From the Publisher
Praise for But Seriously
"A brutally honest memoir in which [McEnroe] writes with characteristic brazenness about the sport, broadcasting and fatherhood."—CBS News
"Tennis fans... will not be disappointed.... With his signature irreverence, tempered just a bit by age, McEnroe serves up a juicy, revealing look at how his tennis afterlife is playing out off the court."—Kirkus
"McEnroe has successfully commoditized the anger and artistry that made him one of the most charismatic champions in tennis history."—Joel Drucker, San Francisco Chronicle
"Vintage McEnroe... [he] appears nostalgic and even reflective on some of his past behavior and comments, especially when it comes to issues with his family.... the most tender and vulnerable moments in the book arrive when McEnroe writes about not being appreciative enough of his late father, his son Kevin's arrest for alleged cocaine possession (which turned out to be baking soda) and his own battles with drug use."—Kelyn Soong, The Washington Post
"[McEnroe] is brutally honest about his mellowing life and his ever-evolving career in this second entertaining literary foray."—The Winnipeg Free Press
"An entertaining account of his life."—Toronto Star
Praise for You Cannot Be Serious
"An autobiography that's as gloriously colorful as [John McEnroe] is."—San Diego Union-Tribue
Library Journal
06/01/2017
In his second memoir, famed tennis player McEnroe shares his personal and professional experiences since his first book, You Cannot Be Serious. While he rehashes some stories from his playing days—notably his 1980 Wimbledon final versus longtime rival Bjorn Borg—he mostly delves into his life as a tennis commentator, art collector, and gallery owner as well as an actor who frequently plays himself in commercials, TV shows, and films. The athlete explains how his on-court antics in the 1970s and 1980s are still tied to his image, and he labors to differentiate himself from this persona. After relating how his family has dealt with the (at times) heavy mantle of the McEnroe name, the tennis star examines the maxim that athletes die twice, with the first death being retirement. His stories of playing in various senior events are fascinating as they show that these athletes still take their game seriously and mightily try to "rage, rage against the dying of the light." VERDICT With a conversational voice, McEnroe welcomes us into his world. Essential for any tennis fan.—Brian Renvall, Mesalands Community Coll., Tucumcari, NM
JULY 2017 - AudioFile
John McEnroe has such an animated voice that it would be difficult to imagine anyone other than him narrating his audiobook. His blunt account of his interests, perspectives and—yes, opinions—comes through loud and clear. The operative word is “loud.” Occasionally, it sounds as if the former tennis great is yelling, which can at times be annoying but it’s never boring. Much of the book centers on life off the courts—with his wife Patty Smyth, who narrates several sections; his art investments; his family; and more. One topic weaves into the next, and it’s not overdone. Biography fans will enjoy this vantage of one of tennis’ most colorful figures. M.B. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine
