Customer Reviews

I May Be Wrong but I Doubt It

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

In this book he talks about how he is making the transistion from basketball to something else, political commentator or something like that, now that he has retired from the NBA. He is at his best AWAY from basketball in this book, and even though he talked a lot about wanting to move beyond it he still talked about it a lot.

I recommend this book because of his comments on racism, which I found interesting in that they would be hard to characterize as liberal or conservative. I hope Charles does do something political because based on what he says here I think he could be a valuable inbetween sort of person that both sides could trust to help sort some issues out. He talks frequently about the need for more discussion and I agree with him. This book really did make me think, I tend to be conservative on the race issue, but I did not find his views about where racism lies to be at all race baiting like so many black leaders out there, or excessively small minded, but rather thought provoking and things I have gone back to in my mind since reading the book and noticing racial things on TV, etc.

All in all a good read, easy reading, and enough juicy basketball stuff if that is what you are up for to go with the meatier stuff about social and racial issues.

I was never a Charles Barkley fan during his days at Philly and Phoenix. I always thought he was somewhat abrasive. I've ALWAYS been and STILL AM, a Julius "Dr. J" Irving fan. But now that Charles is older and wiser, he's actually one of my favorite people. I love his candid and frank demeanor. Although he could use better choice of words when displaying his forwardness on certain individuals.

Thank you Charles for writing this book. ALL PARENTS WITH POTENTIAL STUDENT ATHLETES NEED TO READ THIS HIGHLY INFORMATIVE BOOK.

I bought this book for my son, who has been a Barkley fan for years. I started to read it and decided to order another one, as I don"t want to give this up. It is great. I have also been a fan. But I enjoy his honesty and being so forthright. He's really changed my views on different things.

S. Riding

I really enjoyed this book. Reads quick, but doesn't lack substance as Charles has a lot to say.

My biggest surprise was in the political area: For years, I have heard that Charles is a conservative, and I always see GOP big shots try to capatalize on his fame. After reading the book, however, I don't think Charles is as much as a GOP man as even Charles himself seems to think. His views on race, wealth, big business and several other issues are light years away from anything I hear republicans in power espousing these days. His positions are much more left leaning in everything but name- which is fine.

In the end, its all good no matter what your politics. Charles has much to offer here, and thankfully leaves the nuances of breaking down the pick and roll on the weak side to other books. He talks about things that matter, and for this I thank him and show up here to recommend his book.

Charles does a fine job of conveying his own view about the world, sports, whites, blacks, rich, poor, just everything under the sun. He does a great job in expressing a view for people to take a stand on, and opens reader's minds to acknowledge differences and problems in society. I strongly recommend this book to anyone looking to discover views that maybe they haven't taken the time to look at.

I checked out this book because I enjoy listening to Charles Barkley on TNT and am also a big fan of Michael Wilbon (who provides the introduction to this book) and his ESPN program Pardon the Interruption. In fact a few of the issues brought up in the book are used by Wilbon a lot on his television show like PETA, the lack of African Americans on the popular reality shows, DWB (Driving While Black), the wonders of the Dish etc.

Barkley writes about many issues, but does not get into too much depth on anything. Even his reflections on his childhood in Leeds, Alabama jumps around. Insights from being in the NBA so many years are mostly general and only really touch the surface. Tidbits that piqued my interest, like the fact that NBA players get a new pair of basketball shoes for every game and that many of the younger players today do not listen to the advice of Barkley and other statesmen of the game are only mentioned. His experience as member of the legendary Dream Team would benefit from more depth, though he does mention an eye-opening moment with Magic Johnson not long after Johnson announced he was HIV positive (pg. 190).

Other times, I think he takes the safe route on issues. He devotes significant space to his belief that Catholic Priests found guilty of sexually abusing children should be put in jail...OK. He also stops short of controversy. He will make a statement like: "Bobby Knight pretty much just wanted to keep guys he could control [on the 1984 Olympic team]. There were a lot of good players who were cut, guys who were better than ones who made the team" (pg 177). Well, how were the players who made the team more controllable? Who made the team who was not better than some who were cut? Alas, these questions are never answered. He mentions players who should have made the Fifty Greatest NBA players list (pg. 187). That's easy, but the harder more controversial part, mentioning names who should be replaced by these players, is not touched on.

He does discuss important issues like racism ("people rarely talk about race until something tragic or ugly happens," pg. 42) and topics that make you think, like the idea that professional athletes can have a greater impact through business than through athletics or media double standards for players surrounded by controversial situations like Patrick Roy, Jason Kidd, and the late Darryl Kile. (pp. 89-90). Other times, he skips around to all sorts of topics from militias to African Americans winning Oscars. The book is written in a chatty manner with a lot of repetition and no strong attention to organization. Some of his comments are already dated (i.e. that Kobe Bryant has not done anything to embarrass himself or his family and that no high school student or one-year college student coming into the NBA has made an immediate impact). Still, for the most part, it is a fun book that most Barkley fans will enjoy. Just don't expect to be amazed.

Starts off light-hearted: why he's writing this book. He wants to get people thinking, get discussions started from his comments and opinions on social issues and serious subjects. He talks about "keeping it real" for himself and the importance of the "star" of the game (any game) who's often taken for granted. He speaks of his mother and grandmother, who played such an important role in his upbringing, his love of travel and meeting new people. He speaks strongly of the racial tension he knew growing up black in Alabama. "Prejudice and racism isn't natural; you have to be taught it." His personal mentors: Julius Erving and Moses Malone. There's no fraternity more unique than that of the professional athlete. Young athletes should pay homage to the greats who came before them. He says "God doesn't have a favorite team," and "every minute of every day can't be serious."

