Showboat

The Life of Kobe Bryant

By: Roland Lazenby

Narrated by: Ron Butler

Length: 21 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

The definitive portrait of Kobe Bryant, from the author of Michael Jordan. Eighteen-time All-Star, scorer of 81 points in a single game, MVP, and one of the best shooting guards in NBA league history: Kobe Bryant is among basketball's absolute greatest players, and his importance to the sport is undeniable. Third on the NBA career scoring list and owner of five championship rings, he is an undisputed all-time great, one deserving of this deep and definitive biography.

Even within the flashiest franchise in all of sports - the Los Angeles Lakers, where he played his entire career - Bryant always took center stage, and his final game captivated the basketball world, indeed the country. Roland Lazenby delves deep to look behind this public image, using classic basketball reporting and dozens of new interviews to reveal the whole picture, from Bryant's childhood through his playing years. Showboatis filled with large personalities and provocative stories, including details of Bryant's complicated personal life and explosive relationships on the court, and is a riveting and essential listen for every hoops fan.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2016 Roland Lazenby (P)2016 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Lazenby's detailed research and fantastic writing paint a complex, engaging picture of one of the NBA's greats" (Kurt Helin, NBC Sports).

"A lot has been written about arguably the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan, but Roland Lazenby's Michael Jordan: The Life is easily the definitive version. The journalist has covered Jordan's career for nearly thirty years and his knowledge of the game and of this miraculous player shows in what is one of the best sports biographies in years." ( Parade)

"Engaging.... Lazenby, author of Michael Jordan: The Life, turns his eye to another basketball legend: the recently retired Kobe Bryant." ( Publishers Weekly)

Man, Kobe was amazing

I never was a fan of Kobe or the Lakers, I always liked the other team that still rents the Staple Center. Whenever I watched the highlight reel on Kobe, it was like watching a magician disappearing out of thin air. “Showboat” was an excellent autobiography. I felt that the author didn’t sugar coat anything. Roland Lazenby didn’t leave anything unturned.

Man, Kobe was amazing.

Mamba

I have always been a Laker fan and Kobe fan. This book goes to show you how everyone is different. What made Kobr great, is going to make you have opinion of him.

Thanks Kobe Bean Bryant! Focus and Determination!

Loved it! If not the Greatest Laker, definitely on the Lakers Mount Rushmore!! Thanks Kobe for the memories!! In my opinion better than Jordan.

Entertaining and Informative

As a L.A. Kings fan , I knew who Kobe was but I wasn't into the hoops game like my friends were. But after his passing I found myself mourning with the rest of L.A. and I wanted to explore who this guy Kobe was and what made him tick. Obviously the world adored him, I found this book extremely detailed and gave me a great wide open perspective into Kobe's life and the things that happened around him to shape his personality and massive drive.
Highly recommend this read.

Very personal and in depth!

Not growing up in LA during the hayday of the Lakers, I missed a lot. This book caught me up on ALL the drama. Very fascinating. Thanks KB for being so transparent and mature about this.

Well done, if a little heavy on the Jellybean...

Great narration
HEAVY on the Jellybean Bryant backstory.
But once it gets rolling on the actual Kobe stuff, well worth it

Great detail on Kobe and Lockerroom

Most reviews are spot on about the long beginning detail on Kobe’s dad/parents. Other than that, great and must listen for any Kobe (or Lakers) fans.

Mamba The Great!!!

This was one of the Stories I have ever hear. Kobe was a tough and determined man. He will be Missed.

Mamba mentality

Kobe was a complex being. It was great to see the inside knowledge of a guy I grew up watching. I’m glad I have this new experience of what made him tick!

The legend

I wanted to read this book because I know so little about Kobe even though I followed his entire career. This book is very detailed from his mother and father, Kobe as a child, all the way up to to when he retired. You can tell they can't say anything bad because Kobe wouldn't approve it but there is definitely some stories they left out about Kobe. they only kept in the good stuff he did. they even made the rape case not sound that bad in this book.