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This Is Me: The Autobiography
Ian Thorpe is one of the world's most prolific sportsmen, but it is the way he has managed his success and his commitment to helping others that has earned him respect and admiration internationally. Thorpe's autobiography follows him all the way from his childhood in Sydney right back up to the pinnacle of London 2012.
336 pages, Paperback
First published October 24, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
June 7, 2023
If you are a fan of Ian Thorpe and/or swimming this book will suit just fine however without knowing anything about swimming or his career this will not work. Here's the wiki page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Thorpe
Personally, I think he is the best technical swimmer there is. His movement in the water is like art. He was like a fish or a merman even around 15 when I first saw his swimming so when he suddenly retired too early, he seemed worn down. This book shows how he fell in love with the sport, and why he chose to come back. This is in a diary format in present when he failed bid to make the 2012 Olympic team. The flashbacks are not chronological, but they won't be confusing.
I always thought he was one of the shyest athletes I've ever seen. He is not the typical alpha male athlete. Too sensitive, very shy and very private. In this he is very honest about the low points in his life and the reader sees how it must've been like outside the pool - a remarkable person: intelligent, determined, talented, and most importantly, human, something media didn't seem to understand. I never understood the comparisons between him and Michael Phelps other than Phelps stating that he idolized Thorpe as a teenager, modelling his public image after him.
Anyway, it's nice to see he's rediscovered his passion again.
Personally, I think he is the best technical swimmer there is. His movement in the water is like art. He was like a fish or a merman even around 15 when I first saw his swimming so when he suddenly retired too early, he seemed worn down. This book shows how he fell in love with the sport, and why he chose to come back. This is in a diary format in present when he failed bid to make the 2012 Olympic team. The flashbacks are not chronological, but they won't be confusing.
I always thought he was one of the shyest athletes I've ever seen. He is not the typical alpha male athlete. Too sensitive, very shy and very private. In this he is very honest about the low points in his life and the reader sees how it must've been like outside the pool - a remarkable person: intelligent, determined, talented, and most importantly, human, something media didn't seem to understand. I never understood the comparisons between him and Michael Phelps other than Phelps stating that he idolized Thorpe as a teenager, modelling his public image after him.
Anyway, it's nice to see he's rediscovered his passion again.
November 17, 2021
I have always been fascinated with Ian Thorpe: his successes in and out of the pool, his approach to swimming and his drive to win. But honestly, I never knew much about him. This book was a great way to meet the person behind the "Thorpedo" image. I loved how it was written and recalled back to personal memories and notable events in Ian's swimming history. It was like I was having a conversation with a friend. A great read!
November 10, 2012
Perhaps overly technical in parts, but Ian certainly needed to write this book to set the record straight. This is his gift to many of our children with sporting aspirations whether in swimming or not. It's a gift to many of the parents of these children as well. This is Ian's message to the media and how the invasion of privacy and the constant intrusion can affect someone mentally. A person who is personable and gregarious can barely manage the strain of media scrutiny so it is a lonely road when it's a young, shy teenager.
The media have a role: to report truth and fact and sadly the public have fed the idea that anything private that leads to possible controversy is part of that truth. It affects their performance so greatly as well as seen by the performance of our swimmers at the London Olympics where time spent tweeting and responding to social networking commitments was seemingly important. The team that was there was no less talented and strong than any other team. Ian has made clear that mental preparation is crucial when going into competition and focus and concentration is vital. The side effect of feeding all the social media is evident in anyone's life and it is heightened when it is a known person. What benefit is there when one tweets "Arrived at the games village" etc ?
I felt great sympathy for him because he was truly a remarkable swimmer and his heart is that of gold. What surprised me was his erudite nature as well.
I didn't read this book expecting a literary masterpiece - but I did expect to learn more about one of our greatest athletes - I got that and some.
The media have a role: to report truth and fact and sadly the public have fed the idea that anything private that leads to possible controversy is part of that truth. It affects their performance so greatly as well as seen by the performance of our swimmers at the London Olympics where time spent tweeting and responding to social networking commitments was seemingly important. The team that was there was no less talented and strong than any other team. Ian has made clear that mental preparation is crucial when going into competition and focus and concentration is vital. The side effect of feeding all the social media is evident in anyone's life and it is heightened when it is a known person. What benefit is there when one tweets "Arrived at the games village" etc ?
I felt great sympathy for him because he was truly a remarkable swimmer and his heart is that of gold. What surprised me was his erudite nature as well.
