Hoop Dreams: True Story of Hardship and Triumph, The [Paperback]

Ben Joravsky (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 2, 1996

For nearly five years Arthur Agee's and William Gates' remarkable lives were chronicled by a team of filmmakers. Roughly 250 hours of film were devoted to their journeys from the playgrounds to high school competition to college recruitment and -- whittled down to three hours -- it became the award-winning film Hoop Dreams. Now journalist Ben Joravsky vividly brings to light all the richness and subtlety of their stories, and the impact their aspirations had on themselves, their families and their relationships. It is an intimate look, complete with an up-to-date epilogue on the latest developments in their lives.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A heart-wrenching and uplifting story of survival." -- --Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Ben Joravsky is a prize winning journalist whose piece about Chicago's Roosevelt High School was chosen as one of 1992's outstanding sports articles.

Co-author of Race and Politics in Chicago,he is a resident of Chicago, Illinois.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: It Books; 1ST edition (February 2, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060976896
• ISBN-13: 978-0060976897
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.8 x 8.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #373,642 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Up From the Slums March 6, 2003

By Damaine Brown

Format:Paperback

Up From the Slums

In Hoop Dreams, Ben Jorausky gives an exemplary outlook on the life of Auther Agee and William Gates. Hoop dreams is a touching and compelling story. This book gives the reader a deep insight on the lives of teenagers with professional dreams. By stressing the facts of every day life in a ghetto community Ben Jorausky repeatedly makes connections with the reader. This book is educational and is also a reality check. The author reaches out to all types of people who do not understand the life of a player and the efforts that are put into professional sports. I recommend Hoop Dreams to any young male or female who has aspirations of becoming a professional athlete, it is also an important book for people who do not take into consideration the hard work and time consuming efforts that are put into athletic careers. I give Hoop Dreams 5 stars.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite book July 7, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

This was my favorite book. It was so real. I became Arthur's and William's friends.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars a superior treatment of the material October 28, 1997

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Joravsky's book is a thorough and honest portrait of the lives of two boys and their dreams of playing professional basketball. Unlike the original documentary film, the book explores each boy's family history, avoiding the cliches and staginess which render real life as caricature. Instead, we get an honest, direct and compelling account of growing up poor and black in Chicago and of having the chance to chase a dream. A fast read that captures the excitement of the game of basketball. Recommended for youths and adults alike; for classroom and recreational settings.