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Greenwood Biographies
Michael Jordan: A Biography
With the possible exceptions of boxer Muhammad Ali and baseball player Babe Ruth, no athlete has made a greater impact on American society-or in the world-than Michael Jordan. Follow the life of one of the most recognizable athletes and living brands inside this engaging and balanced biography.
He is among the best-known and wealthiest athletes in the history of organized sports. With the possible exceptions of boxer Muhammad Ali and baseball player Babe Ruth, no athlete has made a greater impact on American society-or in the world-than Michael Jordan. Follow the life of one of the most recognizable athletes and living brands inside this engaging and balanced biography.
When basketball stars Larry Bird and Magic Johnson retired in the early 1990s, Michael almost single-handedly propelled the NBA to stratospheric levels of success and international visibility. As a player for the Chicago Bulls, he generated instant crowd thrills with his record-setting drives and dunks, selling countless books, newspapers, videotapes, NBA game tickets, and hours of television time. The NBA promoted Michael, basing its popularity on his image as the greatest showman in sports history. Yet his sports hero status extends beyond NBA records. Michael changed the game by becoming the most effectively marketed athlete of his generation. Nike and many other companies rode-and continue to ride-on the coattails of Air Jordan's legend. Author David Porter highlights Jordan's on and off the court accomplishments and examines his relationship with Chicago Bulls' coaches, his commercial endorsements, and his current role as part-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats. A chronology, photos, career stats, and a bibliography of print and electronic resources round out this biography of one of the most influential athletes of the twentieth century.
He is among the best-known and wealthiest athletes in the history of organized sports. With the possible exceptions of boxer Muhammad Ali and baseball player Babe Ruth, no athlete has made a greater impact on American society-or in the world-than Michael Jordan. Follow the life of one of the most recognizable athletes and living brands inside this engaging and balanced biography.
When basketball stars Larry Bird and Magic Johnson retired in the early 1990s, Michael almost single-handedly propelled the NBA to stratospheric levels of success and international visibility. As a player for the Chicago Bulls, he generated instant crowd thrills with his record-setting drives and dunks, selling countless books, newspapers, videotapes, NBA game tickets, and hours of television time. The NBA promoted Michael, basing its popularity on his image as the greatest showman in sports history. Yet his sports hero status extends beyond NBA records. Michael changed the game by becoming the most effectively marketed athlete of his generation. Nike and many other companies rode-and continue to ride-on the coattails of Air Jordan's legend. Author David Porter highlights Jordan's on and off the court accomplishments and examines his relationship with Chicago Bulls' coaches, his commercial endorsements, and his current role as part-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats. A chronology, photos, career stats, and a bibliography of print and electronic resources round out this biography of one of the most influential athletes of the twentieth century.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published July 30, 2007
13 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
David Porter
259 books5 followersDavid Porter was born and raised in Tuscola, Illinois, and has been writing professionally since 1984. He is owner/publisher of three newspapers: The Tuscola Review, Arcola Record-Herald and Lebanon Advertiser.
He previously worked as Director of Communications for the Illinois Press Association and served as president of the Southern Illinois Editorial Association.
His book, The Make-out Room & Other Stories, is a compilation of 123 newspaper columns with a wide variety of subjects. Light reading.
His wife, Jennie, is a Kindergarten teacher in Tuscola. The two were classmates having first met in Kindergarten.
Note: Goodreads links all books written be people of the same name. The only book from me as of Nov. 29, 2020, is The Make-Out Room & Other Stories.
He previously worked as Director of Communications for the Illinois Press Association and served as president of the Southern Illinois Editorial Association.
His book, The Make-out Room & Other Stories, is a compilation of 123 newspaper columns with a wide variety of subjects. Light reading.
His wife, Jennie, is a Kindergarten teacher in Tuscola. The two were classmates having first met in Kindergarten.
Note: Goodreads links all books written be people of the same name. The only book from me as of Nov. 29, 2020, is The Make-Out Room & Other Stories.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 7, 2016
Got quite boring when the scores for each game and his points hauls were taking up most of the content in the middle. Some good insight on MJ from a third party source
August 19, 2017
"Mr. Jordan, how does it feel to be God?"
Read
April 5, 2022The title of the book I read was called ¨A Biography, Micheal Jordan¨. The author of this book's name is Roland Lazenby. The topic of this book is about Micheal Jordan and his life and his basketball career. I found this book by searching up ¨books on Micheal Jordan¨.
In this book Micheal Jordan grows up in a small town called Wilmington, North Carolina. His dad died while he was attending college in a drive-by shooting. He played basketball at the college of North Carolina and wore jersey number twenty three. He helped them get many wins in his four year career.
