What do you think?
Rate this book
YAO: A Life in Two Worlds
The China-born center for the Houston Rockets chronicles his odyssey from his Shanghai youth, through his first year in the NBA and the challenges he has faced, to his role as an international sports icon.
290 pages, Hardcover
First published September 22, 2004
14 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 18, 2012
Many people know Yao Ming as the abnormally tall Chinese basketball player, however his autobiography (with the help of Ric Bucher) gives the public an inside look at his life before and during his reign of fame. This 290-page novel was surprisingly hilarious, especially when he tells some stories about his life. It also gives the reader a peak into the Chinese culture for those who are unfamiliar with it.
I enjoyed this book, not just because I am also Chinese, but because it was funny and I was continuously laughing either out loud or on the inside. Some parts made me melt when he talked about his personal life and others kept me eager for more humor.
I enjoyed this book, not just because I am also Chinese, but because it was funny and I was continuously laughing either out loud or on the inside. Some parts made me melt when he talked about his personal life and others kept me eager for more humor.
February 22, 2014
As a San Antonio Spurs fan, usually anything that has to do with the Houston Rockets disgusts me. However I took the time to show some sympathy for the Spurs I-10 rivals and read an auto biography about Yao Ming, a 7 foot 6 inch center who played for the Rockets from 2003 to 2011. The book talks about his journey playing the sport of basketball for China in the CBA and then for the Houston Rockets of the NBA, hence the reason its called A Life in Two Worlds. After getting drafted by the Rockets in 2002, Yao talks about his rookie season and the ups and downs he experiences. I liked this book because I am a big basketball fan and I loved Yaos story of going from the Chinese Basketball league to the NBA.
December 1, 2010
This was a great read about how Yao Ming grew up with basketball in China, was drafted by the Houston Rockets (and the considerable wrangling surrounding that), and survived his rookie season. A lot of time is spent comparing cultures, which I think it critical to understanding Yao's success as well as his difficulties. It was also nice to see quotes from others involved in the saga, as they could offer perspective on his transition that Yao was not personally involved with.
Definitely a good read that makes me appreciate Yao even more. I'm definitely more of a fan of his than before, even though I've been a lover of Chinese culture for some time.
Definitely a good read that makes me appreciate Yao even more. I'm definitely more of a fan of his than before, even though I've been a lover of Chinese culture for some time.
October 27, 2018
Even a small kid can change a person perspective. Yao: A life in Two Worlds by Yao ming. This book is a memoir about a small kid who lives in Shanghai China. As he was growing up he was judged the way he acts by a coach. The book itself was a motivational because the judgments that people makes can turn a person to great person.
This book is quite relatable to me because I also play basketball and I run for track and field. The narrator of the book played for two countries, but had some conflict because of how the basketball system works for the two countries. Yao Ming who is a basketball player he was a thoughtful, kind, and have a big heart person for his country and a passionate love for the game of basketball. As Yao was growing up he was tallest kid in his class, and "some kids made fun of [him]" (25) but he never cared about it, he believes that everyone had been made fun of something once in their life. Also, Fang Feng Di (Yao's mom) took him to a famous coach because her friend recommend it. As Yao was doing some drills the coach thinks that he would never be a good player because he doesn't have the right traits to become one. However, he prove the coach claimed wrong by getting drafted to NBA. Yao never cared how others thinks of him but only focus how he can improve his games by focusing on his mechanics and he can overcome those obstacles in front of him. Lastly, he used those judgments as his energy to motivate to keep playing and he thought that playing on NBA is representing his own country. Which he cares about his own country and his own people, and he never wanted to let his country down.
The plot of the book was interesting but sometimes kind of confusing but the more you read about it the more you get the flow of the plot. The book or the story introduce different characters throughout the book and how they help or motivate the main character to achieve his own goals in life. Including his parents especially Feng Di (Yao's mom) she wanted for him to "have a good life" (27) she doesn't want him to have the same life as Yao's father and her did because the government assigned their job without giving them a different choices. Yao had a passionate love for the game of basketball which was the carrier he wanted to pursue because even though he wasn't as strong as other people and he always getting beat up on the faint. But it motivates him to keep getting better and keep honing his skills to able to overcome those obstacles. Which relates to me because I am the shortest person on my basketball and on my track team but I am more athletic than them. Which I can beat them easily, but NO I don't have the same knowledge with them putting me in disadvantage no matter what I do I can't beat them. Unless, I gained knowledge and keep honing my skills motivating me to try even harder because in the end "There is no substitute for hard work" (Thomas A. Edison).
After reading this book it is interesting how a pro player can be judge by a coach because the way they act. I would recommended to people who plays sports or people wanted to more about Yao or to anyone who want to read this book. In my opinion, people who never played sports or tried sports would never know how hard you need to train or the pain you have to go through just to become a great player and it might be hard to relate. This book is really interesting, and motivational I was able to relate to it even though it took me a long time to finished reading it.
