The definitive biography of a legendary athlete.

The Shrug. The Shot. The Flu Game. Michael Jordan is responsible for sublime moments so ingrained in sports history that they have their own names. When most people think of him, they think of his beautiful shots with the game on the line, his body totally in sync with the ball -- hitting nothing but net.

But for all his greatness, this scion of a complex family from North Carolina's Coastal Plain has a darker side: he's a ruthless competitor and a lover of high stakes. There's never been a biography that encompassed the dual nature of his character and looked so deeply at Jordan on and off the court -- until now.

Basketball journalist Roland Lazenby spent almost thirty years covering Michael Jordan's career in college and the pros. He witnessed Jordan's growth from a skinny rookie to the instantly recognizable global ambassador for basketball whose business savvy and success have millions of kids still wanting to be just like Mike. Yet Lazenby also witnessed the Michael Jordan whose drive and appetite are more fearsome and more insatiable than any of his fans could begin to know.

Michael Jordan: The Life explores both sides of his personality to reveal the fullest, most compelling story of the man who is Michael Jordan. Lazenby draws on his personal relationships with Jordan's coaches; countless interviews with Jordan's friends, teammates, and family members; and interviews with Jordan himself to provide the first truly definitive study of Michael Jordan: the player, the icon, and the man.

About the Author
Roland Lazenby is the author of the bestselling and definitive biographies Michael Jordan and Jerry West, among other books. He has spent the past three decades interviewing NBA players, coaches, staff members, and other figures while writing about the league. He lives in Salem, VA.

Reviews
Praise for JERRY WEST

"A superior account of one of American sports' most compelling, complicated figures...by turns, smart, beautifully reported, well-written and psychologically shrewd....Where this book breaks fascinating new ground is in its exploration of West's tormented perfectionism." -- Los Angeles Times

"A thoughtful, serious biography of an athlete both blessed and cursed by talent and a competitive spirit." -- Booklist

"Lazenby managed to make sense of this complex man...West's career and life deserved a book like this. It's highly recommended." -- Slam Magazine



Book Information
ISBN 9780316194761
Author Roland Lazenby
Format Paperback
Page Count 720
Imprint Back Bay Books
Publisher Little, Brown & Company
Weight(grams) 742g
Dimensions(mm) 210mm * 140mm * 58mm