Customer Reviews

For the Love of the Game : My Story

5 star:		(68)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

When I bought this, I was expecting a thick book filled with nothing but pages of reading, and I couldn't have been more excited about the chance of owning it. Upon receiving it, I was like, "What's this??" It was a thin book and it looked to be more filled with spectacular photographs moreso than interesting reading. I was disappointed at first glance because it wasn't what I was expecting, but before I'd know it, I would become deeply compelled by what this book has to offer. And I would also learn a valuable lesson in the process.

There's actually a good bit of reading here in this book, and the great photography of classic MJ moments, such as the free throw line dunks, the 1998 game-winner that won the Finals, etc., only enhance what is written in words from the man himself, Michael Jordan. For instance, MJ talks about how he used to tell people he could fly for awhile. He was just talking, but when he actually watched a video of his famous double-pump free throw line dunk, he even admits that he was in awe. On that same page is a few shots of him flying through the air with an eagle's grace. The photographs allow you to literally SEE what you're reading. A book with just pages of words wouldn't have been able to convey that imagery or subtle feeling as well.

The still photos that grace every single page are just icing on the cake, however. What's REALLY intriguing are some of the things you'll read. What did Michael Jordan do with all those pairs of Air Jordans? Does he think he's the greatest ever, or that he'll always be the greatest? Why did he like playing in Madison Square Garden so much? What does he TRULY think of Jerry Krause and the way he did what he did (VERY surprising what he has to say about this)? What one player would he like to play against, of all the ones that have ever played in the NBA?

Those are only a few of the questions that will be answered to those who read For the Love of the Game: My Story, by Michael Jordan. It covers nearly all the major stories and highlights of his career, including his baseball troubles and triumphs. Some of the responses and readings you'll probably remember or not be surprised by. But just wait until you read about MJ's opinion of Magic Johnson coming down with the AIDS virus, and about what MJ would do/think if he came down with it.

The book mainly focuses on each of Michael Jordan's six championships. He breaks them down separately and gives his views on the experiences, such as the 1992 NBA Finals between the Bulls and Portland, when almost everything was focused on how MJ would measure up to Clyde Drexler. Keep in mind, however, that this book was made in 1998. If you're wanting to read about MJ's Washington Wizards experiences, then look elsewhere, because everything, including the various statistics, all relate to Jordan's years with the Chicago Bulls.

One thing that For the Love of the Game: My Story really taught me is that looks can be deceiving. I like it even better than I would have liked a book filled with nothing but words, because the pictures really give the book its own life. Two heads are better than one, and the two heads in this case are the pictures and the words. If you're an avid Michael Jordan fan (he's certainly my favorite athlete of all time), then this is the one book you need to own. How could another one be better? The words are all from Jordan himself, and they cover his best years in basketball.

This was an excellent, fun, and moving book. I agree that the writing wasn't really compelling on its own, but coupled with the brilliant photography (you'll "double-take" more than once while reading it) and Jordan's limitless charisma, this was a very fast read (for me, one evening in the local public library).

However, I do agree with some who say that the price is a bit much. I'd probably only buy this book if I could buy a Porsche. That's why I only give it four stars.

All in all, this is a good book about a man who exemplifies physical excellence. It's just a little bit on the expensive side.

Many people have an inspiration or a love for something that demands them to strive for achievements. Whatever the interest, if the desire is great, can be turned into an obsession. With talent and the love, one can reach great hieghts of success. One man that fits this description is "His Airness", Michael Jordan. No athlete in any sport can come close to possessing the love for the game that burns inside of him. The information made available to the public has always been limited to what researchers, staticians, and reporters have written in a book or article. "For The Love Of The Game: My Story" is written by Michael Jordan himself, in his words, only edited by Mark Vancil, then published. Most other books about Jordan are written through some sort of bias or opinion, but this book is the story as seen by the eyes of the man himself.

