The Show: The Inside Story of the Spectacular Los Angeles Lakers In The Words of Those Who Lived It

Book Description

The first definitive oral history of the ever popular L.A. Lakers

The L.A. Lakers have long been one of the NBA's most exciting teams. In The Show, critically acclaimed sportswriter Roland Lazenby brings the story of this charismatic team to life in an unprecedented oral history, featuring such legendary players as Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Kareem Abdul- Jabbar, and Magic Johnson, along with current stars like Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant.

Through in-depth interviews with players, coaches, and many other key figures, Lazenby follows the Lakers from their birthplace in 1946 Minneapolis to their eventual successes and failures in Los Angeles, using his flair for storytelling and eye for detail to show you exactly why the 14-time NBA champion Lakers are a celebrated favorite for sports fans all over America.

Customer Reviews:

A Good Read For Laker Fans .......2007-06-27

A good book, although I started skipping through the last third of it - too bad there wasn't more info on the Minneapolis Lakers version and the early 70's West-Chamberlain-Goodrich Lakers - it would've been nice to read more about personalities on those Laker teams - there was already enuff media saturation with the Kobe-Shaq Lakers so i started to skip thru that section. Seems kind of sad that everyone didn't have the foresight (and media saturation) like we do now, to save every lil scrap and every piece of info, so we can have a better perspective on how things were then.

Showtime At Its Best!!.......2007-04-03

What a wonderful book on the inside story of the Lakers. Having been a huge Laker fan since the early '70's, I found this book to be very informative and easy reading. This book brought back all the heartache of all the loses to Celtics, to the first championship in the '72 season.The Lakers had a great team with Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain. The 33 wins in a row will most likely never be beat. As the book moves through the '80's, I could visualize each year and the outcomes. Magic Johnson, Kareem, James Worthy and company brought alot of excitement and winning during this time. The '90's were exciting in its own right if you are fans of Kobe and Shaq. I tend to favor the early years. I would recommend this book to Laker fans of yester-year and today. Well done.

A very readable history of the Lakers.......2007-02-25

The author keeps the narrative going with many voices. He does a great job of keeping your interest. Lots of colorful characters. I tuned in during the Jerry West era and then back for the Shaq and Kobe era, so it is great to learn about the in betweens. I wish it came with a DVD package.

Good book - I just expected more detail.......2006-10-18

Lazenby wrote one of the best basketball books I have ever read, called The Lakers and one of the best books on the Chicago Bulls dynasty called Blood on the Horns. In this book, he tells the history of the Lakers, but this time, it is told by those who lived it. It is similar in format to Terry Pluto's excellent books Tall Tales and Loose Balls.

The book is very large - over 400 pages which makes you think it is an exhaustive and thorough collection, but it really is not. I found the book to be less informative than The Lakers, with the only difference being that that The Lakers ends in 1993 and this book goes up to the 2004 season. I was wanting more information on Magic Johnson's final comeback and the behind the scenes information on the Dennis Rodman acquisition and dismissal, but this book left me wanting much more. Furthermore on seasons that the Lakers did not do well, they are passed over briefly, so rather than being an exhaustive history, it is closer to highlights of the franchise. In defense of Lazenby, if he wrote the book I wanted, it would probably be 2 volumes, but after the bar he set with his previous work, I expected at least as much detail. If you want more detail on Magic Johnson's short lived first comeback, read The Lakers.

Lazenby goes into great detail about the Phil Jackson-Shaquille O'Neal-Kobe Bryant 4 year soap opera. We heard from the press about how Bryant broke up the team so that he could hog the ball more. Lazenby tells the other side of the story, and details what a despicable person Phil Jackson can be and how his peers and even Jerry West loathe him. He tells more about O'Neal was out of shape an uninterested in defense and rebounding and was a poor team leader. He brings credibility to the argument by often quoting the venerable Tex Winter. However, I noticed that he only briefly touches on the shortcomings of Bryant. I think he would have been better served covering this and bringing balance to the story, much as he did in Blood on the Horns. I wonder if the lack of balanced reporting is a conflict of interest, due to the fact that he wrote a Bryant biography Mad Game: The NBA Education of Kobe Bryant.

Besides exposing the Jackson/O'Neal shortcomings, the strength of the book (compared to The Lakers) is that he goes into great detail about Jack Kent Cooke's reign over the franchise, exposed how tight Jerry Buss was with his money, and covered the power plays between Jackson, Buss, and West. Also, The Lakers bounces around between time eras from the present to the past, which is a bit maddening, whereas this book has more of an authentic feel to it, since it is written in chronological order.

If you haven't read The Lakers, this is definitely worth picking up. Some of the parts will be more Cliff's Notes version compared the other book, but this book covers the last 3 NBA championships, which tells a more complete story of the franchise. If you have read the other book, and come to expect a certain level of detail from Lazenby, you may find yourself a bit disappointed.

Lazenby Does it Again.......2006-04-17

Lazenby doesn't disappoint in "The Show". It is nice to see a repeat of his strong story telling and positive writing style displayed previously in his acclaimed book, "Blood on the Horns". Lazenby explores through the complete time warp of, what I like to call, the "Laker Frontier", going where no one has gone before...straight from the mouths of the people who "were there", through the journals of NBA history, and onto the pages of this book. Lazenby goes beyond the traditional glorification of the legendary players and coaches. This is much more honest than Phil Jackson's basketball diary confessions. Instead, Lazenby focuses on the overall chemistry of what made and continues to make Laker Teams (players, coaches, owners, organization, and fans) "Great" that encompasses their tradition with its numerous rises, falls and rebirths. To better understand that "team concept", Lazenby turns to, who better than, Coach Tex Winter for the unbridled truth and for some of the Laker's more insightful stories. As Tex Winter appropriately stated in the Forward, the Lakers are a team with one "hell of a past" and if we can learn from it, they have a "hell of a future" too. FOOTNOTE: I was unable to edit and correct my rating on Amazon's System. My rating on Lazenby's book is simply "Excellent" - 5 on a scale of 5. If Lazenby's outstanding investigative skills ever "uncover and expose" the Naismith Hall of Fame Selection Board members who have been effectively "blackballing" Coach Winter over the past 10 years, he deserves a Pulitzer Prize in my book.

