Pete Maravich: The Authorized Biography of Pistol Pete

I did not read this book. It was a gift for my grandson. He said it is a really good book. Very interesting.

After reading this book I was surprised to learn about many details I did not previously know about Pistol in both the early years as well as the later years. I did not know the depth of his convictions once he found the meaning in his life and his true calling. I really felt like I was able to truly understand Pistols struggles and ultimate triumphs. A very truthful yet uplifting and hopeful account of a great athlete and a great man.

I can't say enough about this book... the authors claim that MARAVICH is the definitive biography of Pistol Pete Maravich and they deliver and then some. The quotes alone are worth the price. I am a basketball junkie and it was great to read what Magic Johnson, Steve Nash, Red Auerbach, Ralph Wiley, Jason Kidd, Larry Bird, Julius Erving. Bob Cousy, Al McGuire, Bill Walton, Kobe Bryant, Bob Costas, Adolph Rupp, Rafer Alston, John Wooden, Pat Riley, Isiah Thomas, Elgin Baylor, KC Jones, Chancey Billups, Jerry West, and hundreds of others had to say about The Pistol. Warning - this book is loaded. It look an entire weekend to read and I loved every minute of it. It was like eating the most satisfying meal. The cooperation of Pete's widow, Jackie, adds a personal dimension that was both revealing and heartbreaking. If you want to learn the real story of Pete Maravich, where he came from, his relationship with his father, why he was unhappy, and how he helped changed basketball, read MARAVICH. One problem: It was very hard to get my hands on a copy.

Knowing that people often read just the first few lines of a review, know this: Pete Maravich's high school teams WON. Before he and Press arrived at LSU, the team was pitiful (the days of Bob Petit were long since gone). Pete's LSU Freshman team, in a tough SEC conference, went 17-1, losing the final game of the season by a whisker. WINNERS AGAIN. That same season, his father's LSU varsity squad went 3-23. Pete NEVER had a losing season at LSU, going 22-10 his senior campaign, a challenging year that saw the team log more road miles than the Harlem Globetrotters. They made the NIT final four, when the NIT actually meant something. That's a far, far cry from 3-23. His Atlanta Hawk teams made the playoffs three out of the four years he was there, losing in the second round each time. Though the Hawks had a losing record 3 of those four years, they were playing in the same conference with eventual NBA Champions like the Knicks, Celtics, and Bullets. Not bad at all. And New Orleans? The lowly Jazz? Remember now, Pete was the only guy on that team - save for two short years with Truck Robinson - who could really play. There were no other All-Stars to share the load. Try this statistic on for size: in the games Pete played for the Jazz (excluding the games he missed), their record was ** 93-92 **. Last time I checked, that's a WINNING record. To think that an expansion team in 1974-75 - one that mortgaged their future just to get the Pistol - came within FOUR games in 1977-78 of making the playoffs, and would have had Pete not blown out his knee on one of his trademark 3/4 court behind the back and legs passes (that resulted in another Jazz two), is just incredible. The Jazz were one of the most successful expansion teams in NBA history. Do your homework, you'll be surprised. Yes, folks, Pete was a WINNER. Don't believe what you hear from the so-called 'purists', like the biggest cry-baby of them all, Oscar "I'm still mad that Pete broke my scoring record in college" Robertson. Let's see, AFTER the Little 'O' leaves Cincinnati, the Bearcats win the Nat'l Champsionship. Hmmmm. He doesn't get close to winning a title in the NBA - while putting up huge individual numbers (sound like someone else we know?) - until he demands a trade and ends up being Jabbar's caddy. If Pete had played with Wilt, Kareem, or Walton, God knows what might have happened. Want proof? OK, here's two examples for all of you doubting Thomas's who say Pete was a selfish player and didn't care about winning. East-West All-Star game, college, 1968. Pete scores well under 20 points but hands out 16 assists to other highly talented players. Wins MVP of the game over home-town hero Rick Mount. Want more? Pete gets to play with Dr. J., while with the Hawks, for three exhibition games prior to the 1972-73 season. Pete racks up something like 12-18 assists each game, scores well-below his average, the Dr. shines, Hawks win. Give me a break. The man

Let me first preface this review by saying I have never taken the time to write a review for any book or product prior to reading "Maravich". The instant I was finished reading it, I was compelled to do so. Simply put, along with Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad and Johnny Bench of the Cincinnati Reds, Pete Maravich was one of my boyhood idols as I grew up in Downey, California. Pete was larger than life to me. Still is. Ever since I first laid eyes on him on television in 1968, I tried my best to read, listen or watch anything that pertained to Pete. This passion for Pete has continued to this day. I still have the sports page of the Los Angles Times of the day Pete died. I have read every book about him including Pete's own, but always came away with either knowing there was some erroneous reporting, things were left out or that some how it always could have been better. I had known the book "Maravich" had been in the works for some time and the little that I know of Mr. Federman, I was anxiously waiting for it to be published. I truly thought I had read every quote, article and intricate story regarding Pete, but after reading "Maravich" I was happily mistaken. I bought the book this past Sunday evening, Nov. 26th, 2006 and planned to begin reading it the following day. Now, I swear to you that this is the absolute truth, I began reading it at approximately 11:15 am the very next day and didn't stop until I had finished the 398th and very last page at 11:45 pm! I got up twice and put some left over turkey between two slices of bread and then went back into my office and continued reading AS I ate! The book is the most insightful, honest, thorough and well written book on Pete Maravich that has ever been published and was a joy to read. There were literally hundreds of quotes and or stories that I had never read about Pete before. It is as if the two authors interviewed every player, coach, friend and relative that Pete ever played with or knew. Finally a book has been written about Pete that told the entire story, and then some. Just unbelievable! If you are a Pete Maravich fan it is a must read. If you have read the other books about Pete and think you know all about him, it's a must read. If you simply enjoy a very insightful and well written book about a once in a lifetime athlete, it is a must read. I may not read it again in twelve straight hours but rest assured people, I will read it again! Wayne Federman and Marshall Terrill, I salute you! Jim Webster