Behind The ScenesSportsCenter

Summer Reading: Cary Chow

If you check out ESPN.com and SportsCenter anchor Cary Chow’s social media posts, you will see some of his traveling expeditions. The recently married, five-year ESPNer also enjoys reading a great book before going to sleep. He shares his thoughts in this week’s Summer Reading Series edition.

What topic would you write a book about and why?
I would combine my two passions of sports and traveling. When I travel, I love learning about other cultures and sports is a great way because the nature of competition is universal.

What book are you currently reading?
The Chinese in America by the late Iris Chang.

It’s a sweeping narrative history of Chinese migration to this country and includes these incredible anecdotes about little known figures in American history. Like many children of immigrants, I focused so much on assimilating growing up that I neglected a lot of my own culture. This book has led me to think a lot about my family’s path to this country and their role in it now.

How do you fit reading into your busy schedule?
It’s like working out. You won’t get the body you want if you don’t exercise. You’re not going to get the mind you want if you don’t read.

What was the last book you read?
Big Blue Wrecking Crew by my friend Jerry Barca. It is a detailed profile on the ’86 Super Bowl champion Giants and some of their larger than life characters.

What is the most influential book in your life?
The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II, also written by Iris Chang. I remember the first time I read it, I was dumbfounded. I studied and watched plenty about WWII and the Holocaust, but had no idea of the atrocities that happened in Nanking. The book was so disturbing; it shook me to my core. I went to China and saw the Nanjing Massacre Memorial, which was built on a former slaughter site. We have to learn from the mistakes of the past to better our future.

Pick one: e-book or an actual book?
I’ve long thought I was a proponent of actual books as it superficially made me feel more distinguished. However, while reading my current hard cover, 400-plus page behemoth, I definitely wish it was an e-book! I’m making up a new rule right now, over/under 200 pages will determine if I prefer an actual book.

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