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Bo Knows Bo

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The candid autobiography of professional athlete Bo Jackson describes his troubled youth, his discovery of sports, his struggle to attend college, his athletic achievements, his family life, and his success on and off the field

279 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

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Bo Jackson

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5 stars
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270 (25%)
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42 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
Profile Image for Cbarrett.
298 reviews13 followers
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January 13, 2011
This is the first multi-hundred page book I ever read. I loved Bo Jackson. I wanted to be him. I collected all his baseball cards. I held a bat over my should like Bo does in the cover. I had the poster. I had most of his posters. I longed for football pads. I bruised my leg failing to break a bat over my leg after being struck out like Bo. I liked Auburn because of Bo. I did not even know where Auburn was. I wanted a flat top like Bo. I yelled War Eagle because that is what Auburn fans did. I did not know what it meant and secretly hoped that it wasn't something that a six grader shouldn't say. I just used a double negative but don't care because this is about Bo Jackson. He was the coolest Oakland Raider ever. He was the coolest Kansas City Royal ever (it is no slight to George Brett to be second because he knows Bo is first and Bo knows too because Bo Knows Bo). The book contained things that a six-grader (at least in the 80s) doesn't understand. But that is probably good. Man, I am gonna go on ebay and order the poster.
67 reviews3 followers
October 3, 2012
I enjoyed the hell out of this book.

It's a shame that Bo blew out his hip-
he could have been the greatest modern runningback easily.

His storytelling style (or his co-authors?) is much more readable than most sports biographies. I have re-read this book a couple times since.
107 reviews3 followers
August 9, 2010
Found this at a garage sale for a quarter, and thought it would be interesting. I enjoyed the stories of his childhood, and his trip to the major leagues. It's a bit self serving, but a fun read. My only complaint is that it was written so early in his career, so there is not really a sense of closure, or any information about how his career ended. I'll have to look it up on my own.
Profile Image for Weston Lorenz.
11 reviews
November 10, 2017
The book I am reviewing is titled “Bo knows Bo” by Bo Jackson and Dick Schaap. This book is an autobiography of the exciting life of Bo Jackson as a multi sport superstar. Most people know of Bo Jackson as the awesome outfielder for the Kansas City Royals and the very skilled running back for the Oakland Raiders. If you enjoy reading about highly skilled sports autobiographies, then this is perfect for you. In total, the book has 218 pages which is not too strenuous for anyone. In 1990, this book was originally published. Bo Jackson is not known as a writer which brings a different style for the reader to learn from most likely because this is his only book that he has written. At some points in Bo’s life story, there are hurdles he has to overcome to be an all star athlete. What are those hurdles? You’ll have to read and find out for yourself. There is very little vulgar language or offensive content. This book could be read by all ages who are interested in athletes who had difficult decisions to make to be as successful as they were in the pros. Students that are more advanced may not enjoy it as much because of its shorter length, but it is still a good read. The lesson that the reader may learn is that if you work hard, then any dream that you have is achievable.
Profile Image for Ed Hansen.
55 reviews
Read
October 22, 2022
Read this when I was very young (sixth grade?).

Not exactly appropriate but very formative, haha

Amazing story though
1 review
May 16, 2016
This book is a documentary about a man named Vincent Edward Jackson, most of us know him as Bo Jackson. One of the Greatest athletes to have ever played in the MLB and the NFL. Everyone who ever knew Bo had nothing but great things to say about him, all they would talk about is how great of an athlete he was. Bo always had people talking about him. People from Sparky Anderson to Randy Dixon. He started off as a troubled boy living in poverty with his 9 brothers and sisters. He had many problems in school, it's not because he was not smart enough but because he had a speech problem. He stuttered a lot and other kids would make fun of him for that and he would get upset and angry and he would start beating up all the kids that would make fun of him. It got so bad that he would consider it an after school ritual. He was getting so mean that people would try to be his friend just so the would not get beat up. It was not the fact that he was a bad kid, just some of the decisions he made were not the best or right ones. He once killed a pig with one rock. He was a strong little kid who could run and jump faster and higher than any kid his age should. Him and some of his actual friends who hung out with him at their own will, they would all go to the water hole. But the hard part was getting over the barbed wire fence and trespassing. The man who owned the property one day found them and shot at them so the boys took off butt naked and ran through town. This group of kids would steal people bikes and flip them and make them their own by melting the paint off and spray painting in their own. As Bo got older he started going out for football and in high school he became a star in baseball and football. His Senior Year he had UC after UC fighting over him. After it all Bo finally chose Auburn where he played both Baseball and Football. He was a great Athlete but some coaching would disagree with his work ethic. Because Bo did not want to practice, in fact he did not think he needed practice. And it is true he did not need practice he did great without all of that. He could still play ball better than anyone. When Bo got hurt his Junior year, he had to miss it all and although he was ready for his senior year the coaches did not know whether or he was going to be one hundred percent. But he sure as hell proved them wrong and ran for more yards than he had in his entire life. It then came down to Bo picking either baseball or football, and when Bo chose baseball all hell broke loose. Nobody but Bo understood why he chose baseball. But his career would shortly come to an end after a few years he decided to play football and was drafted by the L.A Raiders and was injured after breaking his fracturing his femur.
Profile Image for Longfellow.
449 reviews20 followers
July 12, 2016

I had been a fan of the Royals for almost a decade when they selected Bo Jackson in the 1986 draft. I remember one of my best friends bringing a sports magazine to school shortly after and excitedly showing me Bo on the cover; the feature story speculated that he could be the first 40/40 man in the history of baseball. I remember sitting in the Luge level at Royals Stadium and seeing Jackson drive a home run half-way up the grass just left of dead center field. And I vaguely remember the passively angry response of Royals’ leadership when Bo announced he would also be playing football.

I had mixed emotions, but I was definitely influenced by the negative responses my favorite organization had to this development as well as some media judgment in general that Bo was self-serving and motivated by money. His stutter and his way of speaking to the press also led to commentary that perhaps he wasn’t all that smart, at least the way I remember it. As much as I loved him as a baseball player for my favorite team, I never knew the story from his side, but I’m glad—thanks to Bo Knows Bo—to know it now.

A few years ago I discovered information that caused me to re-evaluate the impressions I had formed of Bo years before. I found out that he was a business owner and a partner in a bank and that through all his years of celebrity he had remained married to his wife, a marriage that began in his first year of professional sports. He was a family man the entire time. During the years I watched him play he was rushing home to see his newborn children, his ailing mother, and being a positive influence on other children—strangers—because he wanted to make a difference.

Yes, this is a first person autobiography (with journalist Dick Schaap) and is limited to Bo’s perspective on Bo’s life, but I completely trust his version of things. He’s open about the fact that for years he was an angry and violent kid. He doesn’t identity a particular event that turned him around but in general he seems to credit his mother’s persistent and sometimes harsh discipline. For whatever reason, it is clear that at some point he began to develop a level head and make healthier decisions, silencing the voice inside him that urged him to lash out at the world. Thanks to his personal story I can appreciate him now as more than a super-athlete and understand him as a role model who is smart, loyal, and compassionate.


3 reviews
April 18, 2015
Bo Knows Bo by Bo Jackson and Dick Schaap is an autobiography of Bo Jackson. Bo Jackson played in the NFL and MLB and he was very good at both sports but injuries ended his playing time. Bo tells you about his humble up brings in Bessemer, Alabama. Also he talks about growing up without his father in his live and Being the Bad Jackson kid. Also talk about how much anger he had as a kid but most of it start to go awhile when he starts playing sports. Bo Played many sports as a kid like track, baseball, wrestling, and football. When Bo got to high school he ran track, played football and baseball. Bo was great at all the sports he played while at high school so good the pro teams wanted but he said no to go to college. When it was time to pick a college he picked Auburn because they did not promise him anything. Bo got use to the college life quickly and in his senior year after he won the Heisman he was not able to play baseball because a trip on a private jet to meet the team. After that he refused to play for them so he went to go play in the MLB. Bo got drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 1986. A year later he chose to play in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders. Bo has a wife in 2 kids that he love dearly. In the 1990 playoffs got tackled awkwardly and end his football career. But he continued to play baseball until 1994 .
There are plenty of things I like about this book. One thing is the humor every other I was in tears after every other page. The humor is constant through the whole story that builds to the story. Also enjoy how the book is written you can never get lose it is super straight forward which is good. I also like how honest Bo on tell his not holding back. But I dislike how he don't talks more about his teammates. I think if he talked a lit bit more a bout his teams you will see his bonds with others. But thats the only problem I have with this book.
Despite the lack of his bonds with his teammates , I would recommend this book. The humor kept my head in the book. if you like this book then your like more of the sports books. if you watch shows like 30 for 30 then you love this book.

2 reviews
Want to read
November 19, 2015
Bo Knows Bo by BO Jackson is and autobiography about BO Jackson life . When BO had his first Child it Changed his whole life .He went to collage and played both Football and baseball ,and was the best at both. Bo had teams from all over the world wanting him but Bo's mother wanted him to return to collage and finish his work .Bo played for Memphis ( baseball). Bo's mother was very sick . That was a hard time for him because it was during the season so she was on his mind every second of the day so he wasn't focused . Then by bo not being focused he was doing bad and his baseball coach ended up trading him .

BO was a great sports player but also a pain . Bo had the worst attude anyone could have .He get angry and do things that's not called for . During Bo's young life he was very bad . It was like he was a bully and to be honest . Bo would do all kinds of bad stuff like play with guns and push kids around like they were his rag dolls . Then bo started to get a little older so anything he did he had to take responbsabilty for it . Another thing i didn't like was he even got a little older and he was still acting a fool . BO had a lot of bad and good things that happened in his collage- adult life . In collage as I said before he played both football and baseball and a lot of teams wanted him . BO's mother was great she raised all 7 of her kids by her self , she' the real (MVP) . IN collage BO won Heisman. Heisman means he was the best over all player in collage . After collage BO was drafted to the L.A. Raiders which he (11 touchdowns), and avg 5.3 yards a carry . Bo then retired because of a hip injury which he had to get a hip replacement .

Despite the way bo acted in his younger years , I very much recommend BO KNOWS BO . BO's ups and downs kept me reading it was very interesting because bo's life could happen to any athletic . If you like autobiography about any sports player i recommend you read this book it's full of things that is very interesting .Anyone who reads this will be informed about how a athletic"s life can go .
12 reviews1 follower
February 26, 2015
Bo Knows Bo is about Bo Jackson's life growing up playing many sports. His biological name is Vincent Edward "Bo" Jackson. He was born on November 30,1962 in Bessemer, Alabama. In high school, Bo was a star. He brought in views from the New York Yankees. He played baseball, football, and ran track. He excelled at all those things. Bo went on to attend at Auburn University. He became a football MVP and had won the Sugar Bowl. Also, he was qualified to be on the US Olympic track team. In 1987, Bo decided to go professional in baseball and played for the Kansas City Royals. He also played for teams like the Chicago White Sox and the California Angels. He had many great achievements in his baseball career. In 1989 he was the All-Star MVP, and had 4 seasons with 20 home-runs plus.In 1991, Bo retired because he got injured. In his first season as a football player he ran for 221 yards, breaking the record for the most yards rushed in a game, which later came to be broken.

Everything in the novel I liked. There was nothing better than learning about one of the greatest athletes ever. He played many sports as a kid and as an adult he played 2 different sports. He was the first person ever to play baseball, then go play football and have an outstanding rookie season. He is someone many people look up to, I included. His output on everything was just great. I have never read a autobiography like this before. Bo Knows Bo is outstanding.

I recommend this novel to everyone. This novel motivates me and hopefully motivates anyone who reads it. This is a great novel. I hope many people will read Bo Knows Bo. After reading Bo Knows Bo, I was motivated. I don't know about everyone else, but I strongly believe that after reading Bo Knows Bo you'll feel different. I hope many people go out and read Bo Jackson's Bo Knows Bo.
Profile Image for Tom Gase.
1,056 reviews12 followers
October 14, 2011
I got this book for a buck at the S.F. Library Fort Mason sale and when I picked it up I was stoaked! I had wanted to read this since it came out in 1990, and it's co-author is Dick Schaap, one of the best writers of all time.

Only problem with this book is a lot has happened to Bo Jackson since 1990. A lot. He should do an updated book. How an injury forced him to stop playing in the NFL. How he had to stop playing baseball but made a remarkable return with the White Sox. I believe he was with the team during the White Sox's 1993 division winning season. And then where is he now, now that the spotlight isn't on him anymore. I love his "Robbie go boom!" commercials and loved reading this book to relive the old Nike commercials Jackson was in. (Gretzky skating up and going 'No' is my favorite, with the "Where's that Tour de France thing?")

A VEEEEry easy read. I read this 200-page book in a day while watching the ALCS and NLCS games. This book describes Jackson's time at Auburn, plus his time with the Royals and Raiders up to that point very well. And yes, his homer in the 89 All-Star game is in here too.

All Raider and Royal fans should read this. A pretty good read for baseball and football fans and readers of "remember when" books.
Profile Image for Hans Petersen.
7 reviews
December 16, 2013
This is a story of a great athlete from his own perspective. The book Bo knows Bo is an autobiography of Vincent Edward "Bo" Jackson who was the First person honored by the hall of fame for 2 sports (Baseball and his "hobby" football). He played for the California Angels, the Chicago White Sox and the Kansas City Royals in baseball and for the L.A. Raiders in football. He also won the heisman trophy in 1985. Because of this i think He was the greatest athlete who ever lived.
he made the book centered around his interesting childhood which consisted of stealing bikes, killing pigs and beating up a lot of kids. after a lot of violent years he was offered a scholarship at Auburn University. That's where his sports career took off With quite a few bumps. How did he change form a violent kid to a great role model? Read the book to find out.
This book makes him more than just a sports hero, it makes him a true person with ups and downs. This expresses interesting but true things you wouldn't believe about him. Anybody who likes sports and can deal with a little explicet language should read this fantastic book.
2 reviews
November 19, 2014
BO KNOWS BO is a book about Bo who went though all types of things. BO KNOWS BO is about how BO was great in baseball and football but still is human and runs into some problems along the way.

what I liked about this book is how the setting is always changing and it really gets you interested. first he's with the royals on the road playing baseball or he's on the road playing football or back home with his family. what I didn't like about the book is its like two chapters in one chapter witch makes the book extremely long. I didn't like all the pictures in the book because instead of that it could have been more written things about BO.

besides the two chapters in one and the pictures I would recommend this book to everyone. I would recommend this to everyone because everyone wants to know the life of a famous person. overall the book is really good it keeps you wanting to read to know what's going to happen next with his career or with his family and all of his ups and downs. so please go read you will like it
9 reviews
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February 21, 2015
Bo Knows Bo is about the famous running back Bo Jackson. The book starts off by letting the reading know Bo's lifestyle while he was younger. He was a troublesome child who bullied many kids if they bothered him. But Bo loved sports except basketball. He also excelled in every sport he played.

I liked everything about this book. The main reason is because Bo Jackson is one of my favorite athletes. I also like how the dialogue was in the book because he didn't try to use proper language or change his way. Bo was himself throughout the entire book. Also I liked that he played professional baseball and football at the same time. He did what others thoguth he couldnt and he proved many people wrong.

I recommend this book to anyone who knows a lot about football because if you do not know about football you will not get the book. I also recommend this to someone who has anger problems with athletic ability. They'll be able to relate to the book.
Profile Image for Alejandro Heracles al-Mu'minin.
206 reviews13 followers
June 28, 2016
IF you don't know Bo than get to kno.

This sports memoir tells the emotional childhood story of someone who was chased away by everyone to having everyone chasing after him.

Bo Jackson writes about his impoverished upbringing in Alabama, offering a much better look into American culture than football life. As he opens up with candor about his childhood being treated like a slow-witted, outcast we see what a strong, passionate character he has become.


Bo Jackson is the most impressive athlete I have ever seen perform in any sport. This was written during his playing career before he suffered major injuries that drastically shortened and ended his career. It would be really nice to see an updated edition of this book proceeds could go to "Bo Bikes Bama?"

10 reviews
January 5, 2015
Bo Jackson is an amazing athlete with an amazing story. This book inspired me because he was the first person to play baseball and football professionally in the MLB and NFL, it shares the real inside prospective of Bo Jackson life before and after his success and all that challenges he faced .I enjoyed reading because as a basketball player i could related to what he went through on and off the field and court and what to expect in the future."I danced to the beat of my own drums not nobody else's" was one of my favorite quotes from Bo Jackson. This quote stood out because of how strong he was when it came to what he wanted to do in his life and future. This book I recommend to anyone who is involved with sports because its an amazing story and any athlete should read this when your sport you care about seems to drift away.
3 reviews
March 10, 2015
Bo Knows Bo by Dick Schaap and Bo Jackson was truly an amazing piece of writing. These two obviously worked well and hard together to create this masterpiece. Bo Jackson is one of my heros because of his morales and work ethic, and I could not put the book down.
Bo Jackson was a pro athlete that played both football and baseball, and was absolutely stellar at both. After a tragic football game, his career was over. The book starts off with Bo’s child life, and progresses all the way up to his career-ending injury. This book is sad, funny, entertaining, and keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Bo Knows Bo by Dick Schaap and Bo Jackson was definitely the best biography/autobiography I have ever read. The way it takes you through Bo Jackson’s life is spectacular, and I highly recommend reading this book.
13 reviews1 follower
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February 27, 2015
Bo Knows Bo by Bo Jackson is a interesting sports book. This is about Bo Jackson and his life from a kid to the pros. He was a multi-talented athlete. There was nothing that Bo Jackson could not do. From the early childhood struggles all the way to the pros, Bo knew he would be special.

