Title- Juiced
Author- Jose Canseco
Publisher- HarperCollins
Pages- 284
I decided to read this book because I was always curious about what were the alleged allegations Jose Canseco made about steroids in baseball. I also received a very high recommendation from an intelligent classmate.
Juiced is an autobiography written by the former baseball player, Jose Canseco. He gives a first hand account on this issue of performance enhancing drugs in baseball in the past, as well as today. The book is very factual with research from doctors, first hand accounts from Jose and other players, and moments throughout Jose’s life. Canseco tells stories of injecting steroids to present players and accuses many other players in the MLB of steroid use as well. This very book has been used by Congress in their investigation into performance enhancing drug use in baseball.
The audience for this book is any sports fanatics, or anyone who is interested in steroids and supplements.
Canseco does a nice job balancing humor with serious topics in this book. The author’s writing style is very simple and straight to the point. He also uses many slang words that are associated in baseball and steroid use.
“But when it comes to accepting the simple fact that steroids and growth hormone can reshape the body in amazing ways, people seem to have this childlike need to cling to ignorance and fear. The future is here, so why fight it? (217)”
“All he had to do was make himself bigger and stronger, and for Tejada that paid off. Some people, like me, have done so by using steroids. That might sound like some kind of pact with the devil. But I’d call that a good business decision, and a good life decision (185)”.
This quote struck out to me because it made me see the way some baseball players view steroids use. To players, using steroids is a very successful business move. Players do not take steroids just simply because they want to look huge, but if they get stronger and hit 5 more home runs a year, that’s a new 50 million dollar contract.
“Mark was an experienced steroid user, as I know firsthand. His physique speaks for itself. And he knows as well as I do that if you’re taking steroids, you don’t need androstenedione. McGwire using andro would have been like a hospital patient on morphine asking for an aspirin. It just doesn’t make any sense (204)”.
This quote struck me in that the accusations Canseco made in this book must be true because his knowledge of steroids is very high. Also, the humor he uses shows in his sarcasm towards McGwire, one of the greatest home run hitters of all time.
I believe the primary theme of this book is to make people realize that there is steroid use in baseball. Also, to say that steroid use may very well become a part of professional sports and every day life.
“Ever since those two Chronicle stories hit the stands, people across the country have finally begun to talk about steroids as a reality not just a dark rumor. The week after they hit, you finally saw prominent media people admitting that the presence of steroids in baseball has been swept under the rug (282)”.
This quote proves the theme that people, although they don’t necessarily want to believe it’s true, are starting to realize steroid use in baseball is a huge problem and widely used.
“We’re talking about the future here. I have no doubt whatsoever that intelligent, informed use of steroids, combined with human growth hormone, will one day be so accepted that everybody will be doing it. Steroid use will be more common than Botox is now…Human life will be improved, too. We will live longer and better (2)”.
This quote proves that a theme of the book is that steroid use, when used properly, is not as bad as everyone says. And with scientific development in steroids, they might possibly become a part of everybody’s lives.
After reading this book, I would give it a solid A. Juiced is a very good selection for any sports fans and anyone looking for a quick, easy, interesting read. Every chapter is about a completely different thing, which makes the book very hard to put down. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about steroid use in baseball and a laugh in the process.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Brian, I have never read this book, but I heard it was really good. I think you did a good job summarizing what happens and you picked good quotes. I think this book is a good influence, and to show athletes not to use steroids. I am going to consider reading this book. Great work, keep it up!
ReplyDeleteThe summarization of this book was done very well. This book gives the reader the insight of steroids in sports. I chuckle at the fact these guys cheat to get a little bit ahead in their game. I would seriously like to read this book. I am a huge sports fan. Blue Disley
ReplyDeleteBrian, I have heard about this book and after reading your summery this shows that athletes shouldnt use steroids. I am going to consider reading this book since I love sports and hate athletes that use steroids.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I have not read this book, I have most definitely heard about it. I think that it would be intresting to read, and learn about what Jose was thinking when he went through these stages of his life. I also want to hear why he decided to tell on everyother athlete that was involved in the allegations. After reading the information on the book, i think that i may read it.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I have not read this book, I have most definitely heard about it. I think that it would be intresting to read, and learn about what Jose was thinking when he went through these stages of his life. I also want to hear why he decided to tell on everyother athlete that was involved in the allegations. After reading the information on the book, i think that i may read it.
ReplyDelete-Tyler Hersom
Steroids are a part of the athletic world. You have these people who don't want to get old and keep earning a name for themselves. Like Mark Mcguire. He recently confessed to using steroids and his reputation as one of the best home run hitters deteriorated. Steroids will ruin your life. So think twice before you want to use them.-Chris Miele
ReplyDeleteSteriods are obviously one of the biggest controversies in sports. People do not show respect for athletes that use that and that seems to be shown in your book. Considerinng i have a strong dislike for athletes that use steriods I think I might like this book. Your report is very informative and descriptive and I might give this book a thought for my next reading.
ReplyDelete-Zak Guenther