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LeBron
NEW YORK TIMES
BESTSELLER * From the #1 bestselling author of The Dynasty and Tiger Woods—the “definitive…fantastic” (Sports Illustrated) biography of basketball superstar LeBron James, based on three years of exhaustive research and more than 250 interviews.
LeBron James is the greatest basketball player of the twenty-first century, and he’s in the conversation with Michael Jordan as the greatest of all time. The reigning king of the game and the first active NBA player to become a billionaire, LeBron wears the crown like he was born with it. Yet his ascent has been anything but effortless and predetermined—the truth is vastly more interesting than that.
What makes LeBron’s story so compelling is how he won his destiny despite overwhelmingly long odds, in a drama worthy of a Dickens novel. As a child, he was a scared and lonely little boy living a nomadic existence in Akron, Ohio. His mother, who had LeBron when she was sixteen, would sometimes leave him on his own. Destitute and fatherless, he missed close to one hundred days of school in the fourth grade. Desperate, his mother placed him with a family that gave him stability and put a basketball in his hands.
“An absorbing chronicle of talent, character, pluck, and luck” (Wall Street Journal) LeBron tells the full, riveting saga of how a child adrift found the will to become a titan. Jeff Benedict, the most celebrated sports biographer of our time, paints a vivid picture of LeBron’s epic origin story, showing the gradual rise of a star who, surrounded by a tight-knit group of teenage friends and adult mentors, accelerated into a speeding comet during high school. Today LeBron produces Hollywood films and television shows, has a social media presence that includes more than one hundred million followers, engages in political activism, takes outspoken stances on racism and social injustice, and transforms lives through his visionary philanthropy. He went from a lost boy in Akron to a beloved hero who uses his fortune to educate underprivileged children and lift up needy families—and brought home Cleveland’s first NBA championship.
But LeBron is more than just the origin story of a GOAT or a recap of his multi-championship, multi-MVP, gold medal–decorated career on the court. Benedict delves into LeBron’s relationship with fame and power: how he has cultivated it, harnessed it, suffered from it, and leveraged it. In these pages, we watch his evolution from a player who avoided politics and was widely criticized for not joining his teammates in protesting China’s role in the Darfur genocide to becoming an athlete who partnered with President Obama; campaigned for Hillary Clinton; became an advocate against gun violence, racism, and voter suppression; and openly clashed with President Trump, empowering other athletes to speak out against social injustice.
To capture LeBron’s extraordinary life, Benedict conducted hundreds of interviews with the people who were involved with LeBron at different stages of his life. He also obtained thousands of pages of primary source documents and mined hundreds of hours of video footage. Destined to be the authoritative account of LeBron’s life, LeBron is a “masterful…propulsive” (Los Angeles Times) and unprecedented portrait of one of the world’s most captivating figures.
LeBron James is the greatest basketball player of the twenty-first century, and he’s in the conversation with Michael Jordan as the greatest of all time. The reigning king of the game and the first active NBA player to become a billionaire, LeBron wears the crown like he was born with it. Yet his ascent has been anything but effortless and predetermined—the truth is vastly more interesting than that.
What makes LeBron’s story so compelling is how he won his destiny despite overwhelmingly long odds, in a drama worthy of a Dickens novel. As a child, he was a scared and lonely little boy living a nomadic existence in Akron, Ohio. His mother, who had LeBron when she was sixteen, would sometimes leave him on his own. Destitute and fatherless, he missed close to one hundred days of school in the fourth grade. Desperate, his mother placed him with a family that gave him stability and put a basketball in his hands.
“An absorbing chronicle of talent, character, pluck, and luck” (Wall Street Journal) LeBron tells the full, riveting saga of how a child adrift found the will to become a titan. Jeff Benedict, the most celebrated sports biographer of our time, paints a vivid picture of LeBron’s epic origin story, showing the gradual rise of a star who, surrounded by a tight-knit group of teenage friends and adult mentors, accelerated into a speeding comet during high school. Today LeBron produces Hollywood films and television shows, has a social media presence that includes more than one hundred million followers, engages in political activism, takes outspoken stances on racism and social injustice, and transforms lives through his visionary philanthropy. He went from a lost boy in Akron to a beloved hero who uses his fortune to educate underprivileged children and lift up needy families—and brought home Cleveland’s first NBA championship.
But LeBron is more than just the origin story of a GOAT or a recap of his multi-championship, multi-MVP, gold medal–decorated career on the court. Benedict delves into LeBron’s relationship with fame and power: how he has cultivated it, harnessed it, suffered from it, and leveraged it. In these pages, we watch his evolution from a player who avoided politics and was widely criticized for not joining his teammates in protesting China’s role in the Darfur genocide to becoming an athlete who partnered with President Obama; campaigned for Hillary Clinton; became an advocate against gun violence, racism, and voter suppression; and openly clashed with President Trump, empowering other athletes to speak out against social injustice.
To capture LeBron’s extraordinary life, Benedict conducted hundreds of interviews with the people who were involved with LeBron at different stages of his life. He also obtained thousands of pages of primary source documents and mined hundreds of hours of video footage. Destined to be the authoritative account of LeBron’s life, LeBron is a “masterful…propulsive” (Los Angeles Times) and unprecedented portrait of one of the world’s most captivating figures.
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First published January 1, 2023
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About the author
Jeff Benedict
38 books173 followersJeff Benedict conducted the first national study on sexual assault and athletes. He has published three books on athletes and crime, including a blistering exposé on the NFL, Pros and Cons: The Criminals Who Play in the NFL, and Public Heroes, Private Felons: Athletes and Crimes Against Women. He is a lawyer and an investigative journalist who has written five books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 257 reviews
May 23, 2023
Damn! I flew through this book.
My state doesn't have any professional sports teams but I do live close to several teams. The closest NBA team to me is The Cleveland Cavaliers and obviously LeBron is the most famous Cav in history. I'm not personally a Cavs fan and LeBron isn't my favorite player but I do like and respect him as a person and businessman. LeBron has always fascinated me, so I of course was excited to read this biography.