There's a lot of things that I like about the book. His lifestyle was very interesting from beginning to end. The book was only 8 chapters, but in those 8 chapters so much was explained to the reader. There was nothing that I didn't like about the book. I was into the book from the beginning to the very end.

I suggest this book to anyone who like sports. This book is very interesting and informative. I also suggest this book to anyone who's ambitious or humble because this book was very inspirational.
2 reviews
June 3, 2014
Bo knows Bo is a great book I really liked the fact that he took part in this book. I learned a lot about Bo Jackson from my dad, who was a huge fan of him. This book taught me even more. If you like someone who is going to say it how it is. You should read this book. Bo only says it how he thinks of it, he doesn't sugar coat anything. I like that part of the book. I also liked the fact that he makes the book funny. It isn't serious all the time he obviously had fun with writing this you can just tell.
Profile Image for Douglas.
182 reviews164 followers
January 14, 2010
Its pretty obvious why I would want to read about one of the greatest two sport pro athletes ever. I still remember his shoes, nike campaigns and the picture on the front of this book.

His biography is pretty entertaining. He was a bully and grew up poor and as one of 10 kids. He injects a lot of his own perspective and thoughts as he progresses throughout his life and career. Its really quite funny.

I learned a lot about him. I'd give this a good recommendation.
64 reviews
April 17, 2012
I've had this book on my shelf for a bit. I heard a radio interview with Bo a few weeks ago and finally decided to read it. The book is super dated, as it was published while Bo was still playing both football and baseball. It's 210 pages but a super easy read and somewhat enjoyable. A lot of Bo's antidotes and stories are funny and worth reading but some of his writing hurts my brain. Bo is interesting enough to push through, even if he addresses himself in 3rd person.
2 reviews
January 14, 2014
Its pretty obvious why I would want to read about one of the greatest two sport pro athletes ever. nike campaigns and the picture on the front of this book. His biography is pretty entertaining. He was a bully and grew up poor and as 8 of 10 kids. He injects a lot of his own perspective and thoughts as he progresses throughout his life and career. Its really funny. I learned a lot about him. I'd give this a good recommendation.
Profile Image for Seth Brousseau.
13 reviews10 followers
September 21, 2015
Good but very easy read. I was reading this book mostly for an in depth look into the training routine of this madman from youth to adult but found limited amounts of this. It seems like he received much of his athleticism naturally from his very rambunctious youth of getting in fights, running from bullies, and crab apple fights with other kids. This was a must read book for me but I have to say I wish this was a more thorough look into his life rather than just a top down view.
Profile Image for Sebastian.
95 reviews31 followers
May 13, 2008
As a kid, I thought this was great. Just thinking about it makes me want to play with the Raiders in Tecmo Bowl and have Bo score 6 touchdowns and run for 700 yards in a game including several 80+ yard runs. I think I was the first person ever to check this out of my library and that probably made it even cooler to me.
26 reviews
March 13, 2009
Overall, even back then, I knew this really wasn't that good of a book. Why did I rate it so high then? Well... this is seriously the first time that I can remember reading about sex in detail. Sure, there was sex ed class, but that was glossed over stuff. Bo Knows Bo was dirrrrty. Funny that I grew up a lot by reading this book.
9 reviews
September 12, 2011
this book involves a professional football player baseball player and a man that was good at any sport by the way i have his autograph in my book he live in kansas but had to move to oakland because he made the cut and was successful until the nfl cooperation found out he did drugs so he went to his baseball career and had a big succes
5 reviews
April 27, 2014
I enjoy this novel very much. Bo Jackson the author of his book Bo knows Bo captured and explained his life very well to his audience. The only dislike that I have on this book is the way he started out his book including unneeded ad-ons to the beginning of the book and just kept at the end. But other then that it was a great book and I would recommend it to all.
1 review1 follower
July 14, 2015
This is the first 100+ page book i read when i was a kid. He is the greatest athlete of my generation. If you have a child that loves sports and you want to teach him or her what it takes to become a great athlete and the struggles it take to get there then this is the book. It will keep you entertained until the end
129 reviews4 followers
March 8, 2007
one of the greatest sports autobiographies ever from the greatest athlete ever. after i read this book, i got an incredibly large 'bo brothers' poster that featured the 10 different bo's from that one nike commercial (steph, they're not really dectuplets).
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