnates to believe that he had no limits or superiors, Jordan could not see his influence and power fading as his Wizards days ticked down and his team's losses and dissension grew. For teammates and outsiders alike, the star emerged as a relentlessly driven, at times unapproachable personality. Leahy reveals the striking contrast between Jordan's public image and the man who couldn't stand not "bein' it."

Hell-bent on transforming the mediocre Wizards into championship contenders, Jordan controlled every facet of his new team, dispensing orders behind the scenes to coaches and players. As his anger and bitterness over Washington's on-court setbacks became increasingly public, his teammates' resentment of him stoked already burgeoning tensions between Jordan and the Wizards' top brass. Leahy unmasks the myths and unravels the deeper lessons behind the highs and lows of the two seasons, illuminating the excruciating reality Jordan was forced to accept after the Wizards' failed playoff bid in his final season. When Nothing Else Matters is about nothing less than a man struggling to come to grips with the end of a career, and the uncertainty of his life ahead. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

When Nothing Else Matters: The REAL Michael Jordon
I wanted to tell everyone how much this book rocked. This is so revealing about what Michael Jordon thought, did, and wished he could of done, over the 2 seasons that he came back into the NBA. This is a quick read, and it tells an amazing story. This is a 100x what you get from any other sports book, and especially from anything you could ever see on NBC. Michael Leahy is an amazing writer who has a nack for getting the stuff that people really want to read. You want to know the real Michael Jordon? Then read "When Nothing Else Matters", by the acclaimed Wasington Post writer, Michael Leahy. ... Read more

Book Description

"It would be easy to say that Jordan has been a one-man industry, but he's really more like a utility, a piece of the national infrastructure, every bit as important as the storm sewers or the power grid. That is a reminder that things that people take for granted-Ma Bell, the Soviet Union, Michael Jordan on Sunday afternoons-can disappear suddenly." - Washington Post

Possibly the most recognized celebrity on the planet today, definitely one of the greatest sports figures who ever lived, and, by far, the most effective product endorser in the history of business, Michael "Air" Jordan is the stuff of legend. But it is more than his unrivaled skill in basketball or his phenomenal success in business that have earned him the love and respect of billions. Whether on the court or the sound stage, Jordan embodies all the qualities that people most admire in a winner and role model: quiet dignity and consummate grace, unfaltering confidence and unselfconscious humility, driving ambition and a noble sense of fair play.

In this book, Janet Lowe, author of the bestselling Warren Buffett Speaks and Oprah Winfrey Speaks, offers us an inspiring look at the man behind the Michael Jordan image. Drawn from hundreds of sources, the quotes gathered together in this book reveal Michael Jordan's views on everything from sports and winning to love and family, teamwork and individual initiative to morality and the life of the spirit.

Here is just a sample of what you'll find inside:

"Mental toughness and the heart are a lot stronger than some of the physical advantages that you may have."

"My responsibility has been to play the game of basketball and relieve some of the pressure of everyday life for people who work from 9 to 5, and I've tried to do that to the best of my abilities."

"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships."

"I don't believe in race. I believe in friendship."

"Everything is fun. I played for fun for nine straight years. We happened to win championships."

"I let the game come to me. It's very important that I don't go try to make it happen."

The world listens when Michael Jordan Speaks

"People can fly. Some fly higher than others, that's all."

"You can practice shooting eight hours a day, but if your technique is wrong, then all you become is very good at shooting the wrong way. Get the fundamentals down and the level of everything you do will rise."

"My heroes were my parents. I can't see having anyone else as my heroes."

"Confidence allows you to progress in something you're attempting to accomplish, whether it's playing basketball or baseball, or whether it's trying to succeed in business."

". . . This is going to sound wild-but my ultimate dream is to get a pot belly." ... Read more

Reviews (5)

excellent competitor
Michael Jordan Speaks is a very good book because Michael lets you know what he went through as he looks back at it all. As I read it I kept on thinking to myself whoa!. Mike had that God- given talent that comes naturally and he was determined to become a better player. He started to put a lot of work in and had that ability to make it. Micheal said "It's not how you start, it's how you finish." "It's not what's on you, it's what's in you." The stuff that he went through I didn't think that he would be able to conquer it. Mikes words made me think positive and how things in life will work out. His sophomore year he faced a bad thing that he felt like not playing anymore. He got cut from the basketball team. Micheal's coach felt like he wasn't ready, so he worked at it. As time went by money started to come and people were amazed on how this boy turned out to blossom.

