
Straight Shooter
A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes
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Narrated by:
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Stephen A. Smith
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By:
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Stephen A. Smith
About this listen
AN NAACP IMAGE AWARD NOMINEE
America’s most popular sports media figure tells it like it is in this “raw, deeply authentic, and immensely entertaining” (Bob Iger, #1 New York Times bestselling author and CEO of The Walt Disney Company) book, not only dishing out his signature, uninhibited opinions but also revealing the challenges he overcame in childhood as well as at ESPN.
Stephen A. Smith has never been handed anything, nor was he an overnight success. Growing up poor in Queens, the son of Caribbean immigrants and the youngest of six children, he was a sports-obsessed kid who faced struggles, from undiagnosed dyslexia to getting enough cereal to fill his bowl. As a basketball player at Winston-Salem State University, he got a glimmer of his true calling when he wrote a newspaper column arguing for the retirement of his own Hall of Fame coach, Clarence Gaines.
Smith hustled and rose up from a reporter on the high school beat at Daily News (New York) to a general sports columnist at The Philadelphia Inquirer before getting his own show at ESPN in 2005. After he was unceremoniously fired from the network in 2009, he became even more determined to fight for success. He got himself rehired two years later and, with his razor-sharp intelligence and fearless debate style, found the show he was destined to star in: First Take, the network’s flagship morning program.
In Straight Shooter, Smith writes about the greatest highs and deepest lows of his life and career. He gives his thoughts on Skip Bayless, Ray Rice, Colin Kaepernick, the New York Knicks, the Dallas Cowboys, and former President Donald Trump. But he also pulls back the curtain and talks about life beyond the set, sharing authentic stories about his negligent father, his loving mother, being a father himself, his battle with life-threatening COVID-19, and what he really thinks about politics and social issues. He does it all with the same intelligence, humor, and charm that has made him a household name.
A provocative and moving “blueprint of tenacity” (Fat Joe), this book is the perfect gift for lovers of sports, television, and anyone who likes their stories delivered straight to the heart.
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Story
Throughout the past year, teacher Chasten Glezman Buttigieg has emerged on the national stage, having left his classroom in South Bend, Indiana, to travel cross-country in support of his husband, former mayor Pete Buttigieg, and Pete's groundbreaking presidential campaign. Through Chasten's joyful, witty social media posts, the public gained a behind-the-scenes look at his life with Pete on the trail - moments that might have ranged from the mundane to the surprising, but that were always heartfelt.
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A common yet inspiring and hopeful story
- By Steph on 09-03-20
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Robin
- By: Dave Itzkoff
- Narrated by: Fred Berman
- Length: 16 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
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From his rapid-fire stand-up comedy riffs to his breakout role in Mork & Mindy and his Academy Award-winning performance in Good Will Hunting, Robin Williams was a singularly innovative and beloved entertainer. He often came across as a man possessed, holding forth on culture and politics while mixing in personal revelations - all with mercurial, tongue-twisting intensity as he inhabited and shed one character after another with lightning speed. But as Dave Itzkoff shows in this revelatory biography, Williams’ comic brilliance masked a deep well of conflicting emotions and self-doubt.
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Disappointing but worth a read
- By Joe Moore on 05-18-18
By: Dave Itzkoff
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Being Henry
- The Fonz . . . and Beyond
- By: Henry Winkler
- Narrated by: Henry Winkler
- Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
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Henry Winkler, launched into prominence as “The Fonz” in the beloved Happy Days, has transcended the role that made him who he is. Brilliant, funny, and widely regarded as the nicest man in Hollywood (though he would be the first to tell you that it’s simply not the case, he’s really just grateful to be here), Henry shares in this achingly vulnerable memoir the disheartening truth of his childhood, the difficulties of a life with severe dyslexia, the pressures of a role that takes on a life of its own, and the path forward once your wildest dream seems behind you.
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Sweet human
- By Lisa Singer on 11-07-23
By: Henry Winkler
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Home Work
- A Memoir of My Hollywood Years
- By: Julie Andrews, Emma Walton Hamilton
- Narrated by: Julie Andrews
- Length: 13 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
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In this follow-up to her critically acclaimed memoir, Home, Julie Andrews shares reflections on her astonishing career, including such classics as Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, and Victor/Victoria.
