Reddit reviews Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich

He didn't play very long because of knee issues, I believe. He may have played 1 year in the 80s, but his career ended rather abruptly considering that he was an all star from 77-79. I find that not many people that I talk basketball with know much about 70s basketball anyway, so I'm not too surprised. If you've never read Pistol:The Life of Pete Maravich, you should, it reads pretty well for a sports biography.

I've read Pistol Pete's biography. They mention this fact somewhere around the beginning

Pistol Pete - A boy pushed at incredible lengths to achieve what his father never could, becomes a basketball phenom, or "basketball android" in his own terms, becomes one of the first 'great white hopes' in the game, begins breaking down, abusing alcohol, searches for some kind of spiritual release from the pressure he's faced his whole life, mends fences with his dad, dies too young.

There is already a film called Pistol about PP, but I recall it not being very good.

I'm mostly a basketball guy so...


You don't need to have ever seen a basketball game to appreciate these first two books.

Breaks of the Game by David Halberstam which it probably the best NBA book. It follows the 1978 Portland Trail Blazers and gets way more access than anyone could get now. Plus Halberstam was a great writer so he gets the most out of excellent material.

The Last Shot by Darcy Frey this is probably my favorite basketball book. It follows high school basketball players and it works as biography as well as an exploration of sports culture, race, class, and youth. The Hoop Dreams of books. Great journalism on a great subject.

Freedarko's The Undisputed Guide to Basketball History Captures the visceral and intellectual thrill of watching basketball better than any other book. Manages to capture big picture and little picture.

Seven Seconds or Less Lifelong basketball writer follows one of the funnest teams in NBA history for a year


Pistol Biography of Pistol Pete and his insanely driven father. Manages the rare feat for a sports biography of not slipping into hagiography.


Baseball

Moneyball How baseball teams were run a decade ago. Really well written and somehow manages to make baseball and business really entertaining. Great for fans and non-fans.

Pistol the Life of Pete Maravich