Open: An Autobiography

I just today finished Andre Agassi's autobiography. I have enjoyed watching Andre play for years, so I suggested to my wife that I would like to have the book for Christmas. She didn't disappoint me. If a book does not keep my interest, I will seldom finish the book. I didn't have a problem keeping interest in this book

The book is well written. Andre had help from a Pulitzer Prize winning writer. The book opens with an account of one of Agassi's last matches in the 2006 US Open. The description of the match caught me. I am not sure it will catch everyone, especially if other readers don't know tennis.  This is a book for those who have watched professional tennis. I have watched the top players for years. I remember watching Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, Arthur Ashe, and Stan Smith. Agassi is certainly up there with some of the greatest who have played the game.

I think Agassi does grow up a lot throughout the course of the book. If I were in his position, I am not sure I would have done a whole lot better with my choices. His comments on other players is interesting. What is most interesting is his introspection. All his self doubt and the trust he puts in other people around him surprises me.

I come away from the book feeling that my life has not been so nearly dramatic as Andre's. He is an extremely emotional person. I guess I will take my more predictable life  over his tumultuous one.

In his acknowledgments Andre describes the process of producing his book. He indicates how hard the work was in drafting, drafting and redrafting the book. He is thankful for his editors and first readers for feedback. I try so hard to show my students that good writing means rewriting and rewriting. It means collaborating with people to make it the best writing possible.