This is me, Ian Thorpe, The Autobiography

 This is me, Ian Thorpe, The Autobiography

Reviewed By  Tania Hawkins       October 7, 2013

 

Author  Ian Thorpe and Robert Wainwright

Distributor:     
ISBN:                 978-1-47110-123-6
Publisher:         Simon & Schuster
Release Date:    

Website:    http://www.simonandschuster.com.au 

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An interesting read into the life of a professional swimmer.  The hardships, challenges and sheer strength of will required.

This biography takes you along with Ian in his battle to return to the pool after 4 years of retirement, with the possibility of representing Australia once again on the Olympic level within 18 months.  A massive task for anyone, and doubly so for our ‘Thorpie’ who was doing it with the eyes of the world on him.

Ian explains that he quit not because he didn’t like swimming anymore, but because he didn’t like what it had become for him. Ian felt that his career was taken over by others and that he had no control over his own life.

 Not really surprising when you consider that at the age of 14 when most kids are living the normal Australian life, Ian was representing Australia and becoming the youngest ever individual male world champion.

On his 28th birthday, on 13th October 2010, Ian returned to the pool.

From the year of 2011 to 2012, Ian takes us along with him in his quest to return to the pool.  Amongst the hardship of getting fit and comfortable in the pool again, Ian also delves into some of his past.  Introducing us to who he really is, beyond the public persona. We meet his family and get some understanding of the strain they all experienced with his fame, along with the strong family connection they have, and how this is what helped Ian fight his demons.

For anyone interested in swimming as a sport this is a great read. Yet for those of us who have no real interest in the sport at all, this is simply a wonderful and inspirational read about a young kid with talent, who became a man with the entire world watching, and who happened to win medals representing his country, simply for doing something he loved.

Well done Robert Wainwright in writing this story for us all to enjoy.  In giving us a look into Ian’s life and allowing us a peek through the window of his soul.

Biographies, Non Fiction