• But Seriously

  • By: John McEnroe
  • Narrated by: John McEnroe
  • Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (378 ratings)

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But Seriously  By  cover art

But Seriously

By: John McEnroe
Narrated by: John McEnroe
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Publisher's summary

John McEnroe's long-awaited follow-up to his best seller.

He is one of the most controversial and beloved athletes in history, a tennis legend and a volcanic, mesmerizing presence. But after reaching the top of his game - what came next? Fifteen years after his international number-one best seller You Cannot Be Serious, John McEnroe is back and ready to talk.

Now the undisputed elder statesman of tennis, McEnroe has won over his critics as a brilliant commentator at the US Open, Wimbledon, and other Grand Slam tournaments - with outspoken views on the modern game, its top players, and the world of 21st-century sport and celebrity. Who are the game's winners and losers? What's it like playing guitar onstage with the Rolling Stones, hitting balls with today's greats, confronting his former on-court nemeses, getting scammed by an international art dealer, and raising a big family while balancing McEnroe-size expectations?

In But Seriously, John McEnroe confronts his demons and reveals his struggle to reinvent himself from champion and tennis legend to father, broadcaster, and author. The result is a richly personal account, blending anecdote and reflection with razor sharp and brutally honest opinions, all in McEnroe's signature style. This is the sports book of the year: wildly entertaining, very funny, surprisingly touching, and 100 percent McEnroe.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2017 John McEnroe (P)2017 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"An autobiography that's as gloriously colorful as [John McEnroe] is." ( San Diego Union-Tribune)

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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Listen Only Writing This For One Reason

Listened to this book on a roadtrip from MN to Cincinnati along with a Bob Gibson book and loved it. Only one problem where is JM’s 1st book on Audible? You Cannot Be Serious, get the d**m book on Audible.

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5 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Too much reference to his second wife and kids

I was more interested about his life as a tennis player and the world of competitive tennis than his family life.

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4 people found this helpful

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Seriously a good read!

Love the game of tennis. Watched McEnroe play and always enjoyed and really enjoyed remembering through his eyes.

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3 people found this helpful

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Seriously quite surprised

I really had a good time listening to the book. I am the same age as McEnroe and follow tennis. I love the sport. I won my own local titles. His book really appeals to me b/c it dispels the perceptions you have of people and the human traits that make up all of us

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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The Real Johnny Mac

This is an interesting look at John McEnroe the man and his life. The book is not purely reliving the glory days on the court during his prime. In fact it is the opposite. Usually I fade in and out of audiobooks, but not this one. Interesting life of a colorful American icon.

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Seriously, This Is Worth Reading

Listening to this book was a fascinating trip into John McEnroe's egocentric but absolutely entitled view of the world as one of the most successful tennis players of our generation. Having read autobiographies of rock stars and actors, I was a little surprised by how many really famous people McEnroe considers his close friends. However he is still a father of six grown children, trying hard to be loving, and firm while sharing many of the same problems facing other parents (who aren't multimillionaires!). While I found the book a little hard to listen to, since I had been used to only listening to John McEnroe when he was broadcasting during exciting tennis matches. I found his story to be be incredibly compelling. And after I finished listening to "But Seriously", I bought a hard copy of his earlier book, You Cannot Be Serious to refresh my memory of his early life, marriage to Tatum O' Neal and his extraordinary tennis career. I'm not sure if his earlier book is on Audible but I'd recommend reading them both!

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  • 08-24-18

A hero for my age

John McEnroe was an inspiration for me growing up. Being from a small town and being a tennis player in a football town/state I had a little attitude but not nearly as much ambition as Mr. McEnroe but listening to how he grew up and learned his life lessons in his own words and voice was enormously wonderful for me. Listening to this gives me hope I might accomplish a few of my later dreams. This gives insight into family, sports, dreams, and even the things we wish we could do but know we can't. Thank you so much for sharing Mac!

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Excellent... and SO authentically McEnroe!

I'm a fan of his commentating and am pleased to learn more about him. he is right... that he will always and first be known for his bad behavior on the court and i did my share of tsk tsk-ing. I thoroughly enjoyed listening - and yes- he is not the best reader. But whi cares!? He is authentic and a had led a remarkable life.

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McEnroe at His Best

If you love listening to John McEnroe share stories as a TV commentator - You will absolutely love this book!

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completely useless

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I don't know who can enjoy this book. No story and awful narrating.

Has But Seriously turned you off from other books in this genre?

Almost.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

J Mac is the narrator. Naturally and as a commentator, he is very knowledgeable and charismatic. That's why I bought the book. But JMac doesn't know how to narrate a book. , He is almost shouting and screaming at the listener. Since there is no substance to the book, this becomes really annoying.

What character would you cut from But Seriously?

No one is really useful in this book.

Any additional comments?

I don't recommend this book. Not all tennis players are meant to be writers.

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1 person found this helpful