Most people know the skyhook. They know the six MVP trophies and the statue outside Crypto.com Arena. But if you walk into a bookstore and head to the mystery section, or the history aisle, or even the kids' corner, you're going to see his name again. Honestly, the most surprising thing about a book Kareem Abdul Jabbar writes isn't just that it exists—it’s that it’s actually good. Like, really good.
He isn't just a former athlete slapping his name on a ghostwritten memoir for a quick paycheck. Kareem is a nerd in the best possible way. He’s a Sherlock Holmes obsessive, a jazz historian, and a guy who spent fifty years taking notes on the social fabric of America.
The Sherlock Obsession You Didn’t See Coming
You’ve probably seen the meme of Kareem as the co-pilot in Airplane!, but did you know he’s a massive Holmesian? He’s written an entire series of novels centered on Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock’s older, smarter brother.
The first one, simply titled Mycroft Holmes, came out in 2015. It isn't some dry Victorian pastiche. Kareem and his co-author Anna Waterhouse basically reinvented the character. They gave Mycroft a best friend, Cyrus Douglas, who is a Black merchant from Trinidad. This allows Kareem to weave in heavy themes of colonialism and race into a Victorian detective story.
It’s a clever move. By using Mycroft—who is 23 in the first book—Kareem gets to play with a character that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle never fully fleshed out. We get to see the origins of the Diogenes Club and the sibling rivalry that shaped the world’s most famous detective. If you're looking for a book Kareem Abdul Jabbar wrote that feels the least like a "sports book," this is it.
The Mycroft Trilogy Order:
- Mycroft Holmes (2015)
- Mycroft and Sherlock (2018)
- The Empty Birdcage (2019)
The Evolution of the Memoir
Kareem’s first big swing at writing was Giant Steps back in 1983. It’s a classic, but it’s also very much a product of its time. It’s raw. He talks about his conversion to Islam, the fire that destroyed his home, and the general feeling of being an outsider even when he was the most dominant player on the planet.
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But if you want the real heart of the man, you have to read Coach Wooden and Me.
Released in 2017, this book is basically a 50-year love letter to his college coach, John Wooden. It’s arguably the most human book Kareem Abdul Jabbar has ever put to paper. He details how they disagreed on politics—Kareem was a radical young Black man in the 60s, and Wooden was a conservative guy from Indiana—but they never stopped loving each other.
It’s sort of a "Tuesdays with Morrie" vibe but with more basketball and better life advice.
Writing for the Next Generation
Kareem is clearly worried about what kids are learning in school. He’s written several books for young readers, most notably What Color Is My World? The Lost History of African-American Inventors.
He uses a fictional framing story about two siblings moving into a new house to introduce real-life figures like Lewis Latimer (who improved the lightbulb) and Dr. Charles Drew (who pioneered blood banks). It’s not preachy. It’s just "Hey, did you know a Black man invented the refrigerated truck?" It’s the kind of stuff that usually gets left out of textbooks.
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More recently, in 2025, he released We All Want to Change the World: My Journey Through Social Justice Movements. This one is a bit of a hybrid. Part memoir, part history lesson. He breaks down the 1960s protest movements and links them directly to what’s happening today.
"Protest movements, even peaceful ones, are never popular at first... But there is a reason protest gatherings have been so frequent throughout history: They are effective."
Why the Critics Actually Like Him
Usually, when a celeb writes a book, critics sharpen their knives. But Kareem has a way of winning people over because his research is airtight. Whether he’s writing about the 761st Tank Battalion in Brothers in Arms or the Harlem Renaissance in On the Shoulders of Giants, he’s doing the work.
He doesn't shy away from his own flaws, either. In Becoming Kareem, which is aimed at young adults, he talks openly about being a "shy, awkward kid" who felt like he didn't fit in anywhere. He’s 7'2". Fitting in was never really an option.
What to Read First?
If you're overwhelmed by the bibliography, here’s a quick guide on where to start based on what you like:
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- For the Mystery Fan: Mycroft Holmes. It’s fast-paced, atmospheric, and surprisingly violent in parts.
- For the Historian: On the Shoulders of Giants. It’s a deep dive into the culture of Harlem that shaped his own identity.
- For the Basketball Purist: Giant Steps. It’s the definitive autobiography of his playing years.
- For the Person Who Needs a Good Cry: Coach Wooden and Me. Bring tissues. Seriously.
The Actionable Takeaway
If you've only ever seen Kareem through the lens of a basketball player, you're missing about 80% of the guy. His writing is a bridge between the athletic world and the intellectual world.
To get the most out of a book Kareem Abdul Jabbar has written, start with his Substack or his most recent social justice commentary. It gives you a sense of his "voice"—erudite, a little bit grumpy, but incredibly deeply felt. Then, pick up Mycroft Holmes. It’ll change how you think about "athlete-authors" forever.
The next time you’re in a library or scrolling through Amazon, don't just look for the jersey. Look for the pen. Kareem has spent his retirement proving that while his body may have slowed down, his mind is still playing at an MVP level.
To start your collection, look for the 2025 releases like Champion: A Graphic Novel or the social justice retrospective We All Want to Change the World. These titles represent the culmination of his transition from athlete to one of America's most consistent cultural critics.