Don Smith - Darkness to Sunlight

[Wesley]

Don’t judge a book by its cover and don’t judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes. When you start in a boy’s size 6 shoe and ended up in a man’s 17, you better be prepared for quite an extraordinary trip. Put yourself in the shoes of Zaid Abdul-Aziz by reading the book now.



The a****iography of Zaid Abdul-Aziz (Don Smith) is the kind of ‘journey’ readers don’t get to see enough. The journey begins in the poverty stricken slums of Brooklyn, NY and enters (Iowa) America’s heartland, then winds into collegiate and NBA fame. Though you will be amazed of the accomplishments of this ISU All-American and former NBA legend; this book is more than just about sports! These memoirs of a man, who overcame daunting personal, professional, and spiritual hardships, will touch hearts and open minds. Darkness to Sunlight will keep you at the edge of your seat, as it takes you on a long walk in the shoes of an extraordinary athlete and an amazing man.

Darkness to Sunlight is primarily targeted for: sports fans, the entire African-American population, National Public High Schools (teenage “at risk” students), the current and retired NBA players, Public & Private Universities, National Libraries and the Islamic population throughout the United States. The Darkness to Sunlight national tour began February 2007! We are excited to be in partnership with these wholesale distributors: Baker & Taylor, QBI Books, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and Partners West. We strongly recommend you purchase copies of Darkness to Sunlight. For more questions or for more information about contacting Zaid for speaking engagements please call us at 206-686-3055 or email us. ................................................................................ ..................................

“Zaid Abdul-Aziz nightly used to post up and crash boards, holding his own in a ruggedly violent world known as the NBA paint. However, Zaid has now became a finesse player with a surprisingly soft touch while explaining himself in Darkness to Sunlight is All-Pro stuff, a must read for fans and non-fans.”

- Seattle Post Intelligence

“Inspiring and delightful!!! In his unique, thoroughly engaging memoir, Zaid, tells the game and society he came of age within.”

- Elliot Bay Bookstore

“Refreshing! This book provides a very personal perspective of the challenges African-American athletes faced in the 1960’s and 1970’s. As a result, Zaid has written a memoir that is bound to touch hearts and open minds.”

- Oscar Robertson, NBA Hall of Fame Legend

[Wesley]

Excerpt from Amazon:
[ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0977886107/ref=sib_dp_pt/102-9431664-1564924#reader-link]Amazon Online Reader : Darkness to Sunlight[/ame]

[AirWalke]

He doesn't put down Ames, does he?

[Wesley]

Not that I am aware of. He came from the gangs of Brooklyn and made the pros. Ames was the tweener.

[iccyfan]

He doesn't put down Ames, does he?

[SeattleClone]

I had the opportunity to meet Zaid this past spring at an ISU Alumni Association family bowling event in Seattle. He was a very nice guy and seemed genuinely excited to be meeting Cyclone fans. I bought a copy of his book and he personally autographed it as well.

I had heard about his book previously, and was primarily interested in reading about his experiences at Iowa State, even though that was way before my time. When I started reading it I found I enjoyed the first part, his experiences growing up in Brooklyn, even more than the second part which covered his time at Iowa State. Right now I am still working on finishing the book, and I'm right in the middle of his NBA career where an encounter with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar first made him ponder his conversion to Islam.

Overall it is a really enjoyable read, he tells so much of his perspective, and what he was thinking at all times. As I read in one review, it is as if you were sitting down with him one-on-one and he was telling you his story.

And no, he didn't put down Ames...