Customer Reviews

LeBron James: The Rise of a Star

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I live in Dallas,Tx and when it comes to basketball I hear 2 things: 1- Dallas Mavericks; 2- Lebron James. I was fortunate to find this book in Dallas,Tx and I judge books by how long it takes to read. This book falls under the term used on Lebron - "CAN'T MISS". It was a non stop read that resulted in my wife yelling at me for not doing my chores over the weekend. My wife began an investigation as to what I was doing. She soon discovered that the book was too good not to read after viewing the pictures. I am proud to report that she read her first sports book at the tender age of 34. There is hope? Being a media magnate for years - I've been able to see more media and athletic talent than Terry Pluto & Jim Gray would ever dream of: you simply have Ohio's best sportswriter in David Morgan and Ohio's best basketball player in Lebron James in 1 book. That combination makes it an easy choice to buy the book.

Lebron James, The Rise Of A Star is a very well written book expiring to all that reads it young or old. In this book, you will learn that all the obstacles that was put in front of Lebron, Gloria, Eddie and the rest of the family that they made it through with the help of wonderful people in there lives. With the help of others and one mothers love Lebron turned out to be a phenonamal person. Congratulation to you Mr. Morgan for such a fine job at writing and clearing up a lot of matters.

Knowing and living around a star before they are a star provides insights and a sense of who a person really is better than can anyone who only becomes acquainted after stardom hits the public eye. That is what David Morgan has uniquely contributed to the understanding of who LeBron is. Morgan was personally selected by mom Gloria for the privilege of writing LeBron's story because she expected him to be fair to the family. He was also a known commodity because he was a local sportswriter and followed LeBron's career before he was King James. Morgan was given access to the stories of family members so that he could speak from their unique vantagepoints. He has done that very well, but he has also balanced those positions with perceptions of the people with whom they came in contact, which were not always the same. This book helps us begin to understand how such a talent could be developed from what society might consider the most adverse of circumstances to the maturity and grounding we have seen so far from this young athlete. The extent of the extended family influences are clearly evident and truly amazing. My hope is that David Morgan continues his relationship with the James family, that they continue to trust him with their confidences, and that he writes more to help us learn further about the importance of mentors and models in the growing years of our youngsters.

This book was unbelievable. David Lee Morgan Jr. is a mastermind. He captured every angle of LeBron's young life. The book was a pageturner from the very beginning when LeBron held a basketball for the first time right up until the announcement for the number one pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. Every time you turned the page something new and interesting immediately jumped out at you. The book also includes many color photos of LeBron which follow along with the storyline. If you're looking a book about LeBron James then this is the book for you.

In this book you found out the "real" story of a young star whom along with his friends and family strived to become a great person and an inspiration to young kids everywhere. You find out some pretty rough things in the book also such as his grandmother passing on christmas morning and the strength it took for Gloria and Eddie not to let him know so he could have somewhat of a normal christmas morning. How a great family like the Walkers took LeBron in and made him one of their own. The important turn around between fourth and fifth grade. The roles of Sian, Willie, Dru III and Romeo and how it was destiny for Willie to be a part of the fab five. Just an all around terrific read. Great flow and it really keeps your interest !!! GREAT JOB MR. MORGAN...

I met David Lee Morgan, Jr. at a recent book signing. I took the book home and finished it that day. It is a beautifully written story of a young man with truly exceptional ability and talent! Morgan's insight into this young star's life and development provide an honest and touching account of LeBron's rise to stardom.
I highly recommend this book for all ages. It is both inspiring and heartwarming, and underscores what success really is...a combination of outstanding attributes, values, love and concern for others, and a support system of family, friends and mentors. I hope Morgan writes a sequel!

LeBron James has added sparkle and excitement to the world of professional sports with his incredible skills and good-natured attitude toward all the hoopla. I was happy to read about his childhood -- even though it was difficult, LeBron managed to keep his focus on his love of basketball. I was interested in how his life has unfolded so far and I look forward to following his career and wish the best for him always. David Lee Morgan, Jr. knows his subject well and has written a respectful yet interesting book about LeBron.

David Lee Morgan, Jr. captured the ups and downs of a young talented athlete growing up in today's world. Living in the same town as LeBron and documenting each step of the way on LeBron's journey to the NBA; David Lee did an extraordinary job of writing this story.

Lebron James : The Rise of a Star tells you about his life growing up in Akron, Ohio, and how he had to move around a lot. He didn't have a dad growing up. It's also about his high school basketball career. In school he was treated like a normal high school student even though he was on the front cover of an ESPN magazine.

I strongly recommend this book to readers who like sports, and people who like to learn about the many challenges athletes face pursuing their dreams. I really enjoyed this book, because I am a high school athlete who wants to pursue my dreams to play college football. There are also really nice pictures of Lebron throughout his life in this book.

David Lee Morgan, Jr. has incorporated a unique view in The Rise of a Star: LeBron James. Morgan has followed LeBron James basketball career from the beginning. Morgan covered James high school career for the local Akron paper, and was given the inside story by LeBrons family, friends, coaches, and teammates. Morgan has gotten to know and love the James family, and was there to watch LeBron grow from his high school youth, into the NBA star he is today. In this novel, Morgan provides a unique view into the rise of LeBron James, shown by no other writers. He gives an inside look on one of the greatest high school basketball players, on the brink of fame and stardom.

But what was the big deal about one high school basketball player from Akron, Ohio?

From the start, the odds were against him. LeBron was born into poverty to a single mother. He had no permanent home for his early years and grew up in a continuously unstable environment, due to financial trouble and constantly moving.. Through these hardships, LeBron excelled in many aspects of his life due to his determination and hard work. He worked hard at home and in school, and especially shined out on the basketball court. LeBron became one of, if not the leading high school basketball players in the country. With this, LeBron handled the criticism, stress, and pressure with composure and dignity. After his success in high school, LeBron became the #1 draft pick of the NBA in 2003. King James was to be born.

This book was a decent read. It was good in that it was not focused on scores and statistics. The novel just tells about how a young, typical teenager rises to basketball stardom. Another plus to this book in the sections of colored photographs which help to further explain LeBrons ascend to fame.

The biography also had some problems. The book seems to make LeBron out to always act in good conduct, excellent behavior, and be a nearly perfect young man. He is apparently not responsible for any of the actions and events he is criticized for, and is loved by practically everyone. LeBron is also made out to have such a difficult childhood and upraising, which seems to be the same for every professional athlete ever! So he had a single mother and moved a lot, suck it up! I mean come on; his childhood couldn't have been too bad if he turned out that well. The novel just makes LeBron out to have such a hard and difficult life, but fight through it to stardom; which is a load of crap. What a typical biography of an athlete.
LeBron could be compared to many other characters from various novels. One such example is from To Kill a Mockingbird. In TKAM, a lawyer named Atticus Finch must defend a black man in court. This man, named Tom Robinson, is accused of raping a young white woman. Atticus is criticized by the community for standing up for the black man, but Atticus faces the attacks and fights as hard as he can to save the life of the innocent man. In The Rise of a Star: LeBron James, LeBron works hard through school and basketball, battling the intense pressure and criticism along the way. He could have just relaxed and taken the easy route through school, but LeBron works hard to become the success he is today.
This book holds little social value. This book was merely constructed to show the amazing rise of LeBron James. If there is a small portion of social value in this book, it is to show society that no matter the odds, if you fight and work hard enough, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.
This book receives three out of five stars. It was an ok read, but some of the content I thought was a lie and a bunch of bologna. I would not recommend this book, but for those who insist on reading it, this book would be most appropriate for kids ages sixteen and younger. Any reader older than this will just find it dull. This book is not for the die hard basketball fans, just for those who are interested in an overview of one young talent and his rise to basketball fame.