Shaq Uncut

Shaq Uncut gives readers an insight into his life since he was a child, up until his retirement from the NBA. Shaq Uncut was written by Shaquille with the assistive help of ESPN analyst Jackie Macmullan. The autobiography takes the readers back to Shaquille’s infant years and explores Shaq’s rough upbringing. The book describes the impact of Shaq’s biological father not being present, and how it affected him later on in his life. The book goes on to tell the story of Shaq’s stepfather in the crucial impact he had on Shaq’s upbringing, and it also gives an insight into how Shaquille received his discipline. The autobiography goes on to analyze Shaq’s High School dominance and his eventual college decision and the controversy that surrounded it. The book goes on to explore Shaq’s 3-year tenure at Louisiana State University and the struggles he faced while he attended the school. Shaq’s decision to forgo his senior year of college to enter the 1992 NBA Draft, Is well documented by the book. The book goes on to explore the draft and his eventual arrival to Orlando. Shaq Would go to win the rookie of the year(An award given to the most outstanding 1st Year player annually.)He would also go on to have one of the greatest rookie seasons in the history of the NBA. Shaq’s next few years in Orlando were a rollercoaster ride of emotions. The book goes on to explain Shaquille's departure from Orlando and the dramatic process that preceded it. The book explores Shaq's 8 Year tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers and his dynamic relationship with the late great Kobe Bryant. At the time Shaq arrived at the Lakers Kobe was just a 17-year-old rookie who was unproven. The book goes on to explain how He and Shaq would develop together and create the greatest dynamic duo in the league’s history. The duo of Shaq and Kobe would go on to win 3 consecutive titles in 2000,2001 and 2002. Even after the duo split in 2004, Shaquille had good words to say about his former Teammate. “Everything Kobe is doing now, he told me back then he was going to do.… ‘I’m going to be the Will Smith of the NBA’’ (Oneal,248). Shaq would go on to retire in 2011, after creating a lasting legacy through not only his dominant play but also through his larger than life persona, and this book does an excellent job of illustrating that. 

I enjoyed this autobiography because it gives me a background look into Shaq's life and his thought process during those important moments in his life. The book also gives newfound information, that previous to this book was unknown. The target audience for this book would be basketball fans or fans of sports in general. I Believe any fan of basketball fans of Shaq would thoroughly enjoy this autobiography, because it gives us readers an inside look in Shaquille's mind throughout his personal life, and playing career.  This is the book that any Shaq fan has been longing for. If you are a true basketball fan, this is the book for you. This book gives background to key moments in NBA History, such as the Lakers 3 peat and Shaq's arrival to the league. 

In conclusion, Shaq uncut is the perfect uncensored, unfiltered and uncondensed autobiography for any basketball fan. This book gives readers an in-depth look at Shaq's personal life as well as his iconic playing career.

Book Review by Quamere J.

I Am Malala

The book I read this trimester is called “I am Malala”. This book is about a girl who stood up for the rights of women to learn education in any country. She was born July 12, 1997 in Pakistan, a country that people have issue’s with their military (taliban). She grew up in a small area called Mingora, where a lot people were poor and couldn't afford a book or a pencil. Malala usually use to write her notes on her hand because her family didn't had a lot money.

When Malala was 14, she learned that the taliban wanted to harm her and her father. One day in swat, Malala and her friends came from school and were riding a school bus. A guy (taliban) entered the bus carrying “Ak 47” and demanded to know which girl was Malala. When her friends looked toward Malala, her location was given to the man. The taliban fired at her, hitting in the left side of her head, then the bullet then traveled down her neck.

Malala was taken away from her country, and went to England for hospital. While she was in the coma, she started to write words, to make conversation with the Doctor, because she was shot on the left side of her head. Several months later she left the hospital, and she founded a house in Birmingham. Few months later Malala was awarded the Nobel peace prize; She was the youngest to win it.

Book Review by Abdullahi H.

I Am Malala

The title of the book is “I am Malala”. The author who wrote the book is Malala Yousafzai with patricia McCormick. It is based on the New York Bestseller.

“I am Malala” is the first book that  Malala Yousafzai , the author, have ever written. Malala’s purpose of writing this book is to support girl’s education, she acknowledged young girls to stand up for their rights to have an education and encourage girls to take actions to make the world a better place. Malala was born in Pakistan, on July 12, 1997, like other Pakistani girls,  at a young age she was informed that girls weren't be able to go to school. Pakistani believes that males are more superior than women, therefore, males tends to be have power in society because they are simply born as a male. Compare to males, when girls need leave the house, they need to be escorted by men whom must be a family member and cover their faces and hair with cloths . Although most girls can't  go to school Malala is a few of those who are able go and continue to work hard for her education. One way that Malala have use her knowledge to help other women was when the Taliban was terrorizing and taking over Shangala, a district located in Pakistan. She was able to help because a lot of struggle comes from the fact that women weren't be able to read or understand the Taliban. Many women were being killed because they could not express their feelings about the Taliban or help with the Taliban campaign. Many schools and houses were destroyed by the Taliban so “Madam Maryam and my father worked with us on essays and speeches in which we expressed our feelings about the Taliban’s campaign to destroy girls schools and about how much our own school meant to us.” (pg.70) as Malala stated in her book. Malala is very brave for action and on October 9, 2012 when Malala was 15, something tragic happened. She got shot in the head while riding the bus home from school, and few were expected her to survive. Instead Malala miraculously recovered. At the age of 16 she become a global symbol of a peaceful protest and the youngest nominee ever win the Nobel peace prize. Malala is a hero figure to many, but one that she consider as a hero is a dad. It is not very common for a father living in Pakistan to encourage their daughter to attend school, and motivate her everyday to read and write. Her father believes in her to change the world and she is was able to help others to believe in themselves to do the same thing, by simply getting an education like Malala have said “One child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world.”

I really recommended this book to everyone who can't find an interesting book to read. Its is very interesting even though this book seem thick but when you start reading it you don't want to stop reading it.

Book Review by Tran N.