Rating: 
Summary: Shaq Talks Tough
Review: 'Shaq Talks Back: The Uncensored Word on My Life and Winning in the NBA' is a giant of a book written by a sporting superstar. Shaquille O'Neal shoots clean baskets from every part of the literary court, delighting and dazzling the reader with his unique writing style. He has as much facility with language as he does with the ball, and his words bounce off the page with effortless grace.There are many memorable encounters played and replayed throughout the text, but for me, the one that best epitomizes Shaq's sporting philosophy is seen on pages 68-81. It relates to the famous 'International Incident of 1996', and O'Neal is candid about his pivotal role: 'I first saw him in Europe and I'll never forget his name; Teodor Dobrowski. He played center for the Warsaw Warriors and he was a giant. Great skills. Hands the size of frisbees. By all reports a standup guy. So when he told me he wanted to settle in America, I arranged for him to try out for the Lakers. Even let him stay at my place. Eat my food. Drink my beer. Date my girl. He wanted to show his gratitude so he offered to sell me his family castle in Krakow for only $7000. I gave him cash. Big mistake. There was no castle. Not even a family. The bum scammed me. So I stuck him on an ageing Aeroflot and wished him luck. All of it bad. End of story. And he got those cuts and bruises when he fell out of the cab on the way to the airport. Honest. If I'd known that diplomats would later be recalled, two embassies closed, the Secretary of State ordered back to Washington and the UN General Assembly reconvened, I might have actually paid the cabfare before running away at the terminal. Do I regret sending the grifter back to Warsaw? Never. If there's one thing I can't stand, it's being touched by a 10-foot Pole.' When 'Shaq Talks Back', you'd better listen. Better still, read this wonderful book.
Rating:
Summary: Shaq Talks Tough
Review: 'Shaq Talks Back: The Uncensored Word on My Life and Winning in the NBA' is a giant of a book written by a sporting superstar. Shaquille O'Neal shoots clean baskets from every part of the literary court, delighting and dazzling the reader with his unique writing style. He has as much facility with language as he does with the ball, and his words bounce off the page with effortless grace. There are many memorable encounters played and replayed throughout the text, but for me, the one that best epitomizes Shaq's sporting philosophy is seen on pages 68-81. It relates to the famous 'International Incident of 1996', and O'Neal is candid about his pivotal role: 'I first saw him in Europe and I'll never forget his name; Teodor Dobrowski. He played center for the Warsaw Warriors and he was a giant. Great skills. Hands the size of frisbees. By all reports a standup guy. So when he told me he wanted to settle in America, I arranged for him to try out for the Lakers. Even let him stay at my place. Eat my food. Drink my beer. Date my girl. He wanted to show his gratitude so he offered to sell me his family castle in Krakow for only $7000. I gave him cash. Big mistake. There was no castle. Not even a family. The bum scammed me. So I stuck him on an ageing Aeroflot and wished him luck. All of it bad. End of story. And he got those cuts and bruises when he fell out of the cab on the way to the airport. Honest. If I'd known that diplomats would later be recalled, two embassies closed, the Secretary of State ordered back to Washington and the UN General Assembly reconvened, I might have actually paid the cabfare before running away at the terminal. Do I regret sending the grifter back to Warsaw? Never. If there's one thing I can't stand, it's being touched by a 10-foot Pole.' When 'Shaq Talks Back', you'd better listen. Better still, read this wonderful book.
Rating: 
Summary: Shaq talks smack
Review: A very readable book which is, at its best, an insightful perspective on some of the people in the nba (no offense shaq, but we don't want to know about your mom etc, it's phil, kobe, et all we're interested in). At its worst, it's O'Neil talking smack about various parties and making threats about doing them serious injury on the court. One passage concerning Patrick Ewing is particularly ridiculous. A fight breaks out during a game between Kobe and Chris Childs. Shaq's response : I was ready to beat the crap out of Patrick Ewing. duh? He seems to suffer from some form of inferiority/compensatory complex (the amusing irony of this, the man is HUGE after all, is worth the trip to the bookstore alone) and it shows quite clearly in this book. Still, I found his anecdotes regarding Jerry West and Phil Jackson to be deferential and interesting (Jerry West in particular comes across as a very compelling character). Love him or hate him, you will definitely get a clear idea about who Shaq is and where he's coming from.
Rating: 
Summary: Shaq talks..............smack????!!!!!!
Review: Absolutely the WORST book I've ever read. There's nothing like hearing a man worth over 100 million whine and sulk like a little tottler. I'm serious, don't waste the 7 dollars on it. Poorly written, obviously the work of a very uneducated "author". The whole "book" consists of him childishly berating other players for their lack of "street" skills, and whining about being let go from the Taco Bell commercials. Unless you are doing a research paper on what is wrong with todays NBA players, don't make the same mistake I did.
Rating:
Summary: In his own words--pretty authentic stuff
Review: From all of his interviews and press conferences, I know that he wrote this book and there were very few, if any, editors to "re-write" his book like most athlete autobiographies. This one might not have every sentence punctuated correctly, but he does a great job as a whole. Where else can you get something like this--a diary, essentially--from the store.
Rating:
Summary: A definite must for a Laker and/or SHAQ fan
Review: Great reading for a Laker and/or SHAQ fan! The book is reasonably priced for a hardcover. The book talks about his life, trials that he's had to overcome, joy, and pain. Lots of interesting behind the scene comments and stories. SHAQ voices his opinions on many issues, including why he cried after the Lakers won the championship in 2000. Some material might not be appropriate for children.
Rating:
Summary: The Shaq attack now in Miami...he's changed.
Review: I do agree that some sections he repeats himself, and caught myself wondering if I had read that section already. I do like his conversational approach though as it seems like he's just talking right to you. Nowhere does it mention in the 'laws of book etiquette' that you have to be a prolific writer to release a book.
I've read the whole book and thoroughly enjoyed it and how it gave the readers an insight on how Shaq views the NBA, how the underachieving pre-Jackson Lakers REALLY were, and most rewarding, his upbringing and how his parents raised him.
Don't expect the same Shaq in this book than what he portrays now. As he's contradicted himself a bit in light of recent events regarding his trade to Miami. Nevertheless, I do recommend this book as a casual and humorous read.
- Laker fan for life, thanks Shaq for your dominance
Rating:
Summary: my favorite book
Review: i finished this book a couple of weeks and it was a work of art. shaq did a great job describing his life from birth to the nba. every chapter was brillant. i recommend this book to anybody who is a big shaq fan. truly a master piece.
Rating:
Summary: interesting
Review: I found this Book to be interesting.Shaq is one of the Few NBA Players to come clean on His Play&His Competition.I Dig His Honesty on various Topics.Shaq has alot of Humor as well.Bro Man had Me Rolling a Few times.I Hope in a Few Years He does a FOllow Up He is the Most Dominate Player in the Game TOday for He has Worked Hard at Being it.
Rating: 
Summary: Shaq Talks Back
Review: I have to admit I didn't have very high expectations for Shaq's new book, however after starting the book I couldn't put it down. I read the entire book in one day. Shaq provides a no holds bar account of his life and his quest for a NBA championship. The voice of the book is definetly that of "The Big Aristotle." The book was informative and entertaining. Shaq has great sense of humor and he has no problem speaking his mind. I suggest anyone interested in a behind scenes look at life in the NBA look no further than Shaq's latest book.
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