cover image Growing Up in Words and Images

Growing Up in Words and Images

Joe Barry Carroll. Joe Barry Carroll Publishing, $50 (262p) ISBN 978-0-9898373-2-3

In this memoir in paintings and narration, former NBA star Carroll lets readers into an intimate view of his family and his experiences, set against paintings he has created. Carroll was born 1958, the 10th of 13 children, and grew up poor in Pine Bluff, Ark. His mother worked hard to put food on the table and support all of her children. Joe grew taller and taller, finally reaching seven feet and becoming a basketball player. As he went to Purdue University and joined the NBA in 1980, playing for the Golden State Warriors, he carefully kept his attention on the important things in life: family and perspective. After his retirement, he went into wealth management and painting. Readers familiar only with Carroll’s basketball career will be surprised to see his artistic side and introspective aspects. While some of the stories and maxims get repetitive, Carroll is thoughtful and earnest, showing sincere gratitude for the life he has. This is a careful retrospective of a whole man, not just an athlete. (BookLife)