What's wrong with saying that parents and teachers should be the role models of our children, not celebrities? When priests abuse children, why are we holding "meetings" instead of tossing their butts in jail? Why do people say an athlete's career is unfulfilled if he/she doesn't win a championship? Young players need to finish High School and stay in college as long as possible before going pro. The reason the worst teams get first draft pick is to improve their team now. Not 3-4 years from now when the kid gets better. Charles touched on the September 11th tragedy briefly; how he felt, how it changed him, especially his sudden uneasiness with flying.

The book is edited by Washington Post Sports Columnist Michael Wilbon who also contributes a great intro., having known Barkley since 1983 when he first saw him play at Auburn. Much of the book addresses the problems with racism. That's fine. The author IS black and has experienced racism his entire life. Most white people think, "I don't worry about racism: I'm white. It's a non-issue for me." The fact that racism is still a topic of conversation now, in 2003, is sad. I knew what to expect when I picked up this book. I'm white AND I'm a woman, but I'm just a fan of Charles Barkley. (I'm just sorry you never played for us in Boston!) An NBA star for 16 years and a big mouth: That's why I like him. He's not afraid to speak his mind. I find his ideas and opinions so basic, simple and true. It's unfortunate the rest of the world doesn't see things as simply as he does. I also enjoyed the writing style: very casual and conversational. Other readers have said, "there's not much that hasn't been heard before." Well isn't that the point? Most of these deeper issues ARE old issues. But they're STILL issues. Nothing's resolved. And PS-If you didn't like the book, you shouldn't have given it 3-stars!

First, this is not a book about basketball -- nor is it meant to be a collage of funny stories. Rather, if it has a theme, it is that Barkley wants people to discuss truly important issues; topics like race and discrimination that need conversation rather than political correctness. His goal with this collection of 25 "essays", running about ten pages each, is to get people out of the comfort zone and table subjects often pushed to the side by polite society.

While we think Michael Wilbon {in his foreword} went a little overboard in citing some of the ideas as "in-your-face" provocative and occasionally profane, Barkley tries hard in at least half the articles to stir somebody's pot. Current events like the Augusta National Golf Club issue with women (and Tiger Woods), child abuse at the hands of priests, and September 11th get his thoughts, alternating with fairly folksy chit chat about his Dad, his Grandma, the Dream Team, and so on.

Barkley seemed at his best to us in three segments: (1) discussing religion and why it is totally irrelevant to sports -- the title says it all: "God doesn't have a favorite team!"; (2) debunking the myth that only players on championship teams can be truly great; (3) and that "Making a Difference" is his (and should be everybody's) calling having "made it" -- indeed, the last stanza is entitled "If the Playing Is All You're Going to Do, You've Missed the Boat".

Don't read this cover to cover in one two-hour session. Read a few, let it sink in, then read a few more. Then TALK about it; otherwise, as Sir Charles says, you've missed the boat !

How much you will enjoy this book depends entirely on you. If you are a basketball fan looking for playing-days anticdotes, this is not for you! If you are a Charles Barkley fan seeking a little more understanding of this wondefully open individual, you are likely to enjoy this book.
Contrary to reviews of the book, what Charles has to say is by no means offensive but rather quite logical and fair. He has a wonderfully down to earth view of the world and his views on children are absolutely superb. He does drag on a little too much about racism but beyond that, what he has to say is interesting.
However, unless you disagree with his views, this book is not likely to make you think, and except for the intro, it is not particularly funny. Charles uses the book as a platform to discuss serious issues he can not speak about on television.
A great book, truly, but being a basketball fan I was dissapointed by the lack of basketball content and hence only 3 stars! But this does not mean it is a 3 star book, I can understand someone other than myself loving it.
Also, 250 pages of double spaced print, pretty short book, can be read in no time at all.

Like many other professional sports today, professional basketball has its fair share of colorful, wild, and notorious players. However, thought to be one of the most controversial players in any sport, Charles Barkley personifies the unique and highly opinionated sports figure. I May Be Wrong but I Doubt It, by Charles Barkley, is an amazing autobiography, not only of the star's life on the basketball court, but of Barkley's opinions, goals, struggles, and triumphs in the real world.

I May Be Wrong but I Doubt It is a story of the career and personal life of one of the most talented basketball players to ever set foot in the NBA. Still noted as one of the only players, along with Wilt Chamberlain, to "total more than 23,000 points, 12,000 rebounds, and 4,000 assists," this sports legend now expresses his opinions, not by playing the game he was so talented at, but through his present position as a TNT sports commentator. As quoted by the book, "There's nothing Charles Barkley shies away from here-not race, not class, not big money, not scandal, not politics, not personalities, nothing."

Barkley infrequently utilizes literary devices. However, the author employs very personal and unique language that not only keeps the reader interested, but also enables the reader to feel as if he has known Barkley for a long time.

I thought I May Be Wrong but I Doubt It was an incredible autobiography. Although highly opinionated and in some instances controversial, this book is a must read for any sports fan. The book lacks a definite theme, but its purpose is to present the life of one of the most intelligent minds in all of sports today and the opinions and ideas that have molded this man into the "character" he is today.