Proof that wilt chamberlain is the ultimate athlete duration. Despite his enormous basketball achievements and his literally largerthanlife presence, wilt chamberlain has never been taken to heart by the public. Wilt chamberlain biography childhood, life achievements. The first two uscf members to identify which real fischer game this fictional one stems from will receive one of the following. He was a twotime allamerican during his college days at kansas and was. This book followed wilts own book which everyone seemed to remember from his brash statement of bedding over 20,000 women in his lifetime. The story deeply affected cherry, inspiring him to write wilt. He had inscribed a personal message on its fly leaf and affixed his name with the kind of big, bold flourish i. Just like any other 7foot black millionaire who lives next door, lj 873. Much of wilts life was indeed larger than life, and the book covers them, and at the same time, the author doesnt cover up wilts faults. Oct, 1999 wilt chamberlain, for no other reason than standing 7 feet 1 inch, was automatically larger than life for many people.
In addition to chamberlain s regularseason accomplishments, he scored 42 points in the 1962 nba allstar game. If youre looking for indepth descriptions of his various ingame accomplishments, then this book isnt for you. The times have changed and chamberlain, now 50, has too. Considered one of the greatest players in history, he holds many nba records in several categories, such as durability, scoring, and rebounding. Wilt chamberlain is considered one of the worlds alltime greatest professional basketball players. Wilt chamberlain biography, life, interesting facts. Larger than life by robert cherry, paperback barnes. A capturing of basketball legend wilt chamberlains personality and thoughtsknown by relatively few people other than family and close friendsis made available to all in this intimate biography.
A lot has been said about wilt chamberlainss career and his ability to dominate the record books in the nba. Buy a cheap copy of a view from above book by wilt chamberlain. Larger than life isbn 1572439157 is a biography of nba professional basketball player wilt chamberlain by journalist robert cherry. In his book a view from above, chamberlain made the outrageous claim hed slept with thousands of women, but he made sure to let the readers. The author, a native of philadelphia and an alumnus of chamberlains alma mater. Like a greek god, he was bigger, faster and stronger than the mere mortals that surrounded him. Larger than life, are four of the best basektball books ever written by or about a professional basketball player. If all you ever knew of wilt was what he did as a basketball player, you might be interested to discover that he donated time and money to various womens athletic teams. Wilt reportedly bedded over 20,000 women over the course of his life. Nov 10, 2006 the first two uscf members to identify which real fischer game this fictional one stems from will receive one of the following. From the playgrounds of west philly to his sweet bachelor pad high in the santa monica mountains, wilt s life was nothing, if not eventful. Wilt chamberlain was an american basketball player.
To follow wilt s basketball career is almost a telling of the history of nba basketball from the late 50s to the early 70s. August 21, 1936 october 12, 1999 was an american basketball player who played as a center and is considered one of the greatest players in history. Apr 07, 2020 in addition to all these legendary tales, wilt toured with the harlem globetrotters in 1959. The book chronologically spans the entire life of wilt chamberlain, starting with. In his 1976 book, life on the run, bradley documents 20 days within one of his seasons playing for the new york knicks, offering a unique perspective on how life in the league looked 40 years ago. The late wilt chamberlain became a new breed of sports champion when he took the sport of basketball by storm in the 1960s.
Legendary nba center who was a time allstar, 4time mvp, and 2time nba champion. He was an incredible physical specimen and a player with a wide range of moves at his disposal. If kobe bryant is the most polarizing figure of the new century, then wilt chamberlain was easily the most polarizing character of the last one. Wilt chamberlain was that giant, big enough in his life and accomplishments to bear the weight of all future champions on his shoulders. Wilt chamberlain stock pictures, royaltyfree photos. Im going to list a few of these records and statistics so you can see how wilton norman chamberlain was literally and figuratively larger than life. His extraordinary feats in the 1962 season were later subject of the book wilt, 1962 by gary m. Depending on whom you talk to or what you read, wilt was either a selfish loser or the best basketball player of all time. The book also details chamberlains basketball career as a jayhawk, including the dramatic 1957 triple overtime ncaa championship game and includes. Much of wilt s life was indeed larger than life, and the book covers them, and at the same time, the author doesnt cover up wilt s faults. May 07, 2012 by josh sizer produced for amst379, sports personalities at georgetown university. To follow wilts basketball career is almost a telling of the history of nba basketball from the late 50s to the early 70s. He was a rather weak child and had to miss a year of school because of pneumonia.
A piece of my philadelphia childhood died when the greatest athlete of all time had fallen. Larger than life isbn 1572439157 is a biography of nba professional. This is the story of this kansas native who scored well in every aspect of his lifeeven after he retired and. If kobe bryant is the most polarizing figure of the new century, then wilt chamberlain was easily.
The book also details chamberlains basketball career as a jayhawk. Its a good thing wilt wasnt around in biblical times, imagine what tall tales wed find in the bible if he was. The book itself is a rather comprehensive telling of chamberlains life. Almost twenty years after his death, wilt chamberlain is famous for his largerthanlife basketball stats. The result is a capturing of wilts personality and thoughts that relatively few people other than family and close friends ever knew.
The author, a native of philadelphia and an alumnusas was wilt chamberlainof overbrook high school, spent four years researching and interviewing the most important people in wilts life. A capturing of basketball legend wilt chamberlains personality and thoughtsk. Pomerantz 2005, who used chamberlain as a metaphor for the uprising of black america. Wilt chamberlain was born august 21, 1936, in philadelphia, pennsylvania, one of nine children raised by william and olivia chamberlain. On march 2, 1962 wilt scored 100 points on the new york knicks. Many of his basketball feats are merely summarized and some have been omitted altogether although, to be fair, wilt s records would fill an entire book on. The most factual account of his life ever written, and unlike wilt s autobiographies, this one isnt interested in putting forth a myth.
Larger than life reprint by robert cherry, jerry west isbn. All in all, the book shows wilt as a person who just wanted to live his life and be happy. For the 50th anniversary of wilt chamberlains 100point game, author gary m. And according to the above photo, his anaconda was jon. This book is an authoritative and entertaining biography of wilt chamberlain, one of the twentieth centurys most controversial athletes, examines his extraordinary athletic achievements, as well as his unique and sometimes turbulent lifestyle. In addition to all these legendary tales, wilt toured with the harlem globetrotters in 1959. The author, a native of philadelphia and an alumnus of chamberlain s alma mater. It is interesting that wilt viewed himself as a freak who could not normally blend in with a crowd. He scored 100 points in a single game on march 2, 1962 while playing for. Wilt passed away on october 12, 1999, at the age of 63. Larger than life and millions of other books are available for instant. He lives in east moriches, new york, with his wife, jeannette walls.
Growing up in the 1960s, i was aware of wilt chamberlain but did not follow him or the nba. Also, the rivalry is a fantastic book which covers the rivalry. In his 1991 book, a view from above nba basketball superstar wilt chamberlain claimed to have slept with 20,000 different women in his life. The author, a native of philadelphia and an alumnus of chamberlains alma mater, spent four years researching and interviewing the most. Chamberlain has written his second book in over 18 years the first was wilt. Did wilt chamberlain really sleep with 20,000 women. Always outspoken and sometimes controversial, chamberlain feels he now has even more freedom to express his views on various subjects. Wilt chamberlain larger than life basketball network. If ever there was a larger than life sports legend in america it was wilt chamberlain.
He rolled into life on this day in 1936 like an impenetrable ball of thunder and. Like many exjocks, wilt tries to hide his bitterness that he can no longer play pro sports in selfglorification. If wilt started at the age of 15, from then up to the age of 55 when the book was published he would have had 40 years to sleep with 20,000 women, or 500 different women a yeareasy math. He just happened to be over seven feet tall, filthy rich, and incredibly famous. At some parts though it may get confusing for a younger reader. He had inscribed a personal message on its fly leaf and affixed his name with the kind of big, bold flourish i expected from this larger than life basketball legend. Just like any other 7 foot black millionaire who lives. From the playgrounds of west philly to his sweet bachelor pad high in the santa monica mountains, wilts life was nothing, if not eventful. Authoritative, informative, and entertaining, this book is the. He was the games first greatest player and its most enduring champion. His father worked in a local publishing company, while his mother performed outside housework. Jan 01, 2004 this book is a chronology of wilt chamberlain s life that goes into a great deal of detail. Wilt chamberlain, for no other reason than standing 7 feet 1 inch, was automatically larger than life for many people.
Larger than life examines chamberlains fascinating story, delving into his life both on and off the basketball court, and spanning his childhood to his death. Why didnt wilt chamberlain ever get married or have kids. It is widely considered one of the greatest records in basketball. His peers and the sportswriters of the day always said he had a chip on his shoulder for that reason. This biography gives detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements and timeline. Bill russell, wilt chamberlain, and the golden age of basketball et des millions. A shy and insecure teenager, an adult wilt was a confident pick up artist. He also played polo, tennis, paddle ball, and water skied. Chamberlain set five other league records that game including most. He interviews countless people who knew wilt and covers his life from. Just like any other 7 foot black millionaire who lives next door by wilt chamberlain macmillan publishing 1973 biography.
The former basketball star speaks out on bill russell, race relations, the nba, sex, women, kareen abduljabbar, and many other hot topics. Wilt chamberlain set the singlegame scoring record in the national basketball association nba by scoring 100 points for the philadelphia warriors in a 169147 win over the new york knicks on march 2, 1962, at hershey sports arena in hershey, pennsylvania. He portrays himself as larger than life in all aspects, which really gets boring fast in reading this book. Wilt chamberlain bio, facts, family famous birthdays. This book really describes the life of wilt chamberlain. Robert allen cherry a capturing of basketball legend wilt chamberlains personality and thoughtsknown by relatively few people other than family and close friendsis made available to all in this intimate biography. A bigger problem for chamberlain going into the game that night against the celtics was that although. The most factual account of his life ever written, and unlike wilts autobiographies, this one isnt interested in putting forth a myth. He scored 100 points in a single game on march 2, 1962 while playing for the philadelphia warriors. This book is a chronology of wilt chamberlains life that goes into a great deal of detail. After an interview on the day before the 76ers belatedly retired his number in 1991, wilt chamberlain handed me a copy of his new book, a view from above. Well that certainly stirred up talk and controversy, and subsequently sold books.
Just like any other 7foot black millionaire who lives next door, by wilt chamberlain and david shaw. For the rest, chamberlain provided plenty of additional reasons. Considered one of the greatest players in history, he holds. Find highquality wilt chamberlain stock photos and editorial news pictures from getty images.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The author spent four years crisscrossing the country researching wilt s life and gathering stories from the most important people in it. Wilt chamberlain was the second best center in pro basketball during the 1960s behind bill russell. Some remember him as charming and respectful, while others recall him as being rude and sexist. I am not a huge basketball fan but wilt chamberlain the iconic mr. The 416page book was published in november 2004 by triumph books. Why wilt chamberlain was the greatest athlete of all time. Wilt larger than life examines chamberlain s fascinating story, delving into his life both on and off the basketball court, and spanning his childhood to his death in 1999. Robert allen cherry long before kobe, or shaq, or mj, or magic, or bird, or kareem, there was wilt.
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