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This Is Me: The Autobiography
by
Ian Thorpe
Ian Thorpe's achievements in the water are nothing short of phenomenal. He has won a record-holding eleven World Championship titles and ten Commonwealth Games gold medals. He has broken twenty-two world records and won five gold, three silver and one bronze Olympic medals. Having been under the spotlight since he was a young teenager, Thorpe retired from competitive swimm
...more
Kindle Edition
,
336 pages
Published
October 24th 2012
by Simon & Schuster UK
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Community Reviews
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If you are a fan of Ian Thorpe and/or swimming this book will suit just fine however without knowing anything about swimming or his career this will not work. Here's the wiki page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Thorpe
Personally I think he is the best technical swimmer there is. His movement in the water is like art. He was like a fish or a merman even around 15 when I first saw his swimming so when he suddenly retired too early he seemed worn down. This book shows how he fell in love with the ...more
Personally I think he is the best technical swimmer there is. His movement in the water is like art. He was like a fish or a merman even around 15 when I first saw his swimming so when he suddenly retired too early he seemed worn down. This book shows how he fell in love with the ...more
This book is part biography, part diary. It details Ian Thorpe's attempt to gain selection in the Australian Swimming Team competing at the London 2012 Olympics, but also recounts various events in his life as an elite swimmer.
The first chapter is dated '1 August 2011' and the last '26 July 2012'. Each chapter begins with a diary-like entry outlining Thorpe's attempts to recapture his elite level swimming form after a break of four years. Each chapter then turns into a reminiscence about events ...more
The first chapter is dated '1 August 2011' and the last '26 July 2012'. Each chapter begins with a diary-like entry outlining Thorpe's attempts to recapture his elite level swimming form after a break of four years. Each chapter then turns into a reminiscence about events ...more
Perhaps overly technical in parts, but Ian certainly needed to write this book to set the record straight. This is his gift to many of our children with sporting aspirations whether in swimming or not. It's a gift to many of the parents of these children as well. This is Ian's message to the media and how the invasion of privacy and the constant intrusion can affect someone mentally. A person who is personable and gregarious can barely manage the strain of media scrutiny so it is a lonely road w
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I am beginner swimmer and wanted some inspiration off the pool and picked up this book at my local library. I read a few reviews on the book and knew it was a part diary part memoir. Although I was looking for technical aspects of swimming in parts, I was quite open to what it had to offer and was eager to hear Thorpe talk.
For some reason I really liked the very first line of the book where Thorpe says that he has come to a conclusion that he can never win against water and one day he will sink. ...more
For some reason I really liked the very first line of the book where Thorpe says that he has come to a conclusion that he can never win against water and one day he will sink. ...more
I liked him before and after reading this - I still like him. It's a frank and honest account of his comeback that didn't happen. Or at least didn't happen when people wanted it to happen.
I was lucky enough to see Mr Thorpe in person during the London 2012 Olympics at he willingly gave his time for a masterclass type session with children and adult swimmers down at Tooting Lido. I've nothing but admiration for the guy... well, alright - maybe there's a secret crush - but its a healthy one!
I do recommend you watch his documentary film ' The Swimmer' - its brilliantly shot by two of his friends, and an intriguing portrait of such a talented person. I felt that this book is a more ...more
I do recommend you watch his documentary film ' The Swimmer' - its brilliantly shot by two of his friends, and an intriguing portrait of such a talented person. I felt that this book is a more ...more
Sep 13, 2014
Paul
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
autobiography
,
sports-swimming
I really liked this book. At first I thought it was just Ian Thorpe recollecting his memories about his races, but then as I read on, I found this book more about his comeback and also his thoughts and feelings which I thought was really good. i think the balance between swimming and his personal life was also very well done. Definitely a good read.
This book is so technical that it was struggle to read, if it wasn't for this I would have enjoyed the book much more. It was really good to read the reasons behind things that are assumed by the media. Ian Thorpe will always be a champion Australian swimmer in my opinion despite any unproven claims of drug use, his not so successful comeback and least of all his sexuality.
