Showboat Audiobook By Roland Lazenby cover art

Showboat

The Life of Kobe Bryant

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Showboat

By: Roland Lazenby
Narrated by: Ron Butler
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The definitive portrait of Kobe Bryant, from the author of Michael Jordan. "Lazenby's detailed research and fantastic writing paint a complex, engaging picture of one of the NBA's greats" (Kurt Helin, Pro Basketball Talk , NBC Sports).

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.

Showboat is 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 audiobook 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
Cultural & Regional Entertainment & Celebrities Sports Sports History Celebrity Biography

Critic reviews

A Men's Journal Best Book of the YearFinalist for the SundayTimes Biography of the Year Finalist for the Cross British Sports Book Award

"With surgical precision, Roland Lazenby expertly dissects the life of this generation's most fascinating basketball player. What made Kobe Bryant tick so loud for so long? Lazenby shows you with a tour de force in reporting and an intimate inspection at Bryant's trials, accomplishments and tribulations."—Jonathan Abrams, author of Boys Among Men

"With the publication of Showboat: The Life of Kobe Bryant, it is high time we recognized author Roland Lazenby for what he has become: the finest sports biographer of our time. First with the astonishing Michael Jordan: The Life and now his having written an incredibly researched, beautifully written biography of this enigmatic Laker superstar, Lazenby has entered rarified air: one is wowed by what one learns and at the same time you can't wait to read what comes next."—Peter Golenbock, author of ten New York Times bestsellers

"Lazenby tells Bryant's story well...this is bound to be the best biography of Kobe Bryant for some time."—Kirkus

Detailed Biography • Insightful Perspective • Enthusiastic Narration • Comprehensive Chronicle • Honest Portrayal
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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.

Man, Kobe was amazing

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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.

Mamba

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

Thanks Kobe Bean Bryant! Focus and Determination!

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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.

Entertaining and Informative

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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.

Very personal and in depth!

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

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

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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.

Great detail on Kobe and Lockerroom

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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!

Mamba mentality

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

Mamba The Great!!!

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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.

The legend

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