Letters to a Young Gymnast

by Nadia Comaneci

Book Overview

If there were such a thing as an "elder" stateswoman in women's gymnastics today, Nadia Comaneci would win that title as readily as she once won gold medals. Olga Korbut came before her, and many... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0465012760
• ISBN13: 9780465012763
• Release Date: December 2003
• Publisher: Basic Books
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Setting the Record Straight - A Conversation with Nadia Comaneci

Nadia Comaneci seeks to set the record straight - many rumors and heresay were published about her throughout her life, and she takes the chance to have her turn at telling her own story. She does it through a correspondence format - as if she's writing back to persistent fans mailing her questions. Throughout the book she makes you feel as if she's written just to you, as if you are in a two-person conversation and she cares about getting her thoughts and feelings across to you as the reader. "I will try to answer your letters with the hope that my experiences may help you in some small way. Remember that they are mine, and you must build your own story with both care and wild abandon." (p ix) Talk of Nadia Comaneci dominated my younger years - my family watched the Olympics, and gymnastics was one of the sports we watched closely - and Nadia and her coaches were a household name after they splashed onto TV screens and the pages of history. Here the iconic gymnast shares a mixture of her domestic and professional life to tell her story. We get a description of her childhood bedroom and a technical breakdown of the skills named for her. We get a look at the personalities of her parents and her brother, and of her fellow gymnasts and gymnastic coaches, Bela and Marta Karolyi. We learn about her strict diet and her favorite vault. Nadia emphasizes the love she had for gymnastics while revealing the spartan life she lived despite the accolades she earned in competition. She asks not that we feel sorry for her, but that we understand her. The book spans the author's life from early childhood through her wedding to Bart Conner. Comaneci's manner of speaking is blunt and to the point, honest but not self-pitying, and she's clearly able to find joy in spite of sorrow and pain. Her outlook on life seems very pragmatic, but not devoid of emotion. Overall, Letters to a Young Gymnast is a fascinating look at Nadia Comaneci's life, both personal and professional, her experience in the world of gymnastics, and her journey to freedom and independence. It's fairly brief considering all that it covers, and so perhaps much of the specifics of competitions are glossed over in favor of hitting highlights and sharing the impact of these moments. She's also not here to throw dirt on anyone - if you are looking for an expose on gymastics or her coaches you'll need to look elsewhere. She firmly defends everyone in her corner. Still, she sheds a light on many details of her life that she kept private for many years, and I enjoyed getting to know this icon a little better. The challenges she faced and what she accomplished remain quite impressive, even this many years removed. And it was interesting to hear her perspective as to what she knew and didn't know during her years living in Romania - how tightly controlled her life and the media she and others consumed really was. She often remarks that Americans likely can't fathom what communist countries endure, and she's not wrong. She's quick to point out that she's not and never was political, but even so what she shares about Romania and how the government operated was enlightening.

Letters to a Young Gymnast: Nadia Comaneci

Since I was a gymnast for many, many years, I have read quite a few gymnastics books, but none had impressed me too much until I read this one. Perhaps it is because Nadia not only talked about her gymnastics, but also about the conditions and struggles of life in Communist Romania. It is not only a biography, but also historical as well. The book was very clear and easy to read, so younger gymnastics fans should have no problem getting through it. It was also very interesting (something I truly did not expect) and a page turner. It answered many questions gymnastics fans have had through the years. Nadia's story is very impressive, and, at times, even heartbreaking. It's hard to believe that, by reading this book, you'll eventually "feel" for probably the most successful gymnast in the history of the sport. Her life wasn't always as glorious as you may think. I'd suggest gymnastics fans read this book because it's simply very good and very well written, and also very, very interesting. Also, if you're simply interested in learning more about how life was like in a communist country, this book may just be the book for you!

5-stars

Letter to a Young Gymnast is a excellant book. My coach recommended it to me, and after reading it, I gave it to my best friend to read. I was barely able to put it down. It is not so much a story of Nadia Comaneci's career as a gymnast as a story of what life in Romania was like. You walk away from this book feeling like you actually were there and know Nadia Comaneci personally. I rarely find biographies or autobiographies that are this good. Defidently a 5-star book.

Nadia: Olympic Legend Sets the Record Straight

I sat down this afternoon and read Nadia's book in one sitting! True, it's a relatively small book, but with having two young boys to look after, rarely do I take the time to read so intensely. The style and language of the book made it seem like Nadia was sharing her story with ME, and I loved the personal stories and insights. After all the stories and media rumors, it is fascinating to hear her side of the events that shaped her life, such as her early childhood memories, the 1979 World Championships, her defection to the USA, and her and Bart's courtship and wedding. These were topics that I had heard talked about many times, but even in interviews, Nadia has never gone into the detail that she did in this book. This book reminded me about all of the reasons why I have admired Nadia for so long and why she remains very dear to my heart, and in the hearts of so many others around the world. I want to thank her for taking the time to write such an honest book, and for sharing her thoughts with her fans. Her gymnastics career has had a big impact on my life, and has always inspired me to do my best in school, in my work and in my relationships. One last thing: when I first purchased the book, I was disappointed that there were no photos included. Upon reading the book, however, I realize that the book is directed not necessarily at a young audience, but for her fans, many of us who are in our adult years now. While photos would always be welcome, I wouldn't have wanted photos if it meant taking out any parts of the book. Her incredible and inspiring story speaks for itself.

Opening Her Soul

Do not have the mistaken belief that this book is a simple collection of gymnastic memories for budding gymnasts. Competitive gymnastics, and life, is far more detailed. And Nadia addresses a thousand questions posed to her by generations of fans. Some fans watched Nadia in competition during the 1976 Olympics. Many know of her from stories told them by others. And some only know of her from a 1984 TV movie.Queries to Nadia have always been more than just, "How do I improve my handstand?" They want to know her experiences, feelings, and thoughts. Or, as Nadia begins her book, "Dear Nadia, Tell me everything..."The book follows her life chronologically, but each stage brings a different theme. Chapter titles such as "Necessity," "The Disciplined Life," and "Courage?" are not only lessons for little girls, but for everyone, even if the lessons are really just reminders.Nadia is very detailed in each of the memories she relates. Those looking to find out how she felt then, or feels now won't be disappointed. And she has the passage of time to put everything in perspective. Her answers to the many questions are surprising. You'll discover that most events in Nadia's life, which we all learned from the various media, are far different than we thought in details and perceptions. I won't give away some of these details, but many are eye openers, some down-to-earth. And a few are reminders that Nadia's a person, and her actions and reactions are human, not superhuman.With all that you'll learn about her life, you'll find she is still Nadia: The athlete and Olympic champion devoted to her sport; a teen with normal growing up issues that set her back, but rose to be champion again. A young woman held virtually captive by her government. A desperate soul escaping to freedom; creating a new life in a far away land. And finding love, complete with fairy tale wedding.