Bad as I Wanna Be

Rating:
Summary: The book is excellent, with a good message.
Review: This book shows that Dennis Rodman is a great entertainer as well as a fabulous athlete; it also shows why he is a good role model for kids and teenagers. For one thing, he's very honest in speaking his mind; he doesn't hide behind a "wall of fame" or athletic (NBA) privilege. He also has a lot to say about the underside of the NBA-- the warped values and general sleaziness of some of the players in the league. He also talks about men and masculinity in ways that men don't sometimes want to hear, but need to hear. Last, he describes the development of his legendary work ethic for people who aren't necessarily basketball fans. But what I really liked about this book is that Dennis is very insistent that a person take pride in themselves and take pride in who he or she is, no matter who they are. This, along with the message about becoming successful by working hard, makes this a book which has a good message for kids and teenagers as well as adults

Rating:
Summary: A '90s twist on the classic frog-becomes-Prince tale.
Review: Perhaps it's simply coincidence that I've read Dennis Rodman's book at the same time I've read James Stewart's fog-lifting expose on Bill and Hillary Clinton and their business dealings. Thus, some contrasts conveniently come to mind. In "Blood Sport" readers find a politically motivated couple of idealogues constantly seeking to mask who they are by creating an image of mainstream normalcy. In "Bad As I Wanna Be" readers are able to scratch below an outrageous self-made image to find a fairly normal guy inside...and I emphasize "inside." Certainly most men will never dye their hair five different colors; nor do we desire to dress in women's clothes, cover ourselves with tatoos or appear butt naked on the cover of our biography. Yet, there are some chords which Rodman strikes in his book that echo in the hearts of most men. Themes such as rejection, seeking one's identity, looking beyond the surface and temporality of some of our institutions (like the NBA), hard work and a humble realization that good fortune is arbitrary and can turn at any time. Most people have had an opinion of Rodman which bounces from curiosity to hate, more often hate. As one who was raised in Massachusetts, and therefore a big Bird fan, I still remember the racist remarks Rodman made in his rookie year, following the Celtics' defeat of the Pistons. Yet, after reading his frank recollection of what led him to trigger that famous incident (and the fact that he does give Bird his due in the book)I forgive him. Rodman's language is certainly honest, albeit extremely crude at times. Yet, after sifting through the vulgarities, one can't help but saying: "The guy's got a point, there." Having said that, however, there are other times in the book when Rodman's assessment of himself is out of proportion. For example, his belief that people primarily watched the 1995 playoff series between San Antonio and Houston to see him and not a match-up between Hakeem and David Robinson. And certainly we all could have done without hearing about Madonna's foreplay instructions. Yet overall, Rodman comes across in the book as a likeable guy who is seeking to find reality and justice for himself (which I would imagine was one of the goals of writing such a book). After reading books about him and the First Family, I can tell you with whom I'd rather spend an afternoon...and it's not on Pennsylvania Avenue

Rating:
Summary: What an ego he has.
Review: First off, after looking at the cover of this book, you'll find out that "Bad as I wanna be" doesn't appeal to everyone. Why? Quite simply because the cover features Dennis Rodman nude on a motorcycle. I'd also like to include that, as if the cover weren't enough, the back of the book features a picture of Rodman's bare @$$ - uncensored.

After trying to get those disturbing images out of my head, I decided to take the time and read the full book. This book was published in 1997, so it doesn't include his final days (the latest it goes is his 1996 run with the Bulls), but it does greatly detail his entire life and all the troubles he's had growing up. I just have a few comments on some of the stuff he says:

- This guy is an egomaniac. There's actually a quote in here where he says something like "Jordan is number 1 in the NBA, Shaq is #2, and everyone knows I'm #3". Is he serious? He was a great player and everything, but I wouldn't even think of putting him in the top 10. He was #3 on the Bull's team (behind Jordan and Pippen of course), but he definitely wasn't #3 in the entire league.

- Dennis is extremely bitter. I thought it might be interesting to hear Dennis' thoughts on other players and coaches. Sadly, I was mistaken. Throughout the entire book, he just constantly complains about almost everyone he's come into contact to in the NBA. It gets rather boring after a while.

- The way Rodman describes the games, you'd think the team that gets the most Rebounds wins. He acts as if points don't mean anything in the NBA and the only thing that shows how well you play is the amount of rebounds you get. To me, it seemed like he was trying to cover his own @$$ here, since Rodman never was much of a scorer.

I haven't read very many NBA books, but if all of them are like this, I think I'll pass. If you're an NBA fan, I'd suggest to skip this one. If you're a Rodman fan, there's a small chance you might enjoy this.

Rating:
Summary: the truth about the current nba
Review: race,sex,drugs,class very much of todays sports in general and life for that matter.while the images of the nba are glossy and everybody says the right thing dennis rodman tells it like it is in this book.he breaks down the current nba and the choices people make.the other parts of this book reflect his life.and much of it has highs&lows.but as for the nba it hits home.talks about how certain players are treated differently than others and who has heart and who doesn't.dennis can play the game if he wants to.i wish more people in sports and entertainment would speak the truth as opposed to sounding like programmed robots.