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Love Julie, Didn't Love the Memoir
- By Kat on 11-06-19
By: Julie Andrews, and others
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Elevate and Dominate
- 21 Ways to Win On and Off the Field
- By: Deion Sanders, Don Yaeger, John C. Maxwell - foreword
- Narrated by: Deion Sanders
- Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
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Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders is one of the greatest motivators and inspirational leaders of all time—on the field, in business, with family, and in his community. Now, he delivers the ultimate playbook of inspiring personal stories, winning strategies, and the motivation required to help us “elevate and dominate” in all aspects of our lives.
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An inspiring must listen to daily feel good vibe!
- By Jordan Taylor on 04-16-24
By: Deion Sanders, and others
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24
- Life Stories and Lessons from the Say Hey Kid
- By: Willie Mays, John Shea, Bob Costas
- Narrated by: Bob Costas, Julian McWilliams, Larry Herron
- Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
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Widely regarded as the greatest all-around player in baseball history because of his unparalleled hitting, defense and baserunning, the beloved Willie Mays offers people of all ages his lifetime of experience meeting challenges with positivity, integrity and triumph in 24: Life Stories and Lessons from the Say Hey Kid. Presented in 24 chapters to correspond with his universally recognized uniform number, Willie’s memoir provides more than the story of his role in America’s pastime.
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Loved It
- By Peter on 07-01-20
By: Willie Mays, and others
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Drunk-ish
- A Memoir of Loving and Leaving Alcohol
- By: Stefanie Wilder-Taylor
- Narrated by: Stefanie Wilder-Taylor
- Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
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For Stefanie Wilder-Taylor, alcohol was the seasoning that could give almost any activity more flavor—from liquor cabinet concoctions in high school to tequila shots in her early stand-up comedy days to grocery store wine in young motherhood. A drink instantly took the edge off and made even the most difficult adversary (be it a tough crowd in a comedy club or a judgmental PTA mom) not just bearable but fun.
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So relatable even though I'm not a Mom
- By RUFtotheRESCUE on 07-20-24
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Option B
- Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy
- By: Sheryl Sandberg, Adam Grant
- Narrated by: Elisa Donovan
- Length: 6 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
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After the sudden death of her husband, Sheryl Sandberg felt certain that she and her children would never feel pure joy again. "I was in 'the void,'" she writes, "a vast emptiness that fills your heart and lungs and restricts your ability to think or even breathe." Her friend Adam Grant, a psychologist at Wharton, told her there are concrete steps people can take to recover and rebound from life-shattering experiences. We are not born with a fixed amount of resilience. It is a muscle that everyone can build.
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Books is ok but completely misadvertised
- By Alex Carpenter on 10-08-17
By: Sheryl Sandberg, and others
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Girl with No Job
- The Crazy Beautiful Life of an Instagram Thirst Monster
- By: Claudia Oshry
- Narrated by: Claudia Oshry
- Length: 5 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
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As the creator of the breakout Instagram account @GirlWithNoJob, Claudia Oshry has turned not wanting an ordinary career into a thriving media company and pop culture-focused podcast and morning show. The origins of her pop culture obsessions can be traced back to household debates over boy bands and her flair for the dramatic to her young emulation of Blair Waldorf. When she started @GirlWithNoJob, Claudia entered that world as a social media influencer, sharing her unbelievable encounters with some of her favorite A-listers as she navigates her incredible access.
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Pretty boring
- By J.D. on 02-05-21
By: Claudia Oshry
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Leonard
- My Fifty-Year Friendship with a Remarkable Man
- By: William Shatner
- Narrated by: William Shatner
- Length: 6 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
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Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner first crossed paths as actors on the set of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Little did they know that their next roles, in a new science-fiction television series, would shape their lives in ways no one could have anticipated. In 79 television episodes of Star Trek and six feature films, they grew to know each other more than most friends could ever imagine. Over the course of half a century, Shatner and Nimoy saw each other through personal and professional highs and lows.
