To The Hoop: The Seasons Of A Basketball Life

by Ira Berkow

A sportswriter describes the role of basketball in his own life, discussing his love for the game, his life as a pickup basketball player, and some of the legendary players and coaches he has known

Genres: Sports, Basketball

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Ira Berkow was a sports columnist and feature writer for THE NEW YORK TIMES for more than 25 years. He won the Pulitzer Prize for national reporting and was a finalist for the Pulitzer for commentary. He is the author of numerous books, including THE CORPORAL WAS A PITCHER, ROCKIN' STEADY, and SUMMERS IN THE BRONX, the bestsellers MAXWELL STREET: SURVIVAL IN A BAZAAR and RED: A BIOGRAPHY OF RED SMITH, as well as two memoirs, FULL SWING and TO THE HOOP. He was the coauthor and editor of HANK GREENBERG: THE STORY OF MY LIFE, which was a primary source for the award-winning documentary The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg. He lives in New York City.

Reviews

[LAMONT D · Rating 3 out of 5]

For basketball junkies this book will resonate. For those that try to play a young man's sport or endeavor to keep the competitive juices flowing you may like this book as well. He also talks about losing his brother and struggles with the sense of it all. So, not a lot to take away from his writings but to be slightly entertained.

[Robert Gaines · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, never much of a fan of basketball, saying this book is about basketball is like saying fishing is about the hooks. This book is about so much more than that.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderful read if you're an aging (40+) athlete, especially of course if basketball is your sport of choice. Berkow continues to play into his 60's for various reasons, many of which resonate with me and the group of guys I continue to run up and down the court with. His story of playing with Oscar Robertson a few years ago in a YMCA in Cincinnati is great.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful insight into the thoughts of someone addicted to the hardwood that I found comforting.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captured how I feel about still playing basketball, probably for a niche audience though of aging wannabe athletes.

[Kymon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A terrific book for a basketball junkie. The NBA has its own season, while street ball seemingly never ends!