Art and athleticism

KAREEM Abdul-Jabbar, the basketball star and author of says he looks forward to anything written by Walter Mosley: “I’d be very happy if he wrote a novel every week.” WHAT BOOKS ARE CURRENTLY ON YOUR NIGHT STAND?

by Makoto Sugawara furthers my interest in martial arts that began shortly before Bruce Lee became my teacher. The book explores the swordsmen of medieval Japan and the influence they had on the country.

For me, the book is about the convergence of art and athleticism, and its effect on politics. I’ve always been fascinated by people who push themselves to become the best they possibly can be at something that combines intellect and movement. And how their achievements affect their society.

I’m also rereading a favourite novel from when I was in high school, by a great but often overlooked African-American writer, William Melvin Kelley. This satire peels back some uncomfortable layers of how the races see each other and is just as relevant today as it was in 1967, when it was published. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE BOOKS ON SPORTS?

I’ve loved boxing ever since my dad and I watched it together when I was a kid. Whether it’s basketball or boxing, there’s something exciting about being in a confined space and time with people trying to impose their will on you while you not only fend them off, but impose your will on them. It’s pretty much the essence of life. My two favourite boxing books are

by Joe Louis with Edna and Art Rust Jr., and

by Wil Haygood. These were boxers who, because of their colour, were forced to do as much fighting outside the ring as in.

Baseball was my first sports love and my favourite baseball book is

by Larry Tye. Satchel Paige was an inspiration not only because of his battles breaking the colour barrier in major league baseball, but because he was an ancient 42 years old when he led the Cleveland Indians to the World Series.

AS AN ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE FAN, WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE SHERLOCK HOLMES?

Since my novel and comic book series about Mycroft, Sherlock’s brother, I get asked this question a lot.

I’m especially fond of

because it was the first Holmes story I read. I picked it up when I was a sophomore in high school, and I’ve been hooked ever since. It opened up a whole new way of thinking analytically to me and made me want to read everything and know everything so I could be as smart as Sherlock.

Having read all the works now, I also really like which was written after Conan Doyle had apparently killed Sherlock in

I like the complex plot and Sherlock’s intensity in solving the case.

A recent novel,IQ by Joe Ide, does a terrific job adapting the novel with a black Sherlocklike character set in the black community in Long Beach with a very scary hound.

WHICH WRITERS — NOVELISTS, PLAYWRIGHTS, CRITICS, JOURNALISTS, POETS — WORKING TODAY DO YOU ADMIRE MOST?

I look forward to every Walter Mosley novel. I’d be very happy if he wrote a novel every week. His series, set in post-World War II Watts, is my favourite, but I’m also devoted to his

and books. His writing is not only entertaining but also provides piercing social commentary about race, class and American ideals.

WHAT’S THE MOST INTERESTING THING YOU LEARNT RECENTLY FROM A BOOK?

I learn something interesting from every book I read, whether it’s about swordfighting in medieval Japan or race relations in America, so it’s hard to say which is the most interesting.

I often think of that quote attributed to science-fiction writer Robert A. Heinlein: “Ignorance is curable, stupid is forever.”

I feel lucky that after all these years of reading and living, there’s still so much more that I find interesting.

WHAT BOOK MIGHT PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO FIND ON YOUR SHELVES?

Veterinary books on the care of horses. I used to own and breed a dozen Arabian horses. There’s a lot that goes into caring for them, and I wanted to learn everything I could about it. WHAT’S THE BEST BOOK YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED AS A GIFT?

A friend of mine, Mario Argote, gave me by Geoff Dyer and it’s become one of my favourite books. The book is made up of fictionalised stories about several jazz greats, like Chet Baker and Thelonious Monk, in which he reveals insights into the men as well as their music.

WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE FICTIONAL HERO OR HEROINE? YOUR FAVOURITE ANTIHERO OR VILLAIN?

My favourite hero is Walter Mosley’s P.I., Easy Rawlins. He’s smart, tough, relentless and honourable. Most important, he’s cool without trying.

My favourite villain is Jabba the Hutt from I like how much he enjoys his villainy and the benefits they bring. As he sees it, he’s having the time of his life. He reminds me of some of the street gangsters in Harlem who always behaved as if they couldn’t believe their good fortune. If you’re going to be a villain, that seems the best attitude to have.

DISAPPOINTING, OVERRATED, JUST NOT GOOD: WHAT BOOK DID YOU FEEL YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO LIKE, AND DIDN’T? DO YOU REMEMBER THE

LAST BOOK YOU PUT DOWN WITHOUT FINISHING?

The two books that come to mind are Tom Wolfe’s novel and A. Scott Berg’s biography of

I know that was a huge best seller and loved by many critics, and its themes of race and social class are topics I’m interested in. But I just couldn’t get myself to care about anyone in the novel. With I just didn’t find Woodrow Wilson that interesting.

WHOM WOULD YOU WANT TO WRITE YOUR LIFE STORY?

The first author that pops into my head, improbably, is Mario Puzo. Not sure why. Maybe because he made so riveting I figure he could do the same with my life.

More practically, I would say Ron Chernow, who wrote the excellent biography

He’s thorough in presenting details but insightful in showing what they mean.