I learned more than I expected to. LeBron is famously private and we only know what he wants us to know. And still I feel like Jeff Benedict was able to dig deeper than most have in the past. I knew that LeBron grew up poor but I didn't realize just how poor he was. LeBron is a surprisingly normal person given just how long he's been one of the most famous athletes on the planet. Since his sophomore year in high school he has been hyped as the next Michael Jordan( unpopular opinion alert: I think Jordan is overrated) and has had all eyes on him. The fact that he hasn't had any major scandals is crazy. I'd be a hot mess if I had his fame and money from the age of 18.
I enjoyed this book. I don't recommend it to non sports fans because you'd probably be bored but if you love basketball and are a LeBron fan than I think you'll have lots of fun.
My state doesn't have any professional sports teams but I do live close to several teams. The closest NBA team to me is The Cleveland Cavaliers and obviously LeBron is the most famous Cav in history. I'm not personally a Cavs fan and LeBron isn't my favorite player but I do like and respect him as a person and businessman. LeBron has always fascinated me, so I of course was excited to read this biography.
I learned more than I expected to. LeBron is famously private and we only know what he wants us to know. And still I feel like Jeff Benedict was able to dig deeper than most have in the past. I knew that LeBron grew up poor but I didn't realize just how poor he was. LeBron is a surprisingly normal person given just how long he's been one of the most famous athletes on the planet. Since his sophomore year in high school he has been hyped as the next Michael Jordan( unpopular opinion alert: I think Jordan is overrated) and has had all eyes on him. The fact that he hasn't had any major scandals is crazy. I'd be a hot mess if I had his fame and money from the age of 18.
I enjoyed this book. I don't recommend it to non sports fans because you'd probably be bored but if you love basketball and are a LeBron fan than I think you'll have lots of fun.
May 31, 2023
Growing up in Chicago, I was privileged to watch Michael Jordan’s Bulls on basic cable tv for years. His game was poetry in motion and generational to watch. I have been on team Jordan my entire life to the point of not watching much of the current iteration of the NBA because most players don’t or won’t play defense. I may be stuck in the 1990s so it comes as no surprise that the biggest argument I have for Jordan as the best ever is that only he got to star in a movie with Bugs Bunny. That is, until two years when one LeBron James also got to star in a movie with Bugs Bunny. Only because he got to share a court with Bugs will I allow the debate about the greatest of all time to be open for discussion. When I saw on my annual sports book preview that long time sports writer Jeff Benedict would be publishing a biography on James, I was intrigued. He is still playing and in the prime of his life and not one who would necessarily be the subject of a biopic. In this day of multiple mass media platforms, James life has already been dissected at multiple angles. A book covering his entire life until present is not all that far fetched. I will always be on team Jordan, but I’d have to read about the king to see why many others view him as the goat.
Rather than debating who is the best or reiterating James’ accomplishments, I want to reflect on the style of writing. I used to love biographies. I have been a biography connoisseur ever since I was in second grade and my home room teacher made it a class project to see who would read the most bios over the course of the year. Of course I won going away. Today’s biographies in this era of instant gratification and constant changing news makes me think that writers do not necessarily interview their subject if it means getting the book published earlier. James, for example, has had countless articles written about him from the time he was ten years old. His life is both well documented and accessible who would want to put the articles together to formulate a book. Looking at Benedict’s past biographies on both Tiger Woods and my celebrity crush Tom Brady, it comes as no surprise to me that James would be his next subject. Although it also seems to me that Benedict never actually interviewed James and formulated his opinions based on all these past articles and watching basketball games. Perhaps that is why I usually rarely read biographies or sports nonfiction books about current players; their histories are still being written.
One cannot still be wowed by James lengthy list of accomplishments. In addition to his now four championships won on three different teams with rosters not as talented as Jordan’s, James has spoken out about a multitude of societal issues, something my mother among other has always been critical of Jordan for not participating in. Jordan famously said Republicans buy sneakers, too, but that didn’t need to preclude him for denouncing racial profiling in gun violence following his father’s murder. Jordan at the time remained silent. James has been anything but between participating on multimedia platforms, speaking out on these said issues, and opening a school for underprivileged children. I would not have minded reading about these issues; however, when discussing James’ political leanings, I feel Benedict became too political. Or perhaps, I try to keep sports and politics separate. I go to sports to escape and while I laud athletes for exercising their right to vote and participate in politics, I’d rather them only be “more than an athlete” off the court. According to Benedict, James is vocal in order to encourage younger generation to dream big. I am not the target age range of this political participation, and clearly one who likes to compartmentalize sports, pop culture, politics, etc. Sports are much more unifying than politics and I wish at times that society would be the way it was in the 1980s, when sports was just that. Still I laud James for his quest to be billion dollar Renaissance man.
Is Jordan still the goat? I’ll never forget the day the Bulls won to go to their first NBA finals. The Bulls winning is an inherent part of my childhood. Unfortunately James and Jordan can only go head to head in computer generated images. Who is better will have to be left to one’s imagination. It’s probably generational as to who one prefers. And people a generation older than me will probably jump in and say Bill Russell. One thing can not be debated; however. James rose from the uncertainty of growing up in a single family home to achieve the ultimate American dream. As Americans this is what we all strive for. I am still not convinced of Benedict’s writing style as it was fast reading fluff. It is probably just my conscience reminding me to stick to past sports history and biographies, a genre I will continually return to so that I can appreciate the great games that comprise American culture and hold my own in the debate as to who is the greatest of all time.
3.5 stars
Rather than debating who is the best or reiterating James’ accomplishments, I want to reflect on the style of writing. I used to love biographies. I have been a biography connoisseur ever since I was in second grade and my home room teacher made it a class project to see who would read the most bios over the course of the year. Of course I won going away. Today’s biographies in this era of instant gratification and constant changing news makes me think that writers do not necessarily interview their subject if it means getting the book published earlier. James, for example, has had countless articles written about him from the time he was ten years old. His life is both well documented and accessible who would want to put the articles together to formulate a book. Looking at Benedict’s past biographies on both Tiger Woods and my celebrity crush Tom Brady, it comes as no surprise to me that James would be his next subject. Although it also seems to me that Benedict never actually interviewed James and formulated his opinions based on all these past articles and watching basketball games. Perhaps that is why I usually rarely read biographies or sports nonfiction books about current players; their histories are still being written.
