Customer Reviews
More than just a gymnastic biography. - By: Avril Collins, 30 Jul 2007 
An amazing book about both Nadia's strength & determinationin both her sport & life & the struggle it was livingin Romania at the time. Both her love & devotion to both sport & country are apparent. This is the story of a woman who works hard for what she has got. A book that is compelling read for anyone not just fans of gymnastics.
A very insightful book - By: Ms. A. J. Packman, 10 Sep 2006 Unlike most gymnastics biographies I have read, this is not your usual gushy & glamourous fare. Believe it or not, Nadia has had a very hard life. The book is extremely well written, & has the perfect tone for younger readers. Nadia explains the tougher times of livingin communist Romania & her subsequent defection totally honestly & clearly & without partronising. Although a children's book, adults will appreciate the quality of the writing & a riveting story she has to tell.
Great read - By: J BLACKBURN, 17 Jun 2004 It was a real treat for me to read this book. Nadia had a huge influence on my life as a young girl training to be a competitive gymnast. Nadia has always been one of my idols & reading her own story,in the wayin which it has been written, has answered alot of questions for me.
Nadia explains her life, her ambitions, her relationship with her coach, her lifein Romania & why & how she defectedin such a way that you feel as though you are living through her experiences with her.
Thank you Nadia, for your story & for the influence you had on me as a child.
Bravo Nadia! - By: Mrs. KL Inskip-Hayward, 16 Feb 2004 As the winner of the 1976 Montreal Olympics, Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci made history. Aged only fourteen, she won the all-around gold medal, scoring an unheard of series of seven perfect tens!
She was the heroine of little girls the world over. But being Romanian, her life seemed shroudedin secrecy & mystery. In 1981, the book ‘Nadia â€" My Own Story’ was published & we felt we had received answers to some of our many questions. But it has since been revealed that she had very little to do with that book.
January 2004 saw the release of her book - Letters To A Young Gymnast â€" & finally, we were offered the opportunity to discover something of the real Nadia, the person behind the impenetrable deep brown eyes.
Reading the book was a wonderful experience. It is written as if Nadia is answering questions from a young fan, but this does not make the subject matter childish or limited. She details her life from birth to her wedding to American gymnast Bart Connerin a way which is so readable & compelling, that you will find it hard to stop reading until the very end.
Her frankness & honesty is enchanting as she responds to rumours that have haunted her over the years. At last, she has her opportunity to tell her story & it is an amazing one. You discover her reaction to winning the 1976 Olympics & losing her titlein 1980. But you also find out how she planned & executed her defection to the USA â€" a journey just as brave as her long route to world glory.
Her story is captivating & inspiring â€" not only to young gymnasts, but also to anyone of any age. She explains how she applies her philosophy to lifein general & how we can achieve our own goals & see each step as a positive one.
Nadia is nowin her forties, but she remains an icon to sports fans all over the world & her enthusiasm is infectious. Her book is a great read & a must for anyone who has ever wondered how she got to the top or what she has achieved as an adult.
Bravo Nadia!
