Michael Jordan Speaks: Lessons from the World's Greatest Champion [Hardcover]

Janet Lowe (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471345644 | ISBN-13: 978-0471345640 | Publication Date: October 22, 1999 | Edition: 1

Hailed as the greatest to have ever played the game, Michael Jordan reigned supreme over theNBA for eleven seasons. While his achievements on the court have made him a basketball legend, his activities off the court as businessman, movie star, and pitchman have made himan American icon. In this unique biography, the author of the bestselling Speaks series shedslight on the drive and determination behind the incredible success of His Royal Airness by bringing together original Jordan quotes culled from articles, newscasts, andinterviews.

Possibly the most recognized celebrity on the planet today, definitely one of the greatest sports figures who ever lived and, by far, the most effective product endorser in the history of business, Michael "Air" Jordan is the stuff of legend. But it is more than his unrivaled skill in basketball or his phenomenal success in business that have earned him the love and respect of billions. Whether on the court or the sound stage, Jordan embodies all the qualities that people most admire in a winner and role model: quiet dignity and consummate grace, driving ambition and a heartfelt sense of fair play.

In this book Janet Lowe, author of the bestselling Warren Buffett Speaks and Oprah Winfrey Speaks, offers us an inspiring look at the man behind the Michael Jordan image. Drawn from hundreds of sources, the quotes gathered together in this book reveal Michael Jordan's views on everything from sports and winning to love and family, to teamwork and individual initiative.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"It would be easy to say that Jordan has been a one-man industry, but he's really more like a utility, a piece of the national infrastructure, every bit as important as the storm sewers or the power grid. That is a reminder that things that people take for granted-Ma Bell, the Soviet Union, Michael Jordan on Sunday afternoons-can disappear suddenly." - Washington Post

Possibly the most recognized celebrity on the planet today, definitely one of the greatest sports figures who ever lived, and, by far, the most effective product endorser in the history of business, Michael "Air" Jordan is the stuff of legend. But it is more than his unrivaled skill in basketball or his phenomenal success in business that have earned him the love and respect of billions. Whether on the court or the sound stage, Jordan embodies all the qualities that people most admire in a winner and role model: quiet dignity and consummate grace, unfaltering confidence and unselfconscious humility, driving ambition and a noble sense of fair play.

In this book, Janet Lowe, author of the bestselling Warren Buffett Speaks and Oprah Winfrey Speaks, offers us an inspiring look at the man behind the Michael Jordan image. Drawn from hundreds of sources, the quotes gathered together in this book reveal Michael Jordan's views on everything from sports and winning to love and family, teamwork and individual initiative to morality and the life of the spirit.

Here is just a sample of what you'll find inside:

"Mental toughness and the heart are a lot stronger than some of the physical advantages that you may have."

"My responsibility has been to play the game of basketball and relieve some of the pressure of everyday life for people who work from 9 to 5, and I've tried to do that to the best of my abilities."

"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships."

"I don't believe in race. I believe in friendship."

"Everything is fun. I played for fun for nine straight years. We happened to win championships."

"I let the game come to me. It's very important that I don't go try to make it happen."

The world listens when Michael Jordan Speaks

"People can fly. Some fly higher than others, that's all."

"You can practice shooting eight hours a day, but if your technique is wrong, then all you become is very good at shooting the wrong way. Get the fundamentals down and the level of everything you do will rise."

"My heroes were my parents. I can't see having anyone else as my heroes."

"Confidence allows you to progress in something you're attempting to accomplish, whether it's playing basketball or baseball, or whether it's trying to succeed in business."

". . . This is going to sound wild-but my ultimate dream is to get a pot belly."

About the Author

JANET LOWE is the author of the bestselling Warren Buffett Speaks, Oprah Winfrey Speaks, Jack Welch Speaks, and Billy Graham Speaks, all available from Wiley. Her articles have appeared in Newsweek, the Christian Science Monitor, the Los Angeles Times, and the San Francisco Chronicle. Ms. Lowe lives in Del Mar, California, with her husband, Austin Lynas.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (October 22, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471345644
• ISBN-13: 978-0471345640
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 4.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,526,518 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #88 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( J ) > Jordan, Michael

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What more can be said about the great one, June 20, 2000

By 

William H. Gallagher (Brooksville FL.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Michael Jordan Speaks: Lessons from the World's Greatest Champion (Hardcover)

Being a fan of the game but a Knicks fan, I can say this was a decent read about Jordans career. I always had great respect for the man and think he is the best basketball player of all time. This book will let you see in writing what he did over the years. Well put together by the author and worthwhile for anyone even those who are not fans.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Give Me More!, July 8, 2000

By 

Chris Nixon-Giles (Vancouver, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Michael Jordan Speaks: Lessons from the World's Greatest Champion (Hardcover)

A quick and easy read about one of our true sports phenomonons. This book leaves us wanting more, infact when I finished my reaction was that now, I wanted to read a book about Michael Jordan.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Michael Jordan Speaks, March 26, 2003

By 

gbeard05 (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Michael Jordan Speaks: Lessons from the World's Greatest Champion (Hardcover)

Many people know Michael Jordan as a legend, but did you know that even this legend has failed. As a sophomore in high school, Michael was cut from the varsity basketball team. Though he may have had thoughts of giving up, it inspired him to work even harder. Michael Jordan Speaks by Janet Lowey tells the story of Michael's life, and what obstacles he has overcome. Throughout the book, Michael faces many struggles, not just physically but emotionally. This sports superstar had to deal with the murder of his father, his business (Jordan), and entertaining the fans of the Chicago Bulls. No matter how bad the problem looked, he never gave up.
Follow Michael Jordan through the ups and downs of being the worlds most known person. See what it's like from growing up in a small town in North Carolina to packing NBA stadiums in almost every city he goes to. Michael has a storybook of a life, from what the general public knows. Find out what conflicts Michael came upon on his journey to the top.
Michael faces many challenges throughout his life. The most difficult challenge brought upon the superstar was the murder of his father. Though Michael did retire from the NBA after his fathers' murder, he didn't just give up. He needed a break from the spotlight while he got his emotions in sorts. Later he did return to the NBA, but in my mind that isn't even close to giving up, because he returned to the Bulls to win three Championships in a row. Michael also faced some trouble with his gambling problems. Michael denies that he has ever had a gambling problem, though many NBA officials beg to differ. Reporters have tried to get him in trouble with the contract he signed with the NBA in reference to gambling. In the end the NBA couldn't try Michael for anything because he would make bets on legal things, such as a private golf game, or a card game. Throughout the whole conflict, Michael never lost his cool to any reporter, though many reports goal in life was to try to get Michael to explode at them just to get a good story. Michael hasn't once lost his cool in the public eye, because he believes that he is someone who kids look up to. He wants to give out a positive image, so that kids will follow his lead of being a polite and respected person.
Janet Lowe took a different type of approach to writing this book. She based the book on quotes that Michael has said, and then went off on a tangent to tell his life story. It is a different type of read, but it is interesting to see what Michael is feeling in his quotes, compared to what is happening in his life. It took me a couple pages to get used to the style, but it is an interesting way to look at his life.
Through all the ups and downs in his life, Michael never once gave up or lost his cool. He kept his eyes on his goal, and remembered his role in society as a role model. Kids look up to him, and he realized it, so he wanted to set a good example for the kids to follow. Nothing was handed to Michael on a silver platter, he had to work hard and never give up to achieve the level he was at.