Beneath the Surface: My Story

Very good read!

I've always loved the Olympics but even more so since Michael Phelps came on the scene. He is such an a amazing athlete and has done so much for the sport of swimming. I loved this book and learned there is so much more involved in the training to be an Olympic swimmer than I ever imagined. As a mom I was so moved to learn of the relationship that Debbie Phelps has with her son and how she would guide him into making the right decisions without him even knowing what she was doing. If I was still teaching I'd make this required reading for all junior high and older students. Goal setting, working hard to accomplish it, having respect for others, loving your family, and so much more in one little book. I loved it!

Bought this for my child as he sees Michael Phelps (and Tim Howard) as role models for those with similar challenges in their life. He too realizes many things are easier to appreciate after hard work and it’s often a delayed gratification is the toughest to understand. Definite great reading or motivator for pre-teens.

I have followed Phelps since Athens. Even though he had had some low points in his growing, I was always inspired by him. I loved how this book gave me insight to Phelps, the person. His goofiness & awkwardness as a teenager (reminds me of my own son), his competitive nature and his incredibly HUGE heart. I even went back and watched a lot of his races again, what a great athlete and person - what I would give to have lunch with him and his mom!

I was looking forward to reading Michael Phelps account of his London olympic experience, since it was prominently advertised on the cover. NOT!! This is the old "Beneath the Surface", with 5 pages of comments by the editor on Michael's 2012 Olympic performance attached to the front of the original material.I already have "Beneath the Surface"; I didn't need a second copy. This edition has nothing more from Michael. It has only an unnamed editor's thoughts on the 2012 Olympics part of Michael's swimming career, including a comment about Ryan Locte that I am sure Michael would never have said, let alone authorized to be printed. Shame on Sports Publishing for misleading us into thinking we would be getting something more from Michael Phelps. The add-on isn't anything we didn't already know from reading the sports page during the Olympics.If you haven't got the first edition of this book, then definitely buy it, but not for content on London, 2012.

Loved the book but the cover says “Includes Rio 2016” and the autobiographical part of the book actually ends just before the Beijing games of 2008. It would have been interesting to hear From him how he overcame the challenges he had in between Beijing and Rio. Instead it’s covered in an Editor’s Note in the beginning, which doesn’t have the same down to earth tone as the autobiographical part that Michale wrote himself.But it’s a great and inspiring account of his life and swimming career.

Very insightful and helpful book about a person’s struggles and successes with trying to be an olympic contender. Very heartfelt and honest look at his high strung personality, set backs and break throughs with his ADHD. Gave me hope for my grandson...

Michael Phelps is, in my opinion, one of the greatest athletes of all time but this book reminds us that he is also a human being who shares many of the same values and dreams with the rest of us. His connection with family and dedication to his friends is amazing. He really is a blessing.The story is easy to read and there is a lot of humour. This book is a must for anyone remotely interested in swimming or any sporting success.