Michael Jordan Speaks
Many people know Michael Jordan as a legend, but did you know that even this legend has failed. As a sophomore in high school, Michael was cut from the varsity basketball team. Though he may have had thoughts of giving up, it inspired him to work even harder. Michael Jordan Speaks by Janet Lowey tells the story of Michael's life, and what obstacles he has overcome. Throughout the book, Michael faces many struggles, not just physically but emotionally. This sports superstar had to deal with the murder of his father, his business (Jordan), and entertaining the fans of the Chicago Bulls. No matter how bad the problem looked, he never gave up.
Follow Michael Jordan through the ups and downs of being the worlds most known person. See what it's like from growing up in a small town in North Carolina to packing NBA stadiums in almost every city he goes to. Michael has a storybook of a life, from what the general public knows. Find out what conflicts Michael came upon on his journey to the top.
Michael faces many challenges throughout his life. The most difficult challenge brought upon the superstar was the murder of his father. Though Michael did retire from the NBA after his fathers' murder, he didn't just give up. He needed a break from the spotlight while he got his emotions in sorts. Later he did return to the NBA, but in my mind that isn't even close to giving up, because he returned to the Bulls to win three Championships in a row. Michael also faced some trouble with his gambling problems. Michael denies that he has ever had a gambling problem, though many NBA officials beg to differ. Reporters have tried to get him in trouble with the contract he signed with the NBA in reference to gambling. In the end the NBA couldn't try Michael for anything because he would make bets on legal things, such as a private golf game, or a card game. Throughout the whole conflict, Michael never lost his cool to any reporter, though many reports goal in life was to try to get Michael to explode at them just to get a good story. Michael hasn't once lost his cool in the public eye, because he believes that he is someone who kids look up to. He wants to give out a positive image, so that kids will follow his lead of being a polite and respected person.
Janet Lowe took a different type of approach to writing this book. She based the book on quotes that Michael has said, and then went off on a tangent to tell his life story. It is a different type of read, but it is interesting to see what Michael is feeling in his quotes, compared to what is happening in his life. It took me a couple pages to get used to the style, but it is an interesting way to look at his life.
Through all the ups and downs in his life, Michael never once gave up or lost his cool. He kept his eyes on his goal, and remembered his role in society as a role model. Kids look up to him, and he realized it, so he wanted to set a good example for the kids to follow. Nothing was handed to Michael on a silver platter, he had to work hard and never give up to achieve the level he was at.

muwhahahaaaahaa (just started readin)
I just started reading the book, spenbt about 20 minutes on it, im on page like 60 something . But its aight, gives facts and true stories about his life. Pretty tight, you find out soem interesting stuff, like he NEVER has had a job his entire life.

Give Me More!
A quick and easy read about one of our true sports phenomonons. This book leaves us wanting more, infact when I finished my reaction was that now, I wanted to read a book about Michael Jordan.

What more can be said about the great one
Being a fan of the game but a Knicks fan, I can say this was a decent read about Jordans career. I always had great respect for the man and think he is the best basketball player of all time. This book will let you see in writing what he did over the years. Well put together by the author and worthwhile for anyone even those who are not fans. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Stunningly honest story thats too painful to believe...
It's amazing that a one-time NBA super-star ends up mopping floors, waiting on tables and enduring major abuse and embarrasment while trying to make ends meet...every NBA executive should read this to ensure that League policy does not allow this to happen again. I bought this to hear some inside details on one of my favorite NBA players of all time (I remember in 1974 going out to buy "Pro-Keds" sneakers for my season because that's what Bob Love wore)and came away stunned at what Love went through before re-claiming his life. I was vaguely aware that he'd had hard times post-retirement, but not at this level and this account, quite frankly, makes me admire him more. In brutally "straight-forward" writing he details all the problems that beset him and how his inner-strength and formidable character allowed him to keep his sanity and, ultimately, allowed him to get a semblance of dignity back. You won't get too much basketball detail here (his career takes on surprisingly few pages), but I think that this is Love's intent. This is the success story of a man resurrecting his life from the depths, some of which he helped make (failure to face his stuttering problem) and speaks to a higher level than basketball. My heart truly goes out to him and I'm very glad to hear that he's now doing well. An inspiring read!

The Bob Love Story If it's Gonna Be, It's Up to Me
The book was a slow read in the beginning. I feel to much writing was spent on his early childhood and tended to be a bit boring. The sequence of events during that time didn't flow well, seemed as though you were going back and forth.

