From Publishers Weekly
Shaq's new book (after Shaq and the Beanstalk) is entertaining, controversial and funny, like its author. He recounts his life story, from his childhood in Newark through winning the 2000 NBA Championship. Shaq's prose is uneven and repetitive in patches, but he writes in an authentic and likable voice throughout. Unlike other sports autobiographies, in which a co-writer essentially invents an athlete's "writing style," Shaq's words are his own fans will recognize his distinctive, opinionated voice. The text is broken up by interludes written by important people in Shaq's life (from his mother to his personal cook). Those passages provide a change of tone and lend perspective to Shaq's story. He speaks frankly about his current and former teammates and coaches, as well as the state of the NBA and of the world in general. Some of the statements in this book could get him in trouble with his NBA colleagues, but Shaq's honesty is part of what makes him such fun to read. Though Shaq devotes a lot of the book to his life off the court (his movies, rap albums, celebrity life), there's enough basketball here to satisfy hardcore hoops junkies (fans will be especially intrigued by his analysis of last season's championship run). (Apr.) Forecast: Shaq's appealing personality, controversial statements and celebrity should endear this candid, bold book to basketball fans. It would probably do well even without much promotion, but with a national author tour and print advertising, big sales seem virtually assured.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Readers who feel the NBA today is rife with self-centered athletes will be pleasantly surprised to read this book by a young man who seems team oriented and, at most times, quite level-headed. His recent difficulties with Kobe Bryant, the other star of the Los Angeles Lakers, notwithstanding, O'Neal comes across as the leader of the defending NBA champions. In many ways, O'Neal has become as disciplined as his stepfather, a retired U.S. Army NCO, but there are still hints that there is a 15-year-old trying to break out of a 30-year-old's body. What is particularly revealing here is his discussion of his career in the league, focusing on the Lakers championship under Coach Phil Jackson. O'Neal is quite candid about his relationships with his coaches, particularly several he did not feel provided sufficient leadership. Also of interest is his candid appraisal of NBA players, past and present. O'Neal is a complex man who just recently earned a college degree from Louisiana State University and tells the story of his life in an entertaining fashion. The language is a bit rough, but the book is still recommended for public libraries. William Scheeren, Hempfield Area H.S. Lib., Greensburg, PA Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Shaquille O'Neal, all seven-feet-something, 330 pounds of him, is the dominant player in the NBA today, the man in the middle on the world-champion Los Angeles Lakers. His words draw a crowd because he's a marquee star, but the question, as it always is with sports autobiographies, is whether he has anything to say. The answer is not much. The story of his loving but sometimes harshly disciplined childhood with his mom and military stepfather does provide an explanation as to why, despite a few on-court controversies, Shaq has managed to handle his fame with dignity and humor. Both of those qualities are present here as he recounts his college years, his entry into the NBA after his sophomore season, and the early years in Orlando that included a promising a trip to the NBA finals but ended with acrimony. Now that he's 30 and owns a championship ring, he feels free to talk about fellow players, coaches, and media. A petulant side emerges here (the talking-back part); clearly, Shaq holds a grudge, even against Lenny Wilkens (the all-time winningest NBA coach) who only played Shaq for 43 seconds in the Olympic gold medal game. He's also hard on television commentator Pete Vescey ("That crazy cat will write anything"). In the end, NBA fans, who form the built-in audience for this book, will find it more substantive than they might have expected but without any significant revelations. On balance: a nice enough, very rich young man tells his story with as much panache as he can muster. Wes Lukowsky
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Review
" A no-holds barred tell-all...both basketball fans and readers who enjoy juicy, inside confessionals will relish this take no prisioner autobiography"--New York Daily News



Review
" A no-holds barred tell-all...both basketball fans and readers who enjoy juicy, inside confessionals will relish this take no prisioner autobiography"--New York Daily News



Book Description
The world has followed Shaquille O'Neal's amazing career for years. Now this All-Star and Most Valuable Player--the towering 7' 1", 330-lbs. center for the World Champion Los Angeles Lakers--is ready to tell all.

In Shaq Talks Back, O'Neal is completely candid about his life. For the first time ever, he speaks frankly about:

His career, from his days as the immature "Knucklehead in Orlando," to the man who stood at center court in Game 6 of the Championship Finals and cried with his daughter in his arms

Dealings with superstar egos as he finds the right chemistry with Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson

His upbringing in Newark, NJ and Germany, including the never before discussed topic of his biological father

Rivalries with Alonzo Mourning, Patrick Ewing, Hakeem Olajuwon, and others

"Bling-bling": the larger-than-life world of NBA players off-court

Inside the Lakers' Championship run

New for this edition: teh 2000-2001 seasona nd repeating as NBA champions.

Shaq Talks Back is sure to be the most talked about sports book in years and a must-have for any fan of basketball.



About the Author
Shaquille O'Neal lives in Los Angeles. He is the center for the World Champion Los Angeles Lakers and was chosen as the Most Valuable Player in the NBA for the 1999-2000 season.

FROM OUR EDITORS

In the honest, no-holds-barred style you'd expect from Shaq, the giant L.A. Lakers center talks about everything from growing up in New Jersey to the 2000 NBA Championship victory in this funny autobiography. O'Neal also talks tough about his rivalries with Alonzo Mourning and Patrick Ewing and offers his candid, controversial opinions on coaches, teammates, and the state of the NBA. Those who are close to O'Neal -- including his mom -- also contribute some chapters to the book, providing an interesting balance to the basketball star's take on his life. Even readers who are not impressed with O'Neal's pursuits off the court -- such as making movies and rap albums -- will be entertained by the anecdotes of celebrity life included in the book, but the best sections are those in which O'Neal talks basketball, analyzing his growth as a player and his team's performance in the 2000 playoffs.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

At seven-feet-one-inch tall and 330 pounds, Los Angeles Lakers' center Shaquille O'Neal is a giant both on and off the basketball court. Now, for the first time, Shaq talks openly about his childhood, his life, his rivalries, and his career. Newly updated to include the Lakers' win against the 76ers for their second consecutive NBA Championship, Shaq recounts the remarkable progress of his basketball career, changing from a big but inexperienced teenager to a dominant college and professional player.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Shaq's new book (after Shaq and the Beanstalk) is entertaining, controversial and funny, like its author. He recounts his life story, from his childhood in Newark through winning the 2000 NBA Championship. Shaq's prose is uneven and repetitive in patches, but he writes in an authentic and likable voice throughout. Unlike other sports autobiographies, in which a co-writer essentially invents an athlete's "writing style," Shaq's words are his own fans will recognize his distinctive, opinionated voice. The text is broken up by interludes written by important people in Shaq's life (from his mother to his personal cook). Those passages provide a change of tone and lend perspective to Shaq's story. He speaks frankly about his current and former teammates and coaches, as well as the state of the NBA and of the world in general. Some of the statements in this book could get him in trouble with his NBA colleagues, but Shaq's honesty is part of what makes him such fun to read. Though Shaq devotes a lot of the book to his life off the court (his movies, rap albums, celebrity life), there's enough basketball here to satisfy hardcore hoops junkies (fans will be especially intrigued by his analysis of last season's championship run). (Apr.) Forecast: Shaq's appealing personality, controversial statements and celebrity should endear this candid, bold book to basketball fans. It would probably do well even without much promotion, but with a national author tour and print advertising, big sales seem virtually assured. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal