Spencer Haywood's Rise, Fall, Recovery

by Spencer Haywood and Scott Ostler

Spencer Haywood was still a teenager when he drew worldwide attention and created controversy by not only joining the U.S. Olympic basketball team, but leading it to win a gold medal, when many of his... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1567430422
• ISBN13: 9781567430424
• Release Date: February 2000
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.8" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A GREAT READ

THIS IS THE STORY OF SPENCER HAYWOOD, FORMER NBA STAR. SPENCER DOES A GREAT JOB TELLING US OF HIS DAYS LIVING IN THE SOUTH WITH THE JIM CROW LAWS. HE TELLS OF PICKING COTTON AND HAVING HAND ME DOWN EVERYTHING. HIS MAIN ESCAPE WAS BASKETBALL WHICH WOULD BE HIS BREAD AND BUTTER FOR YEARS TO COME. ALONG THE WAY TO A GREAT CAREER, SPENCER MARRIED ONE OF THE HOTTEST AND POPULAR MODELS OF HER TIME, IMAN. HIS REALTIONSHIP WITH THIS VERY SELF CENTERED AND CONFUSED WOMAN IS VERY INTERESTING ALONG WITH STORIES OF HIS CAREER. BUT THE HIGHLIGHT OF THIS BOOK IS HIS ADDICTION AND RECOVERY FROM COCAINE. THE FRIGHTNING AND HONEST TELLING OF THIS IS TRULY RIVETING. I REALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK AND RECOMMEND IT FOR ANYONE. A MUST READ, GREAT JOB SPENCER.

Riveting book

Spencer Haywood's story is one that is not uncommon in sports. A brilliant career derailed by drug abuse. What I found especially compelling about this book was Haywood and Ostler's harrowing account of Spencer's crack addiction. After reading this part of the book, I found myself rooting when Spencer beat his problem and went back to try out in the NBA. A great story.