Dr. J: The Autobiography (Large Print)

Description

With flights of improvisation around the basket, and his funky afro, Julius Erving became one of the most charismatic (and revolutionary) players basketball has ever known. A cool, acrobatic showman, his flamboyant dunks sent him to the Hall of Fame and turned the act of jamming a basketball through a hoop into an art form, winning the admirations of fans, sportscasters, and opponents, including Bill Walton, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Kareem Abdul Jabbar. But while the public has long revered this cultural and sports icon, few have understood that Julius Erving has long been divided into two selves. There is Julius, the bright, inquisitive son of a Long Island domestic worker who wanted to be respected for more than just his athletic ability. And there is Dr. J, the cool, acrobatic showman who transformed basketball into the creative, free-flowing aerial display it is today and inspired a generation of dunkers, including Michael Jordan, to express their improvisational talents. As this legendary superstar reveals, his life has been shaped by the push and pull of these two sides. Despite the pristine image, he was far from perfect. In Dr. J., Erving goes on the record about the personal problems he faced and sometimes created. He speaks frankly about his career and the game; the adulterous affair that produced a daughter, professional tennis player Alexandra Stephenson; his 20-year-old son's tragic death; and the heartbreaking dissolution of his longtime marriage and its aftermath. Poignant and surprising Erving's story is a rich, raw tale of the nearly perfect player and the imperfect man, and how he has come to terms with both.

Karl Taro Greenfeld is the author of seven previous books, including the novel Triburbia and the acclaimed memoir Boy Alone. His award-winning writing has appeared in Harper's Magazine, The Atlantic, The Paris Review, Best American Short Stories 2009 and 2013, and The PEN/O. Henry Prize Stories 2012. Born in Kobe, Japan, he has lived in Paris, Hong Kong, and Tokyo, and currently lives in Pacific Palisades, California, with his wife, Silka, and their daughters, Esmee and Lola.

"A deeply personal and almost shockingly honest book." -- New York Daily News "There's enough basketball here to keeps fans interested, but the book isn't really about what happens on the court. It's about a thoughtful man who, for a time in his youth, was a famous athlete. A rewarding reading experience." -- Booklist "The NBA's most transformative player submits an unusually revealing autobiography." -- Kirkus Reviews "The book is quite an accomplishment: a terrific memoir by a man worthy of one." -- Sports Illustrated