Average customer rating:

Not Just for Young Readers
Well, I've read them all so why not Parker's foray into teen lit?
A Good story for Young Adults.
Some polished Parker prose for the youth market
Not Bad

Edenville Owls
Robert B. Parker
Manufacturer: Philomel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0399246568
Release Date: 2007-04-24

Book Description

From the New York Times-bestselling author of the Spenser mysteries.

There is something evil in the air. Fourteen-year-old Bobby senses it. Who is that man he saw arguing with his pretty, new English teacher? And what was the real reason she missed school for days afterward? Bobby knows he should mind his own business, but times are confusing. World War II has just ended and the world is changing. Bobby's world, especially. There's his relationship with Joanie, for one-why does being her friend feel awkward all of a sudden? And then there are his buddies, the junior varsity Edenville Owls-a group of basketball players in need of a leader. Can they help each other off the court as well as they can on it? They will need to. Something evil is in the air

Customer Reviews:

Not Just for Young Readers.......2007-09-15

I started to read this book not realizing it was suggested for young readers. I am in my 80's.
Since I remember well the 1940's, and was just a year or two older than the main characters, I was fascinated to read about the familiar old radio shows, music, and entertainers of that time.
We also had a different sense of morality and integrity then, at least in our crowd. We were so much like these kids.
I think it was one of the most enjoyable books I have read in a long time.
Thank you Mr. Parker for writing this book.

Well, I've read them all so why not Parker's foray into teen lit?.......2007-08-16

If you are an avid Robert B. Parker fan you'll be pleased to know that this one is basically a Junior Spenser novel - It is toned-down but includes all of the trademark characteristics of a Parker novel: smart comments, a girl, thoughts on what it takes to be a man, have honor and be brave, a bad guy and a good guy that solves the problem with a little help from his friends. It is not a bad read for fans of Parker's more adult-oriented series.

Parker includes a lot of biographical elements in his books. It is interesting that the lead boy is named Bobbie and his girlfriend is named Joanie, especially considering Robert B. Parker is married to a woman named Joan.

A Good story for Young Adults........2007-05-18

Over the past two months my 13 year old son has been on a reading streak. He finished Carl Hiassen's, Hoot and Flush. For some reason he is not a big Harry Potter fan. Anyway, again, with an outstretched hand he asked me to read Mr. Parker's novel and according to my son he did enjoyed the book.

His overall disappointment was that in the novel "Edenville Owls", he didn't feel the characters were realistic and the author should have spent more time developing the main character, Bobby Murphy, to act like a 14 year old instead of a twenty year old. (Struck me as a valid point.) I smiled and then read the book over the next 3 days.

I've read several of Mr. Parker's novels. I have always enjoyed his earlier novels but I have been disappointed in several of his novels that he has released over the past year. So, I'm hoping that I won't be disappointed in this read, although I'm excited that Mr. Parker is forging his writing skills into the young adult book arena.

First, the title relates to the main character, 14-year-old, Bobby Murphy JV basketball team the Edenville Owls during the mid 1940's. Murphy is a self-confident young man and ends up the leader of the basketball team. But Bobby is also trying to understand the changes in his personality and desires. He feels like he is going down a twisted path of constant changes. Once, he gave no thought to the appearance of Joanie's body and her pretty face. Once, he gave no thought to whether she paid any attention to him. Now he felt he wanted her acceptance. If she rejected him it would drive him crazy. The story moves Bobby into his friendship with Joanie, unfortunately for Bobby that friendship drives a wedge between himself and his best friend, Nick. UMMM. Reminds me of a familiar situation.

The story moves into another theme that involves Miss Delaney, a young teacher with hidden secrets. At school Bobby stumbles on a man in a heated argument with Miss Delaney. Also, in that moment the man is slapped by Miss Delaney. He searches for answers from Miss Delaney, but she rejects his pleas. His curiosity is not satisfied and he decides to unravel this mystery of the man and the motivation and connection between the man and Miss Delaney.

In summary, the author proved that his writing skills are fertile enough to create an impressive novel, and certainly a novel worthy of the attention of young adults. The one fault I had was the telling of three separate stories; none of them seemed to get the attention they deserve in a novel that is otherwise a decent read.

I am certainly excited that known authors are getting involved in the young adult book market. Mother's like me can only benefit from their exceptional writing, and storytelling experience.

Some polished Parker prose for the youth market.......2007-05-11

I enjoyed the novel "Edenville Owls", Robert Parker's first official novel for younger readers. The book actually reads like a regular Robert Parker thriller, only the sex, violence and profanity is turned down, and the characters are mainly all kids. One thing I did find strange is that Mr. Parker seemed to be a bit reluctant to have younger readers see his characters placed in truly dangerous situations (being subjected to a few nasty verbal threats was about the worst the kids had to endure), yet there's quite a bit of ugly language on the part of the racist minister who runs a white supremicist youth group. I don't think there was anything wrong with that- younger readers can probably handle (and benefit from) a glimpse at the seamier aspects of life- but kids probably would have found the story a little more gripping if there was more actual danger on display. Still, the book was a good, fun, fast read, and I'll likely pick up the next adventure featuring Bobby, Joanie, and the rest of the "Owls" gang. But not until I read another one of Mr. Parker's reliably snappy regular offerings.

Not Bad.......2007-04-29

I'm looking forward to future novels about the young detective. This wasn't so bad. I thought it was too technical especially when it refer to history about sports greats. I would like more mystery in his future novels and less history. But the ending was great.

Last Shot: A Final Four Mystery (Final Four Mysteries)

Average customer rating:

Great book for young sports fans!
Very good book, with alittle bit of everything
Great Atmosphere, Absurd Plot
Twists and Turns
Last Shot (Britttany Waggener)

Last Shot: A Final Four Mystery (Final Four Mysteries)
John Feinstein
Manufacturer: Yearling
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0553494600
Release Date: 2006-06-27

Book Description

Steven Thomas is one of two lucky winners of the U.S. Basketball Writer’s Association’s contest for aspiring journalists. His prize? A trip to New Orleans and a coveted press pass for the Final Four. It’s a basketball junkie’s dream come true!
But the games going on behind the scenes between the coaches, the players, the media, the money-men, and the fans turn out to be even more fiercely competitive than those on the court. Steven and his fellow winner, Susan Carol Anderson, are nosing around the Superdome and overhear what sounds like a threat to throw the championship game. Now they have just 48 hours to figure out who is blackmailing one of MSU’s star players . . . and why.