One cannot still be wowed by James lengthy list of accomplishments. In addition to his now four championships won on three different teams with rosters not as talented as Jordan’s, James has spoken out about a multitude of societal issues, something my mother among other has always been critical of Jordan for not participating in. Jordan famously said Republicans buy sneakers, too, but that didn’t need to preclude him for denouncing racial profiling in gun violence following his father’s murder. Jordan at the time remained silent. James has been anything but between participating on multimedia platforms, speaking out on these said issues, and opening a school for underprivileged children. I would not have minded reading about these issues; however, when discussing James’ political leanings, I feel Benedict became too political. Or perhaps, I try to keep sports and politics separate. I go to sports to escape and while I laud athletes for exercising their right to vote and participate in politics, I’d rather them only be “more than an athlete” off the court. According to Benedict, James is vocal in order to encourage younger generation to dream big. I am not the target age range of this political participation, and clearly one who likes to compartmentalize sports, pop culture, politics, etc. Sports are much more unifying than politics and I wish at times that society would be the way it was in the 1980s, when sports was just that. Still I laud James for his quest to be billion dollar Renaissance man.
Is Jordan still the goat? I’ll never forget the day the Bulls won to go to their first NBA finals. The Bulls winning is an inherent part of my childhood. Unfortunately James and Jordan can only go head to head in computer generated images. Who is better will have to be left to one’s imagination. It’s probably generational as to who one prefers. And people a generation older than me will probably jump in and say Bill Russell. One thing can not be debated; however. James rose from the uncertainty of growing up in a single family home to achieve the ultimate American dream. As Americans this is what we all strive for. I am still not convinced of Benedict’s writing style as it was fast reading fluff. It is probably just my conscience reminding me to stick to past sports history and biographies, a genre I will continually return to so that I can appreciate the great games that comprise American culture and hold my own in the debate as to who is the greatest of all time.
3.5 stars
August 13, 2023
A 500 page masterpiece. LeBron is my hero. This book gave me an even greater appreciation for his achievements. Crazy that a kid from the projects of Northeast Ohio became the greatest athlete of all time. Even more importantly, he is an exemplary father, husband, and friend. There is something so wholesome about this man. Whereas many of the all-time greats (Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, and Tom Brady) are involved in scandals, divorces, and infidelity, LeBron just loves his wife, raises his children, and supports his friends. Hating on this man at this point is reserved for the clowns of society like Skip Bayless. Even more convinced of his GOAT status after reading, and I don't really think it's that close.
October 14, 2024
Okay, THIS is how you write a biography. This was a super dense read and took me a super long time to read this. I kept reading a chapter then looked the said event in the chapter on YouTube, so it took me a while.
Unreal story, of growing up in the projects to being one of the richest athletes in the world. Such a wonderful success story. There is a TON of source material that the author pulls from, and it’s a massive read at over 500 pages, but brought a lot of insight and clear direction of Lebrons life and legacy.
I had just read Tiger Woods biography by James Patterson, and seen this author has a biography about him as well and would love to read about him again through the eyes of Benedict and seen how much better the writing is.
Overall 4 and a half stars!! Recommended!!
Unreal story, of growing up in the projects to being one of the richest athletes in the world. Such a wonderful success story. There is a TON of source material that the author pulls from, and it’s a massive read at over 500 pages, but brought a lot of insight and clear direction of Lebrons life and legacy.
I had just read Tiger Woods biography by James Patterson, and seen this author has a biography about him as well and would love to read about him again through the eyes of Benedict and seen how much better the writing is.
Overall 4 and a half stars!! Recommended!!
May 5, 2023
This might be the best sports autobiography EVER! The attention to detail and the amount of research that went into this masterpiece of a book is unlike most books that I’ve ever read! This is an underdog story mixed with aspects of business mixed with sports. Fans of sports (ESPECIALLY BASKETBALL) should eat this shit right up! I did the nerdiest shit ever by reliving some of LeBron’s greatest moments in basketball (shout out to YouTube...) as the book discussed them. Way back from high school to his current days in the NBA. Even though LeBron has been relevant in my life over the past 20ish years now and I knew of some of the stories in the book, I still wanted more! Hate that this book had to end! READ THIS ASAP!!!
July 7, 2023
Anyone who knows me knows I’ve loved Lebron since he came into the league in 2003. I understand there are a ton of haters…I’ve argued with most of them. I just love the way the guy plays basketball. But even for someone who has followed him for 20 years, this biography was incredibly enlightening. Lebron literally shouldn’t be where he is. Born to a 16 year old in inner city Akron with no father and no place to really call home during his early years, he could have easily been a statistic. What changed that?…(Other than being incredibly gifted physically and athletically, of course.)…A couple of strong and faithful black men who invested in a lonely 8 year old who was looking for a place to belong. What a story. One big takeaway: while single moms are super heroes, young boys need male mentors to steer them. I truly believe it was those mentors that made the difference in Lebron’s life. At one point in the book he calls them his “saviors.” But of course, it’s still always Glo and Bron forever! Must read for Lebron fans.
June 18, 2023
I should say up front: I’m a diehard LeBron James fan to the point of irrationally defending him no matter what. I’ve rooted for him since he came in the league and loved his game ever since. And being a big fan, I’ve consumed thousands of words on his life and career.
So I wouldn’t say I know better than Jeff Benedict because I definitely don’t. I don’t know anything about LeBron’s personal life save that he’s a proud husband and father. But I was also disappointed to find that in reading this, I learned little more. I hadn’t read much about his time growing up in Akron; I knew it wasn’t easy but Benedict gives about as full of a picture as possible. Beyond that…meh. Just a whole lot of meh.
The basketball stuff is flat and brings nothing new to life. Benedict goes long into the LeBron, Inc. of James’ life, how he formed business relationships and built them. That’s impressive, I suppose. But for those of us who are fascinated with the subject, we never get a full portrayal of the man himself as this leans towards the hagiographic. I don’t need dirt or innuendo or “the hot goss.” But I’d like to know more about LeBron’s evolution as a human being, a player, a person. Benedict draws almost everything back to James’ traumatic childhood and yes, that’s certainly a factor — perhaps the biggest factor. But the man’s lived a full and complete life since he escaped public housing in Akron. What makes him tick?
This day and age, it’s tough to get a full, detailed biography on someone famous. And that’s fine, celebrities deserve their privacy too. But we also want to know the people who sell us shoes and soft drinks. I don’t need to know LeBron James’ personal business but I would have liked more insight on LeBron James the person. And this isn’t it.