Rating:
Summary: The man is an overall non-stopping GOD!
Review: I've been interested in Dennis Rodman ever since his "colored" hair hit the courts. After reading "Bad As I Wanna Be", I learned that Dennis Rodman is so much more than the average person is able to see. Many people critisize the man because of his "different" ways of living. I give him all the credit in the world for not believing that he needs to be just another Shaquiel O'Neal jock role model. His book proves that he is definitely not a stereotype to be reckoned with. Rodman sets his own rules and lives by them. He's living life the way he wants and to the fullest. That's something thåt most people can't say for themselves. I suggest this book to anyone who is interested in learning about one man's individuality towards life. It's a definite up close and personal look at no ordinary basketball star

Rating:
Summary: What an ego he has.
Review: First off, after looking at the cover of this book, you'll find out that "Bad as I wanna be" doesn't appeal to everyone. Why? Quite simply because the cover features Dennis Rodman nude on a motorcycle. I'd also like to include that, as if the cover weren't enough, the back of the book features a picture of Rodman's bare @$$ - uncensored.

After trying to get those disturbing images out of my head, I decided to take the time and read the full book. This book was published in 1997, so it doesn't include his final days (the latest it goes is his 1996 run with the Bulls), but it does greatly detail his entire life and all the troubles he's had growing up. I just have a few comments on some of the stuff he says:

- This guy is an egomaniac. There's actually a quote in here where he says something like "Jordan is number 1 in the NBA, Shaq is #2, and everyone knows I'm #3". Is he serious? He was a great player and everything, but I wouldn't even think of putting him in the top 10. He was #3 on the Bull's team (behind Jordan and Pippen of course), but he definitely wasn't #3 in the entire league.

- Dennis is extremely bitter. I thought it might be interesting to hear Dennis' thoughts on other players and coaches. Sadly, I was mistaken. Throughout the entire book, he just constantly complains about almost everyone he's come into contact to in the NBA. It gets rather boring after a while.

- The way Rodman describes the games, you'd think the team that gets the most Rebounds wins. He acts as if points don't mean anything in the NBA and the only thing that shows how well you play is the amount of rebounds you get. To me, it seemed like he was trying to cover his own @$$ here, since Rodman never was much of a scorer.

I haven't read very many NBA books, but if all of them are like this, I think I'll pass. If you're an NBA fan, I'd suggest to skip this one. If you're a Rodman fan, there's a small chance you might enjoy this.

Rating:
Summary: Repetitive as I Wanna Be
Review: I found this book disappointing. I was expecting something resembling an autobiography of Dennis' life, with plenty of tales from experience. While there were a few such stories, much of the book could be described as a rant, with Dennis harping on about the same old stuff again and again.
He hated the Spurs' coach, he's never been paid what he's worth, David Robinson is crap, he's a good rebounder, he was in two championship teams, he misses his daughter, he boinked Madonna, he's misunderstood, he had a tough upbrining.
I mean, fair enough that this may all be be true...but do we REALLY need to hear about it over and over and over?? Even in the chapter about sex, which you would expect to have something a little risque in it, Dennis manages to mention his rebounding average AGAIN.
If I took all the insights Dennis gave us and cut out all the repitition, this book would be about 20 pages long.

Rating:
Summary: Dennis You Isn't Baaaaad
Review: You just stupid. Big wedding dress wearin sissy wit all them tattos. Look like a painting. Why you go writin books? Everybody knows you messed up in tha head, so why you frontin' and gots to flaunt it? For reals, yo! Peep down on it.

Rating:
Summary: A few interesting points, but mostly useless
Review: There's very little reason anyone would be interested in reading BAD AS I WANNA BE anymore. I mean no personal disrespect to the man, but most would agree that Dennis Rodman's 15 minutes were over quite a while ago. At the time of this book's publication he was known as the greatest rebounder in the NBA and Madonna's former boy toy. He has since fallen from the NBA's graces, and the chapter regarding Madonna resulted in her no longer speaking to him. "It's not the first time he's exploited the TWO MONTHS we dated," she said. He soon became more famous for short term marriages and unusual media stunts (such as the time he donned a white wedding dress and married himself).

It's a shame, really, because as BAD AS I WANNA BE occasionally reveals, he at times possesses keen insight. For example, Rodman, who occasionally flirted with the idea that he himself may be gay or bisexual, comments that the rampant homophobia in sports is ironic when one considers how much male-on-male patting, hugging, kissing, and piling on top of each other is to be found on the field or court. He also theorizes that the success of the black athlete may be due more to social marginalization than inherent racial talent: "When a white man plays basketball he's just playing a game. A black man is playing for his life."

Andrew Parodi

Rating:
Summary: Mr. misunderstood
Review: Though I was not the biggest fan of Dennis Rodman, as a basketball player, I always throught that the nba an media picked on him. People didn't hate on him as much when he played for Detroit, but as soon as he dyed his hair, that's when all the mean bashing began. In Bad as I want to Be, Dennis set's the record straight, and gives his opinion, on the league, and players. I have all Dennis's books and love them all.