The Cost of These Dreams

Sports Stories and Other Serious Business

By: Wright Thompson

Narrated by: Wright Thompson

Length: 12 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

From one of America's most beloved sportswriters, a collection of true stories about the dream of greatness and its cost in the world of sports.

"Wright Thompson's stories are so full of rich characters, bad actors, heroes, drama, suffering, courage, conflict, and vivid detail that I sometimes thinks he's working my side of the street - the world of fiction." (John Grisham)

There is only one Wright Thompson. He is, as they say, famous if you know who he is: his work includes the most-read articles in the history of ESPN (and it's not even close) and has been anthologized in the Best American Sports Writing series ten times, and he counts John Grisham and Richard Ford among his ardent admirers. But to say his pieces are about sports, while true as far as it goes, is like saying Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove is a book about a cattle drive.

Wright Thompson figures people out. He jimmies the lock to the furnaces inside the people he profiles and does an analysis of the fuel that fires their ambition. Whether it be Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods or Pat Riley or Urban Meyer, he strips the away the self-serving myths and fantasies to reveal his characters in full. There are fascinating common denominators: it may not be the case that every single great performer or coach had a complex relationship with his father, but it can sure seem that way. And there is much marvelous local knowledge: about specific sports, and times and places, and people.

Ludicrously entertaining and often powerfully moving, The Cost of These Dreams is an ode to the reporter's art, and a celebration of true greatness and the high price that it exacts.

©2019 Wright Thompson (P)2019 Recorded Books

One of the great writers of our time.

Wright Thompson is my favorite writer. He doesn’t write articles often, but when he does I make sure to read them. He is not your typical sports writer. He doesn’t do Twitter or have “hot takes”. He transports you to time and place. Moments in people’s lives that seem to matter most. In this book he seems to normalize the biggest of titans in sport. He takes you into the lives of Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Lionel Messi and others. He shows you what makes them tick, what drives them. While also uncovering scars and flaws which make them seem human like you and me. He also tells stories of people I’ve never heard of previously like Chris rose, a writer from New Orleans and Tony Harris, a basketball prodigy from Washington state. His last chapter devoted to his father and future son(or daughter) will inevitably give you all the feels. I could not recommend this book enough.

Great long form stories

Apparently, this is a collection of several stories by the author. I loved most of the stories, and the New Orleans hurricane story was especially fantastic if heartbreaking. It also gave excellent insight into many of these athletes in ways I've not heard before.

06/2020 Tough Times!!

It’s a book I needed & didn’t know it! Wow!! Thank you Wright! You captured their voices...and yours!

Simply Outstanding!

This is one of those times when words simply do not do justice to what this book truly is - stories of pure humanity (raw and unfiltered) wrapped in a thin veil of sports. The reader quickly realizes that these are not sports stories, but instead, stories and topics so much larger and so much more universal. Listening to the author narrate his own work is magical and I cannot think of another person who could do it better. He provides an intimate look into the lives of some of the most well known people in the world, but at the same time grants us a mirror to look at our own lives and examine the similarities and potential. Well done!

Fascinating look at people

This book was fascinating. I loved everything about it. Great stories about real people. I wanted more and more!

Great stories and varied

This was a great listen. Different stories and well written to catch your attention. Nice!!

AMAZING

Emotions and connections for some people I’d never even heard of. Yes. The writing is that good.

Wonderfully written.

I grew up knowing Wright Thompson and his family as we are from the same hometown. The last story about Augusta got to me as I just lost my dad and he loved The Master’s. Wonderful all around. Look forward to more books by you Wright!

Awesome Stories

Wright Thompson does an excellent job narrating his book, taking you inside some of the most private celebrities lives. The last chapter may be the best, definitely worthy of your time.

Amazing

I’ve read a lot is sports books and this one is hands down my favorite!