LeBron James: A Biography

LeBron James is simultaneously on the cutting edge of basketball greatness and as a cultural icon. Through the international exposure of the National Basketball Association and its televised games in more than 100 countries, and as a global marketing presence, the star of the Cleveland Cavaliers is rapidly becoming one of the world's most familiar faces. This biography traces the key events in the life of LeBron James during his dizzying rise to fame in high school to his emergence as the first overall pick in the NBA draft as an 18-year-old, to his carrying the underdog Cavaliers to the 2007 NBA Finals.

Hyped relentlessly from the time he was a high school sophomore in Ohio, James has lived up to all advance billing and with his charm, smile, and extraordinary basketball skills. James' all-around talent and unselfishness on the court are the trademarks of his play that have made him one of the most feared scorers in the league, but also one of its most versatile rebounders and passers. This biography offers a well-rounded portrait James from the difficulties encountered being raised by a single mother and overcoming poverty, which at times caused the family to move from home to home. Lew Freedman of the Chicago Tribune chronicles the milestones in the life of LeBron James during his dizzying rise to fame. Also highlighted are James' remarkable endorsement deals, particularly his $90 million deal with Nike. The volume is rounded out with a timeline and a bibliography of print and electronic sources to provide suggested readings for students and sports fans alike.

LeBron James is simultaneously on the cutting edge of basketball greatness and as a cultural icon. Through the international exposure of the National Basketball Association and its televised games in more than 100 countries, and as a global marketing presence, the star of the Cleveland Cavaliers is rapidly becoming one of the world's most familiar faces. This biography traces the key events in the life of LeBron James during his dizzying rise to fame in high school to his emergence as the first overall pick in the NBA draft as an 18-year-old, to his carrying the underdog Cavaliers to the 2007 NBA Finals.

Hyped relentlessly from the time he was a high school sophomore in Ohio, James has lived up to all advance billing and with his charm, smile, and extraordinary basketball skills. James' all-around talent and unselfishness on the court are the trademarks of his play that have made him one of the most feared scorers in the league, but also one of its most versatile rebounders and passers. This biography offers a well-rounded portrait James from the difficulties encountered being raised by a single mother and overcoming poverty, which at times caused the family to move from home to home. Lew Freedman of the Chicago Tribune chronicles the milestones in the life of LeBron James during his dizzying rise to fame. Also highlighted are James' remarkable endorsement deals, particularly his $90 million deal with Nike. The volume is rounded out with a timeline and a bibliography of print and electronic sources to provide suggested readings for students and sports fans alike.

VOYA

Designed especially for student research, books in this Greenwood Biographies series profile a surprising mix of historic and popular culture figures, dead and alive, famous and infamous. From Sylvia Plath to Stephen King to The Notorious B.I.G., the biographies are written in an accessible style without talking down to the young adult audience or shying away from more complicated issues. In LeBron James, for example, Freedman uses surprising words such as "cognoscenti" and "apoplectic." In Judy Blume, Tracy discusses Blume's failed marriages and others' attempts to censor her books. Each title has a similar format—introduction, time line, chronological biography—but a different author is assigned to each book, so every biography has its own style. Even though some authors are prone to hyperbole—Freedman writes, "By the time LeBron James was a junior . . . he was as well known to basketball aficionados as Meryl Streep is to the Academy of Motion Picture Sciences"—the result is highly quotable material that is perfect for basic student research. The goal of the series is not to glorify the subject, and it is clear that the field experts and professionals who write the biographies work hard at neutrality. Although the biographical facts are not uncharted, having the information in one place makes it a fine resource. Biographies of the living subjects—Barack Obama and Martha Stewart, for example—will become dated rather quickly, but overall the series is well written, user friendly, and provides a quick and enjoyable read. Reviewer: Jennifer Miskec

LEW FREEDMAN is a sportswriter with the Chicago Tribune. He has worked as an award-winning journalist with the Anchorage Daily News and is the author of over 22 books, including African American Pioneers of Baseball (Greenwood, 2007).