Praise for John Feinstein:
“The best writer of sports books in America today.”—The Boston Globe

“Feinstein’s beat, it turns out, isn’t sports; it’s human nature.”—People on A March to Madness

“A basketball junkie’s nirvana.”—Sports Illustrated on A March to Madness

“One of the best sportswriters alive!”—Larry King, USA Today on A Good Walk Spoiled

From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Reviews:

Great book for young sports fans!.......2007-10-09

This is a highly enjoyable mystery set at the NCAA Final Four. The two heroes are a 13 year old girl and a 13 year old boy who have won a writing contest and have press passes to the Final Four. They are likeable, realistic characters and the mystery they solve is surprisingly plausible. My 11 year old son loved this book.

Very good book, with alittle bit of everything .......2007-08-16

I really liked this book because it was about friendship, romance, sports, adventure and suspense. The characters are interesting and the plot was very creative and enjoyable. Yet I didnt like some points of the story that were corny, usually about the kids liking each other. The idea of a famous basketball player being helped by these kids was also hard to buy into. Yet for someone who doesnt like basketball, I really enjoyed the book.
Suggested age: 10-15
Reading Level- 6-7th grade

More of a leisure book then anything.

Give it a try

Great Atmosphere, Absurd Plot.......2007-06-12

John Feinstein is a great writer and I have always enjoyed his commentary on the radio. The strength of this book is the background details. If you want to know what it is like to be at the final four, you will enjoy all the inside information about the fans, the players, the coaches, the sports writers and television commentators. As a mystery, it starts unlikely and ends preposterous. A realistic story of how two teenage reporters uncover a scandal at the final four would probably be too tedious to interest the age level this book is intended for. The more I read the more I felt the plot was borrowed from the Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew. I kept thinking the plot had a lot to owe to Gene Autry, didn't he usually have a kid hanging around to solve the mystery and then need saving? And the character names! Does Susan Carol sound like a girl who is around in 2000's, even if she does come from the South? The readers may come for the atmosphere, but the plot won't lure them to the final pages.

Twists and Turns.......2007-05-30

The book Last Shot was a great mystery. There was so many suprises in this book. It made you want to keep reading on and on. It kept you on the edge of your seat with every chapter. The only thing that was a problem was that the plot was unrealistic. Two eigth graders, I don't think, could have stopped blackmail from happening in the final four. In the end the book was a great mix of sports and mystery.

Last Shot (Britttany Waggener).......2007-05-23

After reading this book, the first time I thought it was really dumb. But then I read it again for the second time and I thought it was a good book. There were three main characters, Stevie, Suzan, and Chip Graber. Chip Graber is a famous basketball player that is getting black mailed in the middle of the book. Stevie and Suzan try figuring out who the black mailer is. By winning a contest the two kids are at the NCAA Basketball Final Four games as kid reporters. They become good friends and Stevie realizes that he like Suzan Carol. She is smart, pretty, etc. This book takes place at the Final Four NCAA basketball games. This books genre is adventure and mystery. The theme is even kids can solve problems. My opinion of this book is the second time I read it, I loved it.

Goosebumps: Be Careful What You Wish For... (Goosebumps)

Average customer rating:

Goosebumps Be Careful what wish for
Ok, but not Great Reading
What a great book!
Be Careful What You Wish For
Funny

Goosebumps: Be Careful What You Wish For... (Goosebumps)
R. L. Stine
Manufacturer: Scholastic Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0439669901

Book Description

Make a wish! Samantha Byrd is a klutz. An accident waiting to happen. She's the laughingstock of the girls' basketball team. And that mean, rotten Judith Bellwood is making her life miserable on and off the court. But everything's about to change. Sam's met someone who can grant her three wishes. For real. Too bad Sam wasn't careful what she wished for. Because her wishes are coming true. And they're turning her life into a living nightmare!

Customer Reviews:

Goosebumps Be Careful what wish for.......2007-10-10

My grandson loves Goosebumps book and I got him this book for his birthday. He has alot of Goosebumps books.

Ok, but not Great Reading.......2007-01-26

The books in the Goosebumps series regularly seem to take the vein of a morality tale (of a twisted sort) where one virtue, evil, personality flaw, or issue is taken up as the focus of the story, and Be Careful What You Wish for is no exception. The order of the day here is being careful about what you wish for...in this volume we meet Samantha Byrd a tall young lady who is given heck by Judith Bell and her friend Anna who seem to have no reason for their treatment of Samantha outside of the fact that she's something of an easy target. She's tall, but clumsy...on the basketball team (where Judith is queen) but not a good player. Samantha is constantly miserable about her lot in life...complaining about how mean Judith is and taking one insult after another from her without much protesting at the time.

One day on the way home from school Sam helps a woman named Clarissa find her way...she's become turned around and Sam is kind enough to walk her practically across town to get to the right street. As a reward, Clarissa offers her three wishes. Sam is incredulous, but hastily makes a wish anyway...to be the strongest basketball player on the team. As with all wishes, this one goes awry...instead of making her a better player, she becomes the strongest player when ALL her other teammates become ill and bedridden. In a panic, she tries to right her wish but only manages to make it progressively worse...until in misery she makes a final wish...and...well, you'll have to read to find out how it works out. I will say that what you get is always different than what you expect with these stories, and Be Careful What You Wish For is no exception, it does have a signature Twilight Zone--esque twist at the end.

Overall, Be Careful What You Wish For is well written and the characters are simple but adequately written, but this one just doesn't work as well as some of the previous stories in the series. Samantha doesn't come across as sympathetic and at the end I was left with a kind of eh...whatever, feeling. I just didn't really care about her enough and it came to rather swift ending. I give it three stars, it's entertaining, but no great shakes.

What a great book!.......2007-01-07

When I first got this book I didn't think that it would be that good, but boy was I wrong. Every time I would read this book I didn't want to put it down because I wanted to know what would happen next. This book is about a girl named Samantha Byrd. Her life is miserable everyday because of how mean Judith is at school. In the book she meets a woman who says she can grant her three wishes. Everytime Samantha makes a wish it isn't granted how she wants it to be and it turns her life into a nightmare. If your into the goosebumps series this is one you definitely have to read, you will love it!!!

Be Careful What You Wish For.......2006-04-11

Samantha's a terrible basketball player but she's on the school team anyway - only because she's tall. Her height gets her attention she'd rather not have, especially from Judith. Judith makes fun of her all the time, and Samantha's tired of it. So when she meets a woman who offers her three wishes, Samantha can't resist aiming those wishes at Judith. She doesn't really believe the woman can make wishes come true... until one DOES come true... and things don't turn out quite the way that Samantha thought they would.

Not exactly a novel idea, this story's been told many times before, but Stine does a nice job of making it appealing to young readers. The ending is cute, not scary, but it doesn't take anything away from the book. Worthwhile, but don't knock yourself out to find a copy unless you're a serious Stine fan.

Funny.......2005-03-05

Ha-Ha!. This is so funny because Samantha made a wish when she met Clarrisa. Her first wish is she is going to be strong at the basketball game but everyone on her team gets weak. Her second wish is that her loud mouthed Judith will dissappear and everyone vanishes in the world. This is the funniest. Samantha's last wish is that Judith shall be nice to her. Judith was nice to her alright she even followed Sam everywhere!

Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream

Average customer rating:

Slat In HIs Shoes
Salt in his Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a dream
salt in his shoes
Great for remedial readers
book review

Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream
Deloris Jordan , and Roslyn M. Jordan
Manufacturer: Aladdin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0689834195

Amazon.com

Before basketball star Michael Jordan's name was uttered reverently in households all over the planet, young Michael was just a shrimpy kid trying to play ball with the big boys in the neighborhood. Tired of being teased by the biggest boy on the court, Michael is convinced the only solution is to grow taller. His mama smilingly suggests putting salt in his shoes and saying a prayer every night. His daddy tells young Michael that "Being taller may help you play a little better, but not as much as practice, determination, and giving your best will. Those are the things that make you a real winner." And so they are. At 6-foot-6, Michael may not have grown up to be the tallest player on the court, but he sure did turn out to be one of the best!

As his mother and his sister, Deloris Jordan and Rosalyn Jordan are in a pretty good position to tell us all about what made Michael a star. They create an image of a cozy, loving family life any child would be happy to come home to. Award-winning illustrator Kadir Nelson's oil pictures of the gangly little Michael with hyperlong arms and oversized hands capture the preteen potential as well as his gawky grace. This warm, uplifting story will encourage young readers to chase their dreams with hard work and faith. (Ages 5 to 9) --Emilie Coulter

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.

Customer Reviews:

Slat In HIs Shoes.......2007-02-22

Salt In His Shoes

The book Salt In His Shoes about Michael Jordan is about his pursuit of a dream. His dream was to become a star. And, this book is how he became determined to accomplish his dream.

You should read this book because it tells you to follow your dreams. You can succeed anything if you believe. It shows that even the best had to start from the bottom and work their way up.

Salt In His Shoes is an inspiring book. Whatever shape or size you are, you are capable of full filling your dreams. This book is hard to put down and fun for the whole.

Salt in his Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a dream.......2007-02-21

Michael Jordan has made many leaps and bounds in his career. He's gone from a huge basketball player to a successful baseball player. "Salt in his Shoes" is a great book because it explains how Michael never gave up. The lesson is great and the illustrations are amazing.
In the book, Michael never gave up, and he was determined. This helped him win the game. He also believed in himself. Even though he wasn't that tall, his passion for the game meant more. Michael has also been very successful. He was on a famous basketball and baseball team.
We think this story is wonderful because it teaches a great lesson, to never give up. Also, to believe in yourself. It shows that if you keep trying, you can become anything you want. Also, the pictures are vivid and colorful.

salt in his shoes .......2006-06-07

It was about a boy named micheal almost gave up his dream of playing basketball.because he thouth he was to short to play. his mother told him if you put salt in your shoes he would get
taller than he TO PRAY every day. he did not go back to the park for

Great for remedial readers.......2005-12-04

I brought this book into my junior high classroom and had it available for free-reading time. The students had me read it with them, and then would read it with partners during the reading time because it was so popular. I would recommend this for any teacher who is trying to get their students to start really enjoying reading up through the 8th grade. I was able to my students reading even more books and magazines on athletes and sports once they read this book.

book review.......2005-05-09

Michael blows the game for his brothers one afternoon. When he gets home he is really mad and wants to get taller so his mom uses a family tradition of getting taller, his mom puts salt in his shoes that night. Does the "get tall fast"tradition work?Read Salt in his Shoes to find out.

Average customer rating:

Excellent Stuff - Patton shakes it up!!!!!
Jim Patton rocks
Highly Recommended
A Good Read
The underbelly is exposed...

The Shake: A Novel of Crime
Jim Patton
Manufacturer: Carroll & Graf Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0786707372

Book Description

Big money, greed, drugs, and blackmail set off an insidious chain of events in this hard-hitting novel that takes its game off the court and into the belly of the professional basketball scene in Portland, Oregon. High on cocaine and power at a private bash, the Portland team's notorious forward, LaPrince Wheatley, misuses both to bed an underage groupie, a sixteen-year-old white girl known among the players as Little Bang. What LaPrince doesn't know is that he and Little Bang are being videotaped by the host. Throw into play Tommy Mason, the seedy reporter who discovers the illicit tape, and you have the makings of a bad situation that page by fast-paced page gets successively worse. If Mason as a blackmailer gets in over his head, he's not alone. Swept into the action, too, are LaPrince's dubious agent, his resentful half brother who's fresh out of the joint, a scary homeboy named Titan, the girl, her racist father, and Mason's estranged wife. The fouls are flagrant, and even the DA Max Travis and his loyal investigator find themselves breaking a few laws. By the time the uncompromising, bleeding-heart public defender, Paige Prescott, solves the murder at the heart of this increasingly shocking case, this impressive debut novel delivers plenty of punch, suspense, and surprise.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Stuff - Patton shakes it up!!!!!.......2003-12-02

Excellent prose! Witty, thrilling, fast, non-fiction?! I like Patton's style, it's like your at the parties, at the meetings, in the story. A must reading for our current Portland Plunder!

