Customer Reviews

Letters to a Young Gymnast (Art of Mentoring)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
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Since I was a gymnast for many, many years, I have read quite a few gymnastics books, but none had impressed me too much until I read this one. Perhaps it is because Nadia not only talked about her gymnastics, but also about the conditions and struggles of life in Communist Romania. It is not only a biography, but also historical as well.

The book was very clear and easy to read, so younger gymnastics fans should have no problem getting through it. It was also very interesting (something I truly did not expect) and a page turner. It answered many questions gymnastics fans have had through the years.

Nadia's story is very impressive, and, at times, even heartbreaking. It's hard to believe that, by reading this book, you'll eventually "feel" for probably the most successful gymnast in the history of the sport. Her life wasn't always as glorious as you may think.

I'd suggest gymnastics fans read this book because it's simply very good and very well written, and also very, very interesting. Also, if you're simply interested in learning more about how life was like in a communist country, this book may just be the book for you!

Do not have the mistaken belief that this book is a simple collection of gymnastic memories for budding gymnasts. Competitive gymnastics, and life, is far more detailed. And Nadia addresses a thousand questions posed to her by generations of fans. Some fans watched Nadia in competition during the 1976 Olympics. Many know of her from stories told them by others. And some only know of her from a 1984 TV movie.

Queries to Nadia have always been more than just, "How do I improve my handstand?" They want to know her experiences, feelings, and thoughts. Or, as Nadia begins her book, "Dear Nadia, Tell me everything..."

The book follows her life chronologically, but each stage brings a different theme. Chapter titles such as "Necessity," "The Disciplined Life," and "Courage?" are not only lessons for little girls, but for everyone, even if the lessons are really just reminders.

Nadia is very detailed in each of the memories she relates. Those looking to find out how she felt then, or feels now won't be disappointed. And she has the passage of time to put everything in perspective.

Her answers to the many questions are surprising. You'll discover that most events in Nadia's life, which we all learned from the various media, are far different than we thought in details and perceptions. I won't give away some of these details, but many are eye openers, some down-to-earth. And a few are reminders that Nadia's a person, and her actions and reactions are human, not superhuman.

With all that you'll learn about her life, you'll find she is still Nadia: The athlete and Olympic champion devoted to her sport; a teen with normal growing up issues that set her back, but rose to be champion again. A young woman held virtually captive by her government. A desperate soul escaping to freedom; creating a new life in a far away land. And finding love, complete with fairy tale wedding.

I sat down this afternoon and read Nadia's book in one sitting! True, it's a relatively small book, but with having two young boys to look after, rarely do I take the time to read so intensely. The style and language of the book made it seem like Nadia was sharing her story with ME, and I loved the personal stories and insights. After all the stories and media rumors, it is fascinating to hear her side of the events that shaped her life, such as her early childhood memories, the 1979 World Championships, her defection to the USA, and her and Bart's courtship and wedding. These were topics that I had heard talked about many times, but even in interviews, Nadia has never gone into the detail that she did in this book.

This book reminded me about all of the reasons why I have admired Nadia for so long and why she remains very dear to my heart, and in the hearts of so many others around the world. I want to thank her for taking the time to write such an honest book, and for sharing her thoughts with her fans. Her gymnastics career has had a big impact on my life, and has always inspired me to do my best in school, in my work and in my relationships.

One last thing: when I first purchased the book, I was disappointed that there were no photos included. Upon reading the book, however, I realize that the book is directed not necessarily at a young audience, but for her fans, many of us who are in our adult years now. While photos would always be welcome, I wouldn't have wanted photos if it meant taking out any parts of the book. Her incredible and inspiring story speaks for itself.

Nadia's book exceeded my expectations with her insightful words of philosophy and colorfully poetic descriptions.

Her autobiographical account, packaged with thought-provoking questions and comments aimed towards her readers, struck several deep chords in my life-pondering mind. There is plenty of food for thought which would particularly hit home for readers who find themselves at a crossroads in their lives. Nadia's experiences, hardships, successes are truly inspiring pieces of her world that many readers could relate to and possibly find light in their own circumstances.

In a way, it was a good thing that there were no pictures included because I could focus more on the intellectual aspect of the story than the visual. At the same time, it would have been a great idea to include a few early photos along with some recent ones of herself, since she does mention that she hopes people will be interested in who she is now and not so much on the little girl she used to be.

As far as gymnastics tips, Nadia gives them in the form of using one's pyschology for greater benefit. She also includes a list for success in life towards the end of the book. Naturally, even I was curious enough to expect, and miss, a bit of flexibility or skill-specific boosting advice from her perspective.

This story is indeed a fantastic motivational tool for others. Those who say otherwise have simply not taken the time or effort to read into what Nadia's story offers or pinpoint the wonderful wisdom she provides.

I originally purchased this book for my 8 year old daughter, but read it myself overnight when it arrived. It is too advanced for her age, but I will keep it for her as she matures. In the seventies and eighties I grew up enthralled with Nadia - the young, enigmatic champion from worlds away. Reading the book decades later, I was still eager to learn more about her. But I felt castigated and patronized along with the "reader" with whom she "corresponds" for wanting simple answers to obvious questions. As a woman her age, I understand too well we have all lived lifetimes. While her accounts of training and defection were compelling, it felt more often like she was apologizing, protecting and mending fences with others (Bela, Constantin, Nicu) than mentoring any young gymnast.

While the book is not what I expected (would've loved to see more...ANY!...pictures), I will say this: Bravo beautiful Nadia for the remarkable inner strength that made you the champion you are today as well as yesterday. Unfortunately, with that championship spirit often comes impossibly high self-expectations and I hope that by writing this book you will be able to put those feelings to rest and finally let us love you!

Letter to a Young Gymnast is a excellant book. My coach recommended it to me, and after reading it, I gave it to my best friend to read. I was barely able to put it down. It is not so much a story of Nadia Comaneci's career as a gymnast as a story of what life in Romania was like. You walk away from this book feeling like you actually were there and know Nadia Comaneci personally. I rarely find biographies or autobiographies that are this good. Defidently a 5-star book.

Yes, I finally received it today, on my sick leave day, where I suppose should have my rest on the bed, but instead I ended up spending about 6 hours reading this book until the end. I'm glad I did that, I feel better after reading the book.

Thank you Amazon.com for speedy delivery of this wonderful book. I noticed that it was well packed several layers to protect the book so when it arrived through the postage, it was in perfect new condition!

I also would like to those of you who had not seen the book yet to know that the current book cover of this book is different from this book cover picture posted in Amazon.com. Amazon.com here has a 1st drafted book cover with Teodora Ungureanu's picture. After Amazon.com posted 3 months before the book launching, immediately the mistake was correct. Now the current on sales version has a beautiful Nadia rare floor exercise ending post picture in Montreal Olympics. You may view the current book cover at NadiaComaneci.com home page.

My pal Linda was correct about the book made like being Nadia talking to me alone. The book has that special personal touch, it does not need any pictures to elebrate Nadia, the true insight and honest reveal had made it more interesting than pictures.

More important is that Nadia had shown us the important to have good education for the better future of oneself. She shows us how athlete can be intellectual people. Not that she is good in gymnastics, she is good in reading, she shared the intellectual articles of Romanians writers. Her shared her love for her country, people, family, gymnastics and Bart with us. After you read the book, you feel you know Romania better, and you could see the pride of Nadia being a Romanian. Nadia also showed us her love of gymnastics, and give us a better perpestive of the sports and her coach. She showed us her connection to Nicu and Constantin. The review of imamomofive from College Grove, TN United States was wrong to say that she was mending the fences, she showed us the honest inside stories.

Nadia her great respect for her coach Bela. It was so much different from the so called "Autobiography of Nadia Comaneci", a book that was not written by her, perpared by the communist regime to save face after Bela's defection to US.

Nadia as honest as she has been tell us what she was actually had been through. After reading it, you can feel the difficulties she went through, and the courage she had to overcome them one by one. She tried to clear the wrong perception of her after Olympics life. She told us the mistakes she made. She is truly a great figther in life.

It was not a book just for gymnasts, but for people of all ages because everyone can learned some lessons from Nadia through here. It is truly a book of the arts of mentoring! It is a great book that one should not miss it!

Written as a series of responses to imaginary fan letters, Nadia takes us through lots of emotions as she explains her feelings about the events that shaped her extra-ordinary life.

I believe she has given us an honest account.

She comes accross as an intelligent and deeply principled woman, her insight and philosophy is a joy and an inspiration.

This is an amazing book.
It is a deeply personal and detailed account of Nadia Comaneci's life by 'Little Miss Perfect' herself and offers a wonderful insight into what 'makes her tick'.
I am reading it to my class of 9-11 year old students and they are similarly enjoying it too.
I thoroughly recommend this book.

I grew up watching the movie about Nadia and always wondered about her life. This book answered many of my curious questions about her life and her struggles. It is inspiring. It can even help you face your fears! As it did for me. It is much more than gymnastics. It's a biography and she explains the trails and tribulations she faced in her own country. I loved it.