The middle section, the period of college & pro ball was good reading. I don't like sports but found this section a fast read. My mother is a great sports fan, so many of the names he mentioned I knew. There was very interesting detail in this section. The sequence of events flowed very well.

The last section,was also a slow read. It was a bit boring. Didn't measure up to the mid-section. The statement he made in next to last sentence of the book is questionable. He has quite a few victim statements, example, beatings from his stepfather, teasing about his stuttering, negative relations from his second ex-wife and "Government worker" girlfriend(?). How can he not understand why, his girlfriend blew-up? What is behind the scene that he is not mentioning.

Also, his seventh son Nathaniel was born in 1987 not 1988 as mentioned in the book. What's really interesting is that he mentions all of his kids except his oldest daughter Basha. Why? ... Read more

Book Description

Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time. But his pre-eminence is more than just extraordinary athletic ability: the lessons of his life-such as focus, passion, hard work, perseverance and accountability-have shaped him into one of the most revered celebrities of the 20th century.

In this inspiring book Pat Williams, motivational speaker and senior vice president of the NBA's Orlando Magic, reveals Jordan's method for living a life of greatness that we can all incorporate into our lives. Fascinating anecdotes and quotes from those who know Michael best provide a glimpse into a persona as sweeping and immense as any generation has ever witnessed. Peppered with examples from Williams's life and those of other star athletes and celebrities, this uplifting book shows that we are, indeed, all capable of fulfilling our full potential. Readers from all walks of life can appreciate and aspire to living life like a champion.

Reviews (5)

The Most Awsome Book Ever
"How To Be Like Mike" is the best book I've ever read it offers so much insight on the life of Micheal Jordan.I always knew alot about M.J. but now I know a lot more.The best parts are the little stories about games and conversasions he had with coaches,players,and other people "How To Be Like Mike" is a classic for anyone striving for sucess.

Good blend of statistics and Jordan's life.
Pat Williams really blends everything from Jordan's life, his life and quotes from alomst every sports legend and even quotes from people who are not a sportsmen. This book really projects the success of Jordan's life as a whole, from the values instilled in him and his own character. It also stresses the most, Jordan's mental strength and capacity [which I admire the most], his ability to withstand immense amounts of mental pressure, soaking up the challenge and relishing every form of competition on and off the court. The quotes inside are really good and applicable and they also explain what made Jordan and other atheletes who are considered legends in their own field of work. It combines the whole of Jordan's life, mostly off court, with snippets of Jordan's life on court, how he felt during the time he had to take a game-winning shot or before a crucial match. Pat Williams really stretched himself in getting all the information compiled into this book. All the values in the book really will push you to work harder and as long as you will be willing to live by these values. For those hard-core basketball fans out there, it is the greatest book written as far as I have read, (I have read alot of books, probably more than a 40 year old person has) in terms of values and things you could do to help yourself improve on and off the court. In terms of statistics of Jordan, how many points he had a game, rebounds, stuff like that, you won't get it here but it has great, applicable values which are more than useful. As I close, I would like to end off with what Jordan said, " The tougher you are on yourself, the easier life will be on you."

Inspiring book for just about anybody
You don't have to be a basketball fan to love HOW TO BE LIKE
MIKE: LIFE LESSONS ABOUT BASKETBALL'S BEST by Pat
Williams with Michael Weinreb . . . it is an inspiring book, relevant
to just about anybody . . . parents as well as their children will
enjoy it; so will employers and their employees.

Williams, one of the country's top motivational speakers and senior
vice president of the Orlando Magic, conducted over 1,500 interviews
with those who know Michael Jordan best . . . he then boiled down
what they said into the habits that are needed to succeed . . . these
include such things as focus, passion, perseverance, teamwork,
and leadership.

I particularly liked the many examples taken from the lives of
Jordan, the author and many other unique people . . . in addition,
there were thought-provoking quotes sprinkled throughout the
book.

There were so many memorable passages that it is difficult
to choose just a few to highlight here . . . but among them
were the following:
[on how Williams is perceived]
I am known to those around me as a rather enthusiastic
person--a notion that most probably consider a vast understatement.
Throughout the course of my career in the front office in both
minor-league baseball and the NBA, my energy has led me to some
rather odd precipes. Wrestling bears, for instance. Or overseeing
the most disappointing trained pig act in the history of Philadelphia's
sports. Or donning a sweaty mascot's suit. All for the sake of
entertainment.

Some might call me crazy. I call it a surplus of joy. And I just
happen to believe you should have enough of a surplus to fill a
Wall-Mart.

It's something I learned from my mentor, a one-legged baseball
executive named Bill Veeck, who earned a measure of fame for
having the courage and ingenuity to let a midget bat during a
major-league baseball game. Veeck was the sort of man who
slept two hours a night, whose head exploded with ideas. He
was flush with energy. He relished interaction, and he savored
the small pleasures of his life in baseball. And of his life outside
of baseball. When Bill died in 1986, sports columnist Thomas
Boswell wrote: "Cause of death--life."

[on attaining success]
A magazine called NATION'S BUSINESS once surveyed its
readers, attempting to extract the top ten businesspeople
America had poured forth in its first two hundred years. The list
included the names you'd expect: Edison, Henry Ford, Alexander

Graham Bell. But what's interesting is that while each of the ten
choices were involved in highly competitive businesses--often
cited as a cause of health problems--they lived ripely to an
average age of eighty-seven.

Another survey polled 241 executives on the traits that most helped
workers to become a success. More than 80 percent listed
"enthusiasm." Second, at 63 percent, was a "can-do attitude."

[Jordan in discussion with Bobby Knight at the Olympics]
The uSA led Spain by twenty-seven points at half-time, and
Knight leaned over to Jordan and shouted at him, as a ploy
to avoid a second-half slump. "When are you going to set
some screens?"

Jordan smiled, "Coach," he said, "didn't I read some place you
said I was the quickest player you ever coached?"

"Yeah," Knight said. "What's that got to do with it?"

"Coach, I set those screens faster than you could see them."

Book Review
How to be like Mike is a book about a young kid with big dreams. He has many hardships throughout his childhood life and as he gets older too. That kid is Michael Jordan. As a kid, he never wanted to stop playing basketball. He was so much better than all of the other kids. He grew up with his Mom and Dad. His Dad is the one who taught him everything he knows to this day. When he got into highschool, things got rough for him. It wasn't shcool, because he got generally good grades. But it was the highschool varsity basketball team. Something happens to him that really breaks his heart. As he gets older things started to come together for him. people started to notice him and he is liking his new fame. he was on top of the world.
This book was ideal for me because I love to play basketball. It taught me not to give up and always go for the gold. Just life lessons in general, good advice and what to expect. Quotes from other famous people throughout the book. I recommend this book if you are looking for good advice and life lessons.

be the very best you can be!
PROS: Lots of insightful quotes from various NBA people about
how MJ became one the of the world's best athletes. But you don't
have to be a professional athlete to benefit from the advice.
Good quotes from people like Winston Churchhill, Beethoven, etc.
scattered throughout in easy to read boxes.

CONS: A bit disorganized in places.

OVERALL: This is just as good as classics like Think and Grow
Rich. I plan to reread it soon! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

air
I have mixed feelings about Michael Jordan. On the one hand, he is a great athlete. I respect his work ethic. He has turned in a number of great performances and is no doubt one of the greatest to have ever played the game of basketball.

There is a flipside. Michael Jordan got all kinds of special treatment while he was in the NBA. He was the first player I noticed who was granted all kinds of trips to the charity stripe because of unbelievably, ticky tack calls. He scored at least ten points a game at the free throw line from bogus calls. It was great when there was a picture session for 'greats of the game' with Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan. Magic told Larry not to stand too close to Michael or they might call a foul. In front of reporters and television viewers, that was a classic comment by Magic. I believe Mike got 99% of all calls in his favor because he was such a cash cow for the NBA. Dominique Wilkins was robbed of a slam dunk championship when Mike scored a perfect 50 doing the same dunk Dr. J did years before. I doubt Dr. J ever received a perfect 50 for it. Dominique's dunk was much more impressive, and he received a 49.5. Please. Mike got in a fight with Reggie Miller, and only Miller got suspended at first. Only after there was an outcry did Mike get suspended. How are Mike's punches different? Mike elbowed Kevin Johnson to the ground for all to see, and Kevin was called for blocking!

I am not too impressed that the bulls beat the lakers in the NBA finals. Magic was double teamed every game every minute he was in. On top of that, James Worthy and Byron Scott were injured. Magic and Larry never won three championships in a row because the competition, teams, and players in the 80s were much better than the nineties. Luc Longley, Will Perdue, Bill Cartwright, or Bill Wennington stopping Kareem? Ha!

Sport Magazine recently had a piece on the ten greatest moments and ten greatest players ever in the NBA. Mike was ranked number one all time player. Kudos to Mike for mentioning in 'For the love of the game' that to pick a "greatest ever" is impossible because of all the different eras and evolutions of basketball. The nineties bulls were given three of the ten greatest moments in NBA history. This is just more Mike bias. Give me a break. There are hundreds of classic and amazing moments in NBA history. One of the moments picked was Mike beating the Jazz in the final minutes of his last game. He put his hand on Bryon Russel's backside and shoved him out of the way. Then Mike made the game winnig shot. All eyes were on Mike, but the ref did not make the obvious call.

There is also Mike's arrogance. According to him, Wilt Chamberlain was a fluke eventhough Wilt was a great all around player. He made a comment about Magic and Larry reaching a 'certain level of greatness' and that the two were not good on defense. What? Are we talking about the same Larry Bird? Shaquille Oneal is also much better and much improved than Mike gives him credit for. Shaq has turned into a solid defender, passer, and he works hard at both ends of the floor.

Mike's corporate poster boy behavior is laughable. He did ads for AT&T and then MCI. The Wayans family is also split between the two companies. Mike talked about the enviroment in Rayovac ads and then pitches hot dogs? Mike is not the only athlete who will pitch anything and everything to make millions. I wonder if Mike has checked into Nike's labor practices.

Players like Mike and Charles Barkley soured me on the NBA. Charles played like a thug and got away with it because he was a star. Plus, Charles insisted on wearing number 34 at Philadelphia eventhough it was retired for NBA great Billy Cunningham. The star treatment and inflated egos has grown old, and that has turned a lot of people off to sports. I miss the Lakers and Celtics match ups of the 1980s.

RareAir by Michael on Michael
RareAir is Rare, This book was soul out very fast.Michael is a rare player and this is a rare book ,One of the Best Photographs of the century,and a great Editer.Walter Iooss,js and Mark Vancil.if you have this book dont "sell" is a Collectible and a rare Collectible . Words from the man."WHEN I STEP ONTO THE COURT,I'M READY TO PLAY.AND IF YOU'RE PLAYING AGAINST ME,THEN YOU'D BETTER BE READY TOO.IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO COMPETE,THEN I'LL DOMINATE YOU.' RareAir is Hot'Hot'Hot'Hot

Nicely done
This is an oversized book with excellent photography, especially given some of the tricky lighting involved. Jordan's comments are candid, although he did write that once he left the game of basketball, he wouldn't come back. Basketball fans can rejoice that in this estimate, Jordan was wrong.

A in-depth look at the world's most recognizable athlete.
Michael Jordan -- the essence of Air. This book, a unique photgraphic autobiography, takes a very personal look at the superstar. Michael Jordan opens up and describes his life. The spectacular photograpghy and Michael's own thoghts (on both competition and life) compliment each other perfectly. The book is actually like the title says "Michael on Michael". Full-color photographs (more than 100 previously unpublished) and the clockwork of Michael's world provide the reader with a never-before-seen intimate view of the world's greatest athlete. ... Read more

Book Description

Bob Greene shows us a side of Michael Jordan that doesn't make the sports page...the inside.

Journalist and bestselling author Bob Greene stepped into Michael Jordan's world just as Jordan was reaching the apex of his talent and his fame. With Greene, Jordan let down his guard.

In an extraordinary book that transcends sports biography, Greene takes the reader along with Jordan over two seasons with the Chicago Bulls, during glorious championship surges and trying personal moments. With rare insight, Greene reveals the person inside the icon: a man who makes millions but cannot go for a quiet walk around the block without getting mobbed, a man who competes ferociously on the court, but who performs some of his most remarkable and unexpected feats away from the limelight.

Drawn from inside Michael Jordan's daily life, rich with the sound of Jordan's own voice, Hang Time is a startlingly candid and intimate story of time spent with a champion, and of the growing friendship between two men.
... Read more

Reviews (9)

On and Off the Court, Mr. Jordan is a Winner.
It took a tragedy for their paths to cross, but once it did, something changed in both men. Bob Greene is an excellent writer, published author, and a syndicated columnist. He covered a tragic story about a young boy in Chicago named Cornelius Abraham. Someone in the Bulls' management read the story, contacted Mr. Greene, and sent a few tickets to an upcoming basketball game. Along with something to make the child's day even more memorable: A personal meeting before the game with Michael Jordan. But what Mr. Greene didn't know was that Michael Jordan would make the day as memorable as his legendary performances on the hardwood.

During the game, young Cornelius sat next to Mr. Jordan on the bench. When the game was over, Bob Greene went into the locker room to personally thank Michael Jordan for his kind gesture. Mr. Jordan appeared surprised that someone would actually thank him. He invited Mr. Greene, who was not a sportswriter, to attend future games. The allure was addicting, and Mr. Greene became a regular in the press area at Chicago Stadium.

This story is compelling, honest, candid, and without any pretenses. It demonstrates an unlikely, but thoroughly understandable, friendship that developed between two men from very different worlds. Bob Greene paints a picture of Michael Jordan that clearly defines the inner man, and not the icon that the public sees during 48 minutes on the basketball court. Or during countless television appearances.

Mr. Greene chronicles two years in the life of Mr. Jordan. He describes the lack of privacy that permeates his life, along with how few of us can properly appreciate or understand what Mr. Jordan does on the court. But this story has more depth than merely describing basketball feats or mega celebrity status. There are many poignant tales in this beautifully written book that will surprise the reader. Michael Jordan is a man of integrity, honor, and vast compassion. It is a shame that it took a chance meeting by a non-sports writing journalist to tell us the true story.

I came away feeling that despite all of his fame, fortune, and incredible athletic prowess, Mr. Jordan never lost sight of his roots in small town North Carolina. Nor did his fame blind him to the plights and struggles of those much less fortunate then he. Whether it was taking a pair of his shoes to a dying young man who would never walk again, inviting a crippled young woman to a celebrity dinner as his personal guest, or meeting four young men in a dangerous Chicago neighborhood after every game, he never advertised these incredibly unselfish random acts of kindness. For me, that demonstrated his true character. Very few people, knowing they have the power to do so much good, ever take the time that Mr. Jordan did to impact so many lives.

For me, one story sums up the whole book and character of the protagonist. Mr. Jordan described in vivid detail how he felt after being cut by his high school basketball coach. It wasn't the detail that impressed me, nor the depth of his feelings about the incident. He never named the coach. Obviously, those who knew the full story could determine the name of the coach. But Mr. Jordan did not humiliate the man, when for most of us, the temptation would have been overwhelming. Especially if you were the best basketball player in the world.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this book.

This book gives rare insight to The Indisputable Greatest
I am writing this review in response to "A reader from usa"'s very biased view of Michael Jordan.

The author Bob Greene writes this book in the perspective of a story teller instead of just vague praise of Jordan. You read this book you'll get the whole story of who Jordan is instead of how many points he can score.

"Michael Jordan got all kinds of special treatment while he was in the NBA...bogus calls" To that bias comment, Bob Costas of the NBA on NBC commentator said it best, "when you're a great player, you deserve the benefit of the doubt", he said that in response to Kareem Abdul Jubbar's critical free throw that won the championship when Bill Lambier made just a little bit of contact that doesn't warrant a foul call. The laker then went on to win the series & championship.

"Magic told Larry not to stand too close to Michael or they might call a foul. In front of reporters and television viewer..." That's a lighthearted moment when Bird, Magic & Jordan are taking a picture for the DreamTeam, and Magic Johnson meant for it to be a joke, and I think that you interpreted wrong. I'm sure as a great player, Bird & Magic get away with lots of foul too when Jordan response to Magic's Joke, "when are you ever foul out of a game, how can you talk?".

For all that think that Jordan don't deserve that much free throw, go get the tapes of jordan's game & play it in slow motion. You will see that he's simply unstoppable, most of the time people either get out of the way or have to bear-hugged him in order to stop him from scoring.

As for the Reggie Miller & Michael Jordan fight, because Reggie Miller started the fight, and I think there's a rule in NBA that punish the player instigated a fight with more harsh punishment.

"I am not too impressed that the bulls beat the lakers in the NBA finals... Bill Wennington stopping Kareem? Ha!" Well, like it or not, the Bulls are a great team with Jordan, when you're a winner you are a winner, it doesn't matter your opponents are injure or healthy. Even with all healthy lakers, there just isn't anyway to stop Jordan, the bulls would win anyway. You should compare the teams by overall strength & weakness. Even though the Bulls has so-so center, and the lakers have great center in Kareem, that doesn't mean the lakers can beat the Bulls. Jordan & Pippen's talent alone are far more superior than many of the lakers combined. Michael Jordan never has as much talented teammates as Magic and Bird has. Bird practically has a whole teams of hall of famers, Magic has Worthy, Jubbar, Scott,etc. In a sense, Jordan works much harder for his rings than either of these two great players.