Jim Patton rocks.......2000-07-29

The Shake is a wonderful read. I loved the behind-the-scenes sports stuff. I read it in two sittings last week and I'm still smiling and shaking my head over some of his characters. Some were so despicable, I hope Patton follows them in future books.

Highly Recommended.......2000-07-27

This is the third novel by Patton that I have read and it hits the mark! Patton's blend of professional athletes, media, law, hero worship, and dysfunctional, irresponsible human behavior produce a truely unique and exciting tale. Patton has smoothly transitioned from sportswriter to crime novelist. I can't wait to see what he has up his sleeve for the next one.

-KC

A Good Read.......2000-07-21

It was a good book that I had trouble putting down. I enjoyed the DA trying to wrestle with what was legal and what was right. The ending is not altogether expected. Take the time to read it; it's worth your time.

The underbelly is exposed..........2000-07-20

This book reveals the real world of professional basketball, the seamy side that the NBA's publicists and all the players' agents hope you never find out about. Patton really got under the skin here. Plus, as a crime mystery, this book is a real page-turner.

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Indiana Basketball at its Finest
only for knights when you can't sleep
America, America, God shed His grace on thee
Bob Knight
One for the ages

Knight: My Story
Bob Knight , and Bob Hammel
Manufacturer: Thomas Dunne Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0312282575
Release Date: 2002-03-26

Book Description

Bob Knight was a head coach in college basketball at twenty-four, coach of an unbeaten NCAA champion at thirty-five, coach of the last amateur team to win the Olympic men's basketball gold medal at forty-three, and out of a job at not quite sixty.His shock, disappointment and anger over Indiana University's manner of firing a twenty-nine-year employee comes through clearly in his account of his last turbulent year there.And it is his account. Few people in sports have had more books written about them. This is the first by Bob Knight - one of the most literate, candid, quoted and outspoken men in American public life telling in this first-person account of his full, rich life.Much of that life has been in basketball, most of it because of basketball, but it also has brought him forward as a coach who has proved academic responsibility and production of championship college athletic teams not only can co-exist but should.His excitement as things start anew for him at Texas Tech is matched here by his characteristic frankness and remarkable recollection of a life he clearly has enjoyed. You'll see why, as he tells story after story - some delightful, some hilarious, some poignant, none of them dull.Knight, as a sophomore front-line reserve on the Ohio State team that won the NCAA championship, became the first man to play on and coach a championship team when he led his 1975-76 Indiana team to a 32-0 season that was capped by an 86-68 victory over Michigan in the NCAA championship game at Philadelphia.His Indiana teams in 1980-81 and 1986-87 also won NCAA titles, making him one of just four coaches in history to win as many as three championships. Twenty-six years later, the 1975-76 Indiana team still stands as the last unbeaten team in major- college men's basketball. Knight's coaching career includes six seasons at Army, where his teams - during the years when the Vietnam War made recruiting for West Point difficult - won 102 games and lost 50. He is one of five coaches who have won seven hundred games, and the only coach whose teams have won championships in the NCAA tournament, the National Invitation Tournament, the Olympic Games and the Pan American Games.During all that he has been at the heart of more controversies while running a winning and squeaky-clean program than any coach of any sport any time or anywhere.His excitement as things start anew for him is matched here by his candor and remarkable recollection of a life he clearly has enjoyed. You'll see why, with story after story - some delightful, some hilarious, some poignant, none of them dull: the story of Bob Knight's life.AUTHORBIO: Bobby Knight has proven over and over again that he is the finest basketball coach in America. No other coach can cite NCAA and NIT championships, and Olympic and Pan American gold medals among his achievements. He is one of only 13 coaches in college basketball history to record 700 or more victories. During Knight's 27-year stint at Indiana, the Hoosiers won an amazing 618 games, including 19 seasons of 20 or more wins, while losing only 220, a remarkable .737 winning percentage. His coaching achievements were honored in May of 1991 when he was inducted into the National Basketball Hall of Fame.Bob Hammel was sports editor of the Bloomington Herald-Time for 30 years before he retired following the 1996 Olympics.He is the author of nine previous books, six of which were on Indiana basketball.Selected by his peers as Indiana Sportswriter of the Year 17 times, he has been president of the U.S. Basketball Writers Assn., the Football Writers Assn. of America, and the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Assn.He received the National Basketball Hall of Fame's Curt Gowdy Award (1995), the Silver Medal of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame (1996), the Jake Ward Award of the College Sports Information Directors Assn. (1996), and the Bert McGrane Award of the Football Writers Assn. of America (1996).He was inducted into the U.S. Basketball Writers Assn. Hall of Fame in 1990, the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame in 1997, and the Indiana Sportswriters and Broadcasters Assn. Hall of Fame in 1998.

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Indiana Basketball at its Finest.......2006-01-04

Coach Bob Knight is a colorful figure who ranks among the all- time greats in college basketball. Known by many people all over the nation for his outspoken personality and occasional temper tantrums, Knight has taken advantage of his skill at playing, recruiting, and coaching to reach the apex of his profession at every level through and including college.

When I first heard about this book a couple of years ago, I thought about what I had heard on the news about Bob Knight, what I read in the newspapers, and what different people at Indiana University had said about the legendary coach; including players, assistant coaches, and university personnel. As a natural skeptic when it comes to the media, I was very curious about Knight's perspective on the many controversies that surrounded him and his coaching style during his forty plus years in college basketball. What would Knight say about everything in his book? Would he rant and rave about how unfairly he has been criticized? Would he return the insults to those who have so vocally criticized his personality and style? Or would he take it all with a grain of salt and stick with the positives that he has brought to the game of basketball?

Reading about Bob Knight, and hearing about the controversial events from Knight's own perspective, I have a newfound respect for the man from Bloomington. Not that I didn't have respect before. I did. But this book cements that respect and proves what I had always felt all along: that the media was wrong about many (if not all) of the accusations against Bob Knight and that his dismissal from the head coaching job at Indiana was purely political in nature. There was no good, solid reason(s) to fire Bob Knight. He was a victim of some overzealous individuals at IU who had it in for him and were on a mission to eliminate him from Indiana at any cost.

