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On the Shoulders of Giants
- My Journey Through the Harlem Renaissance
- Narrated by: Richard Allen
- Length: 10 hrs and 42 mins
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Publisher's summary
Beginning with the rise of the Harlem Rens as pioneers of professional basketball, Kareem traces the many streams of historical influence that converged to create the man he is today: the NBA's all-time leading scorer and an African-American icon.
Travel deep into the soul of the Renaissance, to the night clubs, restaurants, basketball games, and fabulous parties that made footprints on Harlem's history. Meet the athletes, jazz musicians, comedians, actors, politicians, entrepreneurs, and writers who not only inspired Kareem's rise to greatness but an entire nation's.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was born in the midst of a cultural reawakening and was carried on the shoulders of athletes trying to prove there was a lot more at stake than a ball game - men and women who made music that could break your heart; writers and intellectuals who gave voice not just to the ideals of a movement, but to its raw emotions. Kareem tells us what it took to get these revolutionaries to Harlem and how they changed a world that is still riding on the shoulders of giants.
Critic reviews
"Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has created his next sky hook with this newest literary effort. He has skillfully interwoven his two biggest passions - basketball and jazz - and provides a greater understanding of how closely related they are." (Spike Lee)
"Kareem has offered his own unique perspective to the story of the Harlem Renaissance. By doing so, he has provided a moving history of a cultural place and time. As the saying goes, to know where you are going, you must know from whence you came. We came on the shoulders giants." (Muhammad Ali)
"Inspirational...Uplifting....With this vivid journey...Abdul-Jabbar continues his scholarly winning streak." (The Washington Post)
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What listeners say about On the Shoulders of Giants
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
- Marianne
- 10-06-08
The best of both worlds
For someone who is passionate about basketball and jazz, the book was a great treat. Kareem has given us such a colorful, in-depth, history of the music. It was a surprise to learn how closely it is linked to the history of blacks in professional basketball. The only drawback to the audiobook is the reader; he seemed to be trying very hard to sound learned, but he came off sounding pretentious; and he made several unfortunate mispronunciations. But I refused to let that get in the way of my thorough enjoyment of the book. I highly recommend it if you are a jazz fan, or a basketball fan, or just want to listen to a very well written book.
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3 people found this helpful
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- SATK735
- 02-15-16
Compelling
This is a very compelling and informative book. I've learned more from this book than I've learned in school on this subject matter.
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2 people found this helpful
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- priest
- 07-10-20
A Cherished Nugget
Mr. Abdul-Jabbar has written an insightful and articulate book about the Harlem Renaissance and an array of facets of African American history. He furnishes lucidly formulated insights of Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, and other black luminaries, in addition to addressing how the times made the Harlem Renaissance necessary. The book is an essential must read and will be an essential addition to your library.
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- Glenn
- 04-17-21
Wonderful!!!
I truly enjoyed this book. It took me back down memory lane. I also learned a lot about Black History. Thank You.
GLENN CAFFEY.
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- Evan Livingstone
- 11-03-18
Most inspiring book I have read in a decade!
Mr. Abdul-Jabbar is proud of inheriting a legacy of African American culture which has inspired him to be a disciplined and compassionate person.
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