Driven from Within [Paperback]

Michael Jordan (Author), Mark Vancil (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 21, 2006

'A part of all those people who helped me along the way can be found in everything I have done and continue to do. I had some great teachers - and I listened to what they had to say.' - Michael Jordan A global icon in sports, style and business, Michael Jordan is famous for his unrivalled athletic ability, his fierce determination, and his grace under pressure. In DRIVEN FROM WITHIN, he makes it clear that his phenomenal success is thanks in large part to the teachers, mentors and friends who have guided him throughout his life. Here is a book about the power of collaboration and teamwork, the energy that is released when people share their gifts and hard-won knowledge. With almost two million copies of his three previous books in print, Michael Jordan has proven himself to be as strong a performer in bookstores as he is on the court. Lavishly illustrated and beautifully designed, this is Michael Jordan's most intimate book to date. Organized around the qualities that Jordan demonstrates in his own life and that he looks for in others - qualities like authenticity, integrity, passion and commitment - DRIVEN FROM WITHIN is an inspiring record of an extraordinary life.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Atria (November 21, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743284518
• ISBN-13: 978-0743284516
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #794,594 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #37 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( J ) > Jordan, Michael

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars one long ad for Nike and Brand Jordan, February 6, 2006

By 

Robert M. Setty (Austin, Tx) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Driven from Within (Hardcover)

There is no one in sports that I love more than MJ, being a Bulls fan since the 1960s. I still love Michael, but this book was a supreme disappointment. By and large, it is an all too detailed history of the design and sales success of his shoes and newer clothing line, peppered with Michael's passages about being determined and "driven", which all ring true, but have been stated many times before and in better form. If you really want to learn about MJ, I would suggest Playing for Keeps by David Halberstam or The Golden Boys by Cameron Stauth, which profiles the members of the 1992 Olympic Dream Team. The profiles on MJ and the other team members are probably the best I have read on elite professional athletes. If you want some great photos and a book written by MJ, Rare Air is much better than this one.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a really good book, December 1, 2005

By 

J. T. Florence "bodacious bibliophile" (San Ramon, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Driven from Within (Hardcover)

I am not a sports fan in any sense, but I went to Borders with a friend and ended up reading the entire book in the store (she eventually left me). One of the reviewers mentioned how this book is about "brand Jordan", well of course. In the book he talks about how Brand Jordan is a reflection of who he is and how it is something that he stays true to. It is something that he grew from nothing, when people thought Basketball players endorsing shoes wouldn't be profitable. It actually mentioned how tennis players marketing shoes were the gold mine when he started. I am only twenty-five so that tidbit of information made me laugh, hard. There was a lot of reference to the shoes, but the shoes are what started brand Jordan. He talks about not being driven by opinion polls or marketing fads. There are interesting references to the technology behind making the shoes and the collaboration with Michael Jordan and his push to have a shoe that was stylish and functional. He wouldn't agree to anything that wasn't. Despite what advertisers have said I viewed shoes to be purely fuctional the idea of them being cutting edge technology totally missed me. I don't believe a lot of current sports stars or celebrities devote that kind attention to items they put their names on. In a culture that loves to give accolades to achievement and forget the work that went into making that achievement possible, this book serves as a reminder. Excellence is about pushing yourself, when it hurts, when people tell you that you are chasing the impossible dream, when maybe, just maybe, you think they are right. You need to push forward anyway. If you like stories about rising above the odds and laughing in the face of nay Sayers, this is a book for you.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great motivation...sports fan or not, December 27, 2005

By 

Spencer Brooks (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Driven from Within (Hardcover)

You will like this book much more if you are a Jordan worshipper, but there is also much to learn if you are not a Jordan fan or even a sports fan. This book is about how Jordan approaches life, basketball, and business. There are wonderful anecdotes from his mom, his agent, friends, and Nike executives. Regardless of what you think of Jordan, you will get something out of this book if you respect his work ethic. You will also realize that being true to who you are is very important in life, no matter how many people disagree with your decisions or criticize you. Maybe I read a little deeper into this book than most, but I thought it was great. Definitely worth the two hours it took to read it.