Franklin Library leather edition of David Halberstam's "Playing for Keeps: Michael Jordan and the World He Made," a Limited edition, one of the SIGNED FIRST EDITION SOCIETY series, published in 1996. Bound in tann leather, the book has decorative paper end leaves, Symth-sewn binding, hubbed spine, a satin book marker, acid-free paper, gold gilding on three edges---in FINE condition. Michael Jeffrey Jordan, who was born in 1963, played basketball for three seasons under DEAN SMITH at the University of North Carolina---Chapel Hill. During his Freshman season in 1982, Jordan led the Tar Heels to the National championship. He played fifteen seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), winning six championships with the Chicago Bulls. His biography on the official NBA website states: "By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time." He was integral in popularizing the NBA around the world in the 1980s and 1990s, becoming a global cultural icon in the process. Jordan joined the Bulls in 1984 as the third overall draft pick, and quickly emerged as a league star, entertaining crowds with his prolific scoring while gaining a reputation as one of the game's best defensive players. His leaping ability, demonstrated by performing slam dunks from the free-throw line, earned him the nicknames "Air Jordan" and "His Airness." Halberstan wrote: "Because NBA rules placed limits on rookie salaries, younger players came out earlier and earlier, drafted by the league's weakest teams." Jordan won his first NBA title with the Bulls in 1992, 1992, and 1993, a three feat! He holds the NBA record for career regular season scoring average (30.12 points per game) and career playoff scoring average (33.45 points per game). In 1999, he was named the 20th century's greatest North American athlete by ESPN, and was second to Babe Ruth on the Associated Press' list of athletes of the century. Jordan was twice inducted into the Naismith Memorial Baketball Hall of Fame. One of the most effectively marketed athletes of his generation, Jordan is known for his product endorsements. He fueled the success of Nike's AIR JORDAN sneakers, which were introduced in 1984 and remain popular today. Jordan became part-owner and head of basketball operations for the Charlotte Bobcats (now named the Hornets) in 2006, and bought a controlling interest in 2010. In 2016, Jordan became the first billionaire player in NBA history. As of 2022, his net worth is estimated at $2.1 billion. 

David Halberstam, who lived from 1934 – 2017, was an American Journalist and historian known for his work on the Vietnam War, politics, the Civil Right Movement, and business. Halberstam's book revealed Jordan's weaknesses, including his penchant for gambling and the seemingly cruel pushing of his teammates in his drive for perfection. There are in-depth looks at the notorious bad-blood between the Bulls' front office and its players, the high-quality basketball program run by Dean Smith at North Carolina, the emergence of ESPN and cable television and its importance to the NBA---and Jordan's failed attempt to make it in baseball. Born in New York City, Halberstam received his BA at HARVARD. 426 pages. I offer combined shipping.