I really enjoyed the last few chapters of this book, because this is where the controversy comes out. It's interesting to listen as Knight talks about the different accusations against him and how the media and others would over-sensationalize things to increase newspaper sales and/or to try to bring him down. In some instances, Knight admits his guilt. Such is the case in the best- known of all the Knight- related coaching controversies: the infamous "chair tossing" incident discussed in chapter eleven. Knight admits that this particular act was a stupid thing to do on his part. But he also points out that he didn't aim the chair at anyone and no one was hurt. He just let his emotions get the best from him and he overreacted.

With other controversial events, however, Knight isn't so quick to accept responsibility. One event that he is particularly disgusted over is the supposed "choking" of one of his players, Neil Reed. This is most significant because it was this event that led ultimately to his firing. Reed came forward in 1999 and claimed that Knight had physically choked him and this story made headlines all across the United States. If this was true, it would have been justification for some kind of reprimand against the coach. But the truth is, it was total bull. Reed had been voted off of the team by his own teammates (not by Bob Knight) in 1997. He made up this allegation, apparently, to get even. The other players said that there was no choking and a tape that was made when this event supposedly took place showed no evidence of choking at all. This should have brought an end to the controversy, but it did not. It was obvious that Reed, and those in control of the athletic department at IU, made up the whole story to bring him down. The media jumped all over this story, making it sound like Knight really did commit the crime, even though there wasn't the slightest grain of evidence that he did. And even when it was shown to be a bogus charge, the media said nothing about it. They exploited the accusation, but they said nothing about the truth when it came out later- that this story was a total fabrication by a disgruntled player and a tenacious IU athletic department that would stop at nothing to get Knight thrown out of Bloomington.

It was at this point that IU instituted its "zero- tolerance" policy (or as I like to refer to this type of proposal, a "zero intelligence" policy) against coach Knight, warning him that any further problems would lead to his termination. Again, this was obviously a move to get Knight fired. I can remember when this decision was made public. I knew that it was only a matter of time before something happened that would get Knight terminated. Knight also saw it coming, but he was so attached to Indiana University, his players, and the fans, that he decided to ride it out. He was still hopeful that he could continue coaching at this school. But it was only a matter of time until something happened that would bring an end to his coaching career. And it did, a short time later, when a young guy referred to Bob Knight by his last name, prompting Knight to turn and ask him to please refer to him as Mr. Knight or coach Knight. That was all it took to get Knight fired. The young man went directly to the athletic department at IU and told what had happened (the book doesn't make any direct accusations, but it appears there is a good chance that this man planned the whole event, just to get Knight in trouble). After thirty years and three championships, Bob Knight was no longer the coach at IU.

Along with these controversial moments, the remaining sections of the book are also very good. Knight describes his early years and his friendships with other coaches, sports people, and political figures with passion and admiration. He has met and is friends with many sports icons, like Ted Williams, Jack Nicklaus, Johnny Bench, and others. He has also been a frequent guest at the White House and has met and formed friendships with many U.S. presidents, like Gerald Ford and George Bush. Knight describes these and other friendships with great feeling and deep trust. This might come as a surprise to those who always assumed that Bob Knight was difficult to get along with. Quite to the contrary, Knight speaks positively about most all of the people who have influenced his life, and they speak positively about him also. On only a few occasions in the book (with people like college basketball referee Ted Valentine) does Knight turn pessimistic and he only does so when someone continuously gets on his case, unprovoked, and won't back down.

I really enjoyed reading about Knight's early days and his influences in the game of basketball. Shaped by these important people, it isn't difficult to understand why Knight got where he has in life and why he is so competitive when it comes to the game of basketball. His family and friends mean the world to Knight, and they have had an unmistakable impact on his life decisions and on his love of the game. It's also interesting to read and discover, in Knight's own words, how differently he is, as a person, on and off the court. While he still tends to be outspoken no matter where he might be, his mannerisms and personal conduct are far more reserved and friendly when he isn't involved in basketball. He comes across as a very down to earth, likable guy who loves to hunt and fish and who is fairly easy to get along with.

Controversy has always surrounded coach Knight. He admits that, at times, his competitive nature and his fired- up emotions did get the best of him. He is not proud of everything he has done on the court, but he has no real regrets either. And regardless of all of the controversy, Knight is a proven winner and he commands (and deserves) a certain amount of respect. He has allowed his love of the game and his relentless desire to win to result in a few misjudgments in his career. But through it all, Bob Knight has been a winner. He has won NCAA championships as both a player and as a coach, reaching levels of success that are the envy of basketball coaches and other sports leaders all over the U.S. and the world. Enthusiasm, sportsmanship, discipline, and other factors are all important elements of the game. But the bottom- line goal is to achieve an honest and well- fought victory.

And winning, as Bob Knight and other successful college basketball coaches know, is the name of the game.

only for knights when you can't sleep.......2005-08-19

With Coach Knight's long-time antipathy toward writers, often commenting how simple their job is compared to coaching, he left himself wide-open for criticism with his autobiography. Unfortunately, it reminds me of waking up a hibernating bear and jotting down his every yawn and gripe. A few moments of insight amid the tedium.

America, America, God shed His grace on thee.......2004-12-02

I truly believe there is only one way to judge a college basketball coach. League titles, NCAA appearances, total wins, Final Fours and National Championships are the norm in measuring success. And, of course, prowess in these areas will secure the legacy of anyone. However, the way I quantify coaching greatness is much more important than wins and losses. It's something you can't tangibly gauge. Simply stated, it's the relationships he or she cultivates with players. And the loyalty they show after they graduate.

Even his staunchest critics can not deny that Bob Knight is a Hall of Famer in this category.

In "Knight: My Story" Bob Knight writes about the relationships he has developed throughout the years with his former players. One needs to look no further than Landon Turner to realize why the ones he coached are tenacious Bob Knight supporters.

Landon Turner played on Knight's 1981 championship team. Tragically, shortly after, Turner was paralyzed for life in a vehicle accident. Through the efforts of Knight, Red Auerbach selected Landon Turner in the late rounds of the NBA draft. A simple gesture which, Turner says, meant the world to him.

The book is a window into the philosophies of a man who through the yelling, screaming, so called intimidation, language, and perceived sour demeanor, somehow has found the greatest allies in his former players.