The book ended with Micheal Jordan retiring from the NBA as the greatest basketball player of all time. My favorite part was how he helped the bulls win many championships. He was a well known player around the league. He won many awards and always helped out his team as much as he could.
I really liked this book and anyone could read this book if they like Micheal Jordan or basketball.
In this book Micheal Jordan grows up in a small town called Wilmington, North Carolina. His dad died while he was attending college in a drive-by shooting. He played basketball at the college of North Carolina and wore jersey number twenty three. He helped them get many wins in his four year career.
The book ended with Micheal Jordan retiring from the NBA as the greatest basketball player of all time. My favorite part was how he helped the bulls win many championships. He was a well known player around the league. He won many awards and always helped out his team as much as he could.
I really liked this book and anyone could read this book if they like Micheal Jordan or basketball.
November 14, 2021
It was OK for me because I have watched many Michael Jordan documentaries and YouTube videos and I have read many articles about him, but this is my first book about him; so I felt I was already familiar with many of the things the book was describing. I expected more depth, better structure of the book, and more details.
Nonetheless, David Porter did a really good job writing this book without even interviewing Michael Jordan. I think it's a great compilation of information from many sources.
The Wizard years were interesting, I have never read or watched anything related to these years. I should have read this book many years ago so I could enjoy it more.
Nonetheless, David Porter did a really good job writing this book without even interviewing Michael Jordan. I think it's a great compilation of information from many sources.
The Wizard years were interesting, I have never read or watched anything related to these years. I should have read this book many years ago so I could enjoy it more.
February 19, 2019
Ok so like most people at my school know basketball is my favorite sport. MJ is my favorite player but I really like how he didn't make the varsity team his sophomore year cause currently, I can relate. That is just inspiring to kids who are considered by others to be not so good at sports but he is the greatest basketball player of all time. The only thing that I didn't like is when he retired and then came back he should have stayed in the league during his prime. other than that this is one of my favorite books I have read all year.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2021
I just recently watched "The Last Dance" before reading this book and I thought that I was just going to be reading about things that I already learned in the show, but I was wrong. David Porter goes extremely in depth in this book about the life of Michael Jordan, one part that really stood out to me is that he included a story about how Michael got suspended in school in middle school, he obtained all of this knowledge on MJ without even interviewing him. Another reason I enjoyed this book was the timeline in the prologue and the list of rewards/achievements in the epilogue.
October 9, 2018
It is a very good book and says a lot about Michael Jordan as one of the greatest basketball players to ever play.
March 13, 2015
Michael Jordan was born on February 17, 1963 at Brooklyn, New York City. He is popular because he was one of the top 3 best Basketball players in the whole entire world. He won the most trophies and prizes. Michael Jordan attended Emsley A. Laney High School in Wilmington. In 1981, he he got a Basketball scholarship at the University of North Carolina. 3 years later, he got elected in the Chicago Bulls team. In the Olympics, he won a gold medal. After the Olympics, he became the NBA Rookie of the year. He designed a Basketball shoe that got sold by the store called NIKE. From 1991- 1993, he became the most valuable MVP Chicago leading. At the NBA finals, he scored the most goals against the Los Angeles Lakers. and won the NBA title. In the summer, he won the gold medal with the “dream team” that included Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and David Robinson. Became one of the world most Valuable player in the NBA title. His team was the first team that won three consecutive titles in 27 years. At the end of 1993, he retired. February 7, 1994 He signs a free agent contract with the Chicago White Sox. Voted as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA history by a panel of media, former players and coaches, general managers and team executives. He won the ESPY athlete of the century award. Came out of retirement to play with the Washington Wizards. In 2006, he divorced with his wife Juanita on December 29, 2006. Now, Michael Jordan is 52 years old and is still one of the most valuable players in the Basketball list.
There are many reasons why this book is a biography. First of all, the subject is not the author. The subject is Michael Jordan and the author is David Porter. Another reason why it is a biography is that it is all about Michael Jordan’s life. The author discusses his childhood and his present day time. Michael Jordan changed people's lives while his career. He changed people's lives by playing basketball very well without giving up. A lot of his fans looked up to him. All of them started to try for their own dreams. There are several likable things about Michael Jordan. Everyone called him Air Jordan because he was dunking so high. he was always confident with his team and himself. He won a lot of MVP awards and for my opinion, he is the best player I have ever read about in the hole entire basketball. These things make Michael Jordan likable.