I didn't read this book expecting a literary masterpiece - but I did expect to learn more about one of our greatest athletes - I got that and some.
February 17, 2017
A really great look at the darker side of fame and the light that is waiting just around the corner.
January 9, 2013
This book is part biography, part diary. It details Ian Thorpe's attempt to gain selection in the Australian Swimming Team competing at the London 2012 Olympics, but also recounts various events in his life as an elite swimmer.
The first chapter is dated '1 August 2011' and the last '26 July 2012'. Each chapter begins with a diary-like entry outlining Thorpe's attempts to recapture his elite level swimming form after a break of four years. Each chapter then turns into a reminiscence about events from the past, often on the pressures Thorpe faced from the media (particularly their intrusive speculation about his sexuality), his mental health, his inexplicable popularity in Japan, and the things that are important to him outside of swimming, amongst others.
The Olympic trials were in March 2012, and reading this book in 2013 we already know the outcome of those trials - failure. That knowledge makes reading the diary entries seem almost uncomfortably personal at times, but they are an interesting insight into the drive and dedication needed to spend all that time alone training in a swimming pool. Could there be a lonelier sport than swimming?
The reminiscences and reflections are interesting and Thorpe is very honest in revealing his inner demons.
An interesting book by an interesting person.
The first chapter is dated '1 August 2011' and the last '26 July 2012'. Each chapter begins with a diary-like entry outlining Thorpe's attempts to recapture his elite level swimming form after a break of four years. Each chapter then turns into a reminiscence about events from the past, often on the pressures Thorpe faced from the media (particularly their intrusive speculation about his sexuality), his mental health, his inexplicable popularity in Japan, and the things that are important to him outside of swimming, amongst others.
The Olympic trials were in March 2012, and reading this book in 2013 we already know the outcome of those trials - failure. That knowledge makes reading the diary entries seem almost uncomfortably personal at times, but they are an interesting insight into the drive and dedication needed to spend all that time alone training in a swimming pool. Could there be a lonelier sport than swimming?
The reminiscences and reflections are interesting and Thorpe is very honest in revealing his inner demons.
An interesting book by an interesting person.
February 12, 2017
A surprisingly candid, open discussion of the dark side of celebrity
and how the public and the media can take away one's happiness.
and how the public and the media can take away one's happiness.
February 28, 2013
Hmm I was glad Ian wrote this book as it gave me insight into his life. It was brave of him to discuss his struggle with depression and the pressure of being in the public eye. However the book was quite long and I felt he kept repeating topics, especially the gay thing and the relentless media. I actually found the herald's article about him before the book came out more revealing and interesting than the actual book. Overall a worthwhile read though.
October 26, 2025
All in all this book is really interesting and Ian Thorpe seams like an extremely sympathetic person. Although, after watching a documentary about Thorpe and finding out, that he is actually gay, which he strongly denies in the book, I'm wondering, what else is untrue in this book.
January 17, 2013
I liked him before and after reading this - I still like him. It's a frank and honest account of his comeback that didn't happen. Or at least didn't happen when people wanted it to happen.
October 4, 2024
A very interesting memoir from a well-known, iconic Australian Olympian. What I liked about this was how honest it was about his journey as a swimmer, to being an olympian at a young age, to then overcoming challenges with media, but then rediscovering his love of swimming and his attempt to race again at an international level. Also, it covers his passions, interests and advocacy, such as supporting First Nations peoples and their communities. There seemed to be a few defining moments in his life as well that he reflects on, including by extraordinary chance that he wasn't at the top of one of the Twin Towers on September 11.
What seemed to make this memoir even more unique was the detail Ian Thorpe goes into regarding swimming - I had no idea there was so much involved to swimming than just learning a stroke - there is a whole science and art to the swimming and also swimming competitively! Incredible insight!
What seemed to make this memoir even more unique was the detail Ian Thorpe goes into regarding swimming - I had no idea there was so much involved to swimming than just learning a stroke - there is a whole science and art to the swimming and also swimming competitively! Incredible insight!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2025
This book gave extraordinary insight into the comeback attempt and broader life of one of Australia’s national treasures.The book was published in 2012 and is therefore outdated in some regards but I learnt a lot. Some things just interesting bits of trivia like the fact that he has broken fingers to win races, other things more shocking like the fact that he was very nearly killed in the 9/11 attacks in NYC and some things just blew my mind like the fact that at one stage his swimsuits were so high tech that they were tested for which colour was fastest, could only be worn once and were $20k a pop. (Turns out the fastest colour is black because of the way the dye goes into the material and how this, in turn, compresses the fabric on the body).
“For all my individual victories, records and medals, the most euphoric moment for me was the victory over the Americans in the 4x100m relay at the Sydney Olympics”.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“For all my individual victories, records and medals, the most euphoric moment for me was the victory over the Americans in the 4x100m relay at the Sydney Olympics”.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 28, 2020
I was unsure what to expect of this book and come away with more of an appreciation of the man that is Ian Thorpe not just the swimmer. Whilst I found the technical parts of the training a bit slow. The book came alive for me with the charity work, how Ian has struggled with depression for so many years and finding a life outside elite sport.
The hounding of a young boy by the media, constant questions about his sexuality no wonder he walked away from the sport.whilst the comeback was not a fairytale ending it is not the end of the world.
I remember his commentary at the London olympics he was fantastic and has so much to give to the world of swimming still.
It would be great if he updated the book to take into account the last ten years.
The hounding of a young boy by the media, constant questions about his sexuality no wonder he walked away from the sport.whilst the comeback was not a fairytale ending it is not the end of the world.
I remember his commentary at the London olympics he was fantastic and has so much to give to the world of swimming still.
It would be great if he updated the book to take into account the last ten years.
January 28, 2023
Ian Thorpe is a phenomenal Australian athlete who many remember from the 2000 Sydney olympics on home soil.
This book is a fantastic look into his return to swimming after retirement, his views on the swimming world, his passions and look into his charity, a look into the psychology of an elite athlete and the demons that face them when always working to such a high level.
If you’re a fan of Australian swimming and love to read about our amazing Australian athletes than this is a great read into the snippet of Ian’s return after retirement.
This book is a fantastic look into his return to swimming after retirement, his views on the swimming world, his passions and look into his charity, a look into the psychology of an elite athlete and the demons that face them when always working to such a high level.
If you’re a fan of Australian swimming and love to read about our amazing Australian athletes than this is a great read into the snippet of Ian’s return after retirement.
November 23, 2016
Of course this came out before he came out - but if you can overlook this - and the constant denial of his true sexuality this is a good insight into a thoughtful, driven, intelligent man who has captured the hearts of much of Australia. Brave reveal of being able to succeed even through debilitating mental illness. Swimming as therapy - but would his life have been different/better/worse if he'd sought treatment earlier?
March 23, 2025
Ian Thorpe was a massive figure of my early years and I remember all of the media attention that surrounded him. However, I was quite young, and although I remember that he retired because of the media. And that Thorpe was a phenomenal swimmer, I didn’t really know much more about his journey to being an elite athlete. As someone who is obsessed with her own sport, not only did I love the recognisable moments of his journey, but I also seriously enjoyed how his dedication showed in the pool. It was intriguing to read about an athlete at the top of his game, and the fine line between health and sickness that he walks whilst doing it.
As much as I loved this biography, one thing that really stuck out to me was how frequently Thorpe denied his sexuality. This book was published a few years before he officially came out. And of all the things he discussed, he denied his sexuality at least three times. Having been pressured and discussed from such a young age in the media, you can see how this had such a big impact on him and his understanding of himself. I can completely understand just why he would have this approach, and it made me all that much frustrated with the pressures that media can put on people just for a “good story”.
Even though I remember a lot of Thorpe’s accomplishments, I didn’t really register that he tried to go to the London Olympics. It was great that he wrote this in a diary format, focusing on the lead up to these Olympics, and the gruelling training regime he followed. It made for an interesting format – each chapter was a dated diary entry in the lead up to, and then the aftermath of his trials for the London Olympics. But then, the second half was a flashback to another moment within his life. Although not in chronological order, I loved going on these side journeys, to moments that I recognised. Plus, he effortlessly puts forth his charity and the many different ways that he is constantly improving the lives of others.
Everything about this biography was fascinating. I loved the insight into a really prominent figure in my childhood. But, it was also incredibly fun to get some realistic insights into how an elite athlete trains. The dedication and passion that is going to drive that kind of commitment is something I can never truly understand. But it made for a great insight into someone else’s life and a completely different way of living.
As much as I loved this biography, one thing that really stuck out to me was how frequently Thorpe denied his sexuality. This book was published a few years before he officially came out. And of all the things he discussed, he denied his sexuality at least three times. Having been pressured and discussed from such a young age in the media, you can see how this had such a big impact on him and his understanding of himself. I can completely understand just why he would have this approach, and it made me all that much frustrated with the pressures that media can put on people just for a “good story”.
Even though I remember a lot of Thorpe’s accomplishments, I didn’t really register that he tried to go to the London Olympics. It was great that he wrote this in a diary format, focusing on the lead up to these Olympics, and the gruelling training regime he followed. It made for an interesting format – each chapter was a dated diary entry in the lead up to, and then the aftermath of his trials for the London Olympics. But then, the second half was a flashback to another moment within his life. Although not in chronological order, I loved going on these side journeys, to moments that I recognised. Plus, he effortlessly puts forth his charity and the many different ways that he is constantly improving the lives of others.
Everything about this biography was fascinating. I loved the insight into a really prominent figure in my childhood. But, it was also incredibly fun to get some realistic insights into how an elite athlete trains. The dedication and passion that is going to drive that kind of commitment is something I can never truly understand. But it made for a great insight into someone else’s life and a completely different way of living.
June 25, 2018
Ian Thorpe's autobiography is an insight into his life and his successes in competitive swimming. It is a frank and honest rending of his joys, distresses, his early retirement from the sport coupled with his return. He shares how the media interferes with his life and especially how he finds it trying to cope with their intrusion.
May 28, 2020
Great read of an inspirational athlete in and out of the pool.
I’ve been meaning to read this book for so long and still wish I’d read it years ago.
All I hope is that the media works positively with Thorpe’s work and foundation now.
And the book only shows how society has moved forward with assisting those with depression since it was published.
I’ve been meaning to read this book for so long and still wish I’d read it years ago.
All I hope is that the media works positively with Thorpe’s work and foundation now.
And the book only shows how society has moved forward with assisting those with depression since it was published.
June 27, 2018
As a swimmer and coach I found this book incredibly interesting. It pushed me to think about swimming in different ways and provided a whole new level of understanding. The glimpses into life of an elite swimmer were brilliant and Thorpe had me unable to put the book down.
July 10, 2021
If you are a swimmer or have ever swam this is a rare glimpse into the world of a professional swimmer. There are lessons that need to be learned for the whole swimming community from this book, even today all these years later.
January 23, 2026
It’s not a typical biography written in strict chronological order. I love how it depicts his inner world and childhood—it feels like an honest conversation with someone deeply truthful. It reveals many lesser-known perspectives of Ian, and I can almost sense that he’s an INFJ.
June 20, 2017
Great book, inspirational and moving especially for a former swimmer like me and actually have met him (swimming on my lane when I was in the jury)
November 3, 2017
After reading this... my respect for the humble Ian Thorpe only grew!
April 25, 2020
The subject of the book is a hero of mine and the stories within it are interesting but the book could have done with a more thorough proof read before publication. A few typos in it.
March 30, 2022
So much that you don't know about Ian Thorpe.
October 19, 2013
I was lucky enough to see Mr Thorpe in person during the London 2012 Olympics at he willingly gave his time for a masterclass type session with children and adult swimmers down at Tooting Lido. I've nothing but admiration for the guy... well, alright - maybe there's a secret crush - but its a healthy one!
I do recommend you watch his documentary film ' The Swimmer' - its brilliantly shot by two of his friends, and an intriguing portrait of such a talented person. I felt that this book is a more in-depth commentary to the film and it compliments it well. It gives us an insight into the elite swimming world and we learn about the insecurities thrust on a young boy early in life from the media and public. Also, it touches on the effects of depression, and the bouts of drinking that Ian experienced. I am in awe of anyone who openly talks about depression, it is something that millions of people deal with daily and increasingly society is learning more about it but the awareness still needs to be raised.
I don't think we need to know everything about a person who spends much of their life in the public eye, and with 'This Is Me', Mr Thorpe reveals what he wants to but still maintains his privacy. Overall, I get the impression, we see only what Ian wants us to - and that's exactly it should be for anyone in the spotlight. I think he's a great role model for swimmers of all age and I hope we see him in the pool again soon.
I do recommend you watch his documentary film ' The Swimmer' - its brilliantly shot by two of his friends, and an intriguing portrait of such a talented person. I felt that this book is a more in-depth commentary to the film and it compliments it well. It gives us an insight into the elite swimming world and we learn about the insecurities thrust on a young boy early in life from the media and public. Also, it touches on the effects of depression, and the bouts of drinking that Ian experienced. I am in awe of anyone who openly talks about depression, it is something that millions of people deal with daily and increasingly society is learning more about it but the awareness still needs to be raised.