This book is quite relatable to me because I also play basketball and I run for track and field. The narrator of the book played for two countries, but had some conflict because of how the basketball system works for the two countries. Yao Ming who is a basketball player he was a thoughtful, kind, and have a big heart person for his country and a passionate love for the game of basketball. As Yao was growing up he was tallest kid in his class, and "some kids made fun of [him]" (25) but he never cared about it, he believes that everyone had been made fun of something once in their life. Also, Fang Feng Di (Yao's mom) took him to a famous coach because her friend recommend it. As Yao was doing some drills the coach thinks that he would never be a good player because he doesn't have the right traits to become one. However, he prove the coach claimed wrong by getting drafted to NBA. Yao never cared how others thinks of him but only focus how he can improve his games by focusing on his mechanics and he can overcome those obstacles in front of him. Lastly, he used those judgments as his energy to motivate to keep playing and he thought that playing on NBA is representing his own country. Which he cares about his own country and his own people, and he never wanted to let his country down.
The plot of the book was interesting but sometimes kind of confusing but the more you read about it the more you get the flow of the plot. The book or the story introduce different characters throughout the book and how they help or motivate the main character to achieve his own goals in life. Including his parents especially Feng Di (Yao's mom) she wanted for him to "have a good life" (27) she doesn't want him to have the same life as Yao's father and her did because the government assigned their job without giving them a different choices. Yao had a passionate love for the game of basketball which was the carrier he wanted to pursue because even though he wasn't as strong as other people and he always getting beat up on the faint. But it motivates him to keep getting better and keep honing his skills to able to overcome those obstacles. Which relates to me because I am the shortest person on my basketball and on my track team but I am more athletic than them. Which I can beat them easily, but NO I don't have the same knowledge with them putting me in disadvantage no matter what I do I can't beat them. Unless, I gained knowledge and keep honing my skills motivating me to try even harder because in the end "There is no substitute for hard work" (Thomas A. Edison).
After reading this book it is interesting how a pro player can be judge by a coach because the way they act. I would recommended to people who plays sports or people wanted to more about Yao or to anyone who want to read this book. In my opinion, people who never played sports or tried sports would never know how hard you need to train or the pain you have to go through just to become a great player and it might be hard to relate. This book is really interesting, and motivational I was able to relate to it even though it took me a long time to finished reading it.
May 13, 2017
This book paints an interesting picture of NBA Hall-of-Fame player Yao Ming's life; one as an NBA #1 draft pick with the Houston Rockets and one showing his progression and struggles through the ranks of the Chinese Basketball Association. What a reader gets out of the book is that Yao Ming is an engaging person with a deep sense of loyalty to his country. He also gives you an insight to what it's like being an athlete living under a communist government. I've always had respect for Yao Ming because he has always carried himself in a manner that exudes class.
January 21, 2020
This book uncovered a mystifying story that prompted curiosity among NBA fans for years. Unfortunately, by the time I began to watch NBA games on tv, Yao had already retired. However, I still grew up hearing stories about him and watching his highlights. I never learned how developed Yao's many other talents were, and I'm glad that this book provided me with those details. This book doesn't focus as much on Yao's NBA career but rather his life leading up to his career, and how his background might not have foretold his success in basketball.
Read
December 5, 2021This is a easy read. As someone who has a similar background, I can hardly imagine I would be able to interpret things as deeply as Yao did at his age by the time the book was written. The ability to think independently and the growth mindset make Yao stands out in either CBA or later in NBA. This book talks about mainly basketball but from the perspective of Yao it's so intrigued that playing basketball can be so different.
October 3, 2025
Yao: A Life in Two Worlds tells the story of Yao Ming's life growing up in China and later moving to the U.S. to play in the NBA. He talks about his family, his basketball career, and how different life felt in each country. The book shows what it's like to adjust to new cultures while dealing with fame and pressure. It's easy to read and interesting even if you are not really into basketball.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2021
Interesting biography of Yao's rise from amateur Chinese basketball to the NBA
April 21, 2013
The memoir "Yao" by Ric Butcher was very satisfying in my opinion and I feel that if you are a basketball fan or a sports fan in general this book would be worth reading. For example I enjoyed how the book went through Yao Ming's entire life from his youth days all the way to when he first steped foot on an NBA basketball court. Learning knowledge of the struggles and good occassions that occured along Yao's path to the NBA was also interesting. One last aspect of the book that satisfied me was how the plot of the book went step by step allowing me as a reader to know what the author Butcher was talking about without being confused. As a result of Butcher's writing style stated above the reader can tell that the book is dicussing the life of a 7 foot six chinese basketball player that had a successful career in the NBA.
As stated before the memoir "Yao" by Ric Butcher is a story about Yao Ming a chinese basketball player that has been successful in the United States playing basketball. There really is no setting in this book because it tells the story in the United States, China, and in Europe from the early 1980's to the early 2000's. There is only one main character in this memoir and that is the person the book is named after, Yao Ming. In the memoir Yao tells his story at the age of 28 to Ric Butcher. Yao Ming is a unique physical specimen because he is so tall standing at an amazing 7 foot 6 and weighing 230 ponds which is uncommon for most players in the NBA. With this physical advantage Yao dominated at the center position for many years and made six all star teams. Personality wise Yao is a quiet fellow who does not show much emotion when palying but off the court he is a fun and nice human being who gives back to the community in Houston and in China. Yao's problem troughout the memoir is that he trys to overcome making it to the NBA by playing his best threw different stages of organized basketball. In order to make Yao's struggle clear to the reader Ric Butcher the author begins the story in Yao's childhood and progresses to different events in his life along the way. Two examples of events in Ming's life that Butcher discusses are the language barrier he faces and making China's national basketball team. Yao making the national chinese basketball team allowed him as a player to be noticed internationaly and noticed by many scouts from different countrys including the United States and after being scouted Yao's path to the NBA was pretty clear.
In conclusion the memoir "Yao" is a great book that does a great job of going into the life of Yao Ming's life with great detail. My favorite part of this story is when Yao is introduced to great NBA players such as Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neil before the 1997 NBA draft. I enjoy this part of the book because it shows that if you work hard enough then you can go palces and be very successful. It also shows that if you work hard enough then the results are great and your whole life can be changed for the better. As you can see anyone that works hard and is involved in some sport could really relate to this book and enjoy it as well. This book is a good choice to read and I would recommend it to anyone in search of a good piece of literature to read.
As stated before the memoir "Yao" by Ric Butcher is a story about Yao Ming a chinese basketball player that has been successful in the United States playing basketball. There really is no setting in this book because it tells the story in the United States, China, and in Europe from the early 1980's to the early 2000's. There is only one main character in this memoir and that is the person the book is named after, Yao Ming. In the memoir Yao tells his story at the age of 28 to Ric Butcher. Yao Ming is a unique physical specimen because he is so tall standing at an amazing 7 foot 6 and weighing 230 ponds which is uncommon for most players in the NBA. With this physical advantage Yao dominated at the center position for many years and made six all star teams. Personality wise Yao is a quiet fellow who does not show much emotion when palying but off the court he is a fun and nice human being who gives back to the community in Houston and in China. Yao's problem troughout the memoir is that he trys to overcome making it to the NBA by playing his best threw different stages of organized basketball. In order to make Yao's struggle clear to the reader Ric Butcher the author begins the story in Yao's childhood and progresses to different events in his life along the way. Two examples of events in Ming's life that Butcher discusses are the language barrier he faces and making China's national basketball team. Yao making the national chinese basketball team allowed him as a player to be noticed internationaly and noticed by many scouts from different countrys including the United States and after being scouted Yao's path to the NBA was pretty clear.
In conclusion the memoir "Yao" is a great book that does a great job of going into the life of Yao Ming's life with great detail. My favorite part of this story is when Yao is introduced to great NBA players such as Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neil before the 1997 NBA draft. I enjoy this part of the book because it shows that if you work hard enough then you can go palces and be very successful. It also shows that if you work hard enough then the results are great and your whole life can be changed for the better. As you can see anyone that works hard and is involved in some sport could really relate to this book and enjoy it as well. This book is a good choice to read and I would recommend it to anyone in search of a good piece of literature to read.
September 27, 2011
This was a difficult book to comprehend at times. I didn't have enough background knowledge in recent Chinese politics, The NBA, and found myself very confused over the whole draft issue. Since there were problems in both worlds, I was twice as confused at times. But I gained a deeper appreciation for the man and his spirit. When he talked about how fame has affected and how he's recognized everywhere he goes, he was honest about his desire for peace, but driven by his need to show his fans that they are special. I remembered the story a friend told me about how her family spotted in going into the men's room at LAX. He paused for pictures with them when he emerged. A man who deserves his fame, and I need to study up on basketball regs if I'm going to read another basketball book!
May 5, 2008
I particularly read this book because I thought all athletes were dummies. I feel professional athletes are all stupid and extremely overpaid (especially male athletes). So Judy introduced this book to me and I was immediately taken because Yao Ming held a different perspective to basketball. It was more than just a game for him, he came from a poorer family and he seems more human. I usually don’t read autobiographies because there’s no lesson/story and plus there’s nothing that would benefit me but this book kind of made me see how the athletic world can be. There is a lot of pressure to play good, as I feel with softball, and it’s been a whirlwind experience for Yao.
