Open: An Autobiography Book

Finished "Open" last night. I realize I'm way late to the party, this book having come out in Nov. '09, but I'm not really a non-fiction book reader. I'm still very glad to have read this, Andre's story.
Why should I, or we, care? Why should anyone at all, tennis fan or not, care about Andre Agassi's life, let alone buy his book? Because this isn't just the "story" of a tennis player or just a story at all. Andres life covers a lot of real estate, both literally and figuratively. From Las Vegas to the great cities of the world. From obscure beginnings to dining and dancing and romancing with the world's rich and famous. A struggle played out in the most public of ways, laid on the big stage of life for all to see. Behind the classic court-side battles were more personal ones, deeper struggles, ones we all face. And at the end of the day, like Andre', we all hope to chalk up more wins than losses and to have left it all on the court, to not have been able to fight harder than we did. Such is this story. Certainly a reluctant and uncomfortable hero, but a hero none -the-less. Not bad, all from hitting a fuzzy neon colored ball.
Ok, now that we're past the obvious stuff let's get down to it.
I recall many times, watching Andre play on the tennis court, sometimes winning, sometimes losing. Most of the time it was clear he was giving his all, others, not so clear. Always cheering for him, no matter what, I look back on those memories wishing I knew then what I know now. If I had I would have been his biggest fan, bar none. In many ways, on a lot of levels, Andre became the poster boy of overcoming adversity, both physical and emotional, for many people around the world, including me. He himself may not have, we may not have, shared in the complete knowledge of this during his great career but instinctively I believe millions knew. I know I did. How else can you explain the love so many, some of whom weren't even really tennis fans, had for this kid, and still do?
No, this is so much more than a story of a tennis player. It's a true life tale of what it's all about and the bonus, the frosting on a very large cake, is that it has a happy ending. An ending that will go on for generations and never really end.
The good, the bad and the ugly. It's all here. Truthfully told by a reluctant superstar with the heart of a lion and the soul of a champion. I can't recommend this book enough. You will reflect on your own life, all the way back to the beginning. The wins, the losses, the highs and the lows in life are best faced full on, with focus, and being ready - to return serve. Hit harder!

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I started "Open" last night, not sure what to expect. Immediately I was struck by Andre's wit, intelligence and determination to put down his story in the clearest and most truthful terms. This book is much more than just another auto-bio from a celebrity athlete, though that certainly is a major element within it, but it's a razor sharp articulate full throttle story of one of the greatest athletes of our time, and, his fearless narration of life in his shoes. So far I am gripped, at 50 or so pages in, by Andre's brutal honesty and unflinching candor. It's almost as if he's looking at himself along with us as he speaks about his views and thoughts on his storied career and life, personally and professionally. His ability to recall detail of events from his entire 36 years, his career and his deepest thoughts is absolutely amazing!
If you, like me, have seen this book listed online or stood gazing at the startling cover photo on the book rack at the store and wondered if it would be worth buying, well, DON'T WONDER! I'm telling you it IS! Listen to me - I'm a hardcore action thriller fan, writer and reader. Rarely do I read non-fic, let alone auto-bio anything and I'm a hard sell when it comes to celeb's talking about themselves in any capacity since I myself grew up in pro sports and showbiz, in and around this type of individual. The first thing that'll hit you is his intelligence level and transparent, honest sense of himself, a very rare combo for an athlete or celebrity of his caliber. Yet, there is also an innocent unawareness of himself Andre doesn't see when he looks in the mirror that will make your heart break for him and scream your head off cheering for him, just like we did when he was playing. You'll see parts of yourself in him, and parts of him in you, and it'll kick your ass.
Stay tuned Agassi fans, more soon about this riveting book!