PART II - “JUMPMAN” BOOK REVIEW

91) Johnny Smith’s Book provided an exhaustive look at “the meaning and making of Michael Jordan”

Why does a book review need to have two parts? It’s simple, many of my paying subscribers requested it. 

One particular emailer really stood out to me when he said  

“I could feel your enthusiasm for this book come through in your review.” - TG

Thanks, TG!

“When critics questioned whether he set a good example, Michael Jordan became defensive and disillusioned with his place on the pedestal. Nearly two decades after Gatorade launched the Be like Mike ad, Jordan expressed regret that the commercials had turned him into a character he could never sustain.” 

- Johnny Smith (p.201) 

Part I, gave you a more in-depth book review. But, the curated endnotes only went through Chapter two. 

For Part II, the endnotes are curated for the remaining ten chapters. (If you want to see the endnotes, be sure to update your subscription to a paying one).

If you missed PART I, you can read it here -  

 In the book’s Acknowledgments Page:

Randy Roberts was duly noted, as he co-wrote other books with Johnny Smith, such as -

“WAR FEVER” about Boston Baseball in the middle of World War I. https://sabr.org/latest/randy-roberts-johnny-smiths-war-fever-wins-2021-sabr-larry-ritter-book-award/ 

Praise for JUMPMAN by other sports writers (and the books they wrote)

• The Last Pass: Cousy, Russell, the Celtics, and What Matters -Gary Pomerantz (2018)

• Timothy Bella - Barkley (2022). 

• Black Ball by Theresa Runstedtler (2023) 

• Wright Thompson - ESPN's Wright Thompson: What It's Like to Watch Hoops with Michael Jordan | The Dan Patrick 

Also, a very cool Substack on the 1990s Chicago Bulls: 

More from Subscriber TG:

TG also shared with me how he actually is curious to learn more about sports figures he knows too little about.