I May Be Wrong but I Doubt It

Barkley, Charles and Wilbon, Michael (Editor)

ISBN 10: 037550883X / ISBN 13: 9780375508837

Published by Random House, New York, 2002

About this Item

xix, [1], 245, [7] pages. Signed by Charles Barkley on the Title Page. Inscribed by Michael Wilbon on the half-title page. Inscription reads Chris--Hope you enjoy Michael Wilbon. Also inscribed on the half-title page. Inscription reads Chris Enjoy the book Enjoy the Games. Stat Boy PTI Tony Reds [sp?] . Charles Wade Barkley (born February 20, 1963) is an American former professional basketball player who is a television analyst on TNT and CBS Sports. Nicknamed "Sir Charles", "Chuck", and "the Round Mound of Rebound", Barkley played 16 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for three teams. Though shorter than the typical power forward, he used his strength and aggressiveness to become one of the NBA's most dominant rebounders. He was a versatile player who had the ability to score, create plays, and defend. Barkley was an 11-time NBA All-Star, an 11-time member of the All-NBA Team, and the 1993 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP). Barkley competed in the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games and won two gold medals as a member of the United States men's basketball team. He was named to the NBA's 50th and 75th anniversary teams. Barkley has written several books and has shown an interest in politics. In 2002, Barkley released the book I May Be Wrong, But I Doubt It, which included editing and commentary by close friend Michael Wilbon. Michael Wilbon (born 1958 or 1959 (age 64-65)) is an American commentator for ESPN and former sportswriter and columnist for The Washington Post. He has co-hosted Pardon the Interruption on ESPN since 2001. I May Be Wrong but I Doubt It is a memoir by former American professional basketball player Charles Barkley. The book became a bestseller in 2002. It reflects Barkley's own personality, experiences, and opinions. It explores a wide range of interests and discusses a variety of controversial topics. Each chapter has its own theme, and ranges from politics to lack of minority control in sports. It also recounts some of Barkley's memorable experiences during his Hall of Fame NBA career, such as his involvement with Michael Jordan as a member of the legendary U.S. Olympic gold medal winning "Dream Team." Derived from a Kirkus review: Positive opinions from former NBA standout Barkley. His reputation for being a rebarbative figure hinges on his urge to address serious issuesâ "the prevalence of racism, the need for education, the emptiness of taking celebrities as role modelsâ "in a forthright fashion. Yet he also appreciates the reality of "star power" and the responsibility it entails: not just to play the best he can for team and fans, but to put big social issues on the table and keep people talking about them. This may mean calling Augusta National on its discriminatory policiesâ "though he is curiously silent on its treatment of women, something that obviously deserves at least a mentionâ "while at the same time noting that "Tiger winning at Augusta allows a whole lot of people an easy way to feel better about . exclusion." Much is made of Barkley's Republicanism, and he does evince a strong fondness for money, but he comes across here as more of a Vermonter: thrifty, plain-speaking, hardworking, with a sense of responsibility and a love of his craft. Is a true baddie really about to say, "There's no way God allowed me to make all this money, meet all the people I've met, and rise to this status just to sit around, count my money, and not to try to help people improve their lives"? Barkley may reject being a role modelâ "that's what family and friends are for, he says. But as someone who demands that kids think and assume responsibility, he's headed in the right direction. Charles Barkley has never been shy about expressing his opinions. Michael Jordan once said that we all want to say the things that Barkley says, but we don't dare. But even die-hard followers of the all-time NBA great, the star of TNT's Inside the NBA and CNN's TalkBack Live, will be astonished by just how candid and provocat.

Seller Inventory # 87744

Bibliographic Details

• Title: I May Be Wrong but I Doubt It
• Publisher: Random House, New York
• Publication Date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 037550883X
• ISBN 13: 9780375508837
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Harry Benson (Jacket photograph)
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very good
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)

About this title

Synopsis

Charles Barkley has never been shy about expressing his opinions. Michael Jordan once said that we all want to say the things that Barkley says, but we don’t dare. But even die-hard followers of the all-time NBA great, the star of TNT’s Inside the NBA and CNN’s TalkBack Live, will be astonished by just how candid and provocative he is in this book—and just how big his ambitions are. Though he addresses weighty issues with a light touch and prefers to stir people to think by making them laugh, there’s nothing Charles Barkley shies away from here—not race, not class, not big money, not scandal, not politics, not personalities, nothing. “Early on,” says Washington Post columnist and ESPN talk show host Michael Wilbon in his Introduction, “Barkley made his peace with mixing it up, and decided the consequences were very much worth it to him. And that makes him as radically different in these modern celebrity times as a 6-foot-4-inch power forward.”

If there’s one thing Charles Barkley knows, it’s the crying need for honest, open discussion in this country—the more uncomfortable the subject, the more necessary the dialogue. And if the discussion leader can be as wise, irreverent, (occasionally) profane and (consistently) funny as Charles Barkley, so much the better. Many people are going to be shocked and scandalized by I May Be Wrong but I Doubt It, but many more will stand up and cheer. Like Molly Ivins or Bill O’Reilly, Charles Barkley is utterly his own thinker, and everything he says comes from deep reflection. One way or another, if more blood hasn’t reached your brain by the time you’ve finished this book, maybe you’ve been embalmed.

About the Author

Charles Barkley is a studio analyst for TNT’s Inside the NBA, a regular contributor to CNN’s TalkBack Live and a frequent color commentator. Named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time, he was selected to eleven All-Star teams and won the NBA’s MVP award in 1993. He lives in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Michael Wilbon is a Washington Post sports columnist and the cohost, with Tony Kornheiser, of the ESPN show Pardon the Interruption. He lives outside Washington, D.C.