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You Can't Make This Up
- Miracles, Memories, and the Perfect Marriage of Sports and Television
- Narrated by: Al Michaels, Ray Porter
- Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins
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Publisher's Summary
In this highly entertaining and insightful memoir, one of television’s most respected broadcasters interweaves the story of his life and career with lively firsthand tales of some of the most thrilling events and fascinating figures in modern sports.
No sportscaster has covered more major sporting events than Al Michaels. Over the course of his forty-plus year career, he has logged more hours on live network television than any other broadcaster in history, and is the only play-by-play commentator to have covered all four major sports championships: the Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Finals, and the Stanley Cup Final. He has also witnessed first-hand some of the most memorable events in modern sports, and in this highly personal and revealing account, brings them vividly to life.
Michaels shares never-before-told stories from his early years and his rise to the top, covering some of the greatest moments of the past half century - from the “Miracle on Ice” - the historic 1980 Olympic hockey finals - to the earthquake that rocked the 1989 World Series. Some of the greatest names on and off the field are here - Michael Jordan, Bill Walton, Pete Rose, Bill Walsh, Peyton and Eli Manning, Brett Favre, John Madden, Howard Cosell, Cris Collinsworth, and many, many more.
Forthright and down-to-earth, Michaels tells the truth as he sees it, giving listeners unique insight into the high drama, the colorful players, and the heroes and occasional villains of an industry that has become a vital part of modern culture.
What listeners say about You Can't Make This Up
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Shortfellow
- 11-30-14
Great, everything I hoped for, but...
Any additional comments?
...a major disappointment that Al didn't read the whole book. The other narrator is just fine (except for his penchant for reading a score of 4-3 as "four and three"). Al's voice is so familiar, the stories he tells are so associated with him personally, that to have someone else read most of it is a letdown. Fortunately, Al himself read the "Miracle" chapter.
7 people found this helpful
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- JW
- 12-16-14
A Fantastic Book...Simply Fantastic !
If you could sum up You Can't Make This Up in three words, what would they be?
A treasure chest of stories, experiences and behind the scenes views of a remarkable person and career. An amazing book.
What does Al Michaels and Ray Porter bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Ray Porter does such a good job narrating most of the book, you feel like it's Al Michaels speaking.
Any additional comments?
If you're a sports fan, especially in your 50's, you'll feel like your on a wonderful path down memory lane. Even if you're not in your 50's, the stories and behind the scenes perspectives of some of our greatest sports events are fantastic. I recommended this book to a young man I work with and my son, both young men, they loved it.There's also a very interesting glimpse of network sports programming. I highly recommend this audio book. I've listened to many and it will be the first that I will listen to again.
5 people found this helpful
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- tim o
- 01-04-15
Come on Al.. Can't read the whole book?
Lost a little with the other guy reading it... Just a pet peeve of mine I wanted your book.. Not you and some other guy
6 people found this helpful
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- Allen S.
- 12-14-21
Good stories...but
Would have preferred if Al read the whole book instead of just certain chapters.
1 person found this helpful
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- Kindle Customer
- 07-17-21
Disappointed
Al has one of the most recognizable voices in broadcasting. I would have expected him to the book himself. Not just a few chapters. I expected better from him. Money grab.
1 person found this helpful
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- Wendy White
- 02-05-16
Almost great
This is a well written account of a remarkable career. I've enjoyed Al's work most of my adult life. His best known work-Lake Placid hockey, the 1989 World Series, MNF, SNF are a large part of my sports life. He gives the listener wonderful details and reminiscences of former colleagues like Howard Cosell while sorting through the varied corporate wranglings that have over time defined how we understand and interpret American sport. He traces his varied and impressive career dropping references like seeds that bloom years later to have significant impact. In short, it's fundamentally good and engaging story telling.
The disappointment of the audio version is that Al only reads the Preface and a couple other chapters himself (The story of 1980 Olympic hockey among them). The bulk of the text is read by Ray Porter who is not up to the task, or at least I can't believe that Al or any other sports fan listened to Roy's contribution. It's full of mispronunciation s and other gaffes. Nits perhaps, but they do stick out as catchable and fixable and detract from an otherwise enjoyable time.
3 people found this helpful
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- David A Thompson
- 03-26-22
Do you believe in…
What a fantastic listen. Al Michaels has lived a legendary life. It’s unbelievable how everything came together in his life. Truly enjoyed it. It’s a must read/listen thumbs up 👍
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- Scott
- 02-21-22
Fascinating stories about an incredible career
Fascinating stories about an incredible career. Well written and well read by Al and the narrator.
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- Caleb Turner
- 01-31-22
Great information from one of the all time greats!
I have always loved Al Michaels as a broadcaster and this audio book gives a GREAT look into his career!! my only wish was that Al would have read more within the audio book. Love his voice!
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- Kindle Customer
- 01-29-22
thanks Al for taking me on my walks
I'm a walker and I listen to audible and I picked Al Michael's book as I just finished Jim Gray's book and like to hear Sports discussions.
Al hit a hole in one for me as I always look forward to my daily walk and listening to Al and all the crazy things he went through in his life.
it's 2022 now and the book is five or six years old but the sporting events were like I remember them today.
Good job, Al, it's time to catch us up to date with a new book.