March 14, 2009
I was really curious to learn about Yao Ming. When he first came to the NBA, there was so much talk about his potential and some ramblings from other players in the league about his success. I just wanted to hear it from him as he went through that period.
The book is ok, but not as exciting as I thought it would be. Yao makes some nice insights comparing Chinese and American culture, but overall, it wasn't a real crazy page turner.
If you really like Yao Ming, watch Year of the Yao. It was good and really showed how tough his transition was before he came to the draft and during his rookie year.
The book is ok, but not as exciting as I thought it would be. Yao makes some nice insights comparing Chinese and American culture, but overall, it wasn't a real crazy page turner.
If you really like Yao Ming, watch Year of the Yao. It was good and really showed how tough his transition was before he came to the draft and during his rookie year.
August 7, 2013
Many of us see Yao Ming as a professional basketball player but with the help of Ric Bucher , we see that he is more than just a basketball player to us. In the 290 page biography , Yao tells us about some of his personal stories and gives us an idea about chinese culture. It talked about how he first lived in Shanghai, China and played for the Shanghai Sharks. Then he moved to the US to be drafted to the Houston Rockets. Being the first chinese basketball player in the league requires a huge amount of pressure and expectation. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in sports and basketball .
April 8, 2013
For the non-fiction unit, I decided to read, Yao: A Life in Two Worlds. An autobiography by Yao Ming and Ric Bucher. This is a book for readers that range from teens to adults. But for younger readers, it might be a little hard to follow at times, since this book throws a lot of different information at you. For example, Yao would talk about how the NBA works, then right after, he would talk about how the CBA works. But overall, this is a very interesting book, which can be enjoyable for all readers, not just basketball fans.
April 8, 2013
The book I read was called Yao Life In Two Worlds By Ric Bucher. The people who would like the book, would be the people who like sports and basketball. I would recommend the book because I thought it told a very interesting story about Yao Ming. It talked about how he first lived in Shanghai, China and played for the Shanghai Sharks. Then he moved to the US to be drafted to the Houston Rockets. So if you really like books that talk about a famous star’s life, read this book to find out about it.
June 9, 2008
I read this book to find out more about one of my favorite basketball players, Yao Ming. Unfortunately, I already knew most of the facts in this book. On top of that, it wasn’t really well written. The book had way too many quotes and some were irrelevant. A good thing about this book is that it’s easy and fun to read. There are also colored pictures to show the reader Yao Ming’s past. I recommend this book to all basketball fans. Even if you don’t like Yao, this book may change you mind.
May 15, 2012
I enjoyed watching the documentary "The Year of Yao" mostly told by his interpreter Colin.This was sort of interesting to hear his voice;& all the other people who had a hand in getting him to the US to play for the Rockets. It's not the type of book I normally read but I found it an enjoyable side step while trying to figure out what to read next.
October 17, 2011
Hes really funny!! I really enjoyed watching him play in the NBA and was interested in his background and how he got to the USA! Its nice to know that he didnt come here alone (his parents come with him too)and that he really is a down to earth kind of guy..
November 17, 2012
This amazing and fast-paced biography of Yao Ming gave me a deep understanding of the superstar's experience and personality. I so admire his determination and sense of humor. I am Chinese and I am proud of being one because of him. He really made a legend.
November 12, 2013
Enlightening, on the culture of sport and business in China.
Sentimental w/Yao and his family.
Hilarious w/(spoiler alert) story of Yao mistaking a bottle of gin for water and shotgunning the entire bottle.
Objective w/quotes from former teammates Including but not limited to S. Francis.
Sentimental w/Yao and his family.
Hilarious w/(spoiler alert) story of Yao mistaking a bottle of gin for water and shotgunning the entire bottle.
Objective w/quotes from former teammates Including but not limited to S. Francis.
Read
May 11, 2015I think int his book there should be less opinions, and inputs, and more about Yao Ming's life. There are dome good parts, like how he talks about his teammates misunderstanding him when he says something in Chinese but it sounds like a bad word.
September 22, 2015
I think that this book is really inspiring and shows that hardwork can make dreams not be dreams. It also is very interesting to me, I person who plays basketball as i have learned a lot from this book.
March 18, 2007
Wow, someone really fascinating is mentioned on page 290.
October 29, 2008
Interesting person. Honest and non-pretentious.
Currently reading
January 21, 2010This book is about Yao Ming's transition to the United States. it tells a great story of an international icon.
June 4, 2014
good insight but a little lackluster at times
April 5, 2015
4 stars just for him being him
March 8, 2016
If you are a basketball fan you will love this book. It is a good autobiography but it is 90% basketball and the other 10% is his life outside of basketball. I like his humor and he is very honest.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews