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YAO: A Life in Two Worlds (Hardcover)

by Yao Ming (Author), Ric Bucher (Author) "My name is Yao Ming..." (more)
Key Phrases: junior national team, junior team, national team coach, Yao Ming, Wang Zhi Zhi, Liu Wei (more...)
4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Yao, the 7'5" Chinese NBA center, charms readers with the same grace and humility that have made him one of basketball's most mediagenic personalities. Coauthored by Bucher, an ESPN the Magazine writer, the book includes short sections by Yao's Houston Rockets teammates and managers, but its driving voice is 23-year-old Yao's. The language is simple, sincere and often funny as Yao jokes about Wilt Chamberlain's reputation as a ladies' man and presents a view of himself as a blue-collar worker ("I sweat for my paycheck"). The book follows Yao's career in China, the bureaucratic struggles involved in getting him to the U.S., and his experiences on the court, including what it was like to play against Shaq. Though there's lots of basketball talk, the book's most compelling sections address the clash of cultures, such as the time when Yao's former team, the Shanghai Sharks, banned one of Yao's representatives from negotiating because he was white. Yao clearly loves his native country and says his greatest dream is to lead China's national team to an Olympic gold medal. But with millions in endorsement deals, the adoration of fans across the globe and this earnest book, it's clear he's living out the American dream, too. Photos.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
The seven-foot-four-inch Yao, all-star center with the Houston Rockets, is the best basketball player ever to come out of China. This as-told-to autobiography covers the usual ground: Yao's youth as the son of two outstanding Chinese baskestball players; his enrollment in the Chinese basketball pipeline and subsequent international success; and his decision to try the NBA. What sets the book apart from similar sports bios is Yao's comparison of Chinese culture with the one to which he's adapting in the U.S. For example, he contrasts the freewheeling NBA sexual lifestyle versus his own chaste courtship of a player on the Chinese women's national team. He also displays a sly sense of humor, digging playfully at NBA broadcaster Bill Walton by noting that Yao's translator has no idea what Walton is talking about. Coauthor Bucher, a first-generation American whose initial language was German, adds context to Yao's story with his own experience assimilating a new culture. This will be a very pleasant surprise for readers expecting the usual and-then-we-played memoir manufactured to capitalize on the popularity of a young superstar. Wes Lukowsky
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Miramax (September 22, 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1401352146
  • ISBN-13: 978-1401352141
  • Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #907,367 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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YAO: A Life in Two Worlds 4.4 out of 5 stars (10)
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Customer Reviews

10 Reviews
5 star:
 (7)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.4 out of 5 stars (10 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Autobiography!! Very Interesting Read!!, September 11, 2004
You do not have to be a basketball junkie to love this book.
Its interesting to read about the language, and culture barriers Yao had to break to be successful in the NBA.

Stories from friends, families, coaches , GM's and fellow players are really funny, and gives you some insight on behind-the scenes NBA stuff.

Ric Bucher has done an EXCELLENT JOB--blending Yao's words,and perspective, with the words, and perspectives of people in Yao's inner circle.

Definitely, one of the better sports biographies ever written.
I was really impressed.
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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars great book, September 18, 2004
By Benson Ng (Pasig, Metro Manila Philippines) - See all my reviews
I am just finished this book. It has a great insight of Yao's life and his struggles in going to the NBA, his first allstar and his life as an NBA player. Some funny moments as you would have a peek into his humor and wisdom. What's great about this book is that Yao Ming personally speaks/wrote of himself in the book and most of the person's that know him well shared their insights in the book. The book (including a chapter about his girlfriend, Ye Li) really informs us of Yao's both world . I am now a Yao Ming Fan for life. Definitely worth its price.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Autobiography of a basketball superstar, October 23, 2004
By Karen Potts (Lake Jackson, Texas) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   
Yao Ming comes across in this book as a refreshingly well-balanced young man who has his size 18 shoes squarely on the ground, dispite the fact that his head is almost (literally) in the clouds. Anyone who thinks that Yao has had it easy, will soon discover that he has worked very hard for everything he has and that his 7'6" frame has sometimes been as much a liability as it has been an asset. Yao describes a bit about his growing-up years and shows how his parents, although basketball players themselves, wanted something more for their son. They encouraged him to pursue a college degree, but when he opted for life as a professional athlete, they supported him in his decision. Although very committed to China and to playing for its national team, Yao shows a surprisingly independent spirit and has definite opinions which he shares in the book. Things bog down a bit during the chapters on the negotiations which brought him to the Houston Rockets and the NBA, and the multiple voices which tell the story are rather distracting and confusing at times. Yao is at his best when he uses his humor to contrast life styles between China and the U.S. Although he sometimes pokes fun at both cultures, he manages to show respect to the individuals he writes about. With his work ethic, competitiveness, and balanced outlook on life, Yao is sure to be a success in anything he attempts in life.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable book
I got this for my husband for Christmas and he read it in like 3 days. It was really informative and enjoyable.
Published 6 months ago by V. Tabanera

1.0 out of 5 stars Poorly written book offers very little value
A good biography teaches you something not just about the subject of the book but about life itself. Read more
Published on October 27, 2006 by obediah

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Entertainment for a Yao Fan
This book includes many interesting stories and facts that fans will definitely enjoy about the Chinese sports hero. Read more
Published on August 3, 2006 by Iris Lim

5.0 out of 5 stars An Entertaining and Informative Read
The Houston Rockets spent the 2001 season's number one draft pick on Yao, a seven-foot, five-inch center from Shanghai, China. Read more
Published on May 24, 2006 by Brian Nathaniel Lee

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book. A+!
Great book to know more about the history of Yao and his roots. Highly recommend.
Published on February 28, 2005 by Tom T. Wu

5.0 out of 5 stars A Life in Two Worlds
Once I started reading the book, I could not put it down until I was done .
Published on November 13, 2004 by PHILIP

5.0 out of 5 stars a well written, personable, humorous and reflective book
I wasn't sure how I felt about paying for a biography for someone who had only been in the NBA for 2 seasons, but I'm so glad that I did. Read more
Published on November 2, 2004 by Michael Chen

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