As a young Caucasian man, I would never claim to understand Allen Iverson's meteoric rise from a dilapidated home in Newport News to the sparkling arenas of the NBA. Surely Iverson, his unique talent notwithstanding, has faced and cleared obstacles I cannot even fathom, obstacles to which so many have succumb. No, it is only those dominated by arrogance and pride who write off Allen Iverson as a thug, a threat, a disaster, a "them." Having read this book, though, I am content to trade whatever pride and arrogance I have for a new vision of Allen Iverson that transcends the "worst days" his critics are so quick to cite.

This book is looking for Iverson's core, digging deeper than Sportscenter highlight reels and police blotters. A careful reading reveals that there is more to Allen Iverson than cornrows, tattoos, snarls, and jumpers, even while each of these points to the man behind them. Indeed, if one wants to know anything of Allen Iverson, this book leaves you with one thought: no one loves like this man.

Iverson loves the game others claim he is destroying. Only love could score 20 points with a broken hand. More than that, Iverson loves his friends and family. So many have denigrated his "posse" as a distraction or a poor influence. This book, though, tells of a shared concern and loyalty between Iverson and his friends that existed long before the NBA millions and will surely survive his withdrawal from the spotlight. The importance of this love to Iverson's life cannot be overstated, but that's not the story you'll read in any newspaper.

You will find that passion in the pages of Larry Platt's book, and it is a passion with which everyone can sympathize. I do not know Allen Iverson. I know only what I could pull out of this book. Still, I know enough to declare that there are shades of Iverson we all could do well to find within ourselves. Far from painting Iverson as a model citizen, Platt's book does the next best thing: it paints him as a human being. For that reason, it is a worthy read.

Platt's biography is a compelling read. It's not something that you want to put down. Nevertheless, it paints and incomplete and too favorable picture of Allen Iverson. While Iverson is a tremendous player, all of his coaches and teammates have acknowledged that he has made some mistakes, particularly with his spotty attendance of practice and shootarounds. Nevertheless, Platt seems to make excuses for all of AI's screwups. Whenever he mentions that Iverson doesn't attend practice, makes a foolish financial decision, disrespects his coach, undermines his teammates, etc., he writes it off as a product of Iverson's tough upbringing or desire to "keep it real." While Iverson's difficult childhood certainly created some incredible obstacles, Platt goes out of his way to explain away the star's mistakes. The book gives a great inside look, but it almost seems as if Platt wants to become one of Iverson's inner circle and this novel sucks up to the superstar way too much. It's worth reading, but if you're a knowledgeable sports fan, you'll easily recognize that Pratt is way too generous.