I recommend this book to people that likes sports. I would would recommend this person to people that like sports because he was a very good athlete and was in the top players. I would certainly recommend this book to people that loves playing Basketball because Michael Jordan is a player that explains you what is life if we are good in Basketball. This Basketball player never gave up and always listened for his heart. He loved Basketball and people could get entertained when they read about this fabulous Basketball player. If he was next to you, you would be encouraged to read his life. If you read his biography, you will never regret to listen him talking about his life each day. Michael was always trying his best and the author that he wrote about the biography of David L. Porter might love his life. To summarize about Michael Jordan, he is the leader of the Basketball game and everyone that will read his biography will want to know more about his life.
There are many reasons why this book is a biography. First of all, the subject is not the author. The subject is Michael Jordan and the author is David Porter. Another reason why it is a biography is that it is all about Michael Jordan’s life. The author discusses his childhood and his present day time. Michael Jordan changed people's lives while his career. He changed people's lives by playing basketball very well without giving up. A lot of his fans looked up to him. All of them started to try for their own dreams. There are several likable things about Michael Jordan. Everyone called him Air Jordan because he was dunking so high. he was always confident with his team and himself. He won a lot of MVP awards and for my opinion, he is the best player I have ever read about in the hole entire basketball. These things make Michael Jordan likable.
I recommend this book to people that likes sports. I would would recommend this person to people that like sports because he was a very good athlete and was in the top players. I would certainly recommend this book to people that loves playing Basketball because Michael Jordan is a player that explains you what is life if we are good in Basketball. This Basketball player never gave up and always listened for his heart. He loved Basketball and people could get entertained when they read about this fabulous Basketball player. If he was next to you, you would be encouraged to read his life. If you read his biography, you will never regret to listen him talking about his life each day. Michael was always trying his best and the author that he wrote about the biography of David L. Porter might love his life. To summarize about Michael Jordan, he is the leader of the Basketball game and everyone that will read his biography will want to know more about his life.
March 7, 2013
"Michael Jordan: A Biography" is a story about a basketball player named Michael Jordan, formulated by David L. Porter. Jordan is believed to be one of the best, if not the best basketball player of all time. The purpose of this book is to inform people about the great career that he had. It tells the tales of his high school career, including when he got cut from the varsity basketball team, his collegiate career in which he won a national title at North Carolina, and his professional career in the NBA where he won six world championships. The story concludes with his retirement, post retirement activity, and an overall reflection of his legacy.
The theme of the book is Michael Jordan's unbelievable competitiveness and ability to outwork everyone he ever faced. "Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen." When Jordan said this, he meant it. He made things happen. His amazing athleticism, along with his mental attributes, allowed for Jordan to have an outstanding career that makes for such an interesting biography.
The biography was executed in a narrative fashion of writing. This style is effective as it goes through Jordan's life in chronological order, vividly describing each event that took place. It also gives a few pictures and graphs that show his career statistics.
In my opinion, this is a very informative piece of non-fiction. It gives every detail of his basketball career from start to finish. If a person is interested in Michael Jordan, the NBA, or just basketball in general, they will be very glad they read this book. It does his career justice.
The theme of the book is Michael Jordan's unbelievable competitiveness and ability to outwork everyone he ever faced. "Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen." When Jordan said this, he meant it. He made things happen. His amazing athleticism, along with his mental attributes, allowed for Jordan to have an outstanding career that makes for such an interesting biography.
The biography was executed in a narrative fashion of writing. This style is effective as it goes through Jordan's life in chronological order, vividly describing each event that took place. It also gives a few pictures and graphs that show his career statistics.
In my opinion, this is a very informative piece of non-fiction. It gives every detail of his basketball career from start to finish. If a person is interested in Michael Jordan, the NBA, or just basketball in general, they will be very glad they read this book. It does his career justice.
March 8, 2013
Michael Jordan: A Biography By David Porter is a great book about the life of one of the greatest basketball players to this day. MJ was Born in Brooklyn New York as Michael Jeffrey Jordan he quickly moved to Wilmington North Carolina. He attended Emsley A.Laney High School where he played basketball, football and baseball. Jordan didn't make the varsity basketball team as a sophomore so he was determined to make it. The next year he made it by his senior year he was selected to be in the McDonalds All American team for his stunning performances.
He earned a scholarship to UNC where he wore number 23. He played there for three seasons then entered the NBA draft and was third pick to the Chicago Bulls.
Once he was in the NBA the awards started to stack up through his career he was rookie of the year his biggest awards were five time MVP and a six time NBA champion. He got these awards throughout his whole career.
After his father died he wanted to play baseball because thats what his father wanted him to play so he retired from basketball and played for a minor league team but it didn't last long before he returned to the hardwood.
Jordan returned to the bulls taking number 45 he wasn't playing the same so he went back to the good old 23. Michael retired from the bulls again before returning for a third time to play for the Washington Wizards but it didn't last long before he made his final retirement.
In my opinion Michael Jordan is the best player who ever played basketball. The things he did on the court at the time was just unheard of and if you like reading books that tell you about some of the greatest at their sports this would be the book for you.
He earned a scholarship to UNC where he wore number 23. He played there for three seasons then entered the NBA draft and was third pick to the Chicago Bulls.
Once he was in the NBA the awards started to stack up through his career he was rookie of the year his biggest awards were five time MVP and a six time NBA champion. He got these awards throughout his whole career.
After his father died he wanted to play baseball because thats what his father wanted him to play so he retired from basketball and played for a minor league team but it didn't last long before he returned to the hardwood.
Jordan returned to the bulls taking number 45 he wasn't playing the same so he went back to the good old 23. Michael retired from the bulls again before returning for a third time to play for the Washington Wizards but it didn't last long before he made his final retirement.
In my opinion Michael Jordan is the best player who ever played basketball. The things he did on the court at the time was just unheard of and if you like reading books that tell you about some of the greatest at their sports this would be the book for you.
March 22, 2013
Micheal Jordan
176 pages
biography
This book was good. I love basketball so i read this book. Micheal Jordan is a kind at basketball. I learned a lot of things about Micheal Jordan. Things are learned, I did not know before i read the book. I learned that he was born on February 17 in 1963.
I liked the book. It was good. I would recommend this book to people who like basketball, especially Micheal Jordan.Their are lots of good facts in this book. It would be cool that Micheal Jordan would be playing still. Micheal Jordan mostly played for Chicago Bulls. He went to North Carolina fro college. He was in college from 1981 through 1984. I really loved this book.
176 pages
biography
This book was good. I love basketball so i read this book. Micheal Jordan is a kind at basketball. I learned a lot of things about Micheal Jordan. Things are learned, I did not know before i read the book. I learned that he was born on February 17 in 1963.
I liked the book. It was good. I would recommend this book to people who like basketball, especially Micheal Jordan.Their are lots of good facts in this book. It would be cool that Micheal Jordan would be playing still. Micheal Jordan mostly played for Chicago Bulls. He went to North Carolina fro college. He was in college from 1981 through 1984. I really loved this book.
February 14, 2012
I finished this book in just a few nights, which is very quick for me. The reason for this is i was completely hooked from the start. This book is a biograrphy on arguably 'the greatest basketball player ever'. the book goes very deep into Jordans problems and how he overcame them, It is truly inspiring and although this book is completly basketball related i certainly recommend it for every sport fan.
October 22, 2012
It's a really good biography
March 14, 2014
I thought it was a very informative book and really showed insight into Michael Jordan's career. The stats Michael had made me like him even better as a player.
November 12, 2014
i like the book because it has a good message from Michael Jordan because how he got cut and became a star later
May 9, 2017
Read
**spoiler**
You may wonder what it's like to be the best basketball player to ever play the game. Well, the book "Michael Jordan A Biography" is an informative book about Michael Jordan's life from when he was a kid growing up to when he retired from playing the game he loved so very much. In the start of the book it talked about Michael's years in middle school and high school. Michael was known as a good student in the classroom and a great athlete on the court. However he worked very hard for everything but he was to small and he didn't make the varsity basketball team. That was motivation for him, he played in a summer league and caught the eyes of many college coaches including North Carolina. Michael played for North Carolina leading their team to a championship by his game winning shot as a freshman. After a few dominate years Michael was selected with the 3rd pick of the NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls and he went to have an amazing career with many individual achievements and six rings. I liked this story because I love the game of basketball and what better way to learn about it from the greatest player. It shows to never give up. I had no dislikes about this book. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in sports specifically basketball or Michael Jordan.
**spoiler**
You may wonder what it's like to be the best basketball player to ever play the game. Well, the book "Michael Jordan A Biography" is an informative book about Michael Jordan's life from when he was a kid growing up to when he retired from playing the game he loved so very much. In the start of the book it talked about Michael's years in middle school and high school. Michael was known as a good student in the classroom and a great athlete on the court. However he worked very hard for everything but he was to small and he didn't make the varsity basketball team. That was motivation for him, he played in a summer league and caught the eyes of many college coaches including North Carolina. Michael played for North Carolina leading their team to a championship by his game winning shot as a freshman. After a few dominate years Michael was selected with the 3rd pick of the NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls and he went to have an amazing career with many individual achievements and six rings. I liked this story because I love the game of basketball and what better way to learn about it from the greatest player. It shows to never give up. I had no dislikes about this book. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in sports specifically basketball or Michael Jordan.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews