Editorial Review

Jane Leavy, the acclaimed author of the New York Times bestseller Sandy Koufax: A Lefty's Legacy, returns with a biography of an American original—number 7, Mickey Mantle. Drawing on more than five hundred interviews with friends and family, teammates, and opponents, she delivers the definitive account of Mantle's life, mining the mythology of The Mick for the true story of a luminous and illustrious talent with an achingly damaged soul.

Meticulously reported and elegantly written, The Last Boy is a baseball tapestry that weaves together episodes from the author's weekend with The Mick in Atlantic City, where she interviewed her hero in 1983, after he was banned from baseball, with reminiscences from friends and family of the boy from Commerce, Oklahoma, who would lead the Yankees to seven world championships, be voted the American League's Most Valuable Player three times, win the Triple Crown in 1956, and duel teammate Roger Maris for Babe Ruth's home run crown in the summer of 1961—the same boy who would never grow up.

As she did so memorably in her biography of Sandy Koufax, Jane Leavy transcends the hyperbole of hero worship to reveal the man behind the coast-to-coast smile, who grappled with a wrenching childhood, crippling injuries, and a genetic predisposition to alcoholism. In The Last Boy she chronicles her search to find out more about the person he was and, given what she discovers, to explain his mystifying hold on a generation of baseball fans, who were seduced by that lopsided, gap-toothed grin. It is an uncommon biography, with literary overtones: not only a portrait of an icon, but an investigation of memory itself. How long was the Tape Measure Home Run? Did Mantle swing the same way right-handed and left-handed? What really happened to his knee in the 1951 World Series? What happened to the red-haired, freckle-faced boy known back home as Mickey Charles?

"I believe in memory, not memorabilia," Leavy writes in her preface. But in The Last Boy, she discovers that what we remember of our heroes—and even what they remember of themselves—is only where the story begins.

Reviews

The Man behind the Hero, and the Hero behind the Man - A Wonderful Page Turner that you will LOVE!!!!


How wonderful in an age when we don't have heroes anymore, we can go back to an earlier age in our lives, when we did. We can then hand a book like this to our children, and perhaps, just perhaps they can come to understand how a different generation from their own, could have revered such a man as Mickey Mantle, who represented everything that we all wanted to be.


For all of us, it was a dream that could not be fulfilled, but that didn't mean we couldn't still fantasize about it, and maybe that's why some pay so much for collectibles. We are able to hold, or touch something that belonged to the hero, and the hero's journey.


First of all, you must love sports, and sports heroes to thoroughly enjoy this book as I did. Ms. Leavy has captured the real Mickey Mantle, and although she covers the warts and all, this is still very much the story of a hero, a hero of mythic proportions. In ancient Rome there were the Gladiators. In the 20th century, we have our sports heroes, and surely Mickey Mantle captured America's attention like no other.


He made us forget about Joe DiMaggio who dominated an earlier generation of Yankees in center field. DiMaggio knew it, and made Mantle pay for it emotionally for his entire career. You might want to read Joe DiMaggio: The Hero's Life by Richard Ben Cramer, a great biography of Mantle's predecessor in center field.


Ah, and can Ms. Leavy write; she is accomplished, having earlier penned a magnificent biography of Brooklyn Dodger hero Sandy Koufax. When I began to read about Mickey, I at first wondered if she could capture the same spirit she captured in "Sandy Koufax: A Lefty's Legacy". By that I mean could she capture the essence of the man and the time in which Mantle lived. She had done this so well with Koufax, could she do it again.


How do you replicate in words, what it was like to have Mantle in the Bronx, and the Dodgers in Brooklyn? If you are a reader living in Texas, or California, can you do it? The author answered that question and more. This lady is at the top of her game as they say. Through 416 pages she covers it all, Mickey's extraordinary potential, and his partial realization of it, having been plagued by injuries during his entire playing career. What haunted him at night is laid out, from his belief that he would die at an early age as his father did, to his first years in baseball where DiMaggio would not even speak with him. Do you want to know what it was like for this young magnificent talent to be snubbed by the leader of the team while trying to build his own identity? It's all here in story after exquisite story. Myths are shattered while new truths are revealed.


The author is clear, and admits she's biased. Mickey is her guy, just as he was our guy. She loved him, and we all loved him, and now many years after his death, we love him even more, and still feel our loss, a loss for a youth that none of us can ever have again. The title of the book says it all, "The Last Boy: Mickey Mantle and the End of America's Childhood". How appropriate for a title for this man, and at this time.


We were moving from the age of innocence under Eisenhower into the turbulent world of the 60's with Viet Nam, JFK, Civil Rights, drugs and the counter culture, but through it all, there was the constancy of Mickey Mantle and the Yankees. You either loved him and them, or you hated them. There was nobody on the fence when it came to the Yankees, and it's probably still a true statement today.


Even in those cities that hate the Yankees, no team in baseball filled the stands in enemy territory like the Yankees, and it's all based on the myth and mythology which survives for as long as any of us remember this man and his extraordinary exploits. The most exciting hitter in baseball playing drunk, and with extraordinary pain, and injuries. Nobody knew the real Mickey, maybe no could. We know more about him now through this author and others, than we did when he was setting world of sports on fire.


The book is organized into five parts. The unifying theme is the author meeting Mickey in 1983 at the Claridge Hotel, a casino in Atlantic City. In those days, baseball did not pay like it does today. Although Mickey was paid $100,000 per year by the Yankees for years, very few baseball players saved any money, and basically all of them had to find careers after baseball in order to survive. Late in his life they asked Mickey what he would be paid today if he were in the game. He said, "I don't really know, except I would probably be sitting down with the team owner, and saying, how you doing, PARTNER?"


In each of the five parts of the book, the author continues the story of her meeting Mickey at the Claridge Hotel, and then she reverts back into discussing his biography along chronological lines from his first days in baseball, through his last.


Here's some of the things you will learn in this wonderful book:


* In four quick phrases, you learn the essence of the man. He was so gifted, s flawed, so damaged, so beautiful.


* Admirers were so enamored of Mantle that they were willing to pay anything for memorabilia. Both Billy Crystal the comedian, and David Wells the pitcher got into a bidding war for a damaged glove that Mickey played with. The spirited bidding made Crystal the winner at $239,000. The author has done her homework, and engages the reader in a real and detailed understanding of the collectors' world and how it influenced Mantle, who could make $50,000 in an afternoon signing his name. His near mint rookie card went for $282,000 in 2006.


* Originally a shortstop, legendary manger Casey Stengel said I will personally make this man into a center fielder. DiMaggio went ballistic. It's quite a story and its aftermath went on for years. As was explained in the book, Stengel loved Mantle and disliked DiMaggio.


* Other players could not believe Mantle's abilities. It was said that he was more speed than slugger, and more slugger than any speedster, and nobody had had more of both of them together. Stengel said this kid ain't logical, and he's too good. It's very confusing. When you compared him to others, and the others that came before him, Mantle was unique, and he had the charisma to match. Together it was an unbeatable combination, and then add in a media crazed New York.


* Branch Rickey the general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates who would make history breaking Jackie Robinson into the majors, once said about Mantle, "I hereby agree to pay any price for the purchase of Mickey Mantle."


* It was said about Mantle and his teammates that they lived over the speed limit and being with Mantle was like having a get out of jail card free card. Nobody could play ball like Mickey, and nobody could play like Mickey. The stories, the philandering, the booze, the nightlife, it's all here, and it's here in abundance.


* Mickey was generous to a fault. If you were his friend, you did not need other friends. He was there for you through thick and thin. Teammate Joe Pepitone got divorced. Mickey told him, I got two rooms at the St. Moritz. You come stay with me. Pepitone stayed two years.


* And then there's the naivet�. He's constantly getting conned into putting money into bad deals with bad people. In one deal, his teammates asked him, did you have a lawyer. He responds that he didn't need one, the other guys already had a lawyer in the room.



We haven't even touched upon the game of baseball itself and Mantle's contributions to the game, his impact. Leavy covers it all, and there's much to cover. The World Series where Sandy Koufax, a pitcher who during a five year period was deemed to be unhittable, strikes out Mantle, and then in the seventh inning, Mantle makes contact with what he felt was the fastest pitch he had ever seen. The ferocious noise of the bat making contact with the ball was painful to those sitting in the dugouts, and then the ball wound up in the upper bleachers, but it wasn't enough. In the final inning Koufax would strike out Mantle again, and win the World Series. Mickey goes into the dugout and says, "How in the f---, are you supposed to hit that s---.


You will not put the book down. You will re-live your youth. You will be filled with joy at the thrill of one hero and the world of baseball. You will also find much sorrow in the sadness of life after baseball, of cutting ribbons at gas stations for a thousand dollars, doing bar mitzvahs on weekends, and attempting to live on past glories. What an American story, and only in America could it have happened. Thank you for reading this review, and I gladly give this book five stars.


Richard Stoyeck

Honestly Affectionate
It's easy to love a hero, an ideal, an image. But Leavy shows us that it is better to love the reality, a man whose gifts and flaws were both larger than life. This sympathetic but honest depiction of the golden boy of America's golden era shows us the crushing internal and external pressure Mantle struggled with, including the burden of that, well, mantle of heroism he knew no one could ever live up to. And yet he tried. And gave us moments we still cheer for. Leavy's graceful writing, diligent scholarship, and, above all, devoted dedication make this illuminating, heart-wrenching, and ultimately inspiring story one of the best books of the year and one of the best books about sports ever written.

A thorough and honest review
A through and painfully honest review of one of the greatest and most compelling sports legends of the 20th century. As in her book about Sandy Koufax, Jane Leavy did meticulous research about the subject matter with numerous interviews with contemporaries. However, despite being a very well written book, the Koufax book left the reader with a sense that we never really knew Koufax. We saw many of his virtues, but there was little insight into Koufax's faults. He almost seemes too good to be true at times. Conversely, the Mantle book leaves very little unanswered. It is brutally honest, showing Mantle as a human being with flaws, warts, imperfections as well as redeeming qualities.

Unlike Koufax, Mantle has been the subject of many books, and his accomplishments, relationships, alcohol issues and sexual exploits have been well documented. But Jane Leavy has broken new ground by her research and personal interactions with Mantle and has provided new insights about the Mick. An outstanding book.

Baseball plus
"The Last Boy" is a superb job of research and writing, a rare combination indeed. The author covers Mantle's
baseball career quite lucidly, but adds the enormous dimension of his alcoholism, in detail, and places it all
in the contest of American societal development during his years in the spotlight . . . and beyond. A page-
turner from the very first. This must take its place among the very best baseball books on anyone's shelf.
Well done.

Mantle's Life - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
As a baby boomer, I grew up with some of the greatest home run hitters of all time - Mantle, Mays, Snider, Maris... the list goes on. We use to play home run derby as kids and would choose who got the first choice in who they were representing. Mantle was always #1. As kids, he had this image of being infallible. Not the greatest fielder, but pure power when it came to hitting. He truly was our sports hero. The season of 61 when the M&M boys were chasing Ruth's single season record was the most exciting sports season for me as a kid. I saw them both hit home runs in Cleveland that year.

This book provided me a perspective on Mantle I never realized as a kid. Mickey and his family were truly dysfunctional. And the extent of his drinking and womanizing was surprising. Jane Leavy does an excellent job of sharing the good, the bad and the ugly of Mantle's life. It certainly is a lot different than the hero we worshiped as kids. Her perspective on seminal events in Mantle's life including tracing down people related to the event (like the kid that found the Tape Measure Home Run ball), and the technical analysis of his stats and swing make this for a very interesting read. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in baseball history.

The Last Boy
Great book about one of my all time heros. Sad, but poignantly sad and also full of what-ifs in his baseball career.

Simply Sensational Biography
I am not old enough to remember Mantle's playing career, and his post playing days were marked by mostly embarrassing drunken escapades and a final year of atonement and sobriety. But reading this wonderful book gives me insight into the hold the man held over baseball and much of American popular culture for so long. He was one of the best players ever, but there was so much more to it than simply being a gifted slugger and center fielder. He was complicated, an active alcoholic for almost his entire adulthood, tender hearted but capable of great cruelty, and beloved by many millions.

Read this book! Highly recommended. ... Read more

Editorial Review

When a potentially career-ending shoulder injury left quarterback Drew Brees without a team—and facing the daunting task of having to learn to throw a football all over again—coaches around the NFL wondered, Will he ever come back? After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, leaving more than 80 percent of the city underwater, many wondered, Will the city ever come back? And with their stadium transformed into a makeshift refugee camp, forcing the Saints to play their entire 2005 season on the road, people questioned, Will the Saints ever come back? It takes a special person to turn adversity into success and despair into hope—yet that is exactly what Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees has done—and with the weight of an entire city on his shoulders. Coming Back Stronger is the ultimate comeback story, not only of one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks, but also of a city and a team that many had all but given up on. Brees’s inspiring message of hope and encouragement proves that with enough faith, determination, and heart, you can overcome any obstacle life throws your way and not only come back, but come back stronger. ... Read more

Reviews

Great for teens and sports fans
Just read this book today and wanted to quickly share a "two thumbs up." This is the inspiring true story of Drew Brees' life, including being injured and having a comeback in professional football. Not to reveal the whole story, it is inspiring and involves a lot of courage and stamina on Brees' part as he faces challenges throughout his life, including a lengthy physical rehabilitation. The book is current and tells of the ups and downs, laughter and tears, victories and defeats of his life. Very interesting read for sports fans, and terrific read for teens whether they follow him or not. I have a couple of teen boys in mind who will love receiving this for a gift. I know teens aren't always keen on reading about adversity, but it's a great reality check and good book for conversations over dinner or a campfire.

If you want to read about a positive example, role model, mentor, or hero for young men today, Drew Brees is a great one!

one quick correction: the audio version is read by Chris Fabry and would be terrific for a car trip/vacation)

A Real Treasure!
This is an enlightening well-written book for anyone! One lives through some days of adversity with Drew from a high school injury, college, draft, and the San Diego injury. These moments all played a role in preparing for his opportunity to play for the Saints. I began to see how his attitude, focus, preparation and team spirit has brought him to where he is today. I've been drawn to Brittany as I've seen her on television and was happy to see how much credit she is given as part of this story of success. This is definitely a very special family! Some incidents were quite amusing when the "idiot quarterback" at Purdue meets Brittany and his first thought is "I'm going to marry her" and she won't even talk to him and for good reason as Drew freely admits. I laughed out loud when Drew six months later is trying to get acquainted with Brittany and offered to drive her home in her car with a stick shift. Also special were Drew and his brother Reid as kids, the birth and naming of Baylen, and the weeks in the New Orleans home with a mattress on the floor and two camping chairs to sit in at night. We've all taken a turn at "camping in" in an empty home but it was just surprizing to see one additional revelation I could strongly identify with in the book. Finally reading about their Foundation and the enormous accomplishments to help others - children with cancer, schools and parks in New Orleans, Purdue Sports and the other ways Drew has helped in the community and supported our military. Adversity knocks on everyone's door and Drew offers some great advice on how to get yourself through it.

great story, great guy
already liked Brees - this just reenforces my belief that he is a stand-up guy. wish we had more athletes like him for our kids (and us) to look up to.

A Role Model for the New Era
I live in Northeastern Ohio but have been a Saints fan since the "Dome Patrol" Era in the late 80s. I have always been my own man and I did not want to be like my father and like the teams he liked (he is a Browns fan). Fast forward to this past year. We (as in the Saints) won the Super Bowl and The Browns are looking for their first trip.

When I was exercising at my local Natatorium and saw the interview with Drew Brees about his book, I knew that was my Summer read. Right before my family went to Canada for vacation, I got the book and in record time, finished it in 3 days.

I didn't know much about Drew Brees up until his injury. I knew he played for the Chargers and that he was a decent Quarterback hidden in the shadows of Tomlinson at the time. When Katrina hit the Gulf and destroyed New Orleans, I was scared for the team and the 3-13 record reflected that. I loved Drew's upbringing, his discussion of his birthmark, his college days, the passion he had for winning and the struggles to not only impress his wife Brittany but to impress the Saints and the people of New Orleans. One negative side was that he had his team chants in there. The entire 2009 season people wanted to know what that was and he always told them that it was a team thing and he would not disclose it. Now, if other teams wanted to use it, they can since it is spelled out in the book. Although I wanted to know what they said, I think that he gave away a part of their success in the book.

The progress of success continues throughout the book and his faith maintained as well. I am always a little skeptic when reading about someone's faith because it turns into preaching and it is always forced. Drew never did this. He told about how faithful he was to his religion and that he always knew he was destined for something through God's will. In the end, he was...is. His love for his faith, wife, team, city, child culminated in Superbowl 44. Even after the climax of the Superbowl, Drew gives one more surprise at the ending and it gave me tears in my eyes because how similar his life and mine are in regards to his thoughts on his family.

I completely recommend this to any sports fan even if you are not a fan of the Saints. In a world of sports stars who are using PEDs, involved in scandals, always surrounded by shootings, robberies and drugs, Drew Brees is a role model for anyone and I truly wish there were more sports figures out there like him. After you read this, you will be in complete agreement with me.

Enjoy.

Great Read and Inspiring Story
Few books can both inspire and entertain at high levels, but I found Drew's book to be one of those rare exceptions.

A great man, a great book.
This book was written beautifully, from the beginning when Drew painfully describes his near career ending shoulder injury, it feels like you were feeling it yourself. I also enjoyed his sweet story of meeting Brittany and his determination to show her the real Drew. But what really affected me was (and I don't know how I could have missed this when it happened)his realization of his mother's suicide, so sad and shocking. I love that throughout the book he very much defines what faith is through his actions and his openness to let God guide him. I have met Drew and Brittany and Baylen several times and they really are such a humble, giving and loving family. The impact they have had on New Orleans can never be overstated. Now everyone can know how truly great the man is with this book.

My Brees!
I loved this book! Drew Brees believes that everyone has a purpose in life and that we should all live up to our potential. He expresses his faith throughout the book. Drew Brees takes you on a journey through his life which led up to the defining moment of winning the Super Bowl and receiving the blessings from the people of New Orleans, Louisiana, and the rest of us WHO DAT NATION around the world! It is an easy, enjoyable read for anyone who loves the SAINTS or for anyone who can appreciate an athelete doing something worthwhile with the talents they have been given.

A Relaxing Read...
Enjoyed the book. Nice to hear from football star that isn't selfish. He had to overcome many odds to achieve his dream. It is a valuable lesson to everyone. We learn more through our failures and trials.

Beyond Awesome and Inspirational
I have been a New Orleans fan for the entire existence of the team first watching the games as a little girl when my father would watch them on Sunday. I attend all Saints home games and as many away games as possible. I originally purchased the book because of my devotion as a Saints fan but was pleasantly surprised to learn that the book was so much more than another tome about football. To say that COMING BACK STRONGER is an inspirational book about the courage it takes to wade through everyday life is a gross understatement. I have already recommended this book to several people and will definitely recommend it to my eighth grade students. My favorite quote from the book, and a wonderful testament to the kind of person Drew Brees is, appears in the acknowledgements: "And last but certainly not least, I would like to thank the city of New Orleans for embracing me at a time when I needed it most. You saved me." And Saints fans thought he saved us!

Excellent book by an excellent person
What an incredible book. I have been a Drew Brees fan since he first stepped foot on the field for Purdue. This is an incredibly well-written and well-detailed account of the different points of adversity he has had to overcome in his life. I've met Drew a few times, and let me tell you, he is just about the nicest and most personable man in such a high position that you could ever meet. He has a chapter in the book titled "A Few Good Men" and in the chapter he explains how one day at church as a teenager he was listening to a pastor talking about how God wants 'a few good men' to "carry on his teachings and walk the walk with Christ." I can honestly say that Drew is certainly one of "A Few Good Men", not only in athletics but in the world today. The book is a must-have, whether you are a sports fan or not.

Oh, and I got my copy autographed today at his book signing at Purdue in West Lafayette, Indiana. :D

Drew, you're the best! ... Read more

Editorial Review

This edition has been updated to reflect new developments and includes new material obtained through the Freedom of Information Act.

Pat Tillman walked away from a multimillion-dollar NFL contract to join the Army and became an icon of post-9/11 patriotism. When he was killed in Afghanistan two years later, a legend was born. But the real Pat Tillman was much more remarkable, and considerably more complicated than the public knew...

A stunning account of a remarkable young man's heroic life and death, from the bestselling author of Into the Wild, Into Thin Air, and Under the Banner of Heaven. ... Read more

Reviews

A book that changed my perspective.
I was originally not very impressed by Pat Tillman's sacrifice. I believe our culture it too quick to call someone a hero. Most people use the expression to counterbalance their own insecurity of not serving in the military. After serving 6 years in the army including tours in Korea, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Iraq, I can honestly say I did not meet one hero--including myself. I now believe Pat Tillman's life was heroic. I say this because he was truly cognizant of America and its misgivings and yet he still willingly served. I did not become aware until about halfway through my tour in Iraq. Once I became aware, rage consumed me. Rage is a normal reaction when one realizes halfway through an act that what they are doing is morally reprehensible. Tillman could have easily escaped combat duty if he wanted. He refused to be used by the Bush regime and the military industrial complex, but still performed the duties that he believed to be right. I cannot express how unique of a person he was. He was a rarity in our world. The narrative on how the military brass and the Bush regime tried to use him and then cover up how he died made the rage come back all over again. I had to walk away from the book several times. The politics behind the story is vital to the context of the story. It's what makes him a tragic hero. A story that only romanticizes his sacrifice so we Americans can thump our chests in pride would be a disservice to his life. Those who are truly aware will appreciate this book. Those who wish to be in the dark will not.

It's not just about Pat Tillman
I don't typically write reviews, but I think a few points raised by other reviewers need to be addressed...

First, Krakauer isn't just writing about Pat Tillman. He's also writing about Afghanistan. To suggest that Tillman's story could be told in a simpler fashion is merely stating the obvious.

Second, Afghanistan is a complex story. To tell it honestly requires exploring details that might not excite a reader looking for action and adventure. War isn't always what you see in the movies.

Third, Tillman's story would not be complete without addressing the political fallout of his death. Does Krakauer express opinions on these topics? Absolutely. But that doesn't mean he approached the subject with a political agenda.

If anything, Krakauer is attacking the political forces that would seek to use Tillman's life to advance their own agenda -- something that Tillman himself would have done if he were alive to do so. It's disingenuous to criticize somebody's writing simply because you disagree with the political truth that the author is exposing.

This is a complex book handled deftly by a strong, even-handed storyteller. I highly recommend it.

Krakauer's subjects defy convention
Pat Tillman went from playing in the NFL to giving up a
multi million dollar contract to become a "friendly fire" statistic
in Afghanistan. Krakauer says thus far in the current Iraq War 41
percent of U S casualties are by "friendly fire". The number was 39
percent in Vietnam and 52 percent the first Iraq war. Tillman's
widow Marie was the only family member to contribute "on the record"
for Krakauer's book. Political alert: Since most of my conservative
friends see anything that challenges their orthodoxy and world view
as unworthy of attention I don't think they will like or appreciate
this book. Why? Because we learn that Pat Tillman and his family do
not reinforce the stereotype of a fallen American Military hero.
Tillman questioned the Iraq war, opposed the Bush administrations
conduct of the war, was an atheist who did not wish to have a
religious or a military service if he died and all the same was a
reluctant hero who gave up much to volunteer along with his brother
to fight after 9/11. Why did Tillman join the Army and want to be an
enlisted man? Tillman kept a very detailed and personal journal and
Krakauer is an excellent writer who seems to find these unusual
individuals that defy convention (such as in his books Into the Wild
and Into Thin Air which is still his best work). Here Krakauer jumps
back and forth between recent events to focus on Tillman's life,
marriage, and friends concluding with how it was possible for him to
be shot by an individual from his own platoon with three .223-caliber
bullets tightly grouped together as they entered the right side of
Tillman's forehead. His brain to be found days later in the dirt near
where he died and it was later lost as a result of one of many
strange Army snafus. How could this event happen? Why when it did
happen did the Army cover it up? Did they cover it up? Why did the
Army provide false testimonial evidence to support a silver star for
Tillman? Why did they order members of Tillman's platoon not to
provide accurate information on the events of the shooting,
especially to Tillman's brother who was a member of that very same
platoon? And why was manufacturing pro war propaganda so important to
those in the Bush administration? And lastly, how many Americans
today even know the truth about Tillman after all these years
(Tillman was killed in 2004)? This is a sad and disturbing book that
leads one to think about what it means to fight and die for one's
country. This is also an important book, if only to insure we obtain
a better understanding of what happened to someone who marched to his
own personal beliefs no matter the risk. And how his government
betrayed his memory. (Note: Krakauer's book reminded me, in part, of
the excellent 1976 book about Vietnam by C.D.B. Bryan, titled
"Friendly Fire". That book is about one of the individuals who became
part of the 39 percent statistic that Krakauer quotes for that war.)

The Hero Compared to His Bosses
Everyone who has followed current events even slightly over the past five years knows that football hero and soldier Pat Tillman was killed in Afghanistan, and that the military had trouble telling the truth about his death from rifle fire by his own platoon. Tillman had a remarkable life for one who died at age 27, and in _Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman_ (Doubleday), Jon Krakauer has provided the biography that Tillman deserves, vivid and compelling. As good as the biography is, however, it isn't Krakauer's main story, which concentrates on the political and moral crimes committed by the Bush administration and the Army as they tried to convince Americans (and Tillman's family) that Tillman had heroically died shot by Taliban soldiers instead of sadly, futilely dying from friendly fire. Krakauer has drawn his title from Homer, and within the book uses also an epigram by Aeschylus; this is not exaggeration. For one thing, Tillman, in addition to countless other interests, was compelled to study the Greek classics. More importantly, this is a brilliantly-told story of a genuine dramatic tragedy, because readers know how it is going to turn out, and watch as Tillman, compelled by his own sense of duty and self-challenge, is doomed by the fates and the powers that be.

Tillman was an extraordinary character, and liked doing things his own way. He drove a Jeep, a car that had no flash, and he kept cats, not dogs. He was an ardent advocate for the rights of homosexuals, and he always had a book handy so that no time was wasted. He had brains, something that football players are not celebrated for, but more importantly, he was introspective and self-critical, constantly writing in his journal about any defects he saw in himself and what he would do to overcome them. (One of the most attractive parts of Krakauer's book is its generous quoting from the journals.) He was a standout as safety for the Arizona Cardinals, earning a fine reputation for playing a smart and aggressive game even though the Cardinals weren't much of a team otherwise. He had a $3.6 million dollar contract coming up, but after 9/11, walked away from it to sign on for the Army for three years. He thought about joining the officer corps, but wanted to be in the immediate action. The Bush administration saw the propaganda value of this young man so devoted to serving his country, but Tillman would not cooperate. He refused interviews and media appearances; he had his job and he wanted just to do it, and he faded into Army obscurity. When he was assigned to Afghanistan, it was not long before he was in the mission that resulted in his death. The mistakes that happened, compounded errors and misjudgments, might be excused as mere manifestations of the fog of war. What is inexcusable is how, after Tillman was shot three times in the head by an American machine gunner, the Army quickly sprang into action to cover up the friendly fire incident. Krakauer writes, "When Pat Tillman was killed in Afghanistan his Ranger regiment responded with a chorus of prevarication and disavowal. A cynical cover-up sanctioned at the highest levels of the government, followed by a series of inept official investigations, cast a cloud of bewilderment and shame over the tragedy, compounding the tragedy of Tillman's death."

The military realized that it was going to have a problem keeping up the falsified version of Tillman's death, because his brother was in the same firefight at a different locale, and their buddies in the platoon knew the truth, and eventually at some point they would, even against orders, spill it. Tillman's mother pushed the issue, and got one after another official investigation, each of which lied in different degrees. Krakauer shows that the White House was eager to peddle the story of the hero as a counter to the revolting revelations from Abu Ghraib and to the increasing evidence that Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction. Krakauer's fine book is full of sadness; it is a shame this worthy man had to go to war, it is a shame that he had to die, it is a shame that his death was a terrible accident. Above all, it was a shame that his chain of command, top to bottom, lied to his country and to his family about his fate. Tillman insisted on pushing himself hard to do the right thing; the dishonest and craven actions of his Army chain of command and the Bush administration are in wretched contrast.

This book will make you angry . . .
This book will make you angry but you should not be angry with the author but rather with the actions of the military and our government. Many reviewers are upset with Krakauer, accusing him of putting forth a political agenda in this book. What I cannot understand is how these readers are not actually upset with the cover-up and exploitation of Pat Tillman's death. Everyone needs to suspend their political beliefs and just focus on the extraordinary story of Pat Tillman and what he did for his country. Yes, I can see how readers may have felt that Krakauer may have been inserting a political agenda in this book. I have to respectfully disagree with them though, because reporting the facts does not necessarily mean a secret agenda. Who exploited Pat Tillman? Who covered up the facts? Read this book to find out. You may not like what you find out, but the truth can be painful. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It truly was hard to put down. I hope one day that the Tillmans find the answers that they are looking for. ... Read more

Editorial Review

In September 2008, Northern State University men’s basketball coach Don Meyer stood on the brink of immortality. He was about to surpass the legendary Bobby Knight to become the all-time NCAA wins leader in men’s basketball. Then, on a two-lane road in South Dakota, everything changed in an instant.

In How Lucky You Can Be, acclaimed sports journalist Buster Olney tells the remarkable story of the successive tragedies that befell Coach Meyer but could not defeat him. Laid low by a horrific car accident that led to the amputation of his left leg below the knee, Coach Meyer had barely emerged from surgery when his doctors informed him that he also had terminal cancer. In the blink of an eye, this prototypical 24/7 workaholic coach—who arrived at the gym most mornings before 6 a.m.—found himself forced to reexamine his priorities at the age of sixty-three. A model of reserve, Coach Meyer had sacrificed much of his emotional life to his program. His wife, Carmen, felt disconnected because of his habitual reticence, while his three children—all now well into adulthood—had long had to compete with basketball for his attention.

With sensitivity and skill, Olney shows how Coach Meyer mined his physical ordeal for the spiritual strength to transform his life. In the months that followed his accident and diagnosis, he reached out to family, friends, and former players in a way he had never been able to do before, making the most of this one last opportunity to tell those close to him how he felt about them—and in turn he received an outpouring of affirmation that confirmed how deeply he had affected others. Sustained throughout an often painful recovery by his love of basketball, he would return to the court once more—with a newfound appreciation for the game’s place in his life.

The inspirational story of a life renewed by unimaginable hardship, How Lucky You Can Be proves that it’s never too late to start making changes—and reminds us that fortune can smile upon us even in our most trying hours.
  ... Read more

Reviews

Spot on!
Knowing and having worked with Coach Meyer I thought this book was spot on! Coach Meyer is an amazing man and his is an amazing story, well worth the read. Buster Olney did a wonderful job portraying coach, I couldn't put the book down!

Absolute Must Read for Everyone - Not Just Sports Fans
This book exceeded my expectations. I just bought a case and plan on handing them out at church this Sunday. This book has the potential to transform lives. I know it has caused me to think about what's truly important in life. Buster did a fantastic job telling Coach Meyer's story. He made it relevant to all of us - not just sports fans. My favorite part was when Coach talks about the "F" words getting him through - faith, family and friends. May God continue to bless and use Coach Meyer. Thank you Buster Olney for bringing this story to the people!

An Inspiration To All
While we were in Minneapolis for our little girl's cancer treatments a couple yrs ago, we had the "chance" privelege of meeting Coach Meyer & his beautiful wife Carmen. Although it was a very brief encounter, Don leaves such a positive impression on people. We have kept in touch with him through letters & e-mails. Less than 2 wks ago, we received a wonderful care package from him. He is a remarkable man who gives true meaning to the terms "wounded healer" and "prayer warrior!" We have been blessed to have him come into our lives & rally behind us with our fight with childhood cancer! (Our little girl, Cedar, is kicking cancer's butt too!!!) Unlimited blessings to Coach Meyer & his family. This book is SOOOOOO WELL WRITTEN! Kudos to Mr. Olney on telling Don's miraculous story so well. It captures your attention from the first page & is hard to put down! I love this book and am gifting several copies this year for Christmas. Our love & prayers continue to be lifted up to Don, Carmen & their entire family ~ thank you for blessing us!!!

Great Coach - Great Read
Buster Olney has a lot of insight into this humble,incredible man, Coach Meyer.One does not have to be a diehard basketball fan to love this book -- Meyer has had many triumphs, and one horrendous car accident -- his attitude and love of God pulled him through so he can now tell others to persevere. I loved the read, book just left we wanting to know even more about this wonderful human being.

How Lucky You Can Be
America's Galactic Foreign Legion - Book 1: Feeling Lucky

We all need inspiration from time to time, and this book give that and more. Good read. ... Read more

Editorial Review

From its earliest days on frozen ponds, hockey has been a sport of speed and elegance, but also one demanding courage and physical will. The Hockey Book goes deep into the heart of the game, celebrating with astounding photographs and insightful words the great players and the inspiring teams, as well as an ethos-robust and selfless-that defines the sport as much in its dynamic present as it did in hockey's hardscrabble (and helmetless) past.

... Read more

Reviews

This is a Must Book for Hockey Fans, October 6, 2010
Sports Illustrated has put together the definitive book about the sport of ice hockey, drawing on its article archives and its photo library. This is a marvelous book, with huge, gorgeous color photographs. If you are a hockey fan, this tome is a valuable edition to your library. It also makes a great gift.

The book is best when it draws on its vintage files of the hockey greats. The best of the book, in this fan's opinion, are the stories and photos that covered the golden age of the NHL, immediately after World War II, when the NHL consisted of only six teams.

The minuscule number of teams (Montreal Canadians, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Black Hawks and the New York Rangers) meant that only the cream of the crop in hockey made the big leagues. All the big boys are here: Maurice (the Rocket) Richard, Jean Beliveau, Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita and the Esposito brothers; also the acrobatic goalies of that era, including Jacques Plante, Terry Sawchuk and Glen Hall.

Those were the days when the goalies didn't wear facemasks. The book includes a spectacular photo of Jacques Plant that appeared on the SI cover of Feb. 17, 1958 (unlike the cover photo in the magazine, the photo in the book is uncropped). The photo shows Plante peering out of his goal with his chin almost on the ice as he prepares for an assault by the New York Rangers. The tense-ness of the moment not only shows on Plante's face, but also on the faces of the fans in the stands behind the Montreal goal.

The book also includes the hilarious story written by George Plimpton when he played 15 minutes of an exhibition game in the Boston Bruins goal. Plimpton later published a book on that experience, but the original magazine article reprinted here will leave anyone squirming with laughter as the Big Bad Bruins set up the hapless writer - who played in the goal by while skating on his ankles.

One of the highlights is the famous photograph of Bobby Orr, stretched out horizontally three feet off the ice after scoring the wining goal in the 1970 championship game that gave the Bruins their first NHL Stanley Cup in 29 years (disclosure: the writer covered that game for UPI and interviewed Orr in the locker room after the game. Earlier this year, I ran into Orr and he signed a copy of the photo with the inscription, "Thanks for covering this game"). The account of how the photographer shot that amazing photo is also included.

Of course, the story of the 1980 Olympic Gold Medal won by the Americans is here, but for once the SI editors missed a chance to tell the complete story of American Olympic hockey: in the 50's, 60's 70's and 80's Olympic hockey was played by amateurs, no pros, and it was hockey at his finest. Dave Christian was on the 1980 team - and he was the son of Billy Christian and the nephew of Roger Christian who were two of the stars of the 1960 team that also won the gold medal in a fairy tale manner. And, of course, Herb Brooks the coach of the 1980 team was the last player cut from the 1960 team (further disclosure: the writer played on the 1965 U.S. National Team that included both Billy and Roger Christian, as well as Brooks).

There is also the touching story of Travis Roy, the young hockey star from Maine, who was permanently paralyzed in the opening seconds of his first game for Boston University in 1995.

If there is a weakness to the book it is the lack of documentation on the earliest days of hockey in Canada. Howie Morenz and the great goaltender Georges Vezina are mentioned, of course, but the focus of the SI book is on modern day hockey. This hockey fan wished there were more of those grainy photographs of the earliest players wearing their skimpy uniforms. There is too much lore from that era that is missing in this otherwise excellent book.

The book also seems a bit disjointed. When we do get photos from the earliest days, they are interspersed with photos of modern-day hockey. It can be confusing.

But overall, this is a fabulous book that documents the wonderful sport of ice hockey - the national sport of Canada, and a sport that has spread throughout the United States and Europe and more recently in Asia. If you love hockey, you're going to love this book.

Joyous trip down memory lane for this hockey fan, October 5, 2010
What a wonderful addition to SI's library. Great stuff, as usual, in this series. Most of the pictures have never been widely circulated before. A terrific gift for any serious hockey fan!

Highly recommended for any hockey fan.

Buy immediately!, November 17, 2010
I bought this book on the recommendation of a close friend, saying that it was an incredible read for any hockey fan - and he was spot on. I bought the huge, coffee table book and read the entire thing in less than 24 hours. With pictures from all eras of hockey (from the 1800s to the 2010 Stanley Cup Final) and old Sports Illustrated articles on subjects like Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky's last game, Gordie Howe, the 1980 U.S. Olympic team, you will literally feel yourself going through history as you make your way through the journey that is "The Hockey Book."

It's a great conversation piece, October 31, 2010
because people who know me or thought they did, do a double take of this book that's found a home on my coffee table.
"Hockey..?!"they say.
Yeah, hockey.
It opens up a new dialogue for my guest. Just flip through the pages and the history, record breakers,photos and personalities, giving the game another dimension for those who are often the ones at home,wondering what it's like to be in the stands, hearing the puck glide across the ice,feeling the cold atmosphere surround them or see the body slams in mid-air, leaving one speechless and in awe.
The photos, of course,are lovely with the stories universal, dialogue simple, keeping my interest,often reminding me why I want to read it. The chronological set-up provides a good reference without confusing or distracting me from my attention, with bits of trivia sprinkled throughout, placing a face on the game. S.I. knows how to have a sense of humor in good taste. Makes a great gift for those who love and appreciate the game.

P.S. Congradulations, Jordin Tootoo! You made S.I!

hockeynut, November 15, 2010
This book is a wonderful history of the sport with material on the game, the players, and beautiful, incredable photos. A must have for all who love the game.

Fantastic!, November 4, 2010
A great coffee table book for anyone who loves hockey and appreciates its rich history. Wonderful photographs and very well written articles that trace the game from its beginnings to the present day.

si hockey, October 25, 2010
I think this book is terrific. It is full of fabulous stories and pictures. This series is super.

Sports Illustrated The Hockey Book, October 22, 2010
This was a gift for my 13 years old cousin that plays hockey, he is very happy with this book, and it makes a great gift for those that like sports. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Born in a log cabin in the Ozarks, Alvin "Titanic" Thompson (1892-1974) traveled with his golf clubs, a .45 revolver, and a suitcase full of cash. He won and lost millions playing cards, dice, golf, pool, and dangerous games of his own invention. He killed five men and married five women, each one a teenager on her wedding day. He ruled New York's underground craps games in the 1920s and was Damon Runyon's model for slick-talking Sky Masterson. Dominating the links in the pre-PGA Tour years, Thompson may have been the greatest golfer of his time, teeing up with Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Lee Trevino, and Ray Floyd. He also traded card tricks with Houdini, conned Al Capone, lost a million to Minnesota Fats and then teamed up with Fats and won it all back. A terrific read for anyone who has ever laid a bet, Titanic Thompson recaptures the colorful times of a singular figure: America's original road gambler. ... Read more

Reviews

This Titanic stays afloat! A great Christmas Present
Having just finished Kevin Cook's, Titanic Thompson: The Man Who Bet on Everything, it's my pleasure to highly recommend this thoroughly enjoyable book. Unlike some reviewers, I had no previous knowledge of the subject and I thank Mr Cook for introducing me to a man who was without question one of the most colorful real life characters of the 20th century. From humble origins in Arkansas to Al Capone's Chicago, Damon Runyon's New York and Howard Hughes' Hollywood, the man was like "Zelig" with a bankroll: traveling through America's cultural landscape in pursuit of his own version of the American Dream. If you've ever swung a golf club, bowled a bowling ball, pitched a horseshoe, played poker or have done any of the myriad things Titanic excelled at and bet on, this book is for you. Titanic Thompson was the king of road gamblers and Kevin Cook has written a sure thing.

The definitive biography of this legendary gambler
Having just finished this book, my first thought is that there will probably never be another biography of Titanic. I say this because no one would want their effort to be compared to this one. I knew Titanic back in the 1960s, but I understand him better now after reading the book than I did when I was around him on a daily basis. Rich in detail, literate, and always with a "ring of truth," the book was one of the best reading experiences I've had in quite a while.

More than just a re-telling of the many stories about Titanic and the bets he won, Cook's book brings in a variety of other interesting and colorful characters and gives us a look at what was going in America during the first half of the last century.

By the way, I can remember running into Titanic's son Tommy about 45 years ago when he and a top pool player (Richie Ambrose) came into a pool hall in Dallas, Texas (Time Square Cue Club). As I recall, Richie ran over me playing 9-ball and the two of them drove off in Tommy's fancy car. As Tommy said in his review, there was no one else who came close to accomplishing Titanic's gambling feats and he did it for over 50 years.

My dad's story brought to life.
This review is from: Titanic Thompson: The Man Who Bet on Everything (Hardcover)
My wife, Latrice Thomas, and I both think this is the best book ever written about my dad, Titanic Thompson, [Alvin Clarance Thomas]....True insight into the life of a professional gambler. The interviews bring to life the amazing feats of my dad that in the natural would seem impossible. I was with him when he made three hole in ones on par three golf courses while in his early seventies. Being a professional gambler and card shark for 32 years I can tell you that in the world of gambling there has never been anyone like him. When you read about his life and the amazing things he did you will escape into a time in America that was made to order for the life of Titanic Thompson.

Tommy Thomas
howtobeattheodds.com

Titanic Thompson
Titanic Thompson by Kevin Cook is a fascinating, extremely well-written, true account of an awe-inspiring scoundrel. This is one of those books that you will be sorry when you have finished it because you want to hear even more of the Titanic stories. The scams and cons that Titanic created are almost too outrageous to believe, but, as truth is always stranger than fiction, this larger-than-life athlete/grifter really existed and actually conceived and executed these feats and tricks. Not to be overlooked in the book is how the reader gains a better grasp and understanding of the times and era as the author deftly weaves historical highlights into the Titanic tales. This is a well-researched, invitingly-written book that should be read by anyone who ever bet or thought of betting on anything. This would make a great movie.
---Dr. Nancy E. O'Dell--

Titanic Thompson
America's Galactic Foreign Legion - Book 1: Feeling Lucky

You want to know about a real gambler, read this book. Good read. ... Read more

Editorial Review

#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER

Far more than a superb memoir about the highest levels of professional tennis, Open is the engrossing story of a remarkable life.
 
Andre Agassi had his life mapped out for him before he left the crib. Groomed to be a tennis champion by his moody and demanding father, by the age of twenty-two Agassi had won the first of his eight grand slams and achieved wealth, celebrity, and the game’s highest honors. But as he reveals in this searching autobiography, off the court he was often unhappy and confused, unfulfilled by his great achievements in a sport he had come to resent. Agassi writes candidly about his early success and his uncomfortable relationship with fame, his marriage to Brooke Shields, his growing interest in philanthropy, and—described in haunting, point-by-point detail—the highs and lows of his celebrated career.

Reviews

This book will change you. In a good way.
So you're thinking this might be one of those recently retired famous people books aren't you? One where a celebrity, or a Politician, or a sports star cranks out hundreds of pages of self-serving, history-correcting drivel in order to cash the big advance check. A book you can't even bring yourself to finish; better than a tranquilizer at bedtime.

Well, this is certainly not that book. "Open" is a journey that I predict will stay with you for a very long time. It's a completely unexpected trip to places you've never been. I'm not one of those quasi-professional reviewers you see on Amazon. But this book practically made me write about it.

Interestingly, Open starts not at the beginning and not quite at the end. Second round, US Open, 2006.

Not the final match of Andre's career--but the one right before that.
Against a competitor you'd never heard of before or since.
The battle was against the guy across the net, and also Andre's hatred of tennis, his failing body, the demons that he harnessed to get through the unending heroic contest that seemed destined to continue until both just fell into a heap on the court. And it is so well told.

After 20 pages, I knew that this was unlike any other biography I had ever read. Couldn't put it down. Couldn't stop thinking about it. Agassi dug deeper inside than most of us ever will have to, to get to core of what made him so powerful as a player and so conflicted as a person. It is all conspicuously real: The small moments, the outlandish triumphs and the friendships that sustained him and/or corrupted him. The gauntlet he had to run through to arrive at the balance and joy he has today. It's transformative.

The headlines about this book have mostly related to Andre's drug use when he was at his lowest. But honestly, although it marked the place from which he recovered and flourished, it's only an incidental part of this story. The story is actually about perseverance, intelligence and raw talent all baked together into a very, very large American life.

If Open doesn't win a Pulitzer Prize, something is terribly wrong. Can I nominate it?

Image Is Everything
Andre Agassi has written a 'tell-all' book about his life in tennis. And, it turns out, he hated tennis. That was a bigger shocker to me than the salacious fact that he was on 'crystal meth'for a period of time. J.R. Moehringer, the author of 'A Tender Bar' and a Pulitzer Prize winner for his writing was a co-author of this autobiography. Andre loved Moehringer's writing in 'The Tender Bar', and he is correct, the man's writing and the book are excellent. This book, too, is very well written and is an exceptional read.

Andre tells us that he started playing tennis at the age of 3 and by the age of 5 he was showing an aptitude for the game. He was pushed by his father-an obsessive man who pushed his son too far and too much. In fact his father felt that education was not necessary and a hindrance to his tennis practice. Andre could never tell his father how much he hated the game because it was Andre's responsibility to help his family, and that is what he did. He left school in the ninth grade, something that has bothered him his entire career. His goal was to achieve in tennis. He was enrolled in the Bollettien tennis camp, but it felt more like a prison than a camp. The academy, in Agassi's words, was "Lord of the Flies with forehands." In retaliation Andre started wearing earrings, grew his hair long and wore loud clothes. Thus his reputation was born. As his career started to flourish, Andre, tried to keep it all together. He was known as the flamboyant player, the real player. He played the best tennis players in the world, and he was one of the best. He had an eye for the ball, and the 'tell' of players when they were about to hit the big one.

Andre Agassi talks about his rivals, the ones who were boring, the ones who kept it all together and the the real players; Pete Sampras, Boris Becker and Jimmy Connors The book is at its best when the game of tennis is being discussed. Each play during the tournaments and how he figured out how to win. He talks of his marriage to Brooke Shields, he never really wanted to be married, just like he never really liked to play tennis. His crystal meth years, the spiel he gave the Tennis Association when he tested positive for drugs. He finally met and married Steffi Graf and found the happiness that had so long eluded him.
He has built a life and a foundation that sponsors a charter school. He gave the first graduation speech and wowed the crowd. A ninth grade drop-out he has achieved success and fame. He has found his life and he has become Open. For anyone who loves tennis, this is a book that will be a fascinating look at the life of a giant in the tennis world and told in words that best describes him. He finally lives down his famous words 'Image Is Everything'.

Highly Recommended. prisrob 11-09-09

The Tender Bar

Inspiring - Must Read
We have all read the press and watched the news; the drug allegations, the "I hate tennis". Tennis fans aren't quite sure whether they should feel cheated for all the love and support they have given Andre, to me the book set things straight.

Most of us look back at chapters of our lives and can identify with particularly unhappy periods. Andre kicks off the book with what was going through his head with the match against Baghdatis in the 2006 US Open. It is a blow by blow account of key parts of the match and a thought provoking glimpse into the mind and heart of a tennis player. He then goes straight into his childhood, the discomfort and unhappiness of being the child prodigy son of an obsessive father. There are weirdly honest stories - his grandmother tried to breastfeed him, very disturbing but a revelation of a dysfunctional upbringing. What seems to carry Andre through his childhood are friendships with his brother Phil and Perry who later becomes his manager. The importance of the childhood friendships are critical and from the way they are explained it is easy to understand why these friends are crucial figures for Andre.

The critical friendship is that of his mentor/guide/life coach/surrogate father Gill Reyes. Andre is taken under his wing and treated with the love and respect a father should treat his son, you sense through the stories in the book that now they have met each other neither could really exist happily without the other. His marriage with Brooke Shields is dealt with candidly, many will buy this book to find out what celebrities do behind closed doors. Whereas I did think Brooke appeared superficial from some of the things mentioned here, I think it merely shows how fame affects people differently. It appears that fame as a child makes people so perception orientated that perceptions are more important than anything else - who can judge the pressures these guys live through? Perfectly understandable in my opinion.

The drugs issue is dealt with here but only for a few pages in the book. The very weird thing is it doesn't seem like a big deal to me. Like most fans I was shocked and somewhat critical of the damage to his sport. But, I could understand after reading the book how stupid mistakes can be made. Off the book for a second truth is he wouldn't have got the endorsements for 10's of millions had he been suspended, or there would have been a clause in his existing deals that he would have broken had the allegations come out. However, reading the book and seeing what has been done with the money I can't help but feel it was better for everyone that nothing came out at the time.

Andre talks about his attraction to Stefanie from many years back, the courting process is just the same as you or I. We all have been through that 'has the phone just rung?' depression when expecting a call from someone we are interested in. It does feel almost story like the way they end up together, but we all have a story like this just not in the press.

Players are mentioned here all the time, the interesting one for me was Becker 'B.B. Socrates' they call him because he 'tries to appear intellectual but is just an overgrown farmboy', this is going to do nothing for Becker's ego. The rivalry with Becker seems more important than that with Sampras - who would have thought?

Another of those important times for Andre was a meeting with Mandela, a truly humbling experience for anyone. This times perfectly with the starting of his Charter school and I presume was a defining moment for him.

Overall, hey I got the book yesterday and I read 325 pages the first day this should tell you all you need to know. I felt sorry for Andre with his childhood but towards the end I understood how his father really wanted the best for everyone. Andre is surprisingly influenced by anyone he trusts - guided more by his heart than his head, he appears to live life to please for much of the book which is pretty much the way a child acts. His first marriage is what everyone else wants to see but he is developing on another level through his interactions with his trainer Gil, the goalposts are always changing as he tries understands what he wants from life. His 'hate' of tennis develops into an appreciation and respect.

When you read this book you will see parallels between what you go through in life with what a celebrity goes through but you go through it perhaps without the press. It is incredibly well written, so well written in fact that most will not credit Andre for the writing. This is what is says it is, an autobiography not just a tennis manual. Enjoy!

One of the best autobiographies I've read
Most autobiographies, especially sports autobiographies, are just a chronological series of events with insight into each event. It's usually not new insight and is mostly just filled with platitudes and cliches that the author already gave in press conferences. There are always a few interesting tidbits in each of these autobiographies, and reading a bullet point summary of those tidbits in an online review is just as good as reading the actual book.

Agassi's autobiography is more like a novel. You read it and think it would make a phenomenal movie, the way it starts at the very end and then flashbacks to the beginning. You can't just read about the revelations in some online review and think you've gotten everything out of this book. This is a book that needs to be read front to back. It's superbly written -- not by Agassi himself, as he never had the education to pull that off, but he did spend thousands of hours on it and as a longtime fan I know that this is his authentic voice. In a recent interview, Andre expanded on why he and Pete Sampras were opposites by saying that when they saw each other in October 2009, Andre realized that Sampras had also just released an autobiography and tried to start a conversation by mentioning how he was so glad how his turned out, and how many thousands of hours of sweat and tears he put into it. He said that Sampras just looked at him like he was crazy. Sampras felt that an autobiography was just an encyclopedic sort of thing, not a cathartic baring of the soul. When you compare their books, it shows.

Another thing that separates this book is Agassi's remarkable memory. Agassi has always been known as one of the best analysts of the sport, and has always astounded the press with his point-by-point recollection of matches that had taken place decades before. After I play a recreational tennis match, I can barely remember the points I just played. You could ask Agassi about a point he played in 1988 and he'd be able to tell you what was going through his head, how fast the serve came at him, the sequence of shots, what someone in the crowd shouted out, what the temperature was, the humidity, the wind speed. He mentions in the book how he seems to notice the most trivial things, and once he notices them they forever stay in his mind. I'm sure if his memory was somehow measured, it would be found to be in the very upper tier in the populace. This combined with his deep, empathetic ability to notice and understand human behavior creates a truly astounding read. It is rare to find an athlete as intelligent as Agassi, and if his father hadn't been so anti-education, I believe he could have had a brilliant academic career and flourished in some intellectual field. Perhaps psychology. Sports psychology would have been an easy fit, certainly!

You don't have to be a tennis fan to enjoy this book, although you will certainly get a little bit more out of it. Similarly, a sports fan will be able to get more of it than someone who doesn't care much for any sport. However, there is not a person out there who could not gain something from reading this book. This is not simply a tennis story, or a sports story. This is a human story.

In regards to the crystal meth revelation, I will say this in his defense:

1. Testing positive for a recreational drug (crystal meth is a recreational, performance inhibiting drug, NOT a performance enhancer) in 1997, the year that he started and stopped taking the drug, had the penalty of a 3 month suspension. 3 months. That's like a nice little vacation to get rested and refreshed for the rest of the season.

2. In 1997, Agassi won nothing. He was losing in the first round of every tournament. He was playing challenger events, the minor leagues of tennis, and even losing in those. It is true that he won a few matches, and he did have a surprising run at the US Open when everyone thought he was going to quit tennis any minute. This was not fair to the players he beat - he should have been suspended at the time. However, when you really think about it, it just speaks to his talent that at his absolute lowest, when he was quite literally disabled physically, when he went out in front of that New York crowd and felt the magic and realized that he wanted to win, he was still able to muster up the game to beat world class players. At the end of the day, the only person hurt by his drug use was himself. Andre has said in recent interviews that he would happily have 1997 thrown out of his career. Have all of his results from that year blacked out. It makes absolutely no difference to the total number of titles and championships he won.

3. For the past decade, Agassi has been the most admirable person to ever come out tennis. What he's given back is remarkable. What he's done for the sport is unmatched. Tennis is an unpopular sport in the United States, but people would always tune in for Agassi, and this book is selling like hot cakes. People love Agassi, and for good reason.

This doesn't justify him lying to the ATP, but we need to keep this in perspective. It's important to understand that this doesn't diminish his legacy in the slightest. He is still one of the best tennis players of all time -- and as you'll see in this book, he may have achieved twice as much if he hadn't stumbled and fallen and beaten himself for so much of his life. He hated tennis, he admits it. His father, a man who would make Joe Jackson quiver with fear, thrust him into it as a toddler. He makes a strong argument for why it is the loneliest sport in the world, the sport most likely to produce insanity in its players. On the other hand, look at what it gave him. He loved holding up trophies and gold medals. He would never have met Stefanie without it. There was a duality to his life that I'm sure we can all relate to in some way.

Wonderful
This is a wonderful book. Many people have tough childhoods and suffer at the hands of their parents (often well intentioned) abuse. But it is a rare person that has the capacity and bravery to recycle their own suffering in order to grow and learn. Agassi may not have made it past 9th grade but he is an avid and relentless student of life. I did a lot of wincing while reading this book and sometimes felt caught up and unsettled by the whirlwind as it unfolds, but there was always the anchor of Agassi's unblinking candor and his drive to tell the truth.

Throughout the book, Agassi has a knack for describing painful relationships and encounters without sounding shrill or judgmental. There is a curious objectivity in his descriptions of the brutal treatment he endures from his father...he sticks to the details and the facts and steers clear of editorializing. There are occasional lapses into self pity but they are brief, rare and, in some cases, justifiable.

I was particularly interested in Agassi's early observations of Pete Sampras. A few short years before Sampras started on the road to becoming a legend, Agassi and his brother watch him play and bemoan the early disintegration of a talented player. It is a reminder not to pass early judgement on a developing athlete (or a developing anyone for that matter). Sampras re-builds his game and goes on to become one of the greatest players ever. As their rivalry and tentative friendship unfolds Agassi's descriptions of Sampras' character come dangerously close to being petty (i.e. revealing that he gives lousy tips) but you get the sense that Sampras wouldn't care....that the two men are such polar opposites they are immune to each other off the tennis court.

It is interesting to compare Andre's early and brutal training regimen (which started in the crib) to Roger Federer who didn't start tennis until he was eight years old. Agassi is clearly a physical genius with great gifts but you wonder if he made it in tennis despite his early training rather than because of his early training. It also makes me uncomfortable and aware of the strange urgency and anxiety I feel during my eight year old's soccer games...why?

Despite the shallowness of the topic, Agassi's personal style (hairpiece, earrings, pink shorts) is one of the more compelling aspects of this book. He unwittingly creates a culture shock in the tennis world and sports culture as a whole by revealing his personal vanity and 'girly' side while maintaining a strong masculine presence. Ironically, despite his lack of personal identity he is a slave to his uniqueness and can't seem to do anything in a 'normal' mainstream way. He even overturns the Sampson myth growing stronger after a beautiful woman shaves his head. Go figure.

Agassi's philanthropy and commitment to his school and foundation comes across as grounded and sincere because it evolves over time as a product of his own suffering. He discovers the satisfaction of helping others as a survival mechanism rather than some sort of 'moral' or 'intellectual' decision.

At several junctures in this book I wondered if Agassi has undiagnosed dyslexia...he seems to have many of the stumbling blocks of dyslexia (slow learning to read, agonizing pain in the classroom, inability to learn other languages) as well as many of the strengths (creativity, charm, sensitivity and an almost freakish ability to see things in three dimensions). Dyslexics are often forced to develop their memories beyond the normal scope as a compensatory learning mechanism which helps explain his uncanny ability to remember the smallest details of every tennis match.

Agassis's romance with Steffi Graf helps to soften the book's relentless anguish. Like many of Agassi's accomplishments you get the sense that it had to be earned using his trial and error learning style. It has the elements of a fairy tale romance replete with serendipity, timing and Agassi pursuing her like a medieval knight; alongside a modern edge with Graf being an accomplished woman and very much his equal (if not superior) in many ways.

I have family members and friends that have lived in the public eye and been misrepresented by the media in ways that are both ignorant and cruel. Agassi, shares the disturbing fun house mirror aspect of being in the public eye without sounding bitter. By the end you get the sense that the public humiliations and misunderstandings forced him into a corner and ultimately made him stronger and more resilient. By the end of the story he learns to leverage his fame rather than fall victim to it.

One overarching theme in Agassi's life is his 'luck.' He is a walking contradiction...a lucky guy for whom nothing seems to come easy. There seems to be an unseen force measuring out his luck and his suffering to keep things balanced.

Another theme is lying, and again, it is full of contradiction. Although you can argue that Agassi's whole life is built around a lie (he hates tennis), Agassi comes across as a compulsively truthful person who forces himself to lie and pays a steep price for it.

Agassi offers himself up to the reader with unblinking candor. You may, or may not, like him but when you are done with this book you will know him...more than you know many of your relatives and friends. Any time a person allows himself (or herself) to be known with such depth and vulnerability it binds us closer and highlights the connections we all share. My favorite poet says it better: 'If you don't know the kind of person I am/and I don't know the kind of person you are/a pattern that others made may prevail in the world/and following the wrong god home we may miss our star.' (William StaffordThe Way It Is)

Andre Agassi (and J.R. Moehringer) have pulled off one of my favorite literary stunts...they have written a tough important book cleverly disguised as an entertaining book. Nice work.

The Best Sports Biography Ever
How many of us grow up conflicted and angry with ourselves and our lives? How can we love our parents on one hand and hate them on the other? How many of us would have given their eye teeth to have the talent of a world class athlete, the fame, the adulation? Reading OPEN, the new autobiography by Andre Agassi, brought back so many of the painful emotions I felt growing up. Not that I had the gift that Andre has, but I can certainly relate to much of the anger and frustration that he so bluntly and eloquently describes in this brilliant book. One moment, among many in the book, stands out for me. It is the day he goes with his father to buy a new Corvette after winning a tournament in South America. His father, a tortured and volcanic man, turns the experience into a nightmare by his terrorist negotiating tactics. Andre is both humiliated by his father's actions while secretly admiring the man's rage and confidence. If only he could employ that kind of emotional energy on the court to conqueror his opponents, he thinks to himself. Approach, avoidance. Attraction, rejection. It's a constant battle in his mind. In his career. In his life. A life that has been explored and explained for us in a book unlike any other I've ever read. Tennis fan or not, you must read OPEN.

More than I could have hoped for...
I remember stopping on page 189 because I was so overcome with a need to write a review. But I wasn't ready to put it into words yet, of course, because I hadn't reached the end. So, instead I logged in and simply put down 5 stars. And now, as I've finished the last page after settling down after the Thanksgiving guests have gone, to finish what I started two days ago, I am in awe of the story that I just read. It is as much a tennis story, as it is a love story, a personal journey, a reflection on the importance of family and friends, unlike any book I've ever read. You will, and you should, feel every emotion possible while going through the twists and turns of Andre's life as it is laid on every page. I laughed, I cried, a felt tense with anticipation, I cringed every time the words led to a devastating loss. You FEEL him spiraling, you FEEL him exhalted, you FEEL him unsure.

I am honored to have been allowed to see the many other sides of this great player. As a young tennis player myself, when he surfaced on the tour, I loved him from the beginning. I willed him to win every point while sitting on the floor in front of the television. As I grew older, I took every chance to see him at local tournaments. I saw him and Stefanie recently in Marin, playing together, and after reading this story just feel a sense of full circle. I was on the ride with Andre, likely as those of you who are my age and older were, and we can look back on those matches that we'll never forget, and have an idea of who he was then, through this thoroughly engaging work in his autobiography.

I loved reading it, but I hated to put it down. You will know what I mean when you finish, the relevance of that statement in more ways than one. Enjoy.

A memoir for the ages.
Simply put, `Open' is the most brazenly raw, heart wrenching, high paced, thrilling memoir I have ever read. As an avid reader I have never been so rewarded for investing time in the pages of a book. Andre's life reads like a novel, from a childhood that is scripted for him by overbearing authority figures, to a meteoric rise on the world stage, then a slow spiral toward bottom, and then an inspirational comeback story for the ages. Through Agassi's eyes, we travel the globe, meet a fascinating cast of characters, see from the inside the building of a world renowned charitable organization, and witness the deep, complex bond he maintains with his friends and family.

Andre chose J.R. Moehringer to help him craft the story and the choice pays huge dividends. J.R brings the pace and energy of Andre's adventures to life. This book exudes masculinity, competition, deep loyalties, and a thirst for life. This literary effort represents a sea change in non fiction work. With `Open' as the new benchmark, I feel pity for future memoir writers.

As I finished this read, I not only learned more about Andre Agassi, I learned more about myself and who I want to be.

as a fan this is a must read but it is too honest an account
What a ride, what a read. I was slow to read this work as I have been a big fan for Andre's career and did not want to spoil the "image" I had of Andre. My "pals" teased me when they read reviews about the tough times this man has been through with drugs and relationships as if to mock my worship of Andre. "Hey I read your tennis star took drugs" People sometimes smile at the famous who go through tough times and make mistakes. I did not want to tarnish the image I had of Andre, which turned out to be mostly lies created by the media. I appreciate the man and the tennis player more now after having read this account. What a strong person to be able to open himself up as he did. Fitting title for the book. ... Read more

Editorial Review

An epic adventure that began with one simple question: Why does my foot hurt?
 
Isolated by Mexico's deadly Copper Canyons, the blissful Tarahumara Indians of have honed the ability to run hundreds of miles without rest or injury. In a riveting narrative, award-winning journalist and often-injured runner, Chris McDougall sets out to discover their secrets. In the process, he takes his readers from science labs at Harvard to the sun-baked valleys and freezing peaks across North America, where ever-growing numbers of ultra-runners are pushing their bodies to the limit, and, finally, to a climactic race in the Copper Canyons that pits America’s best ultra-runners against the tribe. McDougall’s incredible story will not only engage your mind but inspire your body when you realize that you, indeed all of us, were born to run.


From the Trade Paperback edition. ... Read more

Reviews

A great story and so much more
Born to Run succeeds at three levels. First, it is a page turner. The build up to a fifty-mile foot race over some of the world's least hospitable terrain drives the narrative forward. Along the way McDougall introduces a cast of characters worthy of Dickens, including an almost superhuman ultramarathoner, Jenn and the Bonehead--a couple who down bottles of booze to warm up for a race, Barefoot Ted, Mexican drug dealers, a ghostly ex-boxer, a heartbroken father, and of course the Tarahumara, arguably the greatest runners in the world.

Born to Run is such a rip-roaring yarn, that it is easy to miss the book's deeper achievements. At a second level, McDougall introduces and explores a powerful thesis--that human beings are literally born to run. Recreational running did not begin with the 1966 publication of "Jogging" by the co-founder of Nike. Instead, McDougall argues, running is at the heart of what it means to be human. In the course of elaborating his thesis, McDougall answers some big questions: Why did our ancestors outlive the stronger, smarter Neanderthals? Why do expensive running shoes increase the odds of injury? The author's modesty keeps him from trumpeting the novelty and importance of this thesis, but it merits attention.

Finally, Born to Run presents a philosophy of exercise. The ethos that pervades recreational and competitive running--"no pain, no gain," is fundamentally flawed, McDougall argues. The essence of running should not be grim determination, but sheer joy. Many of the conventions of modern running--the thick-soled shoes, mechanical treadmills, take no prisoners competition, and heads-down powering through pain dull our appreciation of what running can be--a sociable activity, more game than chore, that can lead to adventure. McDougall's narrative moves the book forward, his thesis provides a solid intellectual support, but this philosophy of joy animates Born to Run. I hope this book finds the wide audience it deserves.

A phenomenal book about running but more importantly a way of life
My wife handed me Born to Run about 24 hours ago and said "you might like this." Having run quite a bit but nursing an achilles tendon injury for about 3 years, I had almost given up on my dreams of getting back into marathon shape. 24 hours (and very little sleep) later, I feel inspired, awed, and enlightened, and I have Christopher's wonderful book to thank.

In a nutshell, I have not been this entralled by a story since Shadow Divers, Seabiscuit and/or Into Thin Air. Christopher's recounting of the forbidding Copper Canyons, the amazing Tarahumara, ultramarathoners young and old, and the greatest race you've never heard of is enough for me to give this a rave review. But like the aforementioned books, there is so much more to this story, not the least of which was Christopher's own quest (and amazing resiliency) to run without pain. Finally, he put to words many of the thoughts and feelings I've had about running but am unable to articulate. And Christopher is a great writer - I laughed out loud many times throughout. He has a style akin to a Timothy Cahill - a great wit that was obviously aided by a wonderfully intriguing cast of characters.

As the sun was coming up this morning I was a bit sad to see this book end, and am already contemplating picking it up again. But only after I strap on the old, beaten up sneaks and get in a quick jog. Thanks so much for writing this book - I hope it changes lives and perspectives in the process.

The Cure for Modernity
If, when you finish with this book, you don't immediately get yourself outside and run like hell, then there's probably not a drop of living blood in you. This book is the perfect antidote to everything that's wrong with modern running and the way to find everything that's still so right with it. Even if it were all a work of fiction McDougall's tale would still be worth the price of admission. Fabulous.

Not just for runners
When have you seen a book with this many reviews and none below 5 stars? You know what this book is about from the other descriptions and reviews. Here's how I feel about it. This is the first time I've reviewed a book on Amazon.com and it's the first thing I wanted to do when I finished the book ten minutes ago. The second thing I will do is email many of my friends to urge them to get the book. I will NOT loan them my copy! My wife will be reading it next, though I interrupted her so many times to read portions of it that she is already thinking of people to tell about it.
I've been a serious runner (sometimes more/often less) for 40 years and have read countless articles and books about running. This is the best. It satisfied my running soul and my academic mind. I couldn't wait to finish it and I didn't want it to end.

Strong finish, just like a great marathoner
If you'd asked me for a review halfway through this book, I would have said that it was pretty good, but it was also annoying. I enjoyed the travel adventure aspect and the and sociology study of the Tarahumara people of Mexico, but I was annoyed by the author's hipster language and gung-ho, X-games style. (I find that type of writing to be designed to make you feel guilty that you're not as cool or fearless; but I always think, well, how does this guy's wife and two kids feel when he leaves for 5 weeks to go on an adventure for an article?)

But at some point, the author found his stride (or perhaps I found a way to match his stride), and I was hooked. McDougall has a fantastic finishing kick, in the sense of tieing things together. He wraps up disparate ideas from sociology, history, biology, modern athletic competition, nutrition, and X-games type partying into one satisfying whole. And, contrary to making me jealous, the book potentially will change my life. I'm starting to work on the running style that he advocates, and I hope that it will reduce or eliminate the persistent heel pain I've had for more than 5 years.

McDougall, is an established freelance writer who's not afraid of challenges (war reporting, X-games types of adventures, etc.). He's not your average guy, despite his effort to portray himself as such. But the one nagging thing for him is that he's been unable to become a decent distance runner despite years of effort, expensive equipment, and the help of a multitude of doctors, massagers, and physical therapists. At the point of his worst failure, he decides to find out if a radically different type of running style will give him the breakthrough that he is seeking.

And thus, McDougall goes in search of the Tarahumara, "tribes" of natives who live in the Copper Canyon region of Mexico. Living in an extremely harsh environment and desperate to hide from centuries of human predators (conquistadores, Mexican government, drug smugglers), the Tarahumara have developed super-human abilities to run long distances in the heat and without much water or food. Are they just rumor, in the same way as the legendary running monks and other endurance specialists? McDougall sets out to find out if they exist, and then if they have learned techniques that can be translated to the lifestyles of the rest of us.

The descriptions of wandering around Tarahumara territory are fascinating. The land is a bunch of dirt trails and shantytowns of 5-20 buildings, set impossibly deeply in canyons and almost invisible from 50 yards away. But with the help of an American, Micah True, who's refashioned himself as Caballo Blanco and become a part of the Tarahumara community, McDougall gets to meet some runners and see them in action. He's convinced that they are doing things differently, and he agrees to help Caballo Blanco by publicizing Caballo's dream of a race between the Tarahumura and the world's best distance runners. Actually, the Tarahmuara have raced -- and won -- ultramarathons throughout the US West; but Caballo's idea is to bring the modern world's runners down to Tarahumara territory instead.

As we build towards the race, McDougall explains how the Tarahumara run: literally. The Tarahumara run in homemade sandals from discarded tires, and they can go 50, 60, 100 miles a day over unforgiving terrain. The different is that they move differently than those of us who use highly padded running shoes. They use their whole feet and their legs to absorb impact, rather than landing on their heels. Apparently, our high-tech shoes have made our arches soft, which has then pressured our Achilles, calves, ankles, etc., and that's why so many of us distance runners have chronic injuries.

In exploring this difference, McDougall gives us quick history and biology lessons, covering evolution, the Olympics, and utra-distance running. It's great stuff. And he introduces us to Scott Jurek, perhaps the world's most accomplished ultra runner, and a never-quit guy; up-and-comers Jenn Shelton and Billy Barnett, two surfer-hipsters who eschewed proper food and normal training; Dr. Joe Vigil, an elite running coach who also believed in the innovations of the Tarahumara; and Rick Fischer, a runner and entrepreneur who first brought the Tarahumara out of the Canyon. Other characters abound, too.

It all comes together unforgettably on the road trip down the Canyon, complete with near-death experiences, warm cultural exchanges, and the ultimate respect that world-class athletes have for each other.

And if this book has exposed me to a running style that will reduce my pain, then it will literally change my life. How often can you say that about a book?

A Run Revolution is BORN
There is no confusing the message of this book and it starts with the title. It is a message of adventure, inspiration, hope, revelation, and living your life unconditionally. If you are a runner, you will want to read this book so slowly, not wanting it to end. And, you will most likely be wanting to head out for a run after each chapter anyway. If you are a frustrated runner with injuries or a beginning runner, this book gives you HOPE and possibility. Quite simply, McDougall lays the foundation of how we were all Born to Run and tells you why we "should" be running.

Most of all, this book leaves a lasting "runners high" for runners and non-runners alike. This is a story about following your passion and how powerful self belief can be.

We are all born to run, but maybe even more important, we are born to be individuals, and McDougall is masterful at taking a true running adventure with real characters and illustrates how powerful running can be to life, and how powerful life can be to running.

One of the best books I have ever read
One of my favorite things about Born to Run is how the author explores several technical myths (mostly perpetuated by athletics companies) about exactly what you need to do in order to be a great distance runner, and dispels them.
I've been a casual runner ever since my late teens, but I've never been able to get beyond the 8-mile mark due to some knee and hip problems. Information in this book led me to restructure my form and diet after a long break from running, and now I'm doing 6 miles a couple times a week and my old joint issues haven't so much as reared their heads. I'm training for my first half-marathon in November, and I plan on doing a full one soon thereafter if all goes well.

But the technical stuff only occupies the smallest percentage of what this book is all about, and isn't the best reason to check it out. Not by a long shot.

Born to Run is, at it's heart, an adventure story. It's hard to imagine a book about distance running being very exciting, but Christopher McDougall's (completely true) account is full of so much action, it could be made into a Hollywood blockbuster. From his surprisingly dynamic and exciting descriptions of the few footraces he chronicles in the book, to the close-call brushes with death the characters must face (among them some chilling encounters with territorial drug traffickers), this book is as entertaining as any novel I've ever read. Near the end of the book when the author describes the race mentioned in the title, I swear it was like watching Top Gun for the first time when I was a kid.

And yet that's not all this book has to offer.

Born to Run has the power not only to make you love running, but to spark in you a greater love for being human and humanity as a whole. McDougall makes an extremely powerful case for several novel ideas, among them that the ability to run for extremely long distances (a very unique ability in the animal kingdom, and indeed the major one that sets us apart from other creatures, second only to our intellect in importance) was the primary reason for our species' success in it's earliest infancy. He also suggests to us that because running is so intimately tied to our survival as a species, it is also intimately tied to our most important emotion for survival: Love. Love is by far the biggest theme evident in this book, and it doesn't seem at all like a coincidence that it shines through to an amazing degree in the personalities of each and every one of the athletes mentioned. Love of life, love of running, love of others, love of self.

To sum it all up, this is a truly three-dimensional work of literature that had a profound effect on me. Intellectually, it changed the way I think about the human race, our origins, and our place in the world. Physically, it gave me information that allowed me to improve my performance as a runner and aim higher as an athlete. And spiritually, it reinforced the lessons of unity, compassion, peace, and brotherhood that great men and women have been trying to teach us for thousands of years which still, somehow, get pushed to the wayside when we look for the easy way out.

Best $20 I ever spent.

