Magic: The Life of Earvin “Magic” Johnson

By: Roland Lazenby

Narrated by: JD Jackson, Roland Lazenby

Length: 30 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

This program features a prologue read by the author.

The definitive biography of the basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, from the highly respected, career sportswriter and author of Michael Jordan: The Life.

Magic Johnson is one of the most beloved, and at times controversial, athletes in history. His iconic smile lifted the dowdy sport of American professional basketball from a second-tier sport with low ratings into the global spotlight—a transformation driven by Magic’s ability to eviscerate opponents with a playing style that featured his grand sense of fun. He was a master entertainer who directed the Los Angeles “Showtime” Lakers to the heights of both glory and epic excess, all of it driven by his mind-blowing no-look passes and personal charm.

Then, in 1991, at the height of his charismatic power, Johnson shocked the world with a startling cautionary tale about sexually transmitted disease that pushed public awareness of the HIV/AIDS crisis. Then out came his confession of unprotected sex with hundreds of women each year, followed by his retirement, an attempted return, and a proper farewell on the iconic 1992 Olympic Dream Team.

Longtime biographer Roland Lazenby spent years tracking the unlikely ascension of Johnson—an immensely popular public figure who was instantly scandalized but who then turned to his legendary will to rise again as a successful entrepreneur with another level of hard-won success. In Lazenby’s portrayal, Johnson’s tale becomes bigger than that of one man. It is a generational saga spanning parts of three centuries that reveals a great deal, not just about his unique basketball journey but about America itself.

Through hundreds of interviews with Johnson’s coaches, representatives past and present, teammates, opponents, friends, and loved ones, as well as key conversations with Johnson himself over the years, Lazenby has produced the first truly definitive study, both dark and light, of Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Jr.—the revolutionary player, the icon, the man.

A Macmillan Audio production from Celadon Books.

©2023 Roland Lazenby (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

The Definitive Book on Magic

This was an excellent comprehensive biography of Magic Johnson. I had previously listened to Lazenby’s biography of Michael Jordan, which was also excellent. He makes a good case for the argument that Magic should be considered one of the best players of all time. He also well documents Magic’s rivalry with Larry Bird that later developed into a deep friendship. He attempts to show the good and the bad of Magic, but you can tell that the author deep down really likes Magic and gives excuses for some of his behavior and minimizes others including his very reckless sexual behavior that resulted in his HIV infection. He did do a good job of covering that aspect of Magic’s life. I do think that was when a lot of Americans learned the difference between HIV and AIDS. Even though the book is very long for a sports biography, it could have used a little more detail on Magic the businessman. Magic is currently worth around $600 million, but only a small percentage of that comes from his playing days and endorsements. The vast majority is from his business deals and investments since he retired from playing. He has been VERY successful in his business ventures since retiring. I always enjoy good sports books and this one is definitely in that category.

basketball magic!

This book engenders curiosity and fascination with basketball and provides insights into the great players.

THE Book on Magic Johnson!

This is the definitive book on Magic Johnson.

An entertaining and enlightening exploration of all aspects of his life that shows Magic to be so much more than one of the greatest basketball players ever.

I spent 23 years photographing the NBA for Boston during his era, but this book was a revelation to me. I thought that I knew all that I needed to know about Magic Johnson. Turns out that I didn't know much until I read Magic.

You will not be disappointed. After you finish Magic, I'm sure that you won't need any prodding to seek out other NBA themed books by Roland Lazenby.