{"title":"Mike Sielski","description":"\u003cp\u003eDiscover the compelling works of Mike Sielski, a celebrated author known for his ability to weave intricate human stories against the backdrop of sports history. Specialising in Biography \u0026amp; Memoir, Sielski brings to life the nuanced journeys of remarkable individuals, offering readers a profound and engaging experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmong his notable works is \u003cem\u003eThe Rise\u003c\/em\u003e, a deeply researched and heartwarming story that delves into the early life of a legendary sports figure. Sielski's writing not only documents achievements but also offers insights into the personal battles and triumphs that shape these figures into icons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMike Sielski’s books are perfect for readers who appreciate detailed biographies that are both informative and emotionally resonant. Explore his collection to gain an understanding of the extraordinary lives behind some of sports' greatest legends.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-rise","title":"The Rise","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Rise\u003c\/em\u003e is a fascinating look at Kobe Bryant's early life and how he became regarded as one of basketball's greatest ever players. Kobe Bryant is a legend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eKobe Bryant's death in January 2020 did more than rattle the worlds of sports and celebrity. It took the tragedy of that helicopter crash to reveal the full breadth and depth of Kobe's influence, and by tracing and telling the oft-forgotten and lesser-known story of his early life, \u003cem\u003eThe Rise\u003c\/em\u003e promises to provide an unparalleled insight into Kobe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eThe Rise\u003c\/em\u003e, readers will travel from the cracked concrete basketball courts of Philadelphia in the 1960s and 70s—where Kobe's father, Joe, became a playground, college and professional standout—to the majesty and isolation of Europe, where Kobe spent his formative years, and to the leafy suburbs of Lower Merion, where Kobe's legend was born.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe story will culminate with his leading Lower Merion to the 1995-96 Pennsylvania state championship—a true underdog run for a team with just one star player, Kobe—and with the 1996 NBA draft, where Kobe's dream of playing pro basketball culminated with his acquisition by the Los Angeles Lakers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn researching and writing \u003cem\u003eThe Rise\u003c\/em\u003e, Mike Sielski had a terrific advantage over other writers who have attempted to chronicle Kobe's life: access to a series of never-before-released interviews with him during his senior season and early days in the NBA. For a quarter-century, these tapes and transcripts preserved Kobe's thoughts, dreams and goals from his teenage years, and they contained insights into him and told stories about him that have never been revealed before.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis will be beyond a mere basketball book. This will be an exploration of the making of an icon and the effect of his development on those around him—the essence of the man before he truly became a man.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Macmillan Publishers New Zealand Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45719515562220,"sku":"9781529096033","price":39.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781529096033.jpg?v=1726129675"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/mike-sielski.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}