Jordan describes many of his greatest triumphs and defeats both famous and not so famous. The reader is entertained with many accomplishments and setbacks in his life from childhood, to the death of his father, Mr James Jordan and his final retirement from the National Basketball Association. Mr. Jordan was the greatest inspiration in MJ's life. In the beginning, Jordan's father saw something in his son that no one else could see, not even Michael himself. Jordan thought that it was just a father's pride and hopes for his son to achieve greatness in the form of numerous father and son motivational speeches. Jordan never realized his father was right until after he established himself as the greatest basketball player to ever live. When Jordan became a father himself, he says that he now can look at his own children and see which one is going to be better basketball player or football player.

Betrayal and disappointment are also encountered in this book as Jordan explains what he calls the most trying times of his proffessional career, the situation he went through with the owners and managers of the team, Chicago Bulls. Jordan states in the book, "They were Businessmen. They were not sportsmen and they didn't have a true appreciation for the game. They made business decisions and basketball just happened to be the business." The businessmen were Jerry Kruas and Jerry Riensdorf, who had made the decision to make Jordan sit out games in order for the team to finish the season bad enough to get a high pick in the NBA Draft. This was made despite Jordan's full recovery after grueling rehab and training.

Many achievments once deemed impossible were accomplished and unreachable hieghts were reached in Jordan's life despite many doubts. He now is the most endorsing athlete of all time. Nike and Jordan have made millions upon millions of dollars together through basketball shoes and a full line of sports apparel. Although being the top shoe and sports brand, it was not Michael's first choice. Matter of fact, he did not even want to sign a deal with them because he was holding out for a deal to come with Adidas. No deal came, so he signed with Nike. The price of Nike stock in the fall of 1984 when Jordan signed, was a mere seven dollars a share. The price in July of 1998, after his sixth NBA championship ring, was $418 dollars a share.

Many people that have great wealth and fame are sometimes looked at as almost "untouchable" or as if they are on another planet. This is not the truth in Jordan's case despite being the most recognized face on Earth. Instead of forgetting who they are and where they come from, some stay true to "their game". One story Jordan remembers is of him driving the streets of downtown Chicago and spotting a high school student cutting class. Picking him up and making a deal, Jordan takes the youngster back to class. If the teen promised to go back to and stay in school, Jordan would give him the very shoes he wore on his feet. Jordan walked out of the school barefooted.

Through detailed statistics and beautifully illustrated pictures, the story of Michael Jordan by Michael Jordan will turn any reader's head. By reading this piece, a reader will quickly be transformed into a fan, but not just a fan of Jordan but also of the game he plays. While developing a sense of respect, anyone can relate to the man and his story with all aspects of life including love and importance of family and sports, developing untainted friendships, betrayal by the trusted, and suffering the loss of a close loved one. The greatest inspiration dramatically leaving someone's life is usually a reason to give up. This book will show you that the strength within yourself, when recognized, is the greatest force of all. Everyone can relate to this, even Michael Jordan.

For The Love of The Game: My Story is an exceptional easy to read book, which contains excellent photography. Jordan's life both inside and outside of his basketball career is explored and detailed. From why he signed with Nike to his relationship with his father to his turbulent meetings with Jerry Krause and to his life as a father and a husband are all explained with brilliant photography throughout the book. Jordan's confidence in himself is shown when he says, " On the day I decided to make myself available for the 1984 NBA Draft I knew I was going to Philadelphia." At the time Philadelphia had the first pick, however the lottery gave the first pick to the Houston Rockets. The Philadelphia 76ers had the fifth pick in the Draft that year, instead of picking Jordan the 76ers picked Charles Barkley because Jordan was already drafted. "He was my best friend and he knew everything about me," is how Jordan explains his relationship with his father. Jordan, the author of his life story, uses incredible graphics on each and every page of the book. These photgraphs capture the reader's attention. Each page's lettering is different in size, font, and color which grabs the eye of the reader immediately. When Jordan describes a shot he made to win a game, he includes a picture of the shot. Jordan does a great job describing his famous shot over Craig Ehlo, frame by frame photographs capture this Kodak moment. Inside the front and back covers are statistics of everything imaginable concerning basketball which further enhances the book. All-time stats at every arena where Jordan performed is another unique quality Jordan utilizes in this extraordinary book. Personally, as a fan of Michael Jordan, I found the book very interesting to read. From the second I opened the book until the very last word in the book I felt like I was with Jordan the entire time. My favorite parts were when Jordan kept comparing himself to Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. " When Bird acknowledged my performance, I became a player," Jordan remarked. I recommend any Michael Jordan fan, basketball fan, or young athlete who wants to "be like Mike," to read the book. Anybody who wants to read a book containing award winning photography should read For The Love of The Game: My Story as well. Anyone who wants to know the importance of a father-son relationship would enjoy this book. Michael Jordan, who wore number 23 for the Chicago Bulls for many years, clearly is more than just a basketball player. He proved all analysts wrong when he led the league in scoring and won the NBA Finals. " Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls, 1984-1993. The best there ever was. The best there ever will be." This message can be found outside the United Center in Chicago. Judge for yourself by reading For The Love of The Game: My Story.

Michael Jordan truly speaks to the heart. He is not just a basketball star, or a baseball player, or a golfer, or a walking endorsement, or a motivator. He is an icon, and this book perfectly illustrates that. The stunning, award-worthy photography, the moving, strong story, enough stats to keep the reader stunned, and a great layout make this book a favorite of mine. If you are a Michael Jordan fan, buy it. If you are a bulls fan, buy it. If you are a basketball fan buy it. In other words, if you are reading this, buy it!

This book is Jordan's valentine to himself, the bible of his narcissistic little religion. For those of you who worship Michael Jordan (and many of you literally called him "a God" in your reviews), I say: get a life. This book is a bunch of great photographs and that's about it. An inside look? Innermost thoughts? Forget it. Everything contained herein has been reported before, Jordan's said everything in it a million times. This book is simply Michael's way of perpetuating his myth past retirement, and making a few extra bucks ($50 a pop) by charging fans to bow down before him. I for one refuse to worship.

If you're an MJ fan, this is the book for you! It provides insights into all aspects of his basketball career (amateur and professional). It's one of the books I take out regularly and remember when the NBA was "all that"!

The photos are beautiful, but the appeal ends there. Anyone who thinks that this book reveals Michael Jordan's innermost thoughts and reflections has been conned (everything "revealing" about his dad's death, his baseball days, etc. has been fully reported already), just as Jordan has conned the American public into buying whatever products he has hawked for the last 15 years. The greatest to play the game? Unquestionably. But a role model? Only if your ideals are greed and self-promotion. The most telling piece of this book is when Jordan discusses the Nike phenomenon: "I didn't even like Nike shoes...but Adidas didn't make me an offer." That's all that matters to him: Money, and being courted by people and/or companies who have money. This book isn't about any positive message or revealing inside thoughts or anything substantive; it's about Jordan building a shrine to himself. I for one refuse to worship.

I've been an MJ fan since the beginning of the 90's, and frankly, it seems to me that the sparse information that Jordan has been willing to share with the world has been regurgitated more than enough. From this perspective this book will not add anything new - there are no breathtaking revelations, just the same old story of MJ's phenomenal success from the time he was a kid and until his 6th championship in 1998.

Nonetheless, for a Jordan fan or just a basketball fan that doesn't owe a good photo album of Michael's aerial magic yet - this one is a must! It is full of absolutely amazing shots of MJ flying and defying gravity, dunking over his defenders way above the rim, defending all-time bests etc. Some of the photos have already become classics (such as Jordan's dunk from the foul line), others despite not being very known to the public are just as incredible. My favorite is the picture of MJ as an 11-12 year old kid in baseball uniform at bat swinging through - whoever took this picture managed to capture Jordan's eyes and coincidently the inhuman concentration, will power and desire in them. This album has plenty of photos of this quality.

I highly recommend this album unless you already own a really good Jordan's photo album.

I think Michael Jordan's autobiography, For the Love of the Game is the best book ever written. I would recommend this book to everybody. It is very interesting, and the pictures are great, also you get to know everything about the career of Michael Jordan from the man himself, it's great. Once again, read this book or you'll regret it.