The Playboy Interviews: They Played the Game

by The Editors of Playboy Magazine

A large number of Playboy's readers do buy the magazine for the articles-specifically the interviews. The Playboy Interviews is incisive and entertaining, and important figures from all walks of life-many of whom honor no other interview requests-have given life- and career-altering interviews in the magazine's pages. The Playboy They Played the Game features some of the most revered-and reviled-American sports stars from the past six decades openly discussing controversial issues including race, gender, drugs, and sexuality. More than just a bunch of jocks talking sports, these interviews are a fascinating reflection of the American psyche and evolving cultural perceptions. Includes interviews with Jim Brown, Joe Namath, Billie Jean King, O. J. Simpson, Pete Rose, Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson, Barry Bonds, Mike Tyson and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Genres: Nonfiction

300 pages, Hardcover

First published August 9, 2006

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall good interviews but some of them have not aged well (the most recent interview is Allen Iverson from 2002) and they all suffer from Playboy's tendency to consider the sexual interests and past activities to be of paramount interest. Still reading Lance Armstrong before he came clean on dopiing, Mike Tyson's unhinged thought processes annd Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's thoughtful responses stand the test of time and make for good reads.

[TrenTren · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I shop for books for people, I can never resist getting one or two for myself. I got this yesterday and cannot wait to dig into some of the interviews when I have free time. Playboy interviews (as much of a joke as the statement "I read Playboy for the interviews" is) are some of the most insightful and uncensored ones in the world of publishing. The ones really worth reading.