So I wouldn’t say I know better than Jeff Benedict because I definitely don’t. I don’t know anything about LeBron’s personal life save that he’s a proud husband and father. But I was also disappointed to find that in reading this, I learned little more. I hadn’t read much about his time growing up in Akron; I knew it wasn’t easy but Benedict gives about as full of a picture as possible. Beyond that…meh. Just a whole lot of meh.
The basketball stuff is flat and brings nothing new to life. Benedict goes long into the LeBron, Inc. of James’ life, how he formed business relationships and built them. That’s impressive, I suppose. But for those of us who are fascinated with the subject, we never get a full portrayal of the man himself as this leans towards the hagiographic. I don’t need dirt or innuendo or “the hot goss.” But I’d like to know more about LeBron’s evolution as a human being, a player, a person. Benedict draws almost everything back to James’ traumatic childhood and yes, that’s certainly a factor — perhaps the biggest factor. But the man’s lived a full and complete life since he escaped public housing in Akron. What makes him tick?
This day and age, it’s tough to get a full, detailed biography on someone famous. And that’s fine, celebrities deserve their privacy too. But we also want to know the people who sell us shoes and soft drinks. I don’t need to know LeBron James’ personal business but I would have liked more insight on LeBron James the person. And this isn’t it.
February 21, 2024
The GOAT of my era. This book gave me a better understanding of his path to becoming one of the most dominant players the NBA’s ever seen, lasting over 20 seasons. His loyalty to his family & friends throughout his career is unmatched and showed how to use your platform and influence for the better. Great read!
April 27, 2023
Fantastic book. LeBron James is arguably the most impressive American athlete of all time. He has lived most of his life in public and his biggest flaw is HOW he announced he was going to play for the Miami Heat.
LeBron’s basketball skills are not his most impressive attributes. His brilliance, instincts, maturity and discipline all outrank his athleticism. These attributes explain why 20 years into his career, LeBron is still one of the best players in the world.
Perhaps his greatest gift is his instincts for who to surround himself with. Starting with Maverick Carter and then Rick Paul, Randy Mims and his wife Savannah, LeBron surrounded himself with an amazing group of talented and loyal people that were vital to his ascension as an icon.
Once LeBron retires the empire he has built off the court will take more of a spotlight. He’s at the front of the line to own the NBA expansion team in Las Vegas. Twenty years from now I expect him to own multiple pro franchises and be one of the most powerful moguls in Hollywood.
This is one of the best sports biographies I’ve ever read about an amazing American. Highly recommend.
LeBron’s basketball skills are not his most impressive attributes. His brilliance, instincts, maturity and discipline all outrank his athleticism. These attributes explain why 20 years into his career, LeBron is still one of the best players in the world.
Perhaps his greatest gift is his instincts for who to surround himself with. Starting with Maverick Carter and then Rick Paul, Randy Mims and his wife Savannah, LeBron surrounded himself with an amazing group of talented and loyal people that were vital to his ascension as an icon.
Once LeBron retires the empire he has built off the court will take more of a spotlight. He’s at the front of the line to own the NBA expansion team in Las Vegas. Twenty years from now I expect him to own multiple pro franchises and be one of the most powerful moguls in Hollywood.
This is one of the best sports biographies I’ve ever read about an amazing American. Highly recommend.
June 7, 2023
Nice complete look at LeBron James the man
I checked out this book expecting to mainly read about LeBron James’ basketball career, some commentary on his activism and some about his family, both in his youth and his adulthood. It focused more about that third topic than his first, told a very different aspect of the second one - and added some excellent work done by him and three friends in the business world - even including part ownership of Liverpool FC and the Boston Red Sox. Turned out to be much better than I expected -balanced and complete look at James and what he means to basketball and to Black people.
I checked out this book expecting to mainly read about LeBron James’ basketball career, some commentary on his activism and some about his family, both in his youth and his adulthood. It focused more about that third topic than his first, told a very different aspect of the second one - and added some excellent work done by him and three friends in the business world - even including part ownership of Liverpool FC and the Boston Red Sox. Turned out to be much better than I expected -balanced and complete look at James and what he means to basketball and to Black people.
December 8, 2023
Enjoyed this one very much. It’s paced and written very well and the length was also just right. 4 stars.
March 25, 2025
kindlalt 5/5st!! ma ei teadnud üldse LeBroni kohta nii palju kui ma arvasin. eks see 2000ndate aeg mu jaoks tsipa keeruline, sest ma ei mäleta sellest ajast eriti midagi, mõnda mängijat tean ikka. aga 2016 cleveland vs warriorsi kohta lugeda oli ikka tuttav, seda aega juba mäletan. :D
see on imetlusväärne, et LeBron tegeleb palju ka väljaspool korvpalli, tal on enda kool!! kus on tasuta lõunad, transport ja stipendiumid Akroni ülikooli. siin raamatus oli ka palju kirjutatud sellest, kuidas ta oli 2010 kõige vihatum sportlane ja paar aastat hiljem maailma parim. peab ikka väga tugev mentaalselt olema, et selliseid asju taluda. lisaks meeldib mulle väga ta suhtumine, et ära torgi.
ja mõelda vaid, mees on 40-aastane ja mängib ikka NBA-s üli kõrgel tasemel! läks otse peale keskkooli nba drafti, kus ta ka valituks osutus.
raamat jäi minu arust poolikuks, sest see lõpes sellega, et kas Bronny valitakse NBA-sse ja kas ta saab LeBroniga koos mängida. nüüd on ju teada, et nad mängivadki samas tiimis. selle kohta tahaks lugeda, aga vast tuleb millalgi veel mõni raamat selle kohta. :D
see on imetlusväärne, et LeBron tegeleb palju ka väljaspool korvpalli, tal on enda kool!! kus on tasuta lõunad, transport ja stipendiumid Akroni ülikooli. siin raamatus oli ka palju kirjutatud sellest, kuidas ta oli 2010 kõige vihatum sportlane ja paar aastat hiljem maailma parim. peab ikka väga tugev mentaalselt olema, et selliseid asju taluda. lisaks meeldib mulle väga ta suhtumine, et ära torgi.
ja mõelda vaid, mees on 40-aastane ja mängib ikka NBA-s üli kõrgel tasemel! läks otse peale keskkooli nba drafti, kus ta ka valituks osutus.
raamat jäi minu arust poolikuks, sest see lõpes sellega, et kas Bronny valitakse NBA-sse ja kas ta saab LeBroniga koos mängida. nüüd on ju teada, et nad mängivadki samas tiimis. selle kohta tahaks lugeda, aga vast tuleb millalgi veel mõni raamat selle kohta. :D
December 31, 2024
I love LeBron James!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shoutout to my great aunt and uncle for getting me this for Christmas.
July 6, 2025
good pick for crew book club and VERY happy it’s childhood/early career heavy.
March 15, 2025
Another expertly written Biography by Jeff Benedict. Will continue to read his work. Long live King James.
May 2, 2025
Jeff Benedict's "LeBron" offers a look into the life of one of the most iconic figures of the 21st century. The book masterfully chronicles James's journey from his challenging upbringing in Akron, Ohio, to global superstardom. The author delves into the forces and relationships that shaped him along the way.
What makes the book particularly compelling is its exploration of James's multifaceted identity. Benedict doesn't just focus on the court; he also illuminates how LeBron became a towering figure beyond basketball.
Readers gain insight into:
- The family man and loyal friend: The importance of his tight-knit circle, his role as a son, a husband, a father and a friend and the stability this provides amidst overwhelming fame.
- The Businessman: His evolution into a savvy entrepreneur and owner, building an empire that extends far beyond endorsements.
- The Cultural Bridge: How he uniquely connected the worlds of elite sports, hip-hop culture, and high fashion.
- The Activist: Benedict explores James' willingness to use his platform, embodying the "More Than an Athlete" ethos, championing causes like "More Than a Vote," and speaking out on social justice issues despite potential backlash.
- The Philanthropist: The establishment of the "I Promise School" and his broader commitment to uplifting his community stand as testaments to his desire to create lasting change.
Throughout the narrative, many of Lebron's values – such as loyalty, strength, dignity, courage, and dedication – resonate powerfully. Benedict shows how these principles guided James through immense pressure, public scrutiny, controversial decisions and career-defining triumphs.
Benedict's strength lies in his exhaustive research and narrative skill. Even without direct access, he pieces together a compelling and insightful story, offering context and perspective on the key moments that defined LeBron's trajectory on and off the court.
This is more than just the story of the greatest basketball player the world has ever seen; it's the story on how LeBron James became a global icon who redefined what it means to be a superstar athlete in the modern era. Benedict delivers a rich, detailed, and ultimately inspiring account of an extraordinary life still unfolding.
Rating: 4.5 stars.
Disclaimer: I am a NBA- and Lebron James enthusiast.
What makes the book particularly compelling is its exploration of James's multifaceted identity. Benedict doesn't just focus on the court; he also illuminates how LeBron became a towering figure beyond basketball.
Readers gain insight into:
- The family man and loyal friend: The importance of his tight-knit circle, his role as a son, a husband, a father and a friend and the stability this provides amidst overwhelming fame.
- The Businessman: His evolution into a savvy entrepreneur and owner, building an empire that extends far beyond endorsements.
- The Cultural Bridge: How he uniquely connected the worlds of elite sports, hip-hop culture, and high fashion.
- The Activist: Benedict explores James' willingness to use his platform, embodying the "More Than an Athlete" ethos, championing causes like "More Than a Vote," and speaking out on social justice issues despite potential backlash.
- The Philanthropist: The establishment of the "I Promise School" and his broader commitment to uplifting his community stand as testaments to his desire to create lasting change.
Throughout the narrative, many of Lebron's values – such as loyalty, strength, dignity, courage, and dedication – resonate powerfully. Benedict shows how these principles guided James through immense pressure, public scrutiny, controversial decisions and career-defining triumphs.
Benedict's strength lies in his exhaustive research and narrative skill. Even without direct access, he pieces together a compelling and insightful story, offering context and perspective on the key moments that defined LeBron's trajectory on and off the court.
This is more than just the story of the greatest basketball player the world has ever seen; it's the story on how LeBron James became a global icon who redefined what it means to be a superstar athlete in the modern era. Benedict delivers a rich, detailed, and ultimately inspiring account of an extraordinary life still unfolding.
Rating: 4.5 stars.
Disclaimer: I am a NBA- and Lebron James enthusiast.
April 24, 2023
Very nearly definitive. Which is amazing considering it’s unauthorized.
January 18, 2024
Lettura lunga ma la scrittura è scorrevole: il libro si legge agevolmente, ma essendo spesso ci vuole del tempo per completarlo. Storia interessante quella di LeBron James: persona di spessore sia come uomo che come giocatore.
February 28, 2024
This was the perfect book to read before going to sleep, and I mean that in the best way possible! Haha it was slow enough that I never ended up staying awake longer than intended to keep reading, but interesting enough that I looked forward to picking it up every night. I really didn’t know much about Lebron’s personal life and I didn’t fully realize the extent of his professional accomplishments either, so I learned a lot and enjoyed it!
May 7, 2023
4 Stars - Jeff Benedict always does such a great job of telling someone’s story and this is no different. Jeff does a wonderful job telling who Lebron is as a basketball and who he is as a man. I would recommend this even if you aren’t much of a fan of Lebron.
August 6, 2025
I used to despise LeBron James. I thought that his decision to move to Miami was weak and selfish, and as a Boston Celtics fan, even when he returned and brought a championship back home to Cleveland, I still didn't like him. But as I've gotten older, I've come to respect the man, even appreciate him as his time in the league starts to dwindle. Sure, maybe his move to the West has helped aid in this move. No longer is he standing the way of my team winning a championship. Yet, finally looking at the bigger picture, of all that he's done over his 22 year career on and off the court, it puts everything into perspective.
Jeff Benedict's portrayal of LeBron is quite nuanced in its coverage. While there are some flaws to the book (which mainly lie in small nitpicks due to timing - if this book released in 2023, why was the second Cavs section such a rush job) I do think overall it sheds an interesting light on the psyche and mentality of a very private man who keeps a lot of himself under lock and key. I don't think much it really goes into stuff that wasn't known before, but the presentation makes it easy for someone who knows next to nothing to understand the man. By far the most interesting parts to me were off the court. The early years of LeBron in high school gave me subtext that I had never even known I was missing for all this time. I enjoyed watching the Fab Five rise through the ranks of St Vincent St Mary's. Seeing how LeBron truly shifted things for athletes in business, fashion and politics is quite impressive as well - hanging out with Warren Buffett and Anna Wintour like it's nothing. Even as far back as 2008, LeBron has been willing to share his political opinions when most players aren't. It was taboo for players to own other sport franchises, to go on the cover of Vogue and GQ, to advocate for presidential candidates without wanting some sort of political future themselves... yet LeBron made it possible.
This book is a quick read (read it in one day) and worth the time if you're interested. For what it's worth, I'd love to see LeBron run for president one day, and from how this book presents it, perhaps it wouldn't be too radical of a step. Either way, Benedict did a great job, and set the standard for what the benchmark should be for a future LeBron biography.
Jeff Benedict's portrayal of LeBron is quite nuanced in its coverage. While there are some flaws to the book (which mainly lie in small nitpicks due to timing - if this book released in 2023, why was the second Cavs section such a rush job) I do think overall it sheds an interesting light on the psyche and mentality of a very private man who keeps a lot of himself under lock and key. I don't think much it really goes into stuff that wasn't known before, but the presentation makes it easy for someone who knows next to nothing to understand the man. By far the most interesting parts to me were off the court. The early years of LeBron in high school gave me subtext that I had never even known I was missing for all this time. I enjoyed watching the Fab Five rise through the ranks of St Vincent St Mary's. Seeing how LeBron truly shifted things for athletes in business, fashion and politics is quite impressive as well - hanging out with Warren Buffett and Anna Wintour like it's nothing. Even as far back as 2008, LeBron has been willing to share his political opinions when most players aren't. It was taboo for players to own other sport franchises, to go on the cover of Vogue and GQ, to advocate for presidential candidates without wanting some sort of political future themselves... yet LeBron made it possible.
This book is a quick read (read it in one day) and worth the time if you're interested. For what it's worth, I'd love to see LeBron run for president one day, and from how this book presents it, perhaps it wouldn't be too radical of a step. Either way, Benedict did a great job, and set the standard for what the benchmark should be for a future LeBron biography.
October 18, 2024
As a shock to no one, I am now obsessed with LeBron as another example of greatness and deeply regret that I did not watch much NBA basketball these last 20yr to witness his superhuman play. Another one of these once in a generation (lifetime?) talents. I will definitely go to LA this year to watch him and Bronny play. Some takeaways, in no particular order:
1) his intelligence is off the charts. Hearing about how he could see plays steps ahead, how he could photographically recall plays from games a long time ago, how he knew every team’s plays in the league better than their players and finally the video of him doing his handshakes with everyone in the league. Wow. The brilliance on its own would be extremely unique but pair it with his physical capabilities - just superhuman. I do wonder what else he could have done with that in his life if he didn’t play basketball? Seems like he’d be a brilliant military strategist or something.
2) I love how loyal he is to his team and the folks who’ve been with him from the beginning. But also, he seems to have handpicked those guys for not only their loyalty and talent potential, but also work ethic - maverick, rich and randy all seem exceptional like him and so hard working. It’s cool LeBron set them up with opportunities and they made the most of them. He really seems like a great leader in so many dimensions - and from such a young age!
3) I remember the whole Miami move and thinking it was lame but didn’t realize how much he changed the game in terms of players seeking opportunities to win championships and fluidly building a roster that could win. While it seems lame, I also see his point that it’s business and he wanted agency and seized it.
4) relatedly, didn’t realize that he was effectively a GM (or he and his team were) - understanding the cap dynamics and recruiting teams that were balanced and experienced. Pretty cool. Not sure he’s the best at it but cool to see players empowered like that. Also loved learning a bit about him as a leader in addition to a phenom.
5) he and rich Paul seem very smart about contract negotiations, understanding how value would change with new TV contracts and maximizing thru contract structure.
6) he has incredible restraint and maturity despite starting so young. Remarkable.
7) I didn’t realize how special it was that he used his platform for social justice issues - seems like he really shifted the rights of athletes to speak out and expectations for them to.
8) I love that he loves riding his bike so much.
9) I wish there was more about his family in this, perhaps he’s just super private. You didn’t really get a great feel for Savannah and his home life.
10) I also wish there was more about his work ethic and what he has done in terms of training, nutrition, drills to build and maintain his dominance - the book just kind of takes it as a given that he has unearthly talent, but I’m sure he works incredibly hard and would have loved to understand that better.
I mean, just an awesome book and I’m very sad it’s over. Very good storytelling and read super fast. I’m now a major LJ fan.
1) his intelligence is off the charts. Hearing about how he could see plays steps ahead, how he could photographically recall plays from games a long time ago, how he knew every team’s plays in the league better than their players and finally the video of him doing his handshakes with everyone in the league. Wow. The brilliance on its own would be extremely unique but pair it with his physical capabilities - just superhuman. I do wonder what else he could have done with that in his life if he didn’t play basketball? Seems like he’d be a brilliant military strategist or something.
2) I love how loyal he is to his team and the folks who’ve been with him from the beginning. But also, he seems to have handpicked those guys for not only their loyalty and talent potential, but also work ethic - maverick, rich and randy all seem exceptional like him and so hard working. It’s cool LeBron set them up with opportunities and they made the most of them. He really seems like a great leader in so many dimensions - and from such a young age!
3) I remember the whole Miami move and thinking it was lame but didn’t realize how much he changed the game in terms of players seeking opportunities to win championships and fluidly building a roster that could win. While it seems lame, I also see his point that it’s business and he wanted agency and seized it.
4) relatedly, didn’t realize that he was effectively a GM (or he and his team were) - understanding the cap dynamics and recruiting teams that were balanced and experienced. Pretty cool. Not sure he’s the best at it but cool to see players empowered like that. Also loved learning a bit about him as a leader in addition to a phenom.
5) he and rich Paul seem very smart about contract negotiations, understanding how value would change with new TV contracts and maximizing thru contract structure.
6) he has incredible restraint and maturity despite starting so young. Remarkable.
7) I didn’t realize how special it was that he used his platform for social justice issues - seems like he really shifted the rights of athletes to speak out and expectations for them to.
8) I love that he loves riding his bike so much.
