Confessions of a Basketball Junkie

<p>Dirk Dunbar's Confessions of a Basketball Junkie is a compelling read that offers a personal glimpse into the archetypal journey that we are all destined to navigate-from the call departure and tribulations to the return to the place and person we are meant to be. Filled with poetry and athletic anecdotes mystical and humorous experiences and truth-seeking explorations into our local and planetary purpose this masterful memoir affirms the grandeur of being at home in the universe. While evoking the wonders of childhood memories of growing up and the joys of parenting Dunbar reveals the challenge and value of a living a well-examined life. He takes us through remarkably relatable experiences that traverse the culture and feel of his small Northern Michigan birthplace to people and places in Iceland Germany Greece and Egypt. The voyage ends with his post-basketball life as a teacher parent and author/activist in Maine and Florida highlighting how we are all the sum of our experiences and relationships. In ways that stimulate tolerance and spiritual growth this delightful account of the human spirit captures the passion of Jesus and Buddha and the wisdom of Native Americans and Daoists as well as offering unique insights into literature film and music. All this while recapping a phenomenal yet injury filled basketball career that is captivating painful and inspiring. The ideas are big but simply and profoundly expressed. This book is sure to touch athletes incite seekers and enthrall human-interest readers worldwide. A walk in the woods never lies Dirk Dunbar says upfront in Confessions of a Basketball Junkie and this autobiography by the pro athlete humanities professor musician and sometime mystic demonstrates the point. In easygoing familiar language that belies the depth of his knowledge Dunbar here retraces the many paths of his life as a promising NBA star a finely tuned philosopher and a devoted friend and family man. What you take away from this book are not just recollections of his walk through life and depictions of sung and unsung athletes and friends but a startling ebullience of spirit an appreciation of life in all its flower and an unflagging sense of hopeful good humor-even during the darkest days of career-altering injuries. As if that's not enough in a book you also get accessible explanations of the Earth-centered philosophies that have shaped a real life. Confessions of a Basketball Junkie is a saunter through the woods of the human spirit at its everyday and sometimes buzzer-beating best. Dana Wilde author of The Other End of the Driveway: Observations in the Maine Woods. A two-time high school All American and nation's leading scorer Dirk Dunbar was recruited by 200 universities and as a freshman was third leading scorer in the Mid-American Conference. Following three knee operations he transferred to Eckerd College where he was ninth leading scorer in the nation. The have jump shot will travel star played and coached in Europe for eight seasons married a German ballerina returned to the States received a Ph.D. in humanities and became a professor. The father of three Dunbar has published essays in ReVision The Trumpeter The Journal of Religion and Popular Culture Quodlibet Ashé Journal and others. His books include A Matter of Perspective The Balance of Nature's Polarities in New Paradigm Theory and the soon-to-be-released Renewing the Balance.</p>