Customer Reviews (3)

Very good instructional book about the best all-around player in NBA history
[That'll get some 'haters' attention!] Bird,
not 'Be Like Mike Jordan' is the best ever.
So he didn't have Jordan's athletism? This
book will explain why Bird was 'the man'
for 13 years. After which he helped lead his
US Olympic team to the Gold on the first
(so-called) 'Dream Team.' Without him they
wouldn't have won it! This book breaks down
every faucet of winning basketball like L.B.
and Red's videos do as well. Jordan was about
as great but I'll take Birdman by three inches,
which is how much taller he was over Jordan.
Joradn had the advantage of a better bench and
Tex Winter's triangle, which is why he was in
six NBA Champiosnhips as compared to Bird's 5.
My Alltime NBA Team:
Centre - Bill Russell
F - Larry Bird
F - Julius Erving
G - Michael Jordan
G - John Stockton
6th - Detlef Schrempf
7th - Kevin McHale
8th - Kevin Willis
9th - Craig Ehlo
10th- Artis Gilmore
11th- Dan Issel
12th- Eric Piatkowski
[Hey, you can't PICK ALL Stars. You gotta have quality role players,too!]

MY REVIEW
A good book for learning basketball basics as well as a few other things useful on and off the court.

great
Want to learn fundementals on how to play better basketball this is the book for you ... Read more

Book Description
This digital document is an article from U.S. Kids, published by Children's Better Health Institute on July 1, 1994. The length of the article is 439 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Summertime is jammin' time. (basketball in Indiana; includes Larry Bird's basketball tips)
Publication: U.S. Kids (Magazine/Journal)
Date: July 1, 1994
Publisher: Children's Better Health Institute
Volume: v7Issue: n5Page: p14(2)

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Book Description

Product Description
Great b/w photographs & story of one of the game's best players. ... Read more

Book Description
This digital document is an article from Indiana Business Magazine, published by Curtis Magazine Group, Inc. on June 1, 1997. The length of the article is 544 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Bird business. (former basketball player and entrepreneur Larry Bird)
Author: Tom Hayes
Publication: Indiana Business Magazine (Magazine/Journal)
Date: June 1, 1997
Publisher: Curtis Magazine Group, Inc.
Volume: v41Issue: n6Page: p5(1)

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Book Description
"Of all the people I play against, the only one I truly fear is Larry Bird."--Magic Johnson, from the Foreword.

The heart and soul of a champion: his life, his career, his game. To understand basketball, you have to understand Larry Bird. Arguably the greatest all-around player the game has ever known, he led the Boston Celtics from the basement to three world championships, collecting three NBA Most Valuable Player awards along the way. Yet, despite these massive accomplishments, Bird has rarely talked to the press, and much about the man has remained a mystery. Now in Drive, the long-silent superstar sets the record straight, revealed a side of himself-and of basketball-you've never see before. Inside, you'll learn Bird's most private feelings about: The momentous decision to transfer from Bobby Knight's Indiana University to Indiana State. The heartbreak of his father's suicide and his own failed marriage. The single-minded discipline that tumed a small-town hero into a national superstar. The Boston Garden and the legendary Celtic charm. The Isiah Thomas controversy and the fierce Celtic-Laker rivalry. The great players of the NBA: including Magic Johnson, Dominique Wilkins, and Michael Jordan, and much more. here is the book that puts a basketball legend-and his game-on the line. And scores! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (32)

Non Fiction
It is quite likely that this bloke from absolutely nowheresville Indiana's picture would be next to a dictionary that had an entry that said 'White Men Can't Jump'.If you can do everything else though, you can win a lot, and even get some of those Championship type ornaments to hang in your stadium and about your preosn.

The Greatest
This is the story of a person who is one of the greatest players of all time, Larry Bird. He grew up in the small town of French Lick, Indiana. He came from a very poor family of six. His mother was a hard worker and took care of the family. Larry's father, Joe, worked for little money at a shoe company. This was hard for Larry, but it got worse. His father committed suicide when he is young, which forces his mother to work two jobs.

