5 comments about When Nothing Else Matters: Michael Jordan's Last Comeback.

1. Published in 2004, author Michael Leahy shares his experiences during Michael Jordan's last comeback to the National Basketball Association.
   
   Leahy's potrayal of Jordan showed a different side of the basketball legend which is not normally seen in the eyes of the public. Jordan, the "the most marketed player in the history of the NBA," was finally..."mortal" and did go through the same trials and tribulations (from a heightened perspective) that we all go through at some point in our lives. Leahy accounts the days wherein Jordan was at his best and would score 35 points over the span of several games to the days wherein he wasn't unstoppable and hit his career lows of 8 and 2 points respectively.
   
   What stood out for me was Jordan's lambasting of players who didn't play up to his standards. Leahy quotes Jordan on numerous occasions wherein he would lambast teammates. Coach Fred "Tex" Winter, an assistant with the Los Angeles Lakers and former assistant coach with the Chicago Bulls summed it up best, "you either work hard or Michael has no use for you."
   
   But the one paragraph in Leahy's entire book which rocked my very foundation of emulating Michael Jordan was the following:
   
   "His people had held him up as a man to be emulated, making Jordan more than a half-billion in endorsement dollars in the process...he had raised the bar on his behavior during 17 years of unremitting self-promotion, in campaigns approved by the Jordan camp and coordinated by Nike and other corporate sponsors that elevated him from great athlete to hero and, finally, to moral symbol.
   
   ...when you present yourself as virtuous in years of ad campaigns and TV commercials, you will be fairly held in time to that standard. Fairly held because uou have sold your basketball shoes to people plunking down in excess of $100 not merely for a chance at better Ups but for a way to rub up against your aura, to feel a tiny sense of you in that admittedly silly way people feel when they wish to emulate anybody, to be inspired by your class and elegance, your morality and grace, as they've heard it told. And if some of that was artifice, then so, too, was everything you sold with your likeness on it."
   
   Disturbing but quite true, personally, I have seen myself on many occasions wanting to "be like Mike." I've bought the shoes, worn the clothes, gotten the cards, read the books...and it is only now I realized. What about me? Leahy's book showed me that. In the years that I have been collecting "Jordan" in order to be inspired, all I needed to do in the end was look in the mirror in order to be inspired.
   
   This is a great book that puts any not only Michael Jordan's life in perspective but also that of your own, especially if you are a Jordan fan who has collected his paraphernalia over the years.



2. Michael Leahy obviously likes to tear down icons. In doing so he comes over as petulant and singularly lacking in the understanding of what it takes for a Michael Jordan to be as successful as he was.
   
   All of the NBA elite are tough in an over the top alpha male hyper competitive environment. If they are not, they quickly fall by the way side. Obviously the author failed to grasp this fact.
   
   That Jordan wasn't a crack executive is neither here nor there. His single minded successful quest to be the best player ever, did not leave him much room to observe and learn board room politics.
   
   If Mr. Leahy ecomes half the writer that MJ was as a player he would have world's of success and probably win a Pulitzer, however, he will more likely have a career mirroring a Brad Sellers, just not good in the clutch!



3. Mr. Leahy is a very talented reporter, but his interesting, carefully collected raw material is poisoned by his obvious agenda, which is to make the case that Michael Jordan is a terribly flawed man who never truly deserved the admiration of his fans. By the end of the book, Mr. Leahy's perspective just seems childish. He is forever blaming others for telling part of the truth, but concealing the rest--yet that is precisely what he does throughout the book. Certainly, Jordan had his faults as a teammate and as an employee, but what about the admirable features of his "last comeback"? What other fading sports star tried to turn around a miserable franchise? What other fading sports star remained one of the best players in the world at 39 years old, even though his performance was limited by a serious knee injury? What other sports legend risked spoiling an absolutely PERFECT conclusion to a brilliant career just because he loved the game and wasn't ready to give it up forever? Jordan took on an extraordinary challenge and didn't succeed. That may seem pathetic and selfish to Mr. Leahy, but I don't see why readers should view Jordan's struggles as a Wizard in that way.



4. The Michael Jordan story always seems to be told in extremes. Either he is heralded as an icon so mindlessly that the storytelling appears uninteresting or he is vilified, as previous writers knew the value of tearing down an icon.
   
   When Nothing Else Matters is a portrait of a man that feels honest, Jordan is neither vilified nor overly praised; instead Micheal Leahy has given us a view of a man experiencing his only real failure in his career as a professional basketball player. A failure that is proven by the simple fact the Washington Wizards, with Jordan in a powerful position off, then on the court, never ascended the heights of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) Eastern Conference. It is a fascinating look at the world's most famous basketball player, during a time period where he seemed unable to transition his on the court reputation and success, to a career in management.
   
   Jordan, the man, had grown comfortable being an icon and as his skills faded and his team missed the playoffs, Leahy reveals someone whose disconnect from the world around him made him unable to finesse his way to off the court success. Therefore his last games for the Wizards are revealed to have been one last chance to court the spotlight as a prime-time player, as the chances to move forward off the court didn't exist, Leahy lays out these realities, and Jordan's apparent blindness to them, that shows Jordan as a very accomplished yet out-of-the-loop figure who couldn't overcome his last challenge in the N.B.A. It also makes clear what Micheal Jordan was to the Washington Wizards management, a cash infusion.
   
   Leahy's even handed treatment may prevent When Nothing Else Matters from being extreme in its presentation, but it doesn't prevent it from being an extreme success as it stands as a historical document for basketball fans to turn to when looking at a honest portrait of life in the N.B.A.



5. I was hoping that Leahy had recaptured some of the magic that Sam Smith used when he wrote 'The Jordan Rules,' and early on I wasn't disappointed. However, halfway through the book I realized that the magic ran out. It's possible that the magic ran out because Jordan himself ran out of magic when he came back with The Wizards.
   
   This book does a fine job detailing the downward spiral of Jordan's NBA life, but becomes tedious and boring in the latter half. Much like the Wiz stopped selling out their arena during Jordan's comeback as fans lost interest, I started losing interest. The ending of the book chronicling Jordan's 2nd Wizards season is a desultory piece of writing without a strong narrative flow.
   
   Recommended for hoops diehards, but not the casual fan.

5 comments about The Horses in My Life.

1. Interesting reading if you're a Monty Roberts fan. Basically short stories
   of horses he has owned or trained. Not much educational content but an
   overview of his life with horses and fun reading.



2. This book is a set of stories about the horses in Mr. Roberts life, not all of them, but a collection of sixty or so. It starts with the first horse in his life and ends with a horse named Johnny Tivio that he road to win numerous championship event. Mr. Roberts stresses in this book that these are the horses that taught him things.
   
   Mr. Roberts, the author of the best selling 'The Man who Listens to Horses,' clearly loves horses. In this book, that love comes through. Each horse is treated with respect and understanding, perhaps more than you would normally think goes to an animal. Perhaps, but it makes it easy to see why Mr. Roberts has chosen to spend a lifetime with horses.
   
   Knowing that the horses are long lived, there is a bit of trajedy here as each horse goes to his own ending. But that too is part of life.
   
   This is not a book on how to train horses, not even about how to ride horses. This is a life of loving horses.



3. It was fascinating to follow how the different experiences with horses led Monty to become the person he is today. I have seen him work in person and it is truly amazing to watch what he can do. Learning more about what the horses have taught him gave me even more insight.



4. This is a great bunch of stories and such a marvelous perspective on a rich life involved with animals - pure love!



5. Monty says these horses made him the amazing trainer that he is and it is a fascinating journey through the decades of his life. He created a movement that will forever change the way we treat animals - not just horses.
   I read a review by the American Library Association touting this book and they are right on!

1 comments about Conquistadors of the Useless: From the Alps to Annapurna.

1. Lionel Terray was one of the great clasic climbers and this book captures the spirit of those days. The accounts of the climbs are very richly told, they are not technical descriptions but beautiful stories told by a man who devoted his existence to the mountains. Anyone interested in the sport of climbing can benefit from this book, not from the technical side but from the spiritual side and the historical value of the many first ascents by Terray.

5 comments about Keane: The Autobiography.

1. I'll come clean. I'm a Leeds United fan, so my natural instinct was to burn this book. I didn't. I read it, and enjoyed it. You feel you are listening to a straight shooter. It's a much better read than some of the tosh put out by ex-Leeds players. Sure, he has a persecution complex, but he's Irish. It comes with the territory. Since Keane fell out with Sir Alex and left Man United he's risen in stature. And if Leeds can hire Denis Wise, then they can certainly hire Roy Keane.....after he walks out on Sunderland in a couple of years..