Great book
I am not a runner, but I want to become one now. I picked this book up not as a fan of ultra distance running- I had always considered ultra distance runners as masochistic freaks driven by the runners high as their body tries to cope with this grueling activity that they were never meant to do. After reading this book, I still think ultra distance runners are freaks, but not masochistic ones. They are freaks because they are some of the few who understand that man was designed to run, and run long distances. The book centers around trying to unearth the secret of the Tarahumara Indians- how are they able to run long distances on insufficient nutrition on bad terrain with little foot protection without injury? While doing this, McDougall winds through the entertaining history of ultra running and its quirky athletes along with scientific evidence for the health benefits of endurance running, and barefoot endurance running in particular. This book is funny, mesmerizing, thought-provoking, and, if you thought you were not cut for running, may make you give it another go. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Josh Hamilton was the first player chosen in the first round of the 1999 baseball draft. He was destined to be one of those rare "high-character " superstars.But in 2001, working his way from the minors to the majors, all of the plans for Josh went off the rails in a moment of weakness.What followed was a 4-year nightmare of drugs and alcohol, estrangement from friends and family, and his eventual suspension from baseball.

BEYOND BELIEF details the events that led up to the derailment. Josh explains how a young man destined for fame and wealth could allow his life to be taken over by drugs and alcohol. But it is also the memoir of a spiritual journey that breaks through pain and heartbreak and leads to the spectacular rebirth of his major-league career.

Josh Hamilton makes no excuses and places no blame on anyone other than himself.He takes responsibility for his poor decisions and believes his story can help millions who battle the same demons."I have been given a platform to tell my story" he says. "I pray every night I am a good messenger." Also, as part of the paperback edition of BEYOND BELIEF, Josh's journey has been updated to include developments in his recovery. ... Read more

Reviews

Beyond Belief Connects
I just finished reading "Beyond Belief: Finding the Strength to Come Back."

Now, I know what you're probably thinking here; and, it's "How can someone who is just 27-years old author their biography?" Or, [if you know me] maybe it's "Aren't you a little old to be reading baseball `puff piece' books?" Then again, maybe you're thinking both of these things?

Well, let me tell you..."Beyond Belief" may only cover the first 27 years of Hamilton's life. However, there's a very interesting story to tell within those first 27 years. And, trust me, this book is far from being a `puff piece.'

As I was reading Hamilton's story, all I could think about was "Wow. This is `The Natural' - just like the movie. Except, as entertaining as that movie was, the story seemed too far-fetched to be true...and, now, here's the same story...and it's all true!"

First, some background on Hamilton. When he was six-years old, Josh was playing on youth baseball teams for boys between the ages of eleven and twelve. Picture that...a 6-year old playing against 12-year olds. And, regardless of that age gap, he was one of the best players on the field during the games. Hamilton's talent, even at that young age, was off-the-charts.

And, Josh Hamilton's talent never fell back to the pack. Related, he was the first overall pick in Major League Baseball's 1999 Amateur Player Draft - at the age of 18. At that time, Josh was considered as being as good as Alex Rodriguez was at the same age.

However, in 2001, when he was just 20-years old, Hamilton - who, up until this time, was a squeaky-clean All-American boy in an Opie Taylor type way - started abusing alcohol and using illegal drugs. And, his habits became so bad that he became low-life crack addict...hitting absolute rock-bottom. In the process, he nearly destroyed the lives of several loving family members and threw away millions of dollars.

And, we're not talking about a blip on the radar here. Josh Hamilton's slide towards destruction was a five year journey through hell. During this time, he went through eight different drug treatment and rehabiliation centers.

We've seen stories like this in baseball before...names like Rod Scurry, Steve Howe and Ken Caminiti come to mind...and many times they have ended in tragedy. Yet, through his faith, Hamilton was able to gain control of his life...and get back into baseball as a 25-year old (in 2006) and bring his career to the point where he was the highlight of the Homerun Derby at the 2008 big league All-Star Game.

But, forget the baseball-side of the Josh Hamiliton story. And, just focus on the "person" angle here...as that's what's so riveting when you're reading "Beyond Belief: Finding the Strength to Come Back."

This book tells the story of a great talent - perhaps one of the greatest talents ever - falling so low, and out of control, to where the talent is wasted and its host becomes one of the dregs of society. And, once at the bottom, there are years of struggle to become whole again...with repeated rounds ending in failure after failure. And, then, finally, there's redemption. But, it's tempered with the fact that there's no guarantee of permanence - and that everyday is a new battle. Yet, on the flipside, everyday is also a chance to use lessons-learned to help others.

Human nature being what it is, "these types of stories" just resonate well with us...and Josh Hamilton's story is one of the best out there...in terms of "these types of stories."

I would recommend "Beyond Belief: Finding the Strength to Come Back" to anyone who wants to read a great, true, and inspirational tale - regardless of whether or not they're a baseball fan. I was very happy to read Hamilton's book. It's extremely well done.

This one connects - and it goes a long way.

Unbelievable rebirth of talent
This was a fabulous book that I had a hard time putting down. I knew most of the story, from magazine articles, but I had missed the religious component of the tale. I could even recommend this to a men's bible study.

It was awful that so many people misunderstood the relationship between Josh and his parents. How numerous rehabs could blame his parents for Josh's addiction amazed me.

He was and is a prodigy. That was a big part of his problem. No one seemed to realize that and MLB wanted him to fit into a cookie cutter experience. He couldn't do that.

Gallagher's Beyond Belief Review
Beyond Belief: The Josh Hamilton Story

I had never heard of Josh Hamilton until the Home Run Derby last year. His massive swings of the bat hit a record number of baseballs of the fence and the name Josh Hamilton found its way into the homes of baseball fans across the country! Even though the Home Run Derby set Josh Hamilton apart, there is a better story behind the man.

Beyond Belief is a thrilling story of a man seeking to find peace and grace in the eyes of God. His journey from a highly touted High School baseball prospect to a drugged out- tattooed-trouble soul is clearly projected in the words of Josh Hamilton. Even the places and people are brought to life through the story of Mr. Hamilton's rise and fall then his rise again.

Josh Hamilton could be called the "Prodigal Son" of baseball. His life as headed for the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mi, until a fateful day when he allowed the troubles of the world to infect his life. His parents struggled with their child as they saw his troubles and his bank account quickly dwindling because of addiction. His wife struggled through the years, but she kept hope in this North Carolina baseball star. Young children had looked up to him, his drug habits caused young people to read his suspensions, and slowly his name was fading from the books.

One day, his life was going to change. The ways and ideals he had grown up believing were coming back...but how long would it take? His family was behind him and his wife was praying...then the day came! The crack of the bat felt the way it used to and the story was changing. He looked at his wife, saw her face and he knew he was back!

Josh Hamilton's story is an amazing one and every year it seems to get better. His life is becoming whole with the grace of God and he is still seeking the presence of the Savior. Beyond Belief is an excellent book for baseball fans and anyone who has a passing interest in reading true stories of the possible!

Take a moment and enjoy the story of Josh Hamilton. When you are done you will say, "Yes, it is Beyond Belief."

A special thanks to Faith Words for allowing me to have a copy of this book. Also thanks to my brother Aaron, who stood hours in a line at Barnes and Noble to meet Josh Hamilton and get my book signed.

Much more about baseball, great book
the story of Josh Hamilton has been well publicized, but reading his first hand account of what he went through and how he is still here today is amazing.

think about this...

-Hamilton was considered the best high school baseball player ever[...]
-he beat Jose Canseco in home run derby as an 18 year old kid fresh out of the draft
-Hamilton got involved in drugs when he started hanging out with the people at the tattoo shop

Hamilton's drug use became so extensive, he knew the tips and tricks to get a fixed high. He blew his entire bonus on drugs, left his wife who had just given birth to go and get high (she sent him to the drug store), would wake up in homes surrounded by complete strangers, and at one point, even gave up his wife's wedding ring to score drugs.

Hamilton was on the very brink of losing everything, but as he says over and over, he gave up his life to the Lord, and that changed everything.

His grandma took him in and through Christ, she helped nurture Josh back into good health both spiritually, physcially, and mentally.

through the Lord, Hamilton slowly got back into baseball, one day at a time, until he finally got the call he hoped for so long, the call that Hamilton was back in baseball.

MLB lifted their suspension and rather than work his way through the minors, Hamilton started with the Reds, making the opening day roster.

Think about this....Hamilton went almost 3 years without any baseball or minor league experience, from the suspension list, through the drug use, 8 different rehab centers, to letting go and finding Christ, straight to the Pros.

you could not write a movie script as corny as that, yet it happened to Josh Hamilton, living proof that letting go and having faith, anything was possible.

The Hamilton story is much more than about baseball, it's about life and having faith in Christ. It's an amazing story for any baseball fan, or anybody who wants some real life inspiration.

Similar Road
This book was sheer awesome. I went down the same road as Josh Hamilton. Reading his story gives me more strength and encouragment to go on and succeed in life. To be able to identify personally with someone of his calibur is truly up-lifting. He is one of my favorite baseball players and now after reading this book, he is one of my favorite people.

Time well spent.
Although reading what Josh went through (and put his family through) can be tough to take at times, this was a very good read and quite inspiring. I've read a number of faith-based memoirs written by athletes and others lately and this was the best. I'm certainly rooting for Josh to stay clean and excel at what he does so well (although he can take it easy against the Indians).

Amazing Story from an Amazing Man
Incredible story that I could not stop reading. This book will be an inspiration to anyone who picks it up. Josh is a rare commodity in baseball, not just because he has "Mickey Mantle talent," but also because he is not afraid to put himself out there for all the world to see and judge. Hopefully there will be people who read this book and realize that if Josh can fight his way back from the hell he lived, they can too, or even better...maybe by reading this book the reader will learn from Josh's mistakes without making the same ones he made.

Beyond Belief
I loved Josh Hamilton's story. After following Josh's season in 2008, I was curious to know what type of obstacles he had to overcome to reach the major leagues. This guy went through everything. The way he describes, you can still tell that he goes through a little bit of pain everytime he retells the story. Josh has worked hard to become the quality man that he is today. He makes it very clear that the number one thing he uses to keep himself clean is through Faith. This is a very good story and inspirational. It is amazing how someone can turn their lives around almost 360 degrees and be able to do what Josh is doing for a living.

Josh Hamilton Beyond Belief Is a 5 Star Must Read Book
Talk about inspirational you don't have to go any further than this book right here. Josh Hamilton's life has had so many ups and yet at the same time so many downs. Josh is the true story was it doesn't matter how far down you are in your life if you put your mind to the task at hand you can accomplish it. Josh was actually a good kid growing up and how he became a great baseball player was disciplining himself to not go out use drugs and alcohol like most of his friends did. He even went as far to not go to his senior prom because he did not want to get mixed up in activity afterwards that might affect his draft status. That takes true determination to discipline yourself like that. For all joshes hard work it paid off as he was drafted by the devil rays in the first round with the first pick. Unfortunately lots of injuries put Josh on the shelf for a lot of baseball time that it eventually drove him to use drugs for the first time. He states the first time he used coke it was a high he never experienced and he was hooked. As bad as drugs are he is being totally honest with that statement. He reached the lowest point in his life but thanks to the help of his grandmother and god he was able to pull out of it. I was so glad for Josh especially when I saw him in the 2008 homerun derby and he put on a performance of a lifetime. Josh shows you what true determinate is. I truly believe if Josh would have been able to avoid injuries and eventually using drugs to relieve the pain he would be an all star in this league and maybe become one of the best ever. I know that may be a little too much but a guy that can come back after 3 years away from major league baseball almost win the homerun derby and have a great season with the reds and Texas rangers you know he's got talent. Josh Hamilton should be an inspiration for all of us and it proves no matter how doubtful something looks you can accomplish it if you put your mind to it. ... Read more

Editorial Review

A bank of clouds was assembling on the not-so-distant horizon, but journalist-mountaineer Jon Krakauer, standing on the summit of Mt. Everest, saw nothing that "suggested that a murderous storm was bearing down." He was wrong. The storm, which claimed five lives and left countless more--including Krakauer's--in guilt-ridden disarray, would also provide the impetus for Into Thin Air, Krakauer's epic account of the May 1996 disaster

