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Kobe: Life Lessons from a Legend

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Sports legend Kobe Bryant’s guiding principles
Kobe Bryant was one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and his untimely death sent the sports world reeling. Kobe lives on in the hearts and minds of his fans, and this book celebrates his legacy with short chapters on his values, illustrated with original silhouettes of Kobe in action.

144 pages, Hardcover

Published May 4, 2021

9 people are currently reading
111 people want to read

About the author

Nelson Pena

3 books1 follower

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5 stars
67 (40%)
4 stars
63 (37%)
3 stars
28 (16%)
2 stars
7 (4%)
1 star
2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Brandice.
1,235 reviews
March 14, 2022
As a diehard Kobe fan, this book didn’t offer much new content, but I enjoyed reliving Kobe’s commitment to excellence and dedicated self discipline, which never become less motivating — We can all embrace the Mamba Mentality in whatever we choose to do.

Kobe: Life Lessons From a Legend is great for fans, adults and kids alike, though written in a style geared toward younger audiences. It shares Kobe’s philosophies that led to his many successes. I enjoyed the pop art illustrations by Gilang Bogy throughout the book too.
10 reviews
December 13, 2024
BOOK REVIEW AUGUST

I road the book “Kobe-Life Lessons From A Legend” that the author Nelson Pena wrote. This book is about Kobe Bryant and his career how he got so successful and also very popular. He tells the reader what he did to get where he is now and how he did this.

My opinion on this book Kobe-Life Lessons From A Legend” is that this book is awesome to read and you learn important life lessons which gonna help you later in life. On the start of the book wrote the author how Kobe’s Bryant career was. And than we also mentioned in the second and third capital of the book how he trained the whole time an he gives also examples how he trained but also said that he ha a big talent in the young years of his life. There were also many Quotes like “ The Most Important thing is to try and people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do” and these quotes were nice to read and also very memorable. As a result i would say that this book is awesome to read and you learn so many things that you need later in life.

That was my book review from August.
Jon




December Reread Book Review

This book is about the life of Kobe Bryant and the important lessons he learned along the way. It talks about how he worked hard every day to get better at basketball and how his mindset helped him become a champion. The book also focuses on his leadership skills, his love for the game, and how he always pushed himself to improve. It shows how Kobe applied these lessons in both basketball and life. I think this book is very inspiring. It teaches you that with hard work and determination, you can achieve your goals, just like Kobe did. His attitude of never giving up, no matter how hard things get, is something everyone can learn from. Even if you're not a basketball fan, you can still learn about leadership, discipline, and focus from Kobe's story. This book is easy to read and gives great lessons that can help you in life, whether you're a student, athlete, or anyone trying to improve themselves.
Profile Image for Viktoria Mirigliano.
163 reviews3 followers
June 9, 2021
I grew up around the most fierce lakers fans that have ever existed.

They could probably recite every fact in this book (I know that because I kept trying to tell them things and kept getting told “we know that already”).

Me on the other hand - I’ve always had my nose too far in a book to have my eyes on a sports game, or even a specific sports team.

I don’t know what drew me to read this - but I’m glad that I did

I feel like not only did I learn so much about Kobe - why he is the legend that he is, how he came back from injury after injury, and trials and tribulations and mistakes - but I also learned about the foundations of chasing what you want in such a way that everyone else may not understand, people might roll their eyes at how much you work, or how hard you try - but if you want to accomplish something - then you just have to do it.

This is a wonderful read for all you sports enthusiasts, and also just anyone that wants to read about how to accomplish truly GREAT things
4 reviews2 followers
December 9, 2024
I love the book “Kobe life lessons from a legend” and I give it 5 stars.
The reason for this is because it has good character, imagery, static, and foil character, also it describes in the book on to how to grow as a person, and show how a person could be with a good or bad mindset.
First, Kobe is talking about Character, early in the book, chapter 1, Kobe says “If your really want to be great at something, you have to truly care about it, you have to obsess it.” (Peña page 9)
Second, Kobe is showing character, early in the book, chapter 2, Kobe says “It bothered me when something felt like a weakness.” (Peña page 17)
Thirdly, Kobe is talking about imagery, middle in the book, chapter 6 Kobe says “I'm not sad about it, I’m appreciative of what I have.” (Peña page 50) That is showing imagery because to me it tells me to picture the things I have and to be great full of it.
Furthermore, Kobe is talking about being a static character, or a foil character, in the middle of the book kinda towards the end, chapter 7 Kobe says “I figure out if you keep pushing you keep getting better.” (Peña page 53)That to me shows in a human if that don’t quit they’ll get to were they be, but if they do then it will never happen.
Lastly, Kobe talks about foil, and static character, towards the end kinda in the middle, chapter 8, Kobe says “You have to work hard in the dark, to shine in the light.” (Peña page 60) That to me is telling me if I don’t practice or don’t put in the work, I'm never gonna want the things that I’m trying to do, I'm not working hard for it.
Profile Image for Myles (semi hiatus) .
146 reviews
February 23, 2024
Life Lessons from a legend

3 stars meh meh meh


So, like, I just finished "Making Life Lessons with Kobe Bryant," and it's, um, okay, I guess? I mean, Kobe's awesome, but the book is kinda like trying to organize your messy room – you know what you're going for, but it's all over the place.

First off, Kobe's work ethic? Dude's a beast. But the book tries to tell you about it like your friend who rambles and forgets the point halfway through. It's like, "Kobe worked hard, be like Kobe." Cool, but how, though? Details, please!
It jumps from one idea to another, and I'm left wondering if the editor took a nap. I wanted a smooth ride, but it's more like a bumpy skateboard on cracked pavement.

Also, the life lessons? Some are legit, but others feel like when you're trying to sound deep but end up sounding like a fortune cookie. It's like, "Believe in yourself," and I'm like, "Cool, but what's the secret sauce?"
Three stars because it's Kobe, and he's the man. But the book? It's like a messy doodle in the margins of your notebook – you get the gist, but it could've been a masterpiece with a bit more effort. If you're chill with a messy vibe, give it a shot. If not, maybe pass this one and shoot for a cleaner read.


Anyway peace out
god loves you

R.I.P KOBE
Profile Image for Hyacinth.
2,039 reviews16 followers
November 29, 2022
This was probably not the best time of year to read this book. This great loss is still daunting even though I did not know him, his focus and drive was everything. I really enjoyed this read. It wasn't over the top. I appreciate the author trying to just maintain the facts and not sugarcoat the highs and gloss over the lows. The interview at the end was the icing on the cake. I remember when Kobe first came to California. He was hungry and was perceived to be a hothead. He was a ball hog; he was everywhere on the court. His gift was undeniable. He was a student of the game and his drive and consistent practicing to be better is what made him. I don't know of anyone else with the drive and focus he had. Life has a way of balancing us out and teaching us hard lessons. I think he eventually got them. He was not perfect...none of us are. I believe, had he lived, we would've seen the evolving of a more grounded Kobe Bryant...RIP.
Profile Image for Andy Schmitt.
76 reviews2 followers
August 14, 2023
Short (100 pages or so) read on the life of Kobe. In particular I enjoyed reading about Granity (Greater than infinity). Kobe has huge dreams for life after the NB and I am now a believer that the world was robbed of what he would’ve delivered in this category. Kobe most certainly had his flaws (his season where he flew back and forth to Colorado is discussed here) but I enjoyed reliving a few of his mountains tops and getting an insight to what he wanted to do post hoops. I truly believe that MJ’s failures as an owner and player with the Wizards helped rid him of wanting to do anything of the like. He said he didn’t want to be in the margins as an owner, Coach.
2 reviews
November 1, 2023
Absolutely amazing book. I would have read it multiple times had I not got it out of a library. It talks about Kobe's upbringing. Hard childhood of being a Black child in Italy and being the odd one out when their family moved back to Philadelphia. It talks about his achievements like being in the hall of fame. His first few seasons and championships with Shaquille O'Neil. It also talks about how Kobe created a film studio after he had finished his career and what the film studio aimed at doing for people. It also has many famous quotes from Kobe. One of the quotes is "Everything negative, Pressures, Racism and Hardship. Was all an opportunity for me to grow."
Profile Image for Braulio Ambriz.
20 reviews
February 3, 2022
Anyone can pull inspiration and motivation from Kobe’s philosophies, and this book presents all of them in a quick and easy manner. If you’re a Kobe fan then you won’t learn anything new per say, but it’s nice to go down memory lane and revisit all the ways Kobe reinvented himself and not only proved everyone wrong, but proved himself right.
45 reviews
October 14, 2024
The man was a different breed. He accomplished a lot in a short time.
My favorite line in the whole book,
“if you just sit down and say, I’m going to learn this thing until I do, there’s not really much out there. You can’t figure out eventually.”
It’s an eye opener for what you’re doing with YOUR life.
Profile Image for Tyson Robinson.
75 reviews2 followers
March 28, 2022
Excellent piece on the legacy of The Mamba! I love his moment of humility and maturity after the Colorado Incident. A book that I will continue to come back to for years to come! RIP to the great one!
Profile Image for Andie.
4 reviews1 follower
June 28, 2021
kobe was an amazing person and i'm so glad i read this book
Profile Image for Bon Kim.
465 reviews2 followers
December 30, 2021
This book was good. I enjoyed reading about Kobe's determination, hard work, and effort that he put into basketball. I hope I can imitate his drive.
Profile Image for Heather.
238 reviews3 followers
December 30, 2021
2.5 stars. Quick and easy read in a day over the break, with insight into Mamba’s history and career.
Profile Image for Anna Stojsavljevic.
2 reviews2 followers
August 9, 2022
Informative but felt more for children.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Eric Austin.
11 reviews
August 13, 2022
Liked the stories and facts about Kobe, however felt the book lacked structure and was hard to stay engaged reading it.
Profile Image for Jason Orthman.
260 reviews4 followers
June 21, 2023
Well presented hardcover book on a legend. Incredible lessons from an athlete that competed like few can.
Profile Image for Griffin Honthy.
25 reviews1 follower
April 20, 2025
Really great book. Nothing new in here but if you don’t know about Kobe and what made him the legend he was then you should read.

Very motivational. RIP Kobe
Profile Image for Cole Rausch.
49 reviews3 followers
January 1, 2024
Not a bad book, but it mainly just references the stories from Kobe’s book “The Mamba Mentality”. The main difference is it really shortens the stories and this book also talks about the scandal and how Kobe grew from it
Profile Image for Colin Dunn.
15 reviews1 follower
Read
November 14, 2023
I really enjoyed this book as it was a different perspective rather than directly from Kobe. I really enjoyed the art as well, the pictures are very unique and creative. I would recommend this book if your a basketball fan or just a Kobe fan in general.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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