I was a big fan of Ian Thorpe in the glory of his swimming career. I liked this book but, for me, it focused a little too much on the technicalities of his swimming comeback and not enough on Thorpe, as a person. I completely understand somebody wanting to be private but, if one is going to write an autobiography, I think the privacy veil needs to be dropped a little more. But, I appreciated the insights we did get through the book and I greatly admire many aspects of Ian Thorpe's character.
Started respecting the athletes more after reading this book . Sorry to see Ian Thorpe in such a state now .
At only 14 years of age, Ian Thorpe became the youngest male swimmer to represent Australia and the youngest ever individual male world champion.
In this engaging and raw autobiography, Ian Thorpe writes about his upbringing and early swimming days in Milperra in Sydney, to being an Olympic Champion and World Record holder.
This is an honest and refreshing autobiography, in which Ian describes the events that shaped and changed his life and career and the reasons for his retirement at 24 years ol ...more
In this engaging and raw autobiography, Ian Thorpe writes about his upbringing and early swimming days in Milperra in Sydney, to being an Olympic Champion and World Record holder.
This is an honest and refreshing autobiography, in which Ian describes the events that shaped and changed his life and career and the reasons for his retirement at 24 years ol ...more
This was a great autobiography. Particularly as I am a swimmer so the technical parts of the book were really insightful and I can relate to some of his stories. I thought it was well written and gave a good insight into thorpy as a person, I was genuinely interested in his life story and the events he describes. I thought he came across as someone very personable and a likable guy. I thought he'd had a tough life with the media, which was a shame, who knows where his career would of ended up ot
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Thorpe's autobiography follows him all the way from his childhood in Sydney right up to the London Olympics. This is a man who has had highs and lows away from the pool, who has led an extraordinary life of an elite athlete that most of us will never know, who has faced up to his own demons, and who has the courage to come back and stake his claim for the ultimate goal once more. Overall it was an easy read that was very interesting and inspired me to get back into swimming myself!
Hmm I was glad Ian wrote this book as it gave me insight into his life. It was brave of him to discuss his struggle with depression and the pressure of being in the public eye. However the book was quite long and I felt he kept repeating topics, especially the gay thing and the relentless media. I actually found the herald's article about him before the book came out more revealing and interesting than the actual book. Overall a worthwhile read though.
I loved the way this book progresses through the months leading up to the London Olympics but also through Ian's life before that. Ian has achieved magnificently in the pool & appears to be man of generous spirit. It is sad that despite (or because of) his achievements the press can't leave him alone. I commend Ian for his openness about his alcohol & depression & hope that the future brings him peace & happiness
Ian Thorpe - I was surprised at his knowledge world affairs and impressed by his intelligence. I have read quite a few sporting autobiographies, but although I enjoyed this one and finished it quite quickly, it didn't grab me like I thought it would. I didn't like him chopping and changing themes in his writing. That said, I am eagerly awaiting Barcelona 2013 World Championships to see what he can do!
great read. Ian is such a incredible talented humble and down to earth person. has lived an extraordinary life. He is a great role model to all Australian. this book details the hardship of being so young and talented and living constantly in the spotlight. He also uses his status and power to help others which is an inspiration to all.
Always loved and admired Thorpey. Was interesting to read his perspective, but he was already preaching to the converted. Where it struck a chord, when it possibly won't with others, was his account of some of his personal issues. I breathed out. Every little bit helps. Thanks Ian.
Good sporting autobiography from an outstanding champion and with the extra twist of the comeback to the sport. Found it at times repeating itself on subject matter but a good read and highlighting the pressures, outside the pool, that he faced.
Some great insight into what makes a champion tick. However, the book is too long by a third. Just a little too much repetition. Has made me appreciate his performances a lot more.
I enjoyed this book, it made me appreciate Ian so much more and made me realise how much he put up with during his prime years and beyond.
Not the best prose.. But if u get swimming & are a fan, its hard to put away.
A lovely read!
