Wilt: Larger than Life
Encyclopedia
Wilt: Larger Than Life is a biography of deceased NBA basketball Hall-of-Fame Wilt Chamberlain
, written by journalist Robert Cherry. The 416-page book was published in November 2004 by Triumph Books. The foreword is written by Jerry West
, Chamberlain's team mate and friend on the Los Angeles Lakers
. It is the only biography of Wilt Chamberlain to be released after his death.
The book chronogically spans the entire life of Wilt Chamberlain, starting with his roots in middle class Philadelphia, highlights his rise to young basketball prodigy in Overbrook high school and at Kansas University, follows his entire NBA career as member of the Warriors, Sixers and Lakers franchises and his successful business life afterwards up to his death. Cherry also gives room for the more colorful aspects of Chamberlain's private life, most prominently his notorious claim to have slept with 20,000 women.
In the final "Acknowledgements" chapter, Cherry gives credit to over 250 interview partners, and acknowledges Chamberlain's lawyer Sy Goldberg, his sister Barbara Lewis (née Chamberlain) and close personal friends Lynda Huey, Zelda Spoelstra, Sonny Hill and Bob Billings as main sources.
has been appreciative of the book. It calls it "a solid biography for any sports collection", "addresses the misconception [that Chamberlain was perennially called a loser]", and "also gives enough, but not too much, attention to Chamberlain's ill-considered, though possibly accurate, boast that he'd slept with some 20,000 women."
Wilt Chamberlain
Wilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain was an American professional NBA basketball player for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers; he also played for the Harlem Globetrotters prior to playing in the NBA...
, written by journalist Robert Cherry. The 416-page book was published in November 2004 by Triumph Books. The foreword is written by Jerry West
Jerry West
Jerry Alan West is a retired American basketball player who played his entire professional career for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . His nicknames include "Mr...
, Chamberlain's team mate and friend on the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
. It is the only biography of Wilt Chamberlain to be released after his death.
The book chronogically spans the entire life of Wilt Chamberlain, starting with his roots in middle class Philadelphia, highlights his rise to young basketball prodigy in Overbrook high school and at Kansas University, follows his entire NBA career as member of the Warriors, Sixers and Lakers franchises and his successful business life afterwards up to his death. Cherry also gives room for the more colorful aspects of Chamberlain's private life, most prominently his notorious claim to have slept with 20,000 women.
In the final "Acknowledgements" chapter, Cherry gives credit to over 250 interview partners, and acknowledges Chamberlain's lawyer Sy Goldberg, his sister Barbara Lewis (née Chamberlain) and close personal friends Lynda Huey, Zelda Spoelstra, Sonny Hill and Bob Billings as main sources.
Reception
BooklistBooklist
Booklist is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. It is geared toward libraries and booksellers and is available in print or online...
has been appreciative of the book. It calls it "a solid biography for any sports collection", "addresses the misconception [that Chamberlain was perennially called a loser]", and "also gives enough, but not too much, attention to Chamberlain's ill-considered, though possibly accurate, boast that he'd slept with some 20,000 women."