Larry didn't always love basketball. His first love was baseball. He also liked football, but these two sports didn't work for him, so he decided to play basketball. Larry didn't really start liking basketball until his sophomore year, but then he starts to live for the sport. His high school coach helped him improve his skills and during Larry's junior and senior year he goes to the state championship. After high school Larry goes to Indiana State University, where, during his senior year, they go to the NCAA championship to face Michigan State and Magic Johnson. Unfortunately, Larry lost in the most watched final ever.

My favorite part of the book is the Foreword by Magic Johnson because it explains how Larry Bird changed the game of basketball forever.

This book is similar to with other sports biographies. It shows how Larry worked hard to get where he is similar to Bo Knows Bo by Bo Jackson. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys sports and is a fan of Larry Bird

Must Read for "Bird" Fans
A great and truly under-rated sports book. Bob Ryan (the actual writer) is a long-time Boston Globe columnist and a terriffic writer. He captures the essence of Larry Bird, from his childhood to his journey through high school and college to his emergence as both a basketball legend in the NBA and a larger-than-life sports hero in Boston. You may like this book even if you don't care for basketball. You will definitely enjoy this book if you area a hoops fan. And if you are a Larry Bird fan and you haven't read this book... shame on you!

Book review for Drive
Book review on Drive


Dedication, spirit, and heart are some of the words you can use to describe Larry Bird. Larry is a small boy growing up in the rural town of French Lick, Indiana. He never thought that one game of basketball would change the course of history and send him on the road to stardom. This book takes you on a journey inside the game and the life of an N.b.a. superstar. I recommend this book to basketball fans of all ages.
The combined themes of sadness and irony make this a great and unique novel. An example of irony is when Larry enrolled at Indiana University. He spent less than a month there then hitch hiked back to French Lick. An example of sadness happened when Larry was 19 years old. His father committed suicide so his family could have the money from his life insurance.
There were many characters that Larry talks about in his book. He talks about his first basketball coach Jim Jones who taught him the fundamentals of the game. He talks about his siblings Mike, Mark, Linda, Jeff, and Eddie. He talks about his teammates Kevin McHale and Robert Parish. He even talks about his opponents (Ervin Johnson, Moses Malone, Julius Erving, and James Worthy to name a few).
When he played in the N.B.A., he traveled across the country playing basketball. Therefore, their were many settings in this book. The main setting was Indiana. It was very hot there and most of the men around where he lived were farmers. Another main setting was Boston, Mass.
I recommend this book to any basketball fan wanting to know about the game. This book brings you closer to the game and shows you the life of a basketball star. The main lesson in this book is that nothing comes easy in life. It's hard to realize how much work it takes to become successful. Read this book and you'll find out.

Lacks the "wow" factor.
This book is a good read about one of the greatest players to ever lace 'em up, but....it reads more like a review of his basketball career rather than a true look inside the man Larry Bird. It's a must read for any Bird or Celtic fan and would be a great addition to any personal library. ... Read more

Book Description
Rookie of the Year. World Champion. All-Star. MVP. Coach of the Year. Throughout his basketball career, Larry Bird has gathered countless accolades and awards. From Springs Valley High School to Indiana State University to the Boston Celtics to the Indiana Pacers, one thing has remained the same: Bird's commitment to excellence. Drawn from the archives of The Indianapolis Star/News. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Josh Barringer's Rewiew of Larry Bird
I think that this was a great book.It told about his life and career as a basketball player.It also told about his major games and how he contributed to winning or losing the game.I encourage all sports lovers to read this book.As I said before this is a really great book.

Josh Barringer's Rewiew of Larry Bird
I think that this was a great book.It told about his life and career as a basketball player.It also told about his major games and how he contributed to winning or losing the game.I encourage all sports lovers to read this book.As I said before this is a really great book. ... Read more

Amazon.com
The first sentence of Larry Bird's candid post-player memoir begins blandly enough: "On August 18, 1992, I announced my retirement from the Boston Celtics." It's the one that follows--"It was one of the happiest days of my life"--that sets the tone for the book. Most stars have to be pulled off center stage, but as Bird Watching makes clear, the former Celtic legend who returned home to eventually coach the Indiana Pacers is certainly a rare bird. He's not afraid to ruffle feathers. And he's not afraid to tell his truth.

Perhaps the most striking revelations concern his heart. On top of the back pain that plagued him through much of his career, from time to time Bird experienced the feeling--and disorienting flush--of an irregular heartbeat, which he kept hidden from the Celtics. Even now, in the stress-filled world of coaching, Bird has almost passed out on the bench a couple of times--but he remains a fierce competitor. "I'm not going to be stupid about this heart condition, but I'm not going to live my whole life in fear of this thing either. If it goes, it goes."

Bird Watchingspends virtually no time with Bird the player; he's not one for looking back. He's more interested in explaining his evolution and thinking as a coach, examining the current state of the NBA, and picking apart the Pacer's disastrous 1999 playoff loss to the Knicks. He does, however, reminisce about his amazing connection to Magic Johnson, comparing it to the bond between Ali and Frazier. "I knew it was going to be like that forever after I played him in college for the national championship," Bird writes. "I never came up against anyone, other than Magic, who could challenge me mentally. Magic always took me to the limit." From Bird, it's hard to imagine a more heartfelt compliment. --Jeff SilvermanBook Description
The first sentence of Larry Bird's candid post-player memoir begins blandly enough: "On August 18, 1992, I announced my retirement from the Boston Celtics." It's the one that follows--"It was one of the happiest days of my life"--that sets the tone for the book. Most stars have to be pulled off center stage, but as Bird Watching makes clear, the former Celtic legend who returned home to eventually coach the Indiana Pacers is certainly a rare bird. He's not afraid to ruffle feathers. And he's not afraid to tell his truth. Perhaps the most striking revelations concern his heart. On top of the back pain that plagued him through much of his career, from time to time Bird experienced the feeling--and disorienting flush--of an irregular heartbeat, which he kept hidden from the Celtics. Even now, in the stress-filled world of coaching, Bird has almost passed out on the bench a couple of times--but he remains a fierce competitor. "I'm not going to be stupid about this heart condition, but I'm not going to live my whole life in fear of this thing either. If it goes, it goes." Bird Watchingspends virtually no time with Bird the player; he's not one for looking back. He's more interested in explaining his evolution and thinking as a coach, examining the current state of the NBA, and picking apart the Pacer's disastrous 1999 playoff loss to the Knicks. He does, however, reminisce about his amazing connection to Magic Johnson, comparing it to the bond between Ali and Frazier. "I knew it was going to be like that forever after I played him in college for the national championship," Bird writes. "I never came up against anyone, other than Magic, who could challenge me mentally. Magic always took me to the limit." From Bird, it's hard to imagine a more heartfelt compliment. --Jeff SilvermanDownload Description
With extraordinary candor, passion, and insight, basketball legend Larry Bird talks about the incomparable sport that made him an international superstar and one of the most respected figures in the game. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Good read
This is a follow-up to Bird's book Drive.It takes up at the end of his playing career and focuses on his post-playing career.He goes into the Olympic experience and the back pain that ended his career long before his skills had eroded.

He goes into detail about his figurehead jobs with the Boston Celtics and what ultimately led him to leave and eventually take up the head coaching job with the Indiana Pacers.Most of the book revolves around his first year coaching: he dispels myths and propaganda about his coaching and his life and h explains how he selected his coaches and his coaching philosophy, and his team.

The book was just a very enjoyable read.

Bird Watching - Larry Bird
Bird Watching (by Larry Bird)
Reviewer: Known as one the of the best basketball players to have ever stepped foot onto a NBA court, Larry Bird's book will teach you many things about himself as well as the game. Larry brings the reader into some of his most personal things that he has never shared with anyone. He gives you a first class view on all of his experiences of playing professional basketball in the NBA. He shows you the downsides, positives, but most of all the victories. You'll find out first hand all of the injuries Larry has encountered that until now he has kept as a secret.

