One of the unforeseen aspects of the rise of computers in the publishing industries is that some books are getting bigger.

Because they can be.

A friend of mine in the industry once told me that it became much easier to write a mammoth publication when paragraphs could be bounced around the page like basketballs on the court. Since it's easier to put words in than take them out, it's only natural to see books on sale that are a heavy lift when carrying them out of the bookstore or when toted to your front door by the guy from Amazon.

That brings us to Roland Lazenby's book, "Magic."

This checks in at an impressive 832 pages. My edition was on Kindle, so no muscles were pulled in reading this book for a review. To be fair, there are some notes and a bibliography at the end, so the actual text probably under 800 pages. We're used to that when Robert Caro is writing about Lyndon Johnson, but basketball players usually don't get this sort of treatment.

Still, the subject of this book is Earvin "Magic" Johnson, and he's in rare air. Magic certainly ranks as one of the best basketball players in history - a unicorn as a 6-foot-9 point guard who could make opponents' victories disappear. Even better, his absolute joy in playing and his flamboyant style made him one of the few players in history that just everyone loved to watch. They didn't call the Lakers' style in the 1980s "Showtime!" for nothing.

Lazenby goes well back into the past in opening the story of Johnson's life, climbing the roots of the family tree back to the Old South. The Johnsons eventually landed in Lansing, Michigan. By the time Earvin was a couple of years into high school, everyone knew he could be something special - although it was difficult to know how special. What's more, Johnson's infectious personality was on display right from the start. As Lazenby writes about, Earvin played a role in helping schools get through some difficult times when it came to integration. Johnson even made some speeches to his classmates along the way.

The man who picked up the nickname of "Magic" along the way in high school opted to stay close to home in college by going to Michigan State. He played in one of the most famous basketball games in history in 1979, the NCAA final against Larry Bird and Indiana State. It was the start of a relationship hat would last a lifetime in various forms.

You probably know what happened from there. Johnson joined the Los Angeles Lakers, and helped them win an NBA title in 1980. The championships popped up regularly through the 1980, featuring some epic clashes with Bird's Celtics that did wonders for the NBA's image. But then Johnson tested positive for HIV, essentially and eventually cutting his career short. Magic moved into the business world, and perhaps surprisingly showed that he was a quick learner there too. Johnson's wealth is well into nine figures these days.

Lazenby certainly has the time and space to explore just about everything at length, and no one can dispute that the major moments of Johnson's life are fully covered. There are even quite a few "I didn't know that" moments that pop up along the way, and not all of them are flattering. Still, the author captures the player and his era quite nicely. That's not unexpected, since he's written a number of basketball books over the years, many of them on the Lakers in particular.

The last word about "Magic" comes down to a simple question. If you are intently interested in the life of this Hall of Fame, then you're sure to go through this book in its entirety with enthusiasm. As for the rest of us, we probably could have lost a couple of hundred pages without much difficulty - but it's still worth the read.

FIVE STARS! Magic: The Life of Earvin “Magic” Johnson by Roland Lazenby is a captivating and comprehensive biography that delves into the extraordinary journey of one of basketball's most iconic figures. Lazenby skillfully wove together the highs, lows, and controversies that defined Johnson's life both on and off the court.

Readers will love how vividly Lazenby portrays Magic Johnson's ascent from a young basketball prodigy to a global superstar. His infectious smile, dazzling no-look passes, and charismatic playing style transformed the NBA and elevated it to unprecedented heights. I also enjoy how the book takes readers behind the scenes of the Los Angeles Lakers during their legendary “Showtime” era. Magic's leadership, combined with his flair for entertainment, turned the Lakers into a basketball dynasty.

I love how Lazenby didn’t shy away from a tough topic. In 1991, Magic shocked the world by revealing his HIV-positive status. Lazenby explores this pivotal moment, shedding light on the impact it had on public awareness and Magic's own resilience. Lazenby takes readers beyond basketball, and into Magic's entrepreneurial journey that is equally compelling. From retirement to a triumphant return, he leveraged his legendary willpower to achieve new heights in business.

Lazenby's meticulous research and extensive interviews with coaches, teammates, opponents, and Magic himself create a rich story. The biography transcends individual achievement, offering insights into America's cultural shifts over three centuries. And you know I’m here for that kind of content!

I consider Magic: The Life of Earvin “Magic” Johnson is a must-read for sports enthusiasts, history buffs, and anyone curious about the man behind the legend. Lazenby's balanced portrayal captures Magic's brilliance, flaws, and enduring impact. Whether you're a basketball fan or not, this biography will leave you inspired and reflective.

This isn't just about basketball. This is a generational saga that mirrors the complexities of America. Dive into this remarkable biography and discover the magic that transcends the court.

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book is long. There was almost too much of a story before Magic's career and it took a while for me to get into it. I had to skip through a few chapters because I was more interested in reading about his career and success in business.

I am big Los angles lakers fans so when I got opportunity to read Magic the life of Earvin Magic Johnson I was so excited to read the book about greatest point guard, and I really like the book talking about his history is like his basketball career routine is done after basketball that he owns the part of the Dodgers and the football team to it all the stuff that he went through with having HIV, I thought this book was so good!!! If you a basketball fan you needs to read this book about one of the greatest Laker player to ever play the game of basketball.

“To see that kind of showboating basketball leaves the impression that it is all easy and natural, all God’s perfect gift. All …fun.”

But in the pages of this book there are plenty of stories, plenty of details that were not fun for the people involved yet will be extremely entertaining for readers.

Here’s a book that really surprised me with how interesting it was. I enjoy collegiate and pro sports, but fiction (from historical to YA) is my go-to genre. However, this author’s style of writing turned 704 (e-book) pages into a fast-paced tale of athletic skill, pride, jealousy, competition, love, and self-destructive excess. Going into this book, I was actually concerned that I’d have to say hey, you chose the wrong person for an ARC. But my preconceived idea was the only thing that was wrong, This was a 5 star read. Why? The author never spent too long on anyone one day or month or year or scandal, but just kept up a fast pace, unfolding astounding research in a conversational tone, uncovering all sorts of facts that truly propelled me through the pages.

No, the behavior of the real people mentioned in this book is not all admirable; I knew that much going in. However, this is so much more than the story of just one famous athlete. It’s an entire era of excess with some incredible inside information about the world of sports in general. Thank you NetGalley and Celadon Books for this experience!!

This is a really great and in depth biography that covers the fascinating life of Magic Johnson. Roland Lazenby, the author known for his fantastic biographies on Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan, once again delivers an outstanding read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone interested in basketball. Lazenby again stands out as the preeminent biographer of basketball's most legendary players.