2. I could not put this book down, well written and a great insight into the heart of a true Manchester United warrior.



3. Having followed football for a few years and being familar with Mr. Keane's antics on and off the pitch, I thought this was going to be a little more entertaining. It was a very good read, but I can't imagine the author is this drab. He is an Irishman!



4. I like Manchester United and Keane so am biased, but this is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in what goes on behind the scenes and United and in the thoughts of someone whose behavior has been so "interesting" over the years. Keane gives a "warts and all" description of his career and behavior.



5. I like Roy Keane..He is direct,explosive and successful without possessing the sublime skills of Best or Cantona. The book is written in the same direct style as his playing. He tells it straight but is lacking in detail. You get a glimpse of the man without really ever getting inside his head. He shares the highs and lows (and even his first salary with Man. Utd.)...but lacks the capacity to captivate the reader like a good biography should. Most of what is in here, you already know...Interesting glimpses of life as a successful sportsperson but lacking the cutting edge that he delivers on the football pitch...

5 comments about John Force: The Straight Story of Drag Racing's 300-MPH Superstar.

1. Fantastic easy to read book. Very interesting and inspiring to see how persistent John was, his success was a long time in the making.



2. This is truly a great book to have if you are a true John Force fan.



3. this was a gift for my brother-in-law...he enjoyed it tremedously...would recommend it to anyone who loves drag racing



4. Excellent book. A true "everyman story", someone who started out as a nobody and became one of the most famous auto racers in history, and never forgot his roots. His is probably the most down to earth famous person on the planet. A true inspiration to anyone who has ever had a
   dream. A true class act.



5. John Force has been my favorite professional driver for years. I was happy to see this book being packaged with Season I of Driving Force. Both the book and dvd were great. I'm hoping to see John win a couple more years before he decides to hand the reins over to Ashley and the rest of the Force Team. Ashley is going to live up to her family name and be another "Force" to be dealt with.

No comments about Sidney Crosby, 2nd Edition: A Hockey Story.

5 comments about The Long Season.

1. I enjoyed Jim Brosnan's The Long Season. I didn't think that the book was quite as good as its reputation, however.
   
   It is easy to see why The Long Season made such a strong impression when it was published in 1960. Brosnan's account of the 1959 baseball season was one of the first books that didn't "sugarcoat" the professional athlete's life. Brosnan is very opinionated about baseball and the characters in the baseball world.
   
   I don't think that the book has aged that well, however. It doesn't have the irreverence or gossipy tone of books that followed, such as Ball Four. I found, therefore, that the book could be slow going in places. You do get an excellent view of the 1959-era baseball world, however.
   
   In summary, The Long Season is a good read for those who want to know more about baseball 50 years ago. If you aren't a hardcore fan, however, you probably will want to look elsewhere.



2. wonderful baseball expose of the era. fascinating, riveting and, best of all - true! not some Bernard Malamud fictional account, this author was a major league pitcher for 9 season. Not a great pitcher, but an average one. Fortunately, he's a great author.
   
   This is flat out the best baseball book I have ever read.
   
   I also enjoyed Ball Four. Ball Four



3. While Brosnan ruffled some feathers with this book, it isn't anywhere near as controversial or raunchy as Jim Bouton's "Ball Four." Brosnan does mention his difficult contract negotiation, but it's not as bitter as Bouton discussing contracts. Brosnan has an elephant-like memory for conversations and the batting history of every hitter he faces. You get to see every aspect of a game, from the pitchers discussing how to pitch to a batter to who's got the best pitch to the manager's pep talks before the game. Brosnan has an excellent grasp of the language and even perplexes some of his not as scholarly teammates with some of his words. Overall, a great read from a talented pitcher and author. I look forward to reading "Pennant Race."



4. "Twist, belly-button, block." A major league relief pitcher taught me how to hit a baseball. An excellent book during an excellent time in Baseball.



5. I really enjoyed this book, which is a milder, tamer, less controversial book written 10 years before Jim Bouton's Ball Four. Both books are written by good, but not great relief pitchers named Jim. Both are written in diary form while the pitchers toil for less than stellar teams. Funny, and at times irreverent, Brosnan's book is worth the time to read! Teaser: I love the nickname Brosnan's wife gave him. :-)

No comments about Skating Life, A: My Story.

