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Books : Letters to a Young Gymnast (Art of Mentoring)
Product Description: A unique glimpse into the remarkable life, and fascinating mindset, of the woman who broke records-and boundaries-for female athletes everywhere.
If there were such a thing as an "elder" stateswoman in women's gymnastics today, Nadia Comaneci would win that title as readily as she once won gold medals. Olga Korbut came before her, and many other medalists would follow, but none has ever been as dominant in winning the hearts of millions around the world. With grit and determination, Nadia Comaneci ushered in a new era for women's sports, one where young girls could vault into the arena of superstardom. Even today, almost thirty years after her greatest triumphs, you need only mention the name "Nadia" and gymnastics fans know instantly whom you are talking about.
In Letters to a Young Gymnast, Nadia shows what it takes to achieve athletic perfection and become the best. With inspiring and dramatic stories from her own experience, she tells us how the young girl that Bela Karolyi discovered in a Romanian elementary school found the inner strength to become a world-class athlete at such a young age. This collection of Nadia's memories, anecdotes, and advice grants unique insights into the mind of a top competitor. From how to live after you've realized your dream, to the necessity of "a spirit forged with mettle," Nadia's thoughts on athleticism and sacrifice are eye-opening and surprisingly challenging.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Nadia scores another perfect 10
This is an amazing book.
It is a deeply personal and detailed account of Nadia Comaneci's life by 'Little Miss Perfect' herself and offers a wonderful insight into what 'makes her tick'.
I am reading it to my class of 9-11 year old students and they are similarly enjoying it too.
I thoroughly recommend this book.
Rating: - overrated gymnast
We are taken on a journey through Nadia's life, we feel we are spectators and are there with her every step of the way, at her baptism ,at the olympics,in the gymn and at her home.The reader ends up by feeling he knows her well. As we embark on this voyage we see she makes mistakes as we all do, she admits she was defensive on a Tv show after defecting to America, that as a consequence of her parents' divorce she overate. She does not make excuses but gives an honest account. This honesty and frankness also extends to the admission she made in 1980 that Yelena Davydova simply performed better on the day and that her victory was not a result of fixing as Bela Karolyi would like people to believe,she also admits that her first routine on the bars which earned a 10 was not perfect and that throughout the olympics she felt the judges were being too good to her. We also meet a decent woman who does not want to live off the income of a romanian widow and her son. But she does not give much credit to other gymnasts. She rightly pays tribute to Yelena Mukhina who broke her neck and was paralyzed as a result, but says so little about her. She mentions that she was not sure exactly how the accident occurred, which I find hard to believe because the whole world knows.The only other gymnasts she really has time for are Lyudmilla Tourisheva and Mary Lou Retton, the former was her idol, the other was great. What about Teodora, Olga Korbut, etc? I feel she was overrated and certainly overrated herself, for she argues that before 1976 few gymnasts took risks, the comaneci salto was never attempted before by anyone and was the first big release at the 76 olympics. It is true that through out the 1950s and 60s a lot of gymnasts were women. Bar and beam routines in particular were considered elementary but in those years there were innovations, at the 1952 olympics Maria Gorokhovskaya dismounted by standing on high bar and pushing into a back tuck salto , the rachodla salto between bars appeared in 1966 to give only 2 examples but from 1972 onwards routines get riskier. The so called comaneci salto had been done before by Karin Janz in munich. She first performed in 1971. Annelore Zinke also performed it in 1974.Barbara Myslak (Usa)performed a whip cast flip from high to high bar in 1974 and around the same time Denise Cheshire (Usa) also innovated a snap flip high to high bar these latter 2 examples would suggest that Olga Korbut and not Nadia really inspired gymnasts to higher, more dangerous levels and made salto releases obligatory. What about olga korbuts flip on bars? ... Read More
Rating: - Letters to a Young Gymnast: Nadia Comaneci
Since I was a gymnast for many, many years, I have read quite a few gymnastics books, but none had impressed me too much until I read this one. Perhaps it is because Nadia not only talked about her gymnastics, but also about the conditions and struggles of life in Communist Romania. It is not only a biography, but also historical as well.
The book was very clear and easy to read, so younger gymnastics fans should have no problem getting through it. It was also very interesting (something I truly did not expect) and a page turner. It answered many questions gymnastics fans have had through the years.
Nadia's story is very impressive, and, at times, even heartbreaking. It's hard to believe that, by reading this book, you'll eventually "feel" for probably the most successful gymnast in the history of the sport. Her life wasn't always as glorious as you may think.
I'd suggest gymnastics fans read this book because it's simply very good and very well written, and also very, very interesting. Also, if you're simply interested in learning more about how life was like in a communist country, this book may just be the book for you!
Rating: - FYI: there is an online photo archive...
For anyone looking for photos, explore here:
nadiacomaneci.com
Rating: - An Excellent Read & Diary Topic Idea Starter
Nadia's book exceeded my expectations with her insightful words of philosophy and colorfully poetic descriptions.
Her autobiographical account, packaged with thought-provoking questions and comments aimed towards her readers, struck several deep chords in my life-pondering mind. There is plenty of food for thought which would particularly hit home for readers who find themselves at a crossroads in their lives. Nadia's experiences, hardships, successes are truly inspiring pieces of her world that many readers could relate to and possibly find light in their own circumstances.
In a way, it was a good thing that there were no pictures included because I could focus more on the intellectual aspect of the story than the visual. At the same time, it would have been a great idea to include a few early photos along with some recent ones of herself, since she does mention that she hopes people will be interested in who she is now and not so much on the little girl she used to be.
As far as gymnastics tips, Nadia gives them in the form of using one's pyschology for greater benefit. She also includes a list for success in life towards the end of the book. Naturally, even I was curious enough to expect, and miss, a bit of flexibility or skill-specific boosting advice from her perspective.
This story is indeed a fantastic motivational tool for others. Those who say otherwise have simply not taken the time or effort to read into what Nadia's story offers or pinpoint the wonderful wisdom she provides.
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