A Journey The Autobiography of Apolo Anton Ohno
Ohno, an Olympic gold medalist for short track speed skating, may have been one of the hottest stars of the 2002 Winter Games, but this disjointed, poorly executed account of his career may leave readers cold. At the outset of his journey, 19-year-old Ohno gushes about some of his idols-Lance Armstrong, Muhammad Ali-and confesses his hope that he can become a similarly positive role model for kids. But the narrative, as it chronicles Ohno's rise to an elite level in athletics, is rambling and often repetitious-paragraphs from the prologue are reproduced verbatim later in the book, without apparent reason; Ohno's frequent praise of his father and supportive friends, doctors and coaches takes on the enumerative quality of many award-acceptance speeches. Many teens will relate to Ohno's personal struggles as well as his rebellious attitude and to the clashes he has had with authority on the road to greatness. But unfortunately, the co-authors fail to convey much realistic emotion nor do they capture the you-are-there excitement of this fast-paced sport. Includes an eight-page inset of color photos. Ages 12-up.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.