Beneath the Surface - Dark Publications

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
Eight Olympic medals, including six gold and two bronze in Athens in 2004, Michael Phelps is the current holder of six world records, and seven gold medals at the 2007 World Aquatics Championships. Phelps is well on his way to his ambitious goal of "changing the sport of swimming." But despite Michael's pre-eminence in the pool, his story is not a swimming diary but a tale of adversities overcome and redemption through persistence. This new softcover edition contains a substantial update, as Phelps reflects on his life since his record-setting performance in Athens. The Olympic star reflects on his November 2004, DUI arrest. He recalls his experiences as a student at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Phelps also takes readers poolside for his record-setting 2007 performance in Australia and shares his thoughts heading into the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.

Customer Reviews: Read 11 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars

Olympic Superstar June 3, 2005
14 out of 14 found this review helpful

Michael Phelps, the Olympic champion whose goal is to bring swimming to the forefront of the sports world-not just during Olympic years-tells his story in a candid, straightforward approach.
With the assistance of Brian Cazeneuve, staff writer for Sports Illustrated, he lays out the events leading up to his triumphs at Sydney, Barcelona, and culminating in his shining victories in Athens.
In between, he talks about his personal accomplishments over such things as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, family difficulties, and his initial stubbornness towards the coaching of Bob Bowman-the man who would "work him" and "work with him" to bring Michael to his full potential.

Swimmers will revel in Michael's persistence, training, and competitions along side such athletes as Aaron Peirsol, Ian Crocker, and the "Thorpedo" Ian Thorpe of Australia, whose superior timings drove Michael's competitive nature to go that extra step in his training.

An enjoyable read which takes some of the mystery off the life of a superstar, and proves that patience, endurance, hard work, and believing in yourself can only bring success.

4 out of 5 stars

Enthusiasm Dominates Phelps' Style September 5, 2005
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

Age 19 seems too young for an athlete to present his autobiography, yet Michael Phelps and co-author Brian Cazeneuve correctly gauge that Phelps' current fame makes the project viable. The tone of the narrative captures youthful wonder and enthusiasm for swimming; had the book come later, Phelps might become too jaded or overly analytic.

The authors let the chapters read like recorded oral narratives, with tangents, informal diction, corny jokes. The effect is enjoyable, as if we are listening as Phelps gushes over the aspects of his career. The book has almost no surprising revelations, but Phelps' views of races and competitors enhance our understanding of him and his accomplshments. He remains admirably respectful toward rivals who needle him. His comments (embedded in Chapter 21) on why he sought out races against Ian Thorpe reflect the best values of athletic competition and could be part of locker room pep talks in any sport. Even though we know the results, the eager style makes the narrative of the Olympics become exciting reading.

The book is thus more about personal enthusiasm than athletic insight. We do not learn much about the theories behind training methods, nor about race strategies, nor about the special aspects of certain swimming events. (For this sort of depth analysis of Olympic swimming, readers should see "Gold in the Water" by P. H. Mullen [2001] and "Champions" by Daniel Chambliss [1988].) And Phelps downplays subjects that he may see differently when he is older. One is his easy dismissal as inconsequential of periods when he did not see his father. Another concerns his hyperactivity; he admits the problem (as he has in news profiles) but avoids the thorny issue of treatments.

The final page, appended after his November 2004 driving while impaired incident, is a model of crisis communication. For its candor and blunt acceptance of responsibility, it is an example that older and younger athletes should emulate when they get into trouble.

3 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable, if a bit shallow January 19, 2006
7 out of 9 found this review helpful

Beneath the Surface is the autobiography of a 19 year old. As such, it is interesting, but also shows a great deal of youthful enthusiasm, and immature writing. He skips around a lot, and never develops his topics fully. I found it very difficult to keep track of people as he jumped from name to name. I did really enjoy the insights he gave into his family, and I loved reading the descriptions of his races. Certainly, this is a book worth reading, but get it from the library unless you are a big Phelps fan. Meanwhile, I'm waiting for the book he publishes in 10 years when he has grown up some.

5 out of 5 stars

inspiring to swimmers everywhere July 28, 2006
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

As a swimmer, I truely enjoyed watching Michael Phelps compete and succeed at the Athens games. So I was pretty excited when I heard he had a book out. I LOVED it!! It only took me one day. It is a really inspirational account about dedication and always giving your all. It sheds a whole new light on the sport in general, FINALLY giving it the attention it deserves. I absolutle love how Michael promotes the sport. The really great thing is that it is honest- he shares his veiws and feelings. It also wasnt a big book of times and races he was involved in.

I absolutly, 110% LOVED it.

4 out of 5 stars

Surprisingly good October 16, 2006
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

This is one of the best sports autobiographies I've read in a long time.
Yes,it's obvious that he had help with the book,but Michael comes across
as very mature,intelligent,and articulate.He tells his story very honestly and quite eloquently.Moreover,his love and enthusiasm for his sport,as well as his desire and efforts to raise its recognition in the
United States,are evident.And yes,he discusses his DWI arrest on the last page.To his credit,Michael is honest and apologetic about it.An excellent book that everyone will enjoy.

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