I don't think we need to know everything about a person who spends much of their life in the public eye, and with 'This Is Me', Mr Thorpe reveals what he wants to but still maintains his privacy. Overall, I get the impression, we see only what Ian wants us to - and that's exactly it should be for anyone in the spotlight. I think he's a great role model for swimmers of all age and I hope we see him in the pool again soon.
July 27, 2015
I am beginner swimmer and wanted some inspiration off the pool and picked up this book at my local library. I read a few reviews on the book and knew it was a part diary part memoir. Although I was looking for technical aspects of swimming in parts, I was quite open to what it had to offer and was eager to hear Thorpe talk.
For some reason I really liked the very first line of the book where Thorpe says that he has come to a conclusion that he can never win against water and one day he will sink. I learnt a few new things about elite swimming (although I am not aiming that) that can be practiced even at a beginners level. Some people have commented that the book is a bit technical in parts and I did enjoy those parts specifically as it gave me insight into the sport.
The definition of success is also quite well put by him at the beginning of the book - success is not winning but giving your very best at every endeavor.
I liked the part towards the end where he says that happiness is a fleeting concept and is being content everyday is what he is looking for.
In other parts where the book was not technical, it appeared a bit self conceited about him being an elite swimmer. I did enjoy the chapter where he gives his views on what needs to change with swimming governing bodies.
Overall, a good read for beginner swimmers. Not so much for others.
For some reason I really liked the very first line of the book where Thorpe says that he has come to a conclusion that he can never win against water and one day he will sink. I learnt a few new things about elite swimming (although I am not aiming that) that can be practiced even at a beginners level. Some people have commented that the book is a bit technical in parts and I did enjoy those parts specifically as it gave me insight into the sport.
The definition of success is also quite well put by him at the beginning of the book - success is not winning but giving your very best at every endeavor.
I liked the part towards the end where he says that happiness is a fleeting concept and is being content everyday is what he is looking for.
In other parts where the book was not technical, it appeared a bit self conceited about him being an elite swimmer. I did enjoy the chapter where he gives his views on what needs to change with swimming governing bodies.
Overall, a good read for beginner swimmers. Not so much for others.
July 15, 2013
At only 14 years of age, Ian Thorpe became the youngest male swimmer to represent Australia and the youngest ever individual male world champion.
In this engaging and raw autobiography, Ian Thorpe writes about his upbringing and early swimming days in Milperra in Sydney, to being an Olympic Champion and World Record holder.
This is an honest and refreshing autobiography, in which Ian describes the events that shaped and changed his life and career and the reasons for his retirement at 24 years old, when he was at the peak of his illustrious career.
In this engaging and raw autobiography, Ian Thorpe writes about his upbringing and early swimming days in Milperra in Sydney, to being an Olympic Champion and World Record holder.
This is an honest and refreshing autobiography, in which Ian describes the events that shaped and changed his life and career and the reasons for his retirement at 24 years old, when he was at the peak of his illustrious career.
September 17, 2014
This was a great autobiography. Particularly as I am a swimmer so the technical parts of the book were really insightful and I can relate to some of his stories. I thought it was well written and gave a good insight into thorpy as a person, I was genuinely interested in his life story and the events he describes. I thought he came across as someone very personable and a likable guy. I thought he'd had a tough life with the media, which was a shame, who knows where his career would of ended up otherwise.
May 2, 2014
I was a big fan of Ian Thorpe in the glory of his swimming career. I liked this book but, for me, it focused a little too much on the technicalities of his swimming comeback and not enough on Thorpe, as a person. I completely understand somebody wanting to be private but, if one is going to write an autobiography, I think the privacy veil needs to be dropped a little more. But, I appreciated the insights we did get through the book and I greatly admire many aspects of Ian Thorpe's character.
November 22, 2012
Thorpe's autobiography follows him all the way from his childhood in Sydney right up to the London Olympics. This is a man who has had highs and lows away from the pool, who has led an extraordinary life of an elite athlete that most of us will never know, who has faced up to his own demons, and who has the courage to come back and stake his claim for the ultimate goal once more. Overall it was an easy read that was very interesting and inspired me to get back into swimming myself!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews