Rating: 
Summary: I couldn't put it down
Review: In retrospect, John McEnroe was the only reason I watched tennis on TV. He's a genius and tennis hasn't been the same since...
So I just had to read this book and I absolutely loved it. I understand the people who were hoping he would reveal more - but after having read this I do believe he is essentially a shy person who isn't able to expose every bit of himself. And I don't agree that he was overly critical of Tatum - from what I read, I believe he was making every effort to stick to the facts.
I hope we see more of him on TV and in print.If you enjoy tennis-Read This Book!
Rating: 
Summary: McEnroe Is The Man
Review: Love him or hate him, John McEnroe is an engaging personality. Reading this autobiography is just like listening to him do tennis commentary--it's conversational, funny, and honest. I already liked McEnroe, but I like him even more after reading this book. He can admit when he is wrong (well, now he can at least), and he is not afraid to share moments of insecurity and awkwardness in his life. He is a real human being, and it shines through in these pages. I wish there were more men's tennis players like him today.
Rating: 
Summary: Great for the tennis, not-so-much on everything else...
Review: John McEnroe was something of an enigma -- it was very easy to despise his ranting and raving, his arrogance, and his frequently moronic comments re: "the game" and other players. At the same time, his game was nearly a joy to watch -- his serve and volley plan was exciting, graceful, and -- obviously -- quite effective. The portions of the autobiography where he looks back on the tournaments -- his memorable 1980 Wimbledon final against Bjorn Borg, his infamous choke in the 1984 French Open final -- just very interesting to read in his own words. His detailing of the day-in, day-out rigors of professional tennis were slightly whiny, but very interesting, nonetheless. As you might expect in an autobiography by one of the more self-centered, arrogant figures of all time, this book is nearly exclusively about him -- to the near total exclusion of any real meaningful commentary on anyone else in his life. His parents and siblings largely disappear. His relationship with Patty Smyth is touched upon, but not in any way that sheds light on it. Tatum O'Neal is present, of course, and his has some thoughtful musings on fatherhood and being a husband so young -- but even his relationship with her feels very glossed over. Ultimately, I am a tennis fanatic, so there was no way I wasn't going to read this. Fans will enjoy it, others might not....
Rating:
Summary: John McEnroe, the charismatic and wonderful tennis player
Review: John Patrick McEnroe, born in 1959, was the world's best player between 1980 and 1984. He has won 76 singles titles, of which 7 Grand Slam, and 76 doubles titles. Nowadays he is one of the best (perhaps even the best) tennis commentator. In this book McEnroe discusses his childhood, his rise to tennis fame and success, his fantastic 1980 and 1981 Wimbledon-finals against Bjorn Borg, his marriage to actress Tatum O'Neal, becoming a father (eventually six times!), his slow slide down the rankings, his divorce from Tatum O'Neal, his rock 'n roll career, the start of his art gallery in New York, meeting his second wife Patty Smyth, and being a father of six children. He also discusses his current work as tennis commentator for both US and UK television. Although I am/was a huge John McEnroe-fan I am slightly disappointed with this autobiography. Yes, it does shine some light on the magical tennis player, but it does not go very deep. There are not many details and he remains mostly at the surface. In all honesty, he comes across as selfish and childish (for example: his divorce from Tatum O'Neal was her fault, his slide down the tennis rankings was also not his own fault.) Just like some other readers I expected more as that is what autobiographies are about. However, for John McEnroe-fans like myself it is a MUST.
Rating:
Summary: Good on tennis, bad on personal insight
Review: The book offered great tennis history. It makes me want to rewatch all those great matches. Perhaps a video/dvd collection, John? I was disappointed in the lack of insight he brought to his personal and emotional life. As other reviewers have written, he did not offer much beyond what a magazine article written by another author would provide. He seems incapable of being diplomatic with those he has chosen to dislike. He constantly offered excuses, rather than understanding, for his own mistakes. It's apparent he is afraid of failure and is perhaps reluctanat to analyze his own faults for fear he (and we) won't forgive him(self) for them. You've got to be willing to put yourself out there when writing a biography. Seems to me that Mr. McEnroe needed a few more years to develop some emotional maturity and emotional intelligence before writing this one.
Rating:
Summary: A Winner!
Review: I enjoyed watching Johnny Mc play tennis and I enjoyed his book. It was truthful and entertaining. I liked it so much I bought two books. One for me and one as a gift.
I think most of the reviews are sour. John is one of the outstanding pople of our generation!
An Ace in my book!
Rating: 
Summary: John's in denial
Review: I give this book a C-minus. I hate to say this, but John was alot more entertaining and credible when he was acting out on the court. I'm glad he's now a devoted dad and husband, but he sure didn't own up to much of his past behavior in this book. Unfortunately, that part was glossed over. It would have been interesting for John to have been more candid in describing his "temper tantrums" as a contrast to what he is today. Instead, most of what we read is about the new, improved John, the devoted husband and father. (I thought an autobiography was supposed to be revealing and honest?) Also, I don't like what he wrote about his relationship with Tatum O'Neil. He writes about only one side of her and leaves out anything positive. It's as if he doesn't want the reader to know that he once loved this woman, that she was (and is) a viable human being. And not only that, he never seems to bring up his contribution to the break up of their marriage. He throws just enough negative stuff into the book about Tatum and her family as though to justify the ending of their marriage. Unfortunately, younger readers of this book will never learn about of John's antics on the court and how, in a crazy sort of way, they contributed to the history of tennis in the seventies and eighties. This could have been a much better book had it been written more honestly.
Rating:
Summary: This is a must read for anyone who knows who John McEnroe!
Review: When I was 9 years old, I stumbled onto a tennis match on TV. It was the most exciting thing I had ever seen, due primarily to the theatrics of the match. Of course I didn't know just how significant that 4th set tie breaker of the famous Wimbledon match between John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg was. However, from that day on, John McEnroe became my hero for many reasons including but not limited to the fact that he was a great left handed performer. Being an attention monging left handed 9 year old, I decided to imitate this American "hero" on TV. I started hitting against the wall with an old wooden tennis racquet. Ya, I liked tennis, but I LOVED John McEnroe. My emotions would be complete joy with his victories and crushing sadness with any loss. I longed to watch the way he hit the ball so I could copy it the same day at the park. To make a long story short, I went on to be a tennis pro myself thanks to John McEnroe. Now about the book: I believe that John has done a great job articulating what makes him tick or at least what HE thinks makes him tick. It was great to get answers to questions I've always had. An example: I remember being deeply saddened when Lendl took over #1 from John and when he took his leave of absense. At the time I assumed like alot of people that he didn't care about tennis anymore with the new wife and all. At the time, it left a void in me regarding watching tennis that still exists. This book will at least offer some closure on alot of behind the scenes as to why John did or didn't do this or that. I'm sure there's alot of John fans out there. I'm one of the few who proudly view him as a tennis hero: a man who played the game in an unorthodox or to me special way who did things on his terms. As a poor young boy who couldn't afford lessons, this gave me the will do tackle tennis and life like John: On my terms. Thanks, again John. Your lifelong fan and admirer: Shawn Meuse P1 USPTA
Rating:
Summary: This book will crack you up!
Review: I just love laugh out loud books. This one is especially great because it's non-fiction. Another laugh out loud book is In-Law Drama. We all need to laugh during these trying times. Get these books and LAUGH!
Rating:
Summary: MacEnroe's story would make a great book...
Review: ...too bad this isn't the one.
Tennis's most legendary bad boy, and television's finest commentator (sorry Bud Collins), McEnroe knows tennis. That's clear from early in the book. Unfortunately, Johnny Mac doesn't really have a handle on his precise role in the annals of tennis history.
McEnroe played against some of the true legends of the game (Borg and Conners, primarily), and he shows near reverence when discussing them, and some of their matches. It's somewhat odd to read this, because McEnroe was never one to show respect on the court itself. But allow some other genuine masters of the game to be the topic of conversation, and Johnny Mac slips into his enfant terrible persona, primarily when discussing Ivan Lendl and Boris Becker.
His personal relationships take the same tone as his professional ones, and its clear from his wirting and memories that once you get on MacEnroe's bad side, you're there to stay. He is absolutely (and somewhat over-harshly) disparaging of Tatum O'Neal, the mother of two of his children. I had just finished this book when Tatum made the "revelation" that Mac was a steroid user (unaccounted for in this biography, which leads me to question some of the veracity of Mac's other accounts), and JM criticized Tatum for making such revelations that would be to the detriment of their children. MacEnroe must have dozed through some of his own writing, for his early family life with Tatum was no "Father Knows Best" episode.
There is a lot of trash talk in this book (he obviously does not care for the Williams sisters - again this could be personal, as he had challenged them to play a charity match). Mac Enroe should have been above all that. Having made the transition from the courts to the business and entertainment world, you would think this guy could tell hard stories without lowering himself to a juvenile level. He doesn't quite find that balance.
Some great pages of tennis history are here. So is some purging of personal demons. But ultimately, and unfortunately, I think far less of MacEnroe having read this book.
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