5 comments about Bummy Davis vs. Murder, Inc.: The Rise and Fall of the Jewish Mafia and an Ill-Fated Prizefighter.

1. I seldom reread a book; this book I have read twice and bought three copies to give away. I will read it again; the writing is so funny, so dazzling. The characters are so real, their stories so poignant. Jewish readers will especially love this book; we know these people though we have never met. I fell in love with Bummy Davis and when he died, I felt a loss. My gangster imagination loved reading about all the mob characters, though I am not a fan of violence or boxing for that matter. I read this book as my husband lay dying of cancer; it kept me uplifted during this difficult time. I loved that it was long and hated that it had to end. This is such a special book, and I haven't even mentioned the awesome research it must have taken to write it.



2. This book is a very satisfying trip down boxing's memory lane. Ron Ross resurrects here the color and drama of a very fascinating, tough NY prizefighter with a heart of gold--Bummy. Ross gives us in this welcomed work, devoted research, clearly a labor of love, and fine writing. Clearly, I see this book being optioned in Hollywood. Boxing translates to the screen in a big way and I see this book making a million bucks for some talented film maker.



3. The authur Ron Ross is at his best. I could not stop reading amd I recommended the book to all my sons.I lived in East New york during those days.Fascinating.
   Harry Keller



4. Fantastic account of the life and career of Al 'Bummy' Davis, during the time of Mob rule in New York. Fascinating look into the ways and troubles of immigrant communities and their exploitation by gangsters.
   
   Whether you are looking for a boxing or mafia book, this will do the job.



5. For anyone who loves a good story, written with wit, humor, and style, this book is for you. I couldn't put it down, and found something to chuckle about or a phrase to admire or an ironic comment I loved at least once on each page. I finished the book today (March 29, 2007)and did something I never did before (and I am 80 year's old). I noted from the book jacket that the author divides his time between Oceanside, LI and Boca Raton, Fl, and even though it is 4 years since the book was written and the author's name is a relatively common one, I called information for his Boca Raton number and took a chance that it was the right Ron Ross. I left a message that if this Ron Ross was an author, would he please call me, and I left my number. A few hours later I received a call from Mr. Ross and we had a delightful conversation for 10 minutes or so. For me to have taken the time to locate Mr. Ross and call him is an example that actions speak louder than words. Believe my action and go out and buy, read, enjoy, and love the book. It's cheap enough, and you'll thank me, and more so, will thank Ron Ross.
   
   Ed Gold

2 comments about On the Edge: My Story.

1. I am only half way through this book but I have found the story very interesting. It is very much a story of someone going from rags to riches in the way that he moved through the different media to eventually achieve his dream job. The account proves to the reader that the chemistry that is so apparent between the crew on the set is a reality and you get a real sense of community and friendship between all. This is refreshing as we know that so often the media is a cut throat business and people are trying to win one over the other. The other aspect that is also very much a worthwhile read is Richards initial steps to recovery and how he appeared normal while in reality there were huge barriers still to get over.
   The only thing that this book leaves you wanting more of is a little bit more of a background to his childhood and his adolesence. Otherwise well worth a read.



2. I read this book in 48 hours. I am a huge Top Gear fan. Having lived in the UK most of my life and then emigrated to the US in 2003. We were in the UK for our immigration interview the day after Hammond crashed the Jet Car. It was a huge shock. We had all seen the gang on tv performing hilarious stunts in wild and expensive cars....the tv program is huge and they have a worldwide fan base. The news was so bleak, Hammond had crashed at 288 mph and he was in critical condition in hospital, the news reports constantly on TV were reporting that he may not make it. Well he did, it was remarkable, a miracle some were saying. He was up and walking about in 5 weeks. Reading his book moved me to tears. It tells of what went on behind the scenes, the stuff tv don't tell you. The remarkable courage and strength of his wife mindy who was at his side constantly in hospital. Hammond writes about his childhood, his young art student days and how he got his dream job on top gear. He writes his accounts of the day of the crash up until the point of the crash. Then his wife Mindy takes over the writing. Not to give too much away, this book is fantastic reading, it made me laugh and cry so much. It was shocking and overwhelming. This is for a true "Hamster" fan and for those who just love a happy ending.