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jakewritesbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I should say up front: I’m a diehard LeBron James fan to the point of irrationally defending him no matter what. I’ve rooted for him since he came in the league and loved his game ever since. And being a big fan, I’ve consumed thousands of words on his life and career.
So I wouldn’t say I know better than Jeff Benedict because I definitely don’t. I don’t know anything about LeBron’s personal life save that he’s a proud husband and father. But I was also disappointed to find that in reading this, I learned little more. I hadn’t read much about his time growing up in Akron; I knew it wasn’t easy but Benedict gives about as full of a picture as possible. Beyond that…meh. Just a whole lot of meh.
The basketball stuff is flat and brings nothing new to life. Benedict goes long into the LeBron, Inc. of James’ life, how he formed business relationships and built them. That’s impressive, I suppose. But for those of us who are fascinated with the subject, we never get a full portrayal of the man himself as this leans towards the hagiographic. I don’t need dirt or innuendo or “the hot goss.” But I’d like to know more about LeBron’s evolution as a human being, a player, a person. Benedict draws almost everything back to James’ traumatic childhood and yes, that’s certainly a factor — perhaps the biggest factor. But the man’s lived a full and complete life since he escaped public housing in Akron. What makes him tick?
This day and age, it’s tough to get a full, detailed biography on someone famous. And that’s fine, celebrities deserve their privacy too. But we also want to know the people who sell us shoes and soft drinks. I don’t need to know LeBron James’ personal business but I would have liked more insight on LeBron James the person. And this isn’t it.
So I wouldn’t say I know better than Jeff Benedict because I definitely don’t. I don’t know anything about LeBron’s personal life save that he’s a proud husband and father. But I was also disappointed to find that in reading this, I learned little more. I hadn’t read much about his time growing up in Akron; I knew it wasn’t easy but Benedict gives about as full of a picture as possible. Beyond that…meh. Just a whole lot of meh.
The basketball stuff is flat and brings nothing new to life. Benedict goes long into the LeBron, Inc. of James’ life, how he formed business relationships and built them. That’s impressive, I suppose. But for those of us who are fascinated with the subject, we never get a full portrayal of the man himself as this leans towards the hagiographic. I don’t need dirt or innuendo or “the hot goss.” But I’d like to know more about LeBron’s evolution as a human being, a player, a person. Benedict draws almost everything back to James’ traumatic childhood and yes, that’s certainly a factor — perhaps the biggest factor. But the man’s lived a full and complete life since he escaped public housing in Akron. What makes him tick?
This day and age, it’s tough to get a full, detailed biography on someone famous. And that’s fine, celebrities deserve their privacy too. But we also want to know the people who sell us shoes and soft drinks. I don’t need to know LeBron James’ personal business but I would have liked more insight on LeBron James the person. And this isn’t it.
marksbookreviews's review against another edition
5.0
When I saw this book about LeBron James, I was immediately intrigued. I did have to stop reading it a few times as I had other books to read, but when I finally finished it, I was glad I read it and learned a lot more about him than I knew previously.
It was he and his mom throughout out his childhood trying to survive. When he started playing high school basketball, he was fortunate enough to play with some of his closest friends and had wonderful coaches helping him succeed.
I didn’t realize that LeBron has a very small circle of business minded folks he trusts, and he has been with them for a while.
I was a bit worried, that it would drag on and the author would detail every game he played, but that didn’t happen. Only a few games were highlighted, as well as playoff games.
I will say, he is a class act both on and off the court and is a great example of a family man. You won’t see him doing anything stupid like other athletes do.
If I was a General Manager of an NBA team, and had to pick any current player, my first choice would be LeBron James. Even though I haven’t followed the NBA or the San Antonio Spurs since 2016, I remember preaching to the world that when was a free agent and had he signed with the Spurs, I would’ve happily accepted him.
It was he and his mom throughout out his childhood trying to survive. When he started playing high school basketball, he was fortunate enough to play with some of his closest friends and had wonderful coaches helping him succeed.
I didn’t realize that LeBron has a very small circle of business minded folks he trusts, and he has been with them for a while.
I was a bit worried, that it would drag on and the author would detail every game he played, but that didn’t happen. Only a few games were highlighted, as well as playoff games.
I will say, he is a class act both on and off the court and is a great example of a family man. You won’t see him doing anything stupid like other athletes do.
If I was a General Manager of an NBA team, and had to pick any current player, my first choice would be LeBron James. Even though I haven’t followed the NBA or the San Antonio Spurs since 2016, I remember preaching to the world that when was a free agent and had he signed with the Spurs, I would’ve happily accepted him.
mctmama's review
4.0
I've always been fascinated with LeBron James, and after reading this book, I admire him. Well researched and documented, it was eye opening to see how James overcame his circumstances to not only be a premier basketball player, but become an extremely successful businessman who gives back in many ways to his community.