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Shatner brings to life an amazing tale about a talented, hardworking man!
- By Jeremy Stone on 02-20-16
By: William Shatner
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That Will Never Work
- The Birth of Netflix and the Amazing Life of an Idea
- By: Marc Randolph
- Narrated by: Marc Randolph
- Length: 11 hrs
- Unabridged
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In the tradition of Phil Knight's Shoe Dog comes the incredible untold story of how Netflix went from concept to company—all revealed by cofounder and first CEO Marc Randolph. From idea generation to team building to knowing when it's time to let go, That Will Never Work is not only the ultimate follow-your-dreams parable, but also one of the most dramatic and insightful entrepreneurial stories of our time.
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Cut off at the end of chapter 18
- By Penny posey on 09-25-19
By: Marc Randolph
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Notes on a Silencing
- A Memoir
- By: Lacy Crawford
- Narrated by: Lacy Crawford
- Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
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When Notes on a Silencing hit bookstores in the summer of 2020, even amidst a global pandemic, it sent shockwaves through the country. Not only did this intimate investigative memoir usher in a media storm of coverage, but it also prompted the elite St. Paul's School to issue a formal apology to the author, Lacy Crawford, for its handling of her report of sexual assault by two fellow students nearly 30 years ago.
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Everything about this book is magnificent
- By swimmergal on 08-15-20
By: Lacy Crawford
What listeners say about Straight Shooter
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- Salvador Guardado
- 02-07-23
One of the best books I have listen too.
This has to be one of the best audiobooks I have heard in a long time. The author, Mr. Stephen A., reads a beautiful compelling story of struggle and success. It hits home at times with loved ones and family, while other times builds the beauty of how working hard pays off. I laughed, (while he spoke of the Cowboys, lol) , took note at how to achieve success and cried along the way when he spoke of his mother. I hope he writes another book. I am a fan for life. Thank you for writing this book.
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- Latisha Benbow
- 03-02-23
A new fan
Before reading this book I did not like Stephen A. Smith. I now understand him better and can appreciate his no nonsense approach of journalism and broadcasting.
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- Marsha McLaughlin
- 03-10-23
A Book Club Hit
This was a stretch as a selection for our small book club but we have all enjoyed this book, his story and his energy. I saw Steven A’s interview with Mark Levin and immediately purchased it. Thank you for a great read, great discussion and hope you continue to write about your next chapter in life.
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- TeRon
- 02-23-23
Great Read
Stephen A put it all out there! You have no choice but to respect this man. I love and respect him, but for those who don’t like him you have no choice but to respect him!
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- Felicia
- 03-27-23
Love. Love. Love.
I cried. I laughed. I clutched my heart. I cried again. I cheered. Such a beautiful, raw story and I thought I loved Stephen A. before … That love grew x100.
Great book. And loved that Stephen was the narrator. Couldn’t have been any other way.
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- Amazon Customer
- 03-01-23
My idol
I’ve always been a huge fan and respected Stephen A Smith. Looked up to him when I was younger this book just made me more of a Fan Thank you!
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- Anonymous User
- 04-30-23
Inspirational and riveting
Very honest enlightened story about one of my favorite personalities in sports media. I could not wait to get to the next chapter such a great book.
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- eric smith
- 06-14-23
Hard Work
Inspiring story and very insightful. One of my favorite listens. Hard work and perseverance always pays off and learning from your mistakes.
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- CSACH
- 07-02-23
STRAIGHT SHOOTER!
Thoroughly enjoyed hearing StephenA’s story from him. Love how he talks about “mommy”. RESPECT! He is FIRST TAKE!
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- Agenda B.
- 07-07-23
Keepin it 100
Stephen A. Smith…thank you so much for allowing the world a glimpse into your private and precious world. This book was by far one of the best I’ve listened to in quite some time. I was a fan of you prior to your book coming out and now have a greater understanding and respect for the intelligent, bold and fearless black man you have become. If you want to read a book that’s “Straight, No Chaser,” I highly recommend this one. You won’t be disappointed!!
Agenda B.
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