A View from Above (Signet) [Paperback]

Wilt Chamberlain (Author)

Book Description

Series: Signet | Publication Date: November 1, 1992

The former basketball star speaks out on Bill Russell, race relations, the NBA, sex, women, Kareen Abdul-Jabbar, and many other hot topics. Reprint.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"Wilt the Stilt" describes his life since his retirement from basketball in 1974, touching on his bookishness, his Republican politics and his prodigious sexual appetite. Photos.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Chamberlain has written his second book in over 18 years (the first was Wilt: Just Like Any Other 7-Foot Black Millionaire Who Lives Next Door , LJ 8/73). The times have changed and Chamberlain, now 50, has too. Always outspoken and sometimes controversial, Chamberlain feels he now has even more freedom to express his views on various subjects. Former and current sports figures, race relations, celebrities, sex, women, and money are topics upon which he has very candid opinions. Sprinkled liberally throughout the book are "Wiltisms," his interesting and often humorous philosophies on life. He devotes a full chapter to sex and love, and tells why he has remained a bachelor after all these years. This is a revealing look at one of the more unique, intelligent, and larger-than-life sports figures of our time. Recommended for public libraries. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 7/91.
- Jeffrey Nicholas, Lib . Svce., VA Medical Ctr., Castle Point, N.Y.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Signet (November 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451174933
• ISBN-13: 978-0451174932
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #435,609 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A View into Wilt's Head!, December 19, 2004

By 

J. Pace "Darrell Pace" (Tuscumbia, AL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A View from Above (Signet) (Paperback)

Some of the reviewers have given Wilt's book a hard time, but I felt he accomplished what he set out to do. He has given us a glance into his thoughts and ideas about so many different things. We truly have a look at the way he thought, whether we agree with his opinions or not. I certainly did not agree with everything he had to say, but gained insight into his life and saw that some of his opinions were filled with good insight. I found it interesting to see how he and other NBA stars interacted according to him. I'd love to hear their opinions as well. I enjoyed hearing about some of the stars from the old days. Wilt stood up for them and how they should be better recognized today. I'd love to see DVD's available with clips from all of the old stars. Wilt thought highly of himself and that is obvious. But, let's face it, who else ever scored 100 points in a game? He does deserve some recognition. Wilt certainly did not live a perfect life, but he enjoyed himself and experienced much and you can learn about many details if you read this book. You'll find it interesting.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars INTERESTING, August 11, 2001

By A Customer

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This review is from: A View from Above (Signet) (Paperback)

WILT HAS MANY OPINIONS AND THOUGHTS. IN THIS BOOK HE EXPRESSES THEM FROM START TO FINISH. I AGREE WITH MANY OF HIS INSIGHTS. HE WAS A VERY INTELLIGENT GUY WHO ENJOYED THE FINE THINGS IN LIFE, CARS, WOMEN, FINE WINES, LARGE HOUSE ETC. WILT LIVED LARGE. THIS IS A NICE READ FOR FANS OF THE GREAT WILT. NICELY PUT TOGETHER.

4.0 out of 5 stars Wilt Chamberlain: Always Interesting, December 20, 2008

By 

Craig Connell (Lockport, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: A View from Above (Hardcover)

It's ironic than Wilt Chamberlain was a long-time rival of Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach. They might have been "enemies" but both men are very opinionated and write extremely-readable, fun books. Red's "Let Me Tell You A Story" and this book by Wilt are both told as if the men who sitting opposite you in your living room just shooting the bull.

That approach makes this book a lot of fun to read. It's also ironic that almost all of Wilt's comments about the NBA stiil hold true today! He was right on the money on most things. Regarding his boasting, well, this guy was the greatest player of all time - no question about it - and never really got enough praise....and it bothered him, big-time. You can read it throughout the book but, frankly, I have to agree with him.

I really didn't give two hoots what Wilt thinks of telephone services or waiting in line at the checkout counter or other inane things, but they were still fun to read. Most, though, I appreciate his insight into basketball and why certain players were either great or overrated. Wilt's honesty and frankness was refreshing.

Chamberlain's sense of humor was good, too, and there is plenty of it here in this book. This is simply a great read and I regret Wilt is no longer with us to keep giving his outlook on the present culture, whether it was outragous or not.