Through this book Larry will share with you information of his hometown, French Lick, Indiana. You'll learn about his family, about his fathers' death and the way up to his mothers' death. Larry talks about more than just his parents he introduces you to his wife, Dinah and his two children, Conner and Mariah.

Larry will walk you through his entire career. All the way from his high school career, where one of his favorite coaches, Jim Jones coached him. Jim Jones was the coach who really taught Larry all of the fundamentals of the game. Larry didn't seem to have that many coaches that he didn't care for. Larry is also a very hard worker, he really appreciated it when coaches made him run hard. He believed that every basketball player should be conditioned to play the game. Then later on in his career when he ends up becoming a coach he incorporates all of the coaching skills that he has gathered from his previous coaches and uses them on his players. He brings you through some of his most exciting journeys and some of his most famous friends and players.

Just about everything in this book flows together. Larry explains everything that you know about him and a lot of things that you have no idea of. The only thing that I disliked about the book is that none of it was put in order from the beginning of his life to the end of his career, it seemed to jump around a lot. Another big thing was that each chapter was long in itself, but it seemed to talk about the same thing and just ramble on and on. For example one of Larry's biggest problems was his back and he talked about it for a whole chapter then he talked about it more in a few different chapters. Although there some very good and interesting chapters in the book that taught me many things about Larry Bird.

Overall I thought the book was very good, but somewhat long for me, but if you read often then it will be just fine. I would recommend this to anyone who has a great liking of either Larry Bird or basketball. You also need to have a pretty good understanding of basketball to be able to understand some of the topics Larry teaches you.

Bird Watching: On Playing and Coaching the Game I Love
Bird Watching, an autobiography by Larry Bird, is a story for any lover of sports. Bird Watching is a detailed account of the life of Larry Bird, from his NBA career with the Boston Celtics to his coaching position with the Indiana Pacers. After reading the first page of the book, the reader realizes there is more to this NBA legend than meets the eye.
Unlike most professional basketball players, Larry Bird never regretted the day he left the NBA and even says that the day he retired was "one of the happiest days of [his] life." Faced with chronic back problems and an irregular heart, Bird was happy to see the day when he no longer had to endure the pain of playing the sport he loved more than anything. Coming from the man himself, the story describes Bird's life in a detailed and personal manner. From beginning to end, the reader easily notices the uniqueness of this man's character and not only sees, but feels the impact this incredible man left on so many fellow players, fans, and loved ones.
I thought this was a great book, especially for a sports fan. I felt that for a sport's book, it was particularly well written. The author's style allows the reader to get a personal glimpse of the life of Larry Bird and causes the reader to feel as if they knew this NBA legend. Because of the story's subject, the author employs very few literary devices. However, the author uses many similes in describing Bird's injuries, allowing the reader to appreciate Bird's choice in leaving the NBA. The book lacks an overall dominant theme, but simply wishes to convey the story of one of the greatest and most unique basketball players of all time.

BIRD spelled backwards is WINNER
This book explores the post playing days of arguably the best forward to ever play the game of basketball.Bird recaps his days of playing in the olympics, his time in the front office of the Celtics, and his coaching days of the Pacers.I have been a huge Bird fan since I was a kid, yet I never knew much about him, except for what I saw on the court.This book gave me a lot of insight into Bird's dynamic work ethic as both player and coach and showed how he was able to use his winning attitude to take the Pacers from 39 wins to 58 wins in one season as well as to the infamous clash with Jordan and the Bulls in the 98 Eastern Conference Finals.Bird also reveals his thoughts about the NBA today.If you want to know about the legend that is Larry Bird, you should read this book.

Good Solid Book
Larry Bird has always been Straight&to the Put.from His Playing days with His Classic Battles with Magic Johnson to His Coaching Career&His Overall View on the NBA&it's players.I enjoyed the Book.Larry Bird is a Very Tough Minded Cat. ... Read more