Personal Foul

By: Tim Donaghy

Narrated by: Chris Della Penna

Length: 7 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's Summary

The media has often speculated and sports fans have debated, but until now no one has known the real story. Personal Foul takes an in-depth look at former NBA referee Tim Donaghy and the betting scandal that rocked professional basketball. This is the decisive book that reveals exactly what was done and how it all happened. Which games were affected and how? Did referees target particular players or teams? Just how much did the NBA know and when? How did the mafia get involved? The book answers all of these questions and more.

Thrilling and poignant, Personal Foul takes readers on the journey of one man wrestling his own demons and shines a light on a culture of gambling and "directive" officiating in the NBA that promises to change the way sports fans view the game forever. The book also includes a foreword by Phil Scala, the FBI Special Agent who worked the Gambino case.

©2009 Tim Donaghy (P)2013 Tim Donaghy

The Disgrace that is the NBA

Would you consider the audio edition of Personal Foul to be better than the print version?

Not at all. The reader sounded like he was in a hurry and his pronunciation was atrocious----a problem, unfortunately all too common in audio books. Initially, I thought that the mispronunciations were limited to proper nouns (players' names), which while still inexcusable, would at least be tolerable. But alas, that was not the case.

What other book might you compare Personal Foul to and why?

I can't think of another book with which to compare Personal Foul, but I found it to be an honest and candid representation of the circumstances leading to the problem----i.e. no whining or constantly making excuses, blaming others etc. In fact, to my shock, I found myself empathizing with the author.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Yes, primarily with the plethora of mispronunciations.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was moved by learning the extent----not the existence--of corruption and incompetence in the NBA management and officiating. If I continue to watch NBA games, and I still haven't decided upon that, it will certainly be with a jaundiced eye. Is pro basketball a sport, like college basketball where fouls are called on the basis of objective criteria, or a "performance," where the object is to keep high profile players on the floor "no matter what"? Clearly it's the latter, and this is evident across the board.

Any additional comments?

Great book. Couldn't put it down.

1 person found this helpful

good book, narrator is average at best though.

revealing book about Tim's story and refereeing in the NBA....however if the narrator is important to you I'd listen to a sample first.

Great read/listen for sports fans

Captivating true story from one of the NBA's biggest scandals. Della Penna does a great job narrating & keeps your attention & focus through all the highs & lows.

Good content

Maybe hire a reader who has actually watched a basketball player. Couldn't pronounce the names of many well-known basketball personalities.

Learn how to pronounce players' names

I get taken out of the zone when the reader doesn't know how to pronounce the name of the athlete.

Horrible storyline

Book was easy to follow, but I didn't like that the story was written in such a depressing tone. Tim did the crime he was happy getting the money, he should be happy with the punishment. The nerve of this guy baffles me how he writes a tell all book as an ex con but calls ppl low life punk thugs, he's racist and condescending

Gambling edge

Good story. For those who look to find inefficiencies in the way the games are played and refereed in the modern NBA.

Who narrated this?!

This guy mispronounced several names of superstar level players. Come on! This book is about basketball and it really takes you out of the groove when basketball related details are sloppy.