Coincidently as I am reading Lazenby’s book, I am also watching the ESPN documentary, The Last Dance. The book provides two perspectives on Michael Jordan. The first perspective is of Jordan as an athlete. Without a doubt, he is probably the greatest basketball player who has played. His dedication, hard work and manic competitiveness are detailed throughout this book. The biggest knock against Jordan is how poorly he treated many of his teammates. There are a number of stories where Jordan was not a very good teammate and became physically and mentally abusive to those players he disrespected.

The second perspective is of Jordan as a man. On that he probably deserves mixed reviews. Given his fame, opportunities and financial wealth, he experienced different temptations. The worst temptation was his gambling which was a result of his manic competitiveness. Jordan had other issues, particularly with his family members, even his mother who comes off very well in this book.

If you are a basketball fan, particularly one who did not get to see Jordan play in his prime, this is an excellent book to understand why he is considered the GOAT. This book also provides some context to the ESPN documentary as it fills one gaps to understand Jordan's mindset and motivations.

This is definitely not a puff piece – – it shows the greatness of Jordan and his warts. ( )

Michael’s Journey
Roland Lazenby’s work provides an fair account of Jordan’s career since college to the ownership of Charlotte Hornets. The space in between matter the most and Lazenby describes the Chicago Bulls years with insights about how Jordan related to his peers and to the ownership. The portrait that emerges is of a basketball player extremely hard with his companions and conscious of his public persona. One gets the notion that Jordan developed a harsh personality in order to protect himself of excessive exposition and to achieve his goals. Driven by challenges, Jordan demands a lot from people whom he plays and works with. The story is interesting and Lazenby’s style is entertaining. Good book. ( )

This book features a lot about Michael Jordan early life, and up to his retirement. There were many point of views from family members that really bring the book to reality. Throughout the biography, it shows Michael Jordan's best games and while he was in high school. ( )

Summary:
This is all about the great basketball player Michael Jordan. It covers everything in the great players career. All the way back to him getting cut from his high school basketball team and more.

Personal Reaction:
This book shows the career and life of Michael Jordan to a t. Not only is it exciting, but would make you go after any dream that you might have as well.

Classroom Extension:
1. We can talk about dreams that we all have and find ways to achieve them.
2. My kids can go outside and play basketball themselves!
3. We can discuss what each of our favorite thing about Michael Jordan is.

I'm a huge Michael Jordan fan, so I was excited to read this book. It was definitely a worthwhile read, especially if you're a basketball, MJ, or Chicago Bulls fan. The level of detail is amazing, and I learned a lot about Michael's early years, especially, as well as some great facts about his college selection process, his first deals with Nike and such. If you're a sports geek, you'll eat this stuff up.

The book picks up speed once Michael joins the Bulls and sort of blows through his Championships. I get it - there are plenty of other reads about those events (including some by Lazenby himself, I believe), but I wouldn't have minded a few more details about some of his years with the Bulls.

If those years go by quickly in the book, his time after the Bulls is really glossed over. For me, that was the one real disappointment of this biography. That's sort of the part of MJ that's such a mystery and it was a little sad not to know more about what he's up to these days. There is, however, some great information about his time with the Wizards organization.

All told, even when some of the years pass by quickly, the book is a worthy read. I think it presents a pretty fair portrait of Jordan. He's recognized as a hero to many, but Lazenby certainly brings in quotes and perspectives from all sides, including those who don't always sing his praises. You learn a lot about MJ's childhood and family make-up and how it created the determined, competitive individual that he is. If you're a fan, there are some quotes that will make you laugh out loud and other passages that will fascinate you. And there are plenty of little tidbits you can trot out at dinner parties... (ok, ok, maybe just with your other sports nerds friends. But there are lots of fun stories and facts throughout the book!)

By the end you'll know a lot about Michael, but still be left wondering a bit. But perhaps that's the key to Jordan all along. ( )