Shaq Uncut: My Story [Englisch] [Gebundene Ausgabe]

As a lifetime fan of Shaq's since his days at LSU... not only for what he accomplished on the court... but also for his childlike enthusiasm... and even though I'm older than "SHAQ"... as a single Father I used his respect and honor for his parents as a teaching tool for my young son. With that being said I still owe a completely unbiased review for all the people out there who are considering whether to buy this book or not. First of all the average person has to wonder if "Shaq"'s second autobiography in ten years logically makes sense to purchase. Obviously the facts of his life up to 2001 haven't changed. In my opinion it would have made more sense to start this book off more as a sequel to his earlier autobiography than another autobiography, because anyone that has followed "SHAQ"'s life knows that there has been more than enough success... intrigue... controversy... and all around entertainment in the last ten years to fill two more books.

There are two categories of people who might buy this book... "SHAQ" fans... and non-"SHAQ" fans. The reason I mention that, is if you love and enjoy "SHAQ"-Daddy... you'll read most of his comments knowing and imagining "SHAQ"'s big giant goofy smile is imbedded between every sentence. If you're not an unabashed "SHAQ"-Diesel fan... you'll probably find much of the commentary massively egotistical. (Or as my dear departed Mother used to say to me: "Don't break your arm patting yourself on the back!") "SHAQ" constantly brags about the money he's made... the houses he's bought... the cars he's bought. Oh man! The cars he's bought... and the egomaniacal reasons he bought most of them.

FOR EXAMPLE: One day after practice while still sweaty and wearing sweats he stops by a Rolls Royce dealership and is looking at a beautiful Bentley. It so happens Mike Tyson is there and "NEXT THING I KNOW TYSON HAS PICKED OUT TWO. HE'S BUYING TWO OF THESE CARS, SO YOU KNOW WHAT I'VE GOT TO DO. I'VE GOT TO BUY THREE! I GRAB THE SALESMAN AND I SAY, "I WANT THAT SILVER HARDTOP ONE, AND I WANT THE GREEN ONE, AND GIVE ME THAT RED ONE OVER THERE, TOO." I CAN'T REMEMBER EXACTLY HOW MUCH THEY COST, BUT I THINK THEY ALL RAN ME ABOUT $200,000.00 EACH. SO THERE'S $600,000.00 FOR THREE CARS THAT I CAN'T FIT INTO."

These types of incidents whether regarding cars or houses are rampant throughout the book. But there are also great behind the scenes stories regarding his famous feuds with Kobe Bryant... including when "SHAQ" had to literally be restrained from "killing" Kobe after Kobe broke a promise made to Lakers management by bashing "SHAQ" in an interview with Jim Gray. "SHAQ" also comes clean about some of his phony feuds that he played up to the media... including his made up story that Bill Russell gave him the sage advice to make up with Kobe. All of this reminds me of a comment "SHAQ" once made during an interview on TV... when he said: "YOU KNOW WHAT "NBA" STANDS FOR? NOTHING BUT ACTORS!"

Despite all the almost nauseating amounts of accumulated wealth and spending habits that would embarrass a drunken sailor who won the lottery... the most beautiful and touching "heart" interspersed throughout this gentle giant's life (if you put aside all the people a younger "SHAQ" punched out when he practiced his "hit'em" first mantra) is his unabashed love and respect for his Mother and Father. His real Father, Philip Harrison ("SHAQ" will eloquently explain to readers the difference between "real" and biological) raised him with an iron fist... and "SHAQ" has never forgotten where he comes from. The declarations of love and respect that "SHAQ" etches on these pages... are the same exact feelings I saw him portray courtside before and after games and in countless interviews for the last twenty years. And as I said... that's one of the main reasons I've loved "SHAQ" all these years. And the fact that like "SHAQ"... I'm a kid that never grew up!

The average fan will also have their feelings reinforced regarding selfish, spoiled athletes... who when they go on strike lose our sympathy... when you hear $20 Million Dollars a year in salary isn't enough... along with endorsement deals like "SHAQ" had before he played a minute in the NBA. $13 Million with Pepsi... $15 Million with Reebok... and $20-25 Million from Kenner, Spaulding, and Scoreboard training cards.

The author definitely tells it like it is (at least from his point of view) regarding the end of his Magic career... Lakers career... Heat career (Look out Pat Riley!)... and so on. I guess that's why an individual writes a book... to get his side out... *UNCUT* ... without interruptions.

Though this book won't win any Pulitzer Prize for literature... it is certainly an interesting read.

There's nothing negative to say about this book. The narrative flow is great, Shaquille is a very entertaining storyteller and the stories he has to tell are both very informative and fun. The book does not center about the controversies with Kobe, his run-ins with Pat Riley or gossip on LeBron; those are there too, but Shaq is always fair and gives you both sides of the coin. His personality shines in the book and it certainly helps that he was such a multi-talented person, and not just a basketball star. I always respected him as a basketball legend and thought he was a goofball, but after this book I'm a fan.

Shaq Uncut is simply Shaq being Shaq even with the zillion nicknames and the humping into other arenas besides basketball like movies and rapping. Gregarious, Mr. O'Neal grew up impoverish, but had steady role models who he credits for keeping him straight without breaking his spirit. Although literally the big man on campus his time at LSU was short and ended in defeat in the NCAA tournament. In the NBA, he started in Orlando; won championships in Los Angeles and Miami, and finishing in Cleveland and Boston. However, the fascination with the NBA travels is how Shaq paints his departures and his intriguing relationships with other superstar teammates and coaches such as Wade, Bryant, Jackson, James and the Celtic trilogy (plus Rondo). Still proving in retirement he remains Mr. Charisma with a Shaq Attack wink, this is a fun autobiography as the Big Aristotle understood he wore the bulls-eye when a loss occurred like the Magic losing in the finals and shared the triumphs with Kobe and Dwayne.

Harriet Klausner