9) I wish there was more about his family in this, perhaps he’s just super private. You didn’t really get a great feel for Savannah and his home life.
10) I also wish there was more about his work ethic and what he has done in terms of training, nutrition, drills to build and maintain his dominance - the book just kind of takes it as a given that he has unearthly talent, but I’m sure he works incredibly hard and would have loved to understand that better.
I mean, just an awesome book and I’m very sad it’s over. Very good storytelling and read super fast. I’m now a major LJ fan.
December 20, 2023
Me gustó mucho el trabajo titánico que hizo Jeff Benedict para recopilar información de todos lados y poder dar forma a la biografía de LeBron James. Al final del libro el periodista revela algunas de sus fuentes y confiesa que intentó en todo momento tener el testimonio de alguna persona cercana que estuviese corroborando la información.
Desde que veía la NBA cuando era adolescente recuerdo la figura de Michael Jordan, los Bulls de Chicago y el poder que tenían cuando enfrentaba a los diferentes equipos. Luego pasaron los años y salió la figura de Kobe Bryant como sucesor de MJ, pero nunca logró eclipsarlo. Finalmente llegó LeBron James como el siguiente jugador capaz de tomar la tutela de esos dos y este libro habla muy bien de su etapa en la Universidad y todas las vicisitudes que tuvo que enfrentar hasta convertirse en el Rey LeBron. Más que un jugador, todo un activista que vela por los derechos humanos y por las comunidades más necesitadas dentro y fuera de la cancha, el libro revela el altruismo que siempre ha tenido ayudando a otros.
Y aunque Jordan sigue estando en lo más alto como el mejor de todos los tiempos, quizás Kobe y LeBron son dignos de admirar por toda su repercusión, más allá de algunas polémicas. En el caso de LeBron lo más admirable es poder ser campeón de la NBA con 3 equipos distintos. Con los Heat de Miami en 2012 y 2013, Los Cavaliers de Cleveland en 2016, y con Los Ángeles Lakers en 2020.
El libro es una buena forma de explorar la carrera de LeBron y su madurez espiritual en tantos años jugando al máximo nivel de la nba hasta llegar a sus 38. No sólo como jugador sino también como embajador de la nba y defensor de las comunidades más vulnerables. Quizás me hubiese gustado que esta biografía se sintiera un poco más íntima, pero los extractos sacados de entrevistas tratan de reflejar su visión de pensamiento, aunque hubiera estado bien conocer más de la persona detrás de la leyenda.
Un libro bastante extenso con muchas referencias y buena documentación. Fue una lectura agradable un 4/5.
Desde que veía la NBA cuando era adolescente recuerdo la figura de Michael Jordan, los Bulls de Chicago y el poder que tenían cuando enfrentaba a los diferentes equipos. Luego pasaron los años y salió la figura de Kobe Bryant como sucesor de MJ, pero nunca logró eclipsarlo. Finalmente llegó LeBron James como el siguiente jugador capaz de tomar la tutela de esos dos y este libro habla muy bien de su etapa en la Universidad y todas las vicisitudes que tuvo que enfrentar hasta convertirse en el Rey LeBron. Más que un jugador, todo un activista que vela por los derechos humanos y por las comunidades más necesitadas dentro y fuera de la cancha, el libro revela el altruismo que siempre ha tenido ayudando a otros.
Y aunque Jordan sigue estando en lo más alto como el mejor de todos los tiempos, quizás Kobe y LeBron son dignos de admirar por toda su repercusión, más allá de algunas polémicas. En el caso de LeBron lo más admirable es poder ser campeón de la NBA con 3 equipos distintos. Con los Heat de Miami en 2012 y 2013, Los Cavaliers de Cleveland en 2016, y con Los Ángeles Lakers en 2020.
El libro es una buena forma de explorar la carrera de LeBron y su madurez espiritual en tantos años jugando al máximo nivel de la nba hasta llegar a sus 38. No sólo como jugador sino también como embajador de la nba y defensor de las comunidades más vulnerables. Quizás me hubiese gustado que esta biografía se sintiera un poco más íntima, pero los extractos sacados de entrevistas tratan de reflejar su visión de pensamiento, aunque hubiera estado bien conocer más de la persona detrás de la leyenda.
Un libro bastante extenso con muchas referencias y buena documentación. Fue una lectura agradable un 4/5.
September 13, 2025
“Ay LeBron, keep the family away!”
Let me get one thing out of the way first: reviewing this book was tough for me.
If you’ve listened to Kendrick Lamar’s Meet The Grahams, you know there’s a line directed at LeBron — and it’s not subtle. Later, when I did some digging online, I came across rumors about Curry and LeBron attending Diddy’s infamous White Parties. At first, I dismissed it since I couldn’t find any real proof. But then this book casually drops Diddy’s name in connection, and suddenly the dots start connecting — shared stylists, close ties to Jay-Z… Reading that part honestly made me recoil, and it colored my whole impression of the book.
Now, to be fair: the prose is excellent. The writing flows smoothly, making it an easy and engaging read.
What unsettled me, though, is how the book frames LeBron more as a product than a person. You feel his humanity in the chapters about his childhood and his stance against Trump. But the moment he enters the NBA, he becomes strangely shallow. If that’s truly who he is, that’s sad. But if that’s just how the book portrays him, then it’s unfair to LeBron.
Another odd point: for someone who talks so much about family, there’s almost no mention of his wife and kids. Maybe LeBron himself requested that omission, but it should have been acknowledged in the text.
To be fair, here’s how I’d rate it:
• Writing & style: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
• LeBron’s image: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
• As a biography: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
Let me get one thing out of the way first: reviewing this book was tough for me.
If you’ve listened to Kendrick Lamar’s Meet The Grahams, you know there’s a line directed at LeBron — and it’s not subtle. Later, when I did some digging online, I came across rumors about Curry and LeBron attending Diddy’s infamous White Parties. At first, I dismissed it since I couldn’t find any real proof. But then this book casually drops Diddy’s name in connection, and suddenly the dots start connecting — shared stylists, close ties to Jay-Z… Reading that part honestly made me recoil, and it colored my whole impression of the book.
Now, to be fair: the prose is excellent. The writing flows smoothly, making it an easy and engaging read.
What unsettled me, though, is how the book frames LeBron more as a product than a person. You feel his humanity in the chapters about his childhood and his stance against Trump. But the moment he enters the NBA, he becomes strangely shallow. If that’s truly who he is, that’s sad. But if that’s just how the book portrays him, then it’s unfair to LeBron.
Another odd point: for someone who talks so much about family, there’s almost no mention of his wife and kids. Maybe LeBron himself requested that omission, but it should have been acknowledged in the text.
To be fair, here’s how I’d rate it:
• Writing & style: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
• LeBron’s image: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
• As a biography: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
March 28, 2024
Ottima biografia di un giocatore che domina in NBA da quando ho memoria. Benedict si sofferma molto sulle origini di LeBron James, dall'infanzia nelle case popolari di Akron (Ohio) alle strabilianti performance che lo resero una star già alla high school, e dei legami stretti in quegli anni così importanti per la formazione del "prescelto" e la fioritura del suo talento.
Tuttavia non si tratta semplicemente di un libro sul basket. Le 20 stagioni NBA di LeBron sono descritte via via sempre più diffusamente, spesso soffermandosi su alcuni momenti decisivi e sulle partite dei playoff. Nella narrazione, il piano della pallacanestro si interseca con molteplici altri: l'amicizia, la musica, gli sponsor, i rapporti con i media, il maturare dell'impegno sociale e politico, oltre ovviamente alla spiccata propensione imprenditoriale che ha portato James ad essere uno degli sportivi più ricchi di sempre.
Tuttavia non si tratta semplicemente di un libro sul basket. Le 20 stagioni NBA di LeBron sono descritte via via sempre più diffusamente, spesso soffermandosi su alcuni momenti decisivi e sulle partite dei playoff. Nella narrazione, il piano della pallacanestro si interseca con molteplici altri: l'amicizia, la musica, gli sponsor, i rapporti con i media, il maturare dell'impegno sociale e politico, oltre ovviamente alla spiccata propensione imprenditoriale che ha portato James ad essere uno degli sportivi più ricchi di sempre.
March 16, 2024
As a huge NBA fan I am the exact audience for this book. I think it does an incredible job depicting LeBron’s early childhood and his transition to NBA superstardom.
However, once he actually made his way into the middle of his playing career the book fell a bit flat. The 2020 Lakers championship is delivered in one sentence, and the Warriors Cavs rivalry doesn’t appear until there’s roughly 60 pages left.
It’s also clear LeBron, nor his immediate friends, were interviewed in the production of this book. And I thought it was weird the author didn’t thank LeBron in the acknowledgment section…
Overall, I still really enjoyed it as an NBA-junkie, but can’t say I learned that much more about what LeBron is like. 3.5/5
However, once he actually made his way into the middle of his playing career the book fell a bit flat. The 2020 Lakers championship is delivered in one sentence, and the Warriors Cavs rivalry doesn’t appear until there’s roughly 60 pages left.
It’s also clear LeBron, nor his immediate friends, were interviewed in the production of this book. And I thought it was weird the author didn’t thank LeBron in the acknowledgment section…
Overall, I still really enjoyed it as an NBA-junkie, but can’t say I learned that much more about what LeBron is like. 3.5/5
February 19, 2024
You either love, or hate Lebron… or, you go back and forth. For me, I love to understand the love / hate. It was deeply enthralling to follow Lebron from high school thru to landing at the Lakers. So much real life behind the headlines. You have to appreciate, you get to appreciate, so much more hearing the backstories. I’m not convinced that everyone should love Lebron, but I am convinced there’s no shortcuts in life. He’s done a lot of things right by family and fame, even if some of the ones wrong have been big and public. I’ll say, learned a lot from Jeff sharing the ~500 pages about the King.
November 5, 2024
I don’t know what it’s like to grow up poor, Black, and without a father.
But listening to the story of Lebron James’ upbringing was eye-opening. Not because it’s such a rare story, but because of how, since garnering massive attention as a young teen, Lebron handled himself.
Even as a high school player, Lebron always seemed to be one of the most mature people in the room. You keep thinking at some point the bright lights will force him to succumb to some headline-snatching failure, but it doesn’t. Call him arrogant if you want. That might be the worst thing one can say about him.
Lebron belongs on the Mount Rushmore of athletes. Not just for his on court dominance but his off the court class.
But listening to the story of Lebron James’ upbringing was eye-opening. Not because it’s such a rare story, but because of how, since garnering massive attention as a young teen, Lebron handled himself.
Even as a high school player, Lebron always seemed to be one of the most mature people in the room. You keep thinking at some point the bright lights will force him to succumb to some headline-snatching failure, but it doesn’t. Call him arrogant if you want. That might be the worst thing one can say about him.
Lebron belongs on the Mount Rushmore of athletes. Not just for his on court dominance but his off the court class.
August 12, 2025
From the moment I became a basketball fan, two players have defined my fandom. While I have gravitated to so many players that now rank among my favorites (Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, LaMarcus Aldridge, Steve Nash), the two men who stand alone at the top of my Mount Rushmore are Stephen Curry and LeBron James (if Jeff Benedict wrote a book like this about Steph, I would give it 6 stars).
Thank you, LeBron. Thank you for inspiring countless other young men and women to play basketball, to stand up for what is right, to fight for what we believe in, and to tune into 2018 Cavs games (because boyo that team was shit). You’re a role model like no other and to continue watching your game is a privilege. I WILL cry when you retire. It will happen.
Thank you, LeBron. Thank you for inspiring countless other young men and women to play basketball, to stand up for what is right, to fight for what we believe in, and to tune into 2018 Cavs games (because boyo that team was shit). You’re a role model like no other and to continue watching your game is a privilege. I WILL cry when you retire. It will happen.
May 29, 2023
A bit overly adulatory in parts, but I still couldn’t stop reading. And Lebron is just a damn impressive person, even if an imperfect one.
The main takeaway is that the one constant in his life has been his mom, wife, and high school friend group. He always has them all by his side and hates being alone. He can come off as cocky at times (at least to me), but unlike some other superstars like Kobe and MJ, he’s definitely not a loner (in basketball or outside of basketball).
The main takeaway is that the one constant in his life has been his mom, wife, and high school friend group. He always has them all by his side and hates being alone. He can come off as cocky at times (at least to me), but unlike some other superstars like Kobe and MJ, he’s definitely not a loner (in basketball or outside of basketball).
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