She Got Game: My Personal Odyssey [Mass Market Paperback]

Cynthia Cooper (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2000

Considered the best female basketball player in the WNBA today, Cooper shares her extraordinary story--showing how hard work, commitment, and determination helped her rise from poverty in Watts to win an Olympics gold medal and eventually lead the Houston Comets to victory. A new chapter discusses the Comets' 1999 championship. photo insert.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Although women's basketball has only come to prominence in the U.S. in the last few years, Cooper has been competitively engaged since 1981, first as a player for USC, then in local European leagues and for two U.S. Olympic teams. She is currently a star with the WNBA's two-time defending champion Houston Comets. All this experience should give the 36-year old Watts native, who has helped raise two nephews and watched her mother battle breast cancer, a deep well from which to draw. But her memoir reads like a perfunctory exercise riddled with motivational platitudes ("If there's one thing my life illustrates it's this: 'Put an obstacle in front of me and I'll overcome it.'" Readers learn that during Cooper's fatherless childhood, her mother "worked to give us a better chance in life," but Cooper doesn't delve beyond this. The story looks like it will take a more substantive turn when Cooper describes her struggles to adapt and embrace new cultures when she played in Spain and Italy, but again she offers only superficial details ("Paella is a rice-based dish usually made with seafood or chicken.... It's delicious"). Had it been told well, Cooper's story could surely have been inspirational. (Aug.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

Cooper's odyssey took her from Watts, where she was one of eight children, to Olympic glory and her role as one of the top female players in the WNBA.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; First Edition edition (June 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446608394
• ISBN-13: 978-0446608398
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,425,224 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational and Uplifting., November 15, 1999

By 

Susan (Salt Lake City, UT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: She Got Game: My Personal Odyssey (Hardcover)

I have renewed admiration for Cynthia Cooper after reading her autobiography. Her book was so interesting I read it all in one day. Cynthia's life story will have appeal to teens and adults. She is an amazing woman and a true role model.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book that everyone should read., November 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: She Got Game: My Personal Odyssey (Hardcover)

I loved this book! It made me realize how tough some poeple have it in life and all the fears that they have. I admire Cynthia even more, now that I have read her book. It was cool reading about her love life, and all her accomplishments in basketball. It was very interesting to learn where she came from and her experiences in Europe. I recommend this book to every basketball player, or just anyone who wants to read an inspirational story about such a great person, Cynthia Cooper.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a powerful testimonial., September 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: She Got Game: My Personal Odyssey (Hardcover)

Coop is sharing so many facets of her life: her childhood, teenage years, college years, her experiences in Europe, her love life and her love for basketball. Adversity, splendor, tragedy and beauty entwined to make the fabric that is her life. She had to learn many lessons along the way, and now her story can be an inspiration to others. You don't have to be a sports fan to enjoy this book. This is a book about life, and how your choices can lead you to success if you are willing to do the work and have faith in yourself. An easy read - I bought this book one evening after work and read it cover to cover that night. I just refuse to stop reading; I did not want to close the book. Cynthia Cooper - you got game and a whole lot more.