Some of Knight's pundits clearly know absolutely nothing about how to coach a basketball team; how to lead young men through a season of intense pressure and adversity. And, they are obviously not bright enough to understand that basketball is a metaphor for life. Knight is preparing boys for manhood. Do you think anyone of them (who gets it) make excuses when their boss asks them do accomplish a task? I think not.

Knight is not a coach of basketball, he's a teacher of life.

You need to look no further than his "eight greatest words", which appear in the first sentence of his book, "America, America, God shed His grace on thee", to realize how deep his character flows.

I've been anticipating book since I was 15 years old. It was worth the wait.

Bob Knight.......2004-08-29

Whether you love him, hate him, or are neutral toward him (I'm in the last category), Bob Knight's book is a fascinating glimpse at his personality, his Indiana basketball teams, and college basketball in general. For Indiana basketball fans (I'm an ACC fan) and college basketball fans in general (a category I fit into), this is a must read. Knight gives a lot of detail about his Indiana teams, especially those that won national championships, and discusses his point of view on the state of college basketball today.

There are really two main topics that run throughout the book - and that is Indiana basketball and the controversies that have surrounded Knight - mostly because of his volatile temper. From a basketball standpoint this is really a great inside look at the college game and the Hoosiers. Knight's detestation of losing and lack of effort are part of what gets him into trouble because he is clearly a disciplinarian and expects a lot from his players and others involved in the program. On the other hand that is also why his teams traditionally have been over achievers. In my opinion, his success in college basketball has been mostly because of his coaching talent and getting his teams to play like a team instead of selfishly.

Even though in some ways Knight claims, and I think in a lot ways rightfully so, that a lot of controversies about his temper and clashes with players, officials, or others is a result of his reputation and are undeserved. Frankly, I do believe him on this account. And he does seem contrite about some incidents that are clearly his own fault where he's lost his temper. Some may argue that he is not apologetic enough or doesn't face his own faults in some of the controversies and I can't disagree with that either. On these issues the reader will have to decide what to believe.

But either way, this is highly readable and very interesting.

One for the ages.......2004-06-30

What a book. It is filled with info I never really knew. Never an Indiana basketball fam, I was always a Bobby Kight fan. I finished the book in one reading. I could not put it down. His love for fishing and hunting is explained in his book.

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Coarse and absurd
Dark. but Funny
Slow, no way!
THE GREATEST NOVEL I HAVE EVER READ
Fiction in the real world

Slo Mo!
Rick Reilly
Manufacturer: Broadway
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0767905512
Release Date: 2000-10-17

Book Description

Growing up in a bizarre cave-dwelling cult in Colorado, seven-foot, eight-inch Maurice " Slo-Mo" Finsternick knows nothing about the NBA--that is until the day he's discovered and becomes the hottest sports icon in the country.

This uproariously funny satire of pro sports is Rick Reilly at his very best. The bestselling author of the classic Missing Links has delivered again with this dead-on tale of " Slo-Mo" Finsternick, a genius player with a patented thirty-foot hook shot. Eventually, though, Slo-Mo begins to move away from his kind, truthful, polite, and self-effacing ways and gradually learns to behave like a famous athlete. Can the big man's innocence survive the charms of the big show?

Customer Reviews:

Coarse and absurd.......2006-07-05

There are two main themes in this book that are carried to absurd extremes. First, the main character, Slo-Mo, is a ridiculously naive boy/man. This is to the point of having a woman undress and want to sleep over... and Slo-Mo thinks she actually wants to sleep. The second theme is that NBA players are vulgar and immoral. While there is no doubt some truth to this, again it is carried to an extreme that goes beyond fiction.

I found it odd that Reilly wrote a book that is so over the top that it might appeal to more juvenile readers, yet is so coarse in its subject matter that makes it inappropriate for younger readers.

Dark. but Funny.......2004-06-24

This is, especially in the beginning parts, a very funny book.
There are many "put it down and laugh out loud" statements.
It is clear that the author is very familiar with the NBA. I believe that sports fans will enjoy the book a lot. That said the plot of the story is just so weird. The main character, Slo-Mo, is extrememly naive, to the point of absurity. Also, the story turns kind of dark at the end. Overall, though, a fun read.

Slow, no way!.......2004-06-24

This is the untrue autobiography of Slo Mo, a boy who grew up underground in a cave as part of a strict religious cult where he was not aloud to journey to or mix with the outside world. Being extremely tall meant he was really unsuited to cave life and the elders and other cult members didn't really want him around so he was often punished and spent his time shovelling human waste.

One day the septic pipes clogged up and the cult was forced to allow an outsider plumber in to repair them. Upon seeing the freakishly tall Slo the plumber handed him a basketball and wanted to see him dunk it. Having never seen one before Slo couldn't perform this task but hid the basketball from the man so he could play with it later to relieve boredom. He becomes a crack shot and when the plumber returns to fix the pipe again he knows he can make some serious cash off of Slo and since the cult doesn't really like Slo they have no problem with him going and playing basketball for a hefty commission on his payments.

Slo isn't that up to date with the world so this book is sort of a Forrest Gump joins the NBA type thing. His naivety is sometimes stretched beyond plausible limits in some cases but it does help the book flow along. You don't have to follow the NBA (I don't) to enjoy this great book. If you don't take it too seriously you'll really enjoy this light, fun read.

THE GREATEST NOVEL I HAVE EVER READ.......2002-11-07

THIS BOOK WAS FANTASTIC. I READ IT IN ONE DAY. I USUSALLY READ A BOOK IN ONE MONTH. EVEN NOW I PICK IT UP, OPEN TO A PAGE AND EVEN THOUGH I HAVE SEEN THAT PAGE A MILLION TIMES BEFORE, THE LAUGHS STILL COME. NEED A LAUGH? RIGHT HERE. ANY SPORTS FAN MUST HAVE THIS BOOK ON THEIR SHELF.

Fiction in the real world.......2001-06-03

Reilly did it again. He wrote another article, or book in this case, that is unresistable to every reader, not just sports fans. He creates this naive basketball player in the NBA. It all seems real and he shows what's really wrong with the league and the society. A must for everyone.

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For the Love of the Game
For The Love Of The Game : My Story
Stats and Pics
For the love of the game
#23

For the Love of the Game : My Story
Michael Jordan , and Mark Vancil
Manufacturer: Crown
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0609602063
Release Date: 1998-10-27

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

Book Description

For 13 brilliant seasons Michael Jordan danced the dance of greatness across hardwood floors of basketball arenas from New York to Los Angeles to Barcelona and Paris. With a warrior's heart and an artist's grace, Jordan long ago transcended the sport to become one of the 20th century's global icons.

On the court, his almost mythic flair for the spectacular prompted former Los Angeles Laker superstar Magic Johnson to say simply, "There's Michael, then there's all the rest of us."

Off the court, Jordan's ability to alter markets and drive the business of his marketing partners is unprecedented.

Through it all, Jordan showed the world that greatness, true greatness, comes from the inside out. He remains perhaps the greatest practice player in the history of sports, his desire to improve upon his own example legendary. When critics questioned his all-around ability, he became the game's most dominant defensive player at his position. When teams decided to close down the lane and eliminate drives to the basket, he became a deadly jump shooter. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson had the most successfully teams of the 1980s but never won more than two consecutive championships. The Bulls won three straight--twice.

In For the Love of the Game, Jordan takes us through the wonder of his career on the court and away from the game. From the dream that preceded the game-winning shot against Georgetown in the 1982 NCAA Finals to the methodical dissection of the Utah Jazz prior to his game-winning shot in Game 6 of the 1998 Finals, Jordan pulls back the curtain on one of the most remarkable lives this century.

Customer Reviews:

For the Love of the Game .......2006-05-19

This book tells about Micjaels jordans life all the way from his college life in north Carolina to the nab playing on the Bulls. He led them to 6 nab championships. Then he went on to win the gold in the summer olympics. He is the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For The Love Of The Game : My Story.......2006-03-30

In the book For The Love Of The Game. One thing that I learned about this book is that you should never give up and always keep on trying. Even if you are not good at something at first then you should not give up and keep on trying untill you get good at the thing. And that you should not just stick with one thing but, try other things. You might be good at it. And that things just do not come to you, you have to work at it. That is what I learned about the book.

Stats and Pics.......2005-03-15

The book is full of great photos. I especially liked the one of Jordan and Dr. J! It also has great statistics from Michael Jordan's career. The layout is very different. I did not like it all that much. I was also a little disappointed that we did not really get to see more of the real Jordan. For a brief moment, we saw his humanity when he wrote about his father. Briefly, he mentioned his family. But mostly, he wrote about himself on the court. I guess I was hoping for more humility from this superstar. I believe he has it in him but the book doesn't show it. He certainly has much to brag about, but I thought he always let his bragging be seen through his play on the court.

For the love of the game.......2004-05-24

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.......2003-10-28

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.

Young Cam Jansen and the Baseball Mystery (Young Cam Jansen)

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Young Cam Jansen helps her friends track down a missing baseball
Baseball has never seen the likes of Cam before!
Review of Cam Jansen and the Baseball Mystery

Young Cam Jansen and the Baseball Mystery (Young Cam Jansen)
David A. Adler
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0141311061

Book Description

Cam Jansen and her friend Eric want to play baseball in the park with some other kids. But they need to find their lost ball first. Everyone gets together to search, and Cam says "Click!" to start up her photographic memory. What was going on when the ball disappeared? Who has it? Where can it be now? Cam is ready to find out.

Customer Reviews:

Young Cam Jansen helps her friends track down a missing baseball.......2006-03-19

Cam Jensen's real name is Jennifer and she has an amazing memory. Her memory is like a camera: she has a picture of her head of every thing that she has seen. Whenever she wants to remember something she closes her eyes and says, "Click." Because of her great memory people started calling her "the Camera," and then they shorted it to just "Cam." "Young Cam Jansen and the Baseball Mystery" takes place one afternoon when Cam and her friends are playing a game of baseball at the park. When Amy hits the ball so far that it sails over Robert's head, she ends up hitting a home run. But the ball disappears and Cam and her friends have to find it because otherwise the game will be over. Can Cam catch all the clues?

Written by David A. Adler with illustrations by Susanna Natti, "Young Cam Jansen and the Baseball Mystery" does a nice job of finding a comfort level for its young readers when it comes to solving the mystery. Kids reading this book might not be as quick as Cam to figure out the clues, but they should be ahead of Cam's friends in that regard. There is also an opportunity for readers to test their own memory and see if it as amazing as Cam Jansen: Right before the opening chapter there is a full-page illustration of Cam and Robert walking through the park. Young readers are supposed to look at the picture, blink their eyes and say "Click," and then turn to the last page of the book to answer some questions and see how well they remember the details of the picture.

There are other books in the Young Cam Jansen series, including "Young Cam Jansen and the Dinosaur Game," "Young Cam Nansen and the Missing Cookie," and "Young Cam Jansen and the Library Mystery." These are all Level 2 readers aimed at ages 5-8 (Grades K-2), and students who are beginning to read. The reason these are all Young Cam Jansen mysteries is because Adler has written even more books about his young heroine in the Cam Jansen adventure series, which are aimed at ages 8-12 (Grades 1-3) and kids who are reading alone. Helping young readers make the transition to chapter books, this series includes "Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Babe Ruth Baseball," "Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Monkey House," and "Cam Jansen and the First Day of School Mystery." I certainly like the idea of Adler different types of books for readers at two different levels and think it would be interesting for Adler to write a Level 1 Cam Jansen story and another for her at some reading level higher than 3.

Baseball has never seen the likes of Cam before!.......2005-01-19

You have to love Cam Jansen. When you're a kid, you read all of these stories about magic powers, mystery, and adventure. But everyone tells you magic can't exist. Cam Jansen manages to solve every case without the use of magic... she's a real girl. That's what makes her special and what makes you want to red more and more. Cam Jansen is a real kid superhero, and the thought that a person like her could actually exist... makes her the best kid detective ever! Our family loves Cam Jansen!

Review of Cam Jansen and the Baseball Mystery.......2002-03-03

This book is great for those who are just becoming independant readers. The sentences are short and the vocabulary is simple enough so it is easy for them to understand. Also the pictures correspond well to the story. The story will keep their interest, they will follow the pursuit to find the baseball, seeing how Cam uses her photographic memory to help solve the mystery. This story teaches young children how photgraphic memories work in a simple way. I liked how they used Cam, short for camera as her nickname.

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