Robert Cherry

I am not a huge basketball fan but Wilt Chamberlain the iconic Mr. NBA was a great human interest read. This book followed Wilts' own book which everyone seemed to remember from his brash statement of bedding over 20,000 women in his lifetime. Well that certainly stirred up talk and controversy, and subsequently sold books. Not that he needed the money, but Wilt was highly driven by ego and seen as a winner.

This book written is by Robert Cherry, a friend. So with that most of what is here is show more of a friendly nature. I consider Wilt Chamberlain along with Michael Jordan, Kareem, Oscar Robertson, and Lebron the top 5 of all time. Very debatable, I understand as many would probably put Magic over Oscar. In any event the book covers mostly the basketball years and related wars. Despite Wilts' dominance in the game he was able to garner two rings. His great battles against Bill Russell of the Celtics mostly ended with Celtic championships. But that was the team and Wilt clearly outplayed Bill in most of those contests.

After the career we get to know more about Wilt the man. A complex man like a lot of people and probably most athletic stars. But we find a man of many interests, many friends, but the classic loner. His house alone says a lot about him, and his cool bedroom with the opening roof. We get to learn about his generosity and his value as a friend to many. Also revealed his compulsion to win, why he remained single, and his sad decline. In summary Wilt Chamberlain, basketball superstar, cheated at backgammon. show less

The big basketball star who dominated the sport early in the NBA. Well written. Interesting author tidbit: went to the same high school as Wilt and played basketball there 6 later after. There is even a tiny snippet in the book where it is obvious that the author met Wilt on the night of Wilt's high school graduation. Nice touches!

pg(203/395) This book is about Wilt Chamberlain's personal life and his basketball life. Such as when he played college basketball at Kansas or how it was for growing up. The main character is obviously Wilt Chamberlain who holds the record for most points in a game individually in the NBA. I think Wilt Chamberlain is one of the best players to play in the NBA. I can relate to this book because I play basketball also. Kevin Garnett would play him in the movie version of this book. If you show more like basketball biographies this is the book for you. show less