"One of the moments picked was Mike beating the Jazz in the final minutes of his last game... obvious call", like it or not, Mike deserves to win that championship. Tell me who else could have done what he's done in that game, carrying his team throughout 48 minutes in his age, make all the right plays and makes no mistakes when the game's on the line. Before this last shot, whatever the bulls need, he gives, no matter how tired he is, he's the guy that gives his all. At the waning moment, he puts in a quick layup over several Jazz players, then he stole the ball from Karl Malone so he would have a chance to win the game by one point. And he made the shot. Whatever the Referee does, it's Referee's job, not Mike's fault.

I don't think Michael ever said Larry & Magic not good on defense. Personally, I think Magic & Larry is not as good a defensive player as Jordan is. Jordan has been defensive player of the year while leading the league in scoring too. (In the same year, he has very good steal & shot blocking stat). Larry & magic are never as quick as Jordan when he want to steals the ball. As for Shaq, he's no doubt a really dominate player with lots of skills, it's obvious he will never be as good as even Wilt Chamberlain. No other players can be as focus & mentally tough as Michael Jordan.

"Mike's corporate poster boy behavior is laughable...", we all know that superstars make commercials, as way of earning a living. Just like everybody else, that doesn't mean Mike has to be any different. Lately, he has been more selective in what commercial he does. Michael did use his influence to do charity commercial like the Anti-Drug ad & Aids awareness for Magic Johnson. Nike's labor practices are Nike's problem, people should not blame the stars that make the commercial, instead do something more usefull like pressuring Nike to change his practice.

"Players like Mike & Barkley soured me on the NBA..." That's most outrageous comment I read so far in Amazon's generally good review on books. It's player like Mike that allows people to dream, brings basketball to new height & make basketball popular globally. It's sad that we will never have someone as great an athlete ever again. Barkley is a great player that really deserve to wear a ring, he's just unlucky player that never get as great teammates magic & bird has, and he's in the same era that known as the Bulls dynasty, like many other hardworking great players, they just simply can not do anything about Mike & the bulls.

People should find something better to do than attacking Jordan for no apparent reason, when they expects Michael Jordan to be perfect yet he wants to find every little things to attack him however naive & laughable they are.

The Best Book for Getting to Know Michael Jordan
Bob Greene was not a reporter writing a story about Michael Jordan. He was Michael's friend. As a result, this book really lets the reader get to know Michael as a person. It is not just commentary on Michael. There is also a lot of actual dialog.

This is the best book written for Michael Jordan fans.

hang time
I have mixed feelings about Michael Jordan. On the one hand, he is a great athlete. I respect his work ethic. He has turned in a number of great performances and is no doubt one of the greatest to have ever played the game of basketball.

There is a flipside. Michael Jordan got all kinds of special treatment while he was in the NBA. He was the first player I noticed who was granted all kinds of trips to the charity stripe because of unbelievably, ticky tack calls. He scored at least ten points a game at the free throw line from bogus calls. It was great when there was a picture session for 'greats of the game' with Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan. Magic told Larry not to stand too close to Michael or they might call a foul. In front of reporters and television viewers, that was a classic comment by Magic. I believe Mike got 99% of all calls in his favor because he was such a cash cow for the NBA. Dominique Wilkins was robbed of a slam dunk championship when Mike scored a perfect 50 doing the same dunk Dr. J did years before. I doubt Dr. J ever received a perfect 50 for it. Dominique's dunk was much more impressive, and he received a 49.5. Please. Mike got in a fight with Reggie Miller, and only Miller got suspended at first. Only after there was an outcry did Mike get suspended. How are Mike's punches different? Mike elbowed Kevin Johnson to the ground for all to see, and Kevin was called for blocking!

I am not too impressed that the bulls beat the lakers in the NBA finals. Magic was double teamed every game every minute he was in. On top of that, James Worthy and Byron Scott were injured. Magic and Larry never won three championships in a row because the competition, teams, and players in the 80s were much better than the nineties. Luc Longley, Will Perdue, Bill Cartwright, or Bill Wennington stopping Kareem? Ha!

Sport Magazine recently had a piece on the ten greatest moments and ten greatest players ever in the NBA. Mike was ranked number one all time player. Kudos to Mike for mentioning in 'For the love of the game' that to pick a "greatest ever" is impossible because of all the different eras and evolutions of basketball. The nineties bulls were given three of the ten greatest moments in NBA history. This is just more Mike bias. Give me a break. There are hundreds of classic and amazing moments in NBA history. One of the moments picked was Mike beating the Jazz in the final minutes of his last game. He put his hand on Bryon Russel's backside and shoved him out of the way. Then Mike made the game winnig shot. All eyes were on Mike, but the ref did not make the obvious call.

There is also Mike's arrogance. According to him, Wilt Chamberlain was a fluke eventhough Wilt was a great all around player. He made a comment about Magic and Larry reaching a 'certain level of greatness' and that the two were not good on defense. What? Are we talking about the same Larry Bird? Shaquille Oneal is also much better and much improved than Mike gives him credit for. Shaq has turned into a solid defender, passer, and he works hard at both ends of the floor.

Mike's corporate poster boy behavior is laughable. He did ads for AT&T and then MCI. The Wayans family is also split between the two companies. Mike talked about the enviroment in Rayovac ads and then pitches hot dogs? Mike is not the only athlete who will pitch anything and everything to make millions. I wonder if Mike has checked into Nike's labor practices.

Players like Mike and Charles Barkley soured me on the NBA. Charles played like a thug and got away with it because he was a star. Plus, Charles insisted on wearing number 34 at Philadelphia eventhough it was retired for NBA great Billy Cunningham. The star treatment and inflated egos has grown old, and that has turned a lot of people off to sports. I miss the Lakers and Celtics match ups of the 1980s.

Hang Time: Days and Dreams With Michael Jordan
I am an avid reader, especially books on Michael Jordan. From the first time I read this book I was moved by the portrait of Michael Mr. Greene portrays: not as Michael "Air" Jordan, but simply as Mike the person. Never has an auhthor captured the humaness of an athlete such as Mr. Greene was able to do in his book. It is a MUST read for all Michael Jordan fanatics. Even if you are not a Jordan fan or even a basketball fan, I would still encourage you to read this book. You will not only learn intimate things about the life of Michael Jordan, you will learn a lot about life itself. ... Read more

Book Description

Completely revised and updated, this inspiring biography covers the whole of Jordan's amazing career - from his boyhood and NCAA years to his 1999 retirement from the NBA. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Michael Jordan Basketball Great
Michael Jordan was the greates plater in history of professional ball.As a youth in his home town of wilmington North Carolina,Jordan was cut when he tried out for the Laney High School Varisty team.He attended the univeristy of North Carolina in 1982 he secured the national colleigates chiampionship for his team with a game winning justshot in the couple of seconds at the finals contest of the NCAA tourments.You should read this to learn more about Michael Jordan.

By.Sean Dolan

Michael jordan
Michael is a boy that always listens.One day he got his father's ax and cut his toe .When he got big and got accepted on the chicago bull team he got excited for the news.
I was shocked because he didn't respect his father.I think that it is a good book to read because it is of basket ball.
I recommend it to anybody who likes to read about basket ba

Basketball Legends: Michael Jordan
Basketball Legends :Michael Jordan is an excellent book written by Sean Dolan. No one in the history of basketball has ever owned as many ways to score a hoop as M.J. can. But he wasn't into basketball his whole life. His first passion was baseball while he was growing up in Wilmington, North Carolina. I like this book because on most of the pages it has a picture with some information. Also at the end of the story it has an index and some other interesting facts on Michael. These elements of the book provide convenient summaries. So if you like Michael Jordan and would like to learn more, read this book.

Michael Jordan
The book I read was Michael Jordan written by Sean Dolan. I thought it was a very good book because it tells a lot about Michael Jordan. The book tells all about his high school years, to his college years, and his NBA career. I also liked the book because it tells how dedicated he was to basketball and how he loved the game. The book tells about all the awards he won, like three championships in a row, the MVP Award, and best defensive player of the year. He also won a dunk contest with some amazing dunks. I think this book is for all the basketball players and all the fans of Michael Jordan.

High Flying Book
This book of Michael Jordan's life was a great. I tells how he got to be who he is today. Michael didn't havethat hard of a life when he was yuonger but when he went into high school at Laney a little high school in Wilmington he had problems because kids would make fun of his bald head and his big ears when he was around girls he liked. Then Michael starsted to jip class to practice on his basketball skills and that really effected his grades. Now its Michael's senior year and he doesn't think that any college recruits will look at him. But one coach gave him a chance to take a tour of the schooland see if Michael liked it. That coaches name was Dean Smith who was the basketball coach of the North Carolina Tarheels.Michael left from North Carolina in his junior year and entered the NBA draft and was drafted by the Chicago Bulls inthe 1st round and he was the 3rd pick overall. Michael Lead the the Bulls to 6 NBA titles later in his career and then retired after his 6th title.

I think that who ever reads this book will have a good time because it tells you how Michael Jordan grew up to become who he is today. ... 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