By writing Into Thin Air, Krakauer may have hoped to exorcise some of his own demons and lay to rest some of the painful questions that still surround the event. He takes great pains to provide a balanced picture of the people and events he witnessed and gives due credit to the tireless and dedicated Sherpas. He also avoids blasting easy targets such as Sandy Pittman, the wealthy socialite who brought an espresso maker along on the expedition. Krakauer's highly personal inquiry into the catastrophe provides a great deal of insight into what went wrong. But for Krakauer himself, further interviews and investigations only lead him to the conclusion that his perceived failures were directly responsible for a fellow climber's death. Clearly, Krakauer remains haunted by the disaster, and although he relates a number of incidents in which he acted selflessly and even heroically, he seems unable to view those instances objectively. In the end, despite his evenhanded and even generous! assessment of others' actions, he reserves a full measure of vitriol for himself.This updated trade paperback edition of Into Thin Air includes an extensive new postscript that sheds fascinating light on the acrimonious debate that flared between Krakauer and Everest guide Anatoli Boukreev in the wake of the tragedy."I have no doubt that Boukreev's intentions were good on summit day," writes Krakauer in the postscript, dated August 1999. "What disturbs me, though, was Boukreev's refusal to acknowledge the possibility that he made even a single poor decision. Never did he indicate that perhaps it wasn't the best choice to climb without gas or go down ahead of his clients." As usual, Krakauer supports his points with dogged research and a good dose of humility. But rather than continue the heated discourse that has raged since Into Thin Air's denouncement of guide Boukreev, Krakauer's tone is conciliatory; he points most of his criticism at G. Weston De Walt, who coauthored, The Climb, Boukreev's version of events. And in a touching conclusion, Krakauer re!counts his last conversation with the late Boukreev, in which the two weathered climbers agreed to disagree about certain points. Krakauer had great hopes to patch things up with Boukreev, but the Russian later died in an avalanche on another Himalayan peak, Annapurna I. In 1999, Krakauer received an Academy Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters-a prestigious prize intended "to honor writers of exceptional accomplishment."According to the Academy's citation, "Krakauer combines the tenacity and courage of the finest tradition of investigative journalism with the stylish subtlety and profound insight of the born writer.His account of an ascent of Mount Everest has led to a general reevaluation of climbing and of the commercialization of what was once a romantic, solitary sport; while his account of the life and death of Christopher McCandless, who died of starvation after challenging the Alaskan wilderness, delves even more deeply and disturbingly into the fascination of nature and the devastating effects of its lure on a young and curious mind." ... Read more

Reviews

A Classic Tale
I first read "Into Thin Air" right after it was first published five years ago. It haunted me at the time, and it continues to do so today. By now, the story has been told so many times and by so many different people that it hard to remember that Krakauer's original account is the one that made it famous to begin with. Were it not for his incredible abilities as a storyteller, it is doubtful that anyone outside the world of mountaineering would remember what happened at the peak of Everest in that fateful May of 1996.

Krakauer's account is so compelling because it reads like a book length confession, which it is in a sense. The author worked through his very considerable feelings of survivor's guilt in the book's pages. His descriptions and not inconsiderable opinions have become legendary. For example, how many people read of AOL Chairman Robert Pittman's recent outster from the company and remembered him as the husband of Sandra Hill Pittman, who personified the rich amature climber who buys their way to the top of the world's tallest peak and who has no business being there? Krakauer's descriptions of Mrs. Pittman on the mountain are an example of his simple but devastating observations.

Krakauer's highly readable prose make the book read like fiction, probably another reason why it was so popular. He signed on for the Everest climb intending to write a standard mountaineering magazine article. That he chose the fateful May 1996 climb is simply a rare case of someone being at the wrong place at precisely the right time. Though it caused him plenty of personal torment, it also allowed him to write a story for the ages.

Overall, "Into Thin Air" fantastic storytelling make it one of the best non-fiction books published in the last decade or so.

AN UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURE - MOVING,SHOCKING,REAL
Having never understood why people climb mountains, and after seeing Beck Weathers on television last year, I bought INTO THIN AIR in order to gain more insight. Krakauer delivered.

Have some time on your hands, because once you begin reading Jon's story depicting the turn of events throughout his journey on Everest in the Spring of '96, you won't be able to stop reading until you've read the last word in his book. This account of summitting Everest is a page turner even though the outcome is old news. It will leave you wanting to know more about other attempts made on Everest, both failed and successful.

For those who don't understand why on earth anyone would want to do something as dangerous as climbing "Into Thin Air" on rock and ice ... this book answers that curiosity. Because Jon introduces his readers to the backgrounds and personalities of the main characters in his book, we can better comprehend the different reasons people spend thousands of dollars and two or more months of their lives in "hell" on a mountain - freezing and injured - 'just to get to the top'. We learn through Krakauer why they continue their ascent even though the conditions are pure torture and more life threatening with each step; why they don't give it up once they've lost feeling in their extremities, separated their ribs, lost their vision, can no longer breathe due to oxygen depleted air, why they don't turn back even when they see the dead who've attempted to reach the summit on prior expeditions. You'll understand because of Krakauer's talent as a writer ... his ability to replay his emotions, his thoughts, his experiences, and his opinions through writing.

You'll feel the frigid wind, the snow, the ice, the pain, the desperation, the sorrow, the regrets. The "if only's" will torture your soul just as they have and continue to torture Jon's.

He writes in such a way you will have no choice other than to join him on that mountain. You'll meet and get to know the members and guides of Rob Hall's team as well as Scott Fischer, his guides, and some of his team members whom you will respect even though you may not like. Unfortunately, not everyone on the mountain was a "good guy" ... you'll be livid thanks to the danger the teams encounter due to the inexperience, egos, arrogance, and ruthlessness of the few "bad apples".

For the survivors, Jon's book is an avenue in which fathers, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, and other loved ones are portrayed as the heroes they were. Although some of the deceased's relatives were upset with Krakauer, it will seem unjust because of the respectful way in which he depicts his fellow mountaineers and the Sherpas.

Page by Page Suspense
Even if you already know the story of the deadly Mt. Everest expeditions of 1996, you will appreciate Jon Krakauer's own first person account of the Adventure Consultants and the Mountain Madness groups. Both of these expeditions were led by well-seasoned Everest climbers---Rob Hall from New Zealand and Scott Fischer from the States--and had the aid of expert guides, Sherpas from Nepal and "outsiders". But we soon find that even these experienced people are not immune from the human frailties of greed, denial and self-serving. Those Achilles' heels will cause both expeditions to completely fall apart. At the same time, human error combined with the unforgiving terrors of high altitude climbing sets the scene for heroism in many of the climbers and crew.

Krakauer, a journalist who signed on with Hall's expedition to do a story for Outside magazine, doesn't disappoint as weaver of a tale. I took the book everywhere with me while reading it, always eager to find out what would happen next.

If a book that explores deftly our desire to reach an unreachable summit appeals to you....especially when that book does not shy away from the tragedy caused when the desire to reach it undoes common sense and humanity....I highly recommend "Into Thin Air."

How to tell the truth at 29,000 feet
By and large, the negative reviews posted here have little to do with the quality of this book and almost everything to do with the presumed character of the writer, Jon Krakauer. Similarly, those who dislike Krakauer's Into the Wild tend to focus their judgment of the book's worth on their own feelings regarding the essay's subject, Christopher McCandless, the young man who traveled the Western United States and Mexico for two years before perishing in Alaska. I read Krakauer differently. I am not interested in Krakauer's liberal politics, his emotional instability, and variable maturity. I am not interested in whether he portrays the absolute truth in his account of the 1996 Mt. Everest disaster for the simple fact that I don't believe the truth can be told. Writing is a very poor substitute for a frostbitten finger or a hypoxic head. All we have is Krakauer's writing, so let's look at what he does as a writer.

Krakauer is a sensationalist journalist, and since he reports on dangerous and near-death experiences regularly, he really can't help being grandiose and spectacular. The subject of his writing demands that he ratchet up the emotional power of his style and word choice. And let's be honest--don't we, as readers, demand it of him as well? Don't we want a voyeuristic and graphic account, where the size, the shape, and the smell of death seem to lift from the pages? Who wants to read about a mountain climbing disaster sans the emotion and the ego it takes to put one's self unnecessarily into such perilous situations?

Perhaps some readers want a quiet truth about what happened on the mountain, but this is to ask the impossible since every climber is guaranteed to have a different story and different perceptions of similar experiences--none of which are altogether true and none of which are altogether lies. And when he/she goes to tell about it, pieces of reality will inevitably be missed and left forgotten on the mountain. Emotions will well up and color an event with bias. Egos will peek from behind a boulder and whisper truths and nonsense.

No writer can make sense of all of that, but Krakauer has tried, and largely succeeded, to give the reader an idea of what it was like on Mt. Everest in late spring 1996. He may or may not have retraced every path exactly, but he acts as a good guide. He welcomes the reader to disagree with him and simultaneously makes a bold and convincing case. He admits a myriad of his own mistakes and points out the mistakes of others. I'm impressed mostly with the balanced feel of his account. For example, much is made of Krakauer's portrayal of Anatoli Boukreev's actions on the mountain. Those who read Krakauer as blaming Boukreev for the deaths of some climbers must not have closely read the many times Krakauer praises Boukreev's numerous heroic actions. By telling of both the shameful and heroic actions of Boukreev--all told from Krakauer's self-admitted hypoxic state--I find that Krakauer achieves a kind of truth about both Boukreev and himself.

In the end, for me, the book is about how truth changes states: It's solid and reliable when you start to climb Mt. Everest. And then you climb too high, and the truth becomes slippery and liquid; you're not quite sure and you're not quite in doubt. And then sometimes, the truth changes to a gas, a gyre of contradictions--the terrible beauty of chaos, which you'll never completely remember or entirely forget.

Thrilling and Unforgettable
I found Into Thin Air, as well as Krakauer's excellent Into the Wild, to be two of the most gripping, emotional, unforgettable reads of my life. Into Thin Air tells a fascinating story of hardship, tragedy, heroism and perhaps lack of respect for nature, and unlike virtually all books of the genre the author was there, suffering through the storm and watching his comrades fall. Sebastian Junger, in his compelling book The Perfect Storm, pieced together information to try and imagine what it was like on the Andrea Gail out in the North Atlantic. Krakauer was actually on the summit of Everest in May 1996, and he takes the reader on one helluva ride.

Most of you who have gotten this far in the reviews knows the basic premise. Krakauer was sent to Everest by Outside magazine to join New Zealand guide Ron Hall's expeedition in the spring of 1996. He was there to write an expose about how anyone who is reasonably in shape, has some (and not a lot) of climbing experience, and who can fork over more than $60,000 could be taken to the summit of Everest while Sherpas and yaks carried most of your supplies, cooked your meals, and carried you when you collapsed. One climber even brought an espresso machine. He also wanted to comment on how Everest has become a virtual junk yard, with empty oxygen cannisters strewn all over the face of the mountain.

What he found changed his life forever. Krakauer was caught up in a deadly storm, that appeared virtually "out of thin air", leaving members of his and other teams stranded on the summit and on Hillary Step (a ledge just below the summit) with little chance of making it down. The story is gripping, suspenseful and ultimately deeply moving. The reader may think humans, especially those with pregnant wives at home, have no business at the summit of Everest, but you cannot help being deeply moved as you read about Rob Hall talking to his wife on the other side of the world, via satellite phone, to discuss the name of their unborn child while Hall is stranded on the mountain. The book kept me up nights as few others ever have.

A point about the "feud" with Anatoli Boukreev is worth mentioning, since, in my opinion, this has been blown out of proportion by others. Krakauer recognizes that each climber has his own way of doing things, but he took some shots at the Mountain Madness expedition led by Scott Fischer, and at his guide Boukreev in particular, for climbing without supplemental oxygen and for descending ahead of the group's clients. I think he made some good points there. Boukreev was no doubt a great climber, and his death in an avalanche the next year makes the whole debate a little pointless, but I think a client if I were to fork over $60,000 I have the right to expect that the guide will be out on the mountain with me as I descend, not warming up in the hut drinking tea. Boukreev is credited by Krakauer with a heroic trip back up the mountain during a blizzard to reach Fischer, and he may have been told earlier by Fischer to descend (we'll never know for sure), but those tactics are surely open to debate. Some reviewers here on Amazon have taken personal shots at Krakauer's actions during the storm, but he was no paid guide, and he rightfully takes some blame himself in his book for abandoning Beck Weathers and for giving some false info to the family of one of his guides, Andy Harris that added to the confusion in those first days of the incident.

In any event, if you want to get caught up in the whole Krakauer v. Boukreev debate, be my guest - you can read both of their accounts of what happened on that fateful trip. For my money, Krakauer's account is the definitive, well-written story, which should at the very least be used as a starting point for anyone interested in the 1996 Everest tragedy. And for most people (like myself) with little or no interest in climbing, read Into Thin Air on its own as a gripping, unforgettable account of a very public tragedy which you will not soon forget.

Getting up is easy, the hard part is getting down
Jon Krakauer takes you for a front seat ride up the deadly slopes of Mount Everest, during the notoriously deadly expedition of May 1996. Barely escaping the mountain with his own life, journalist Krakauer remembers the team members and friends left on the mountain. Four out of eleven members died on the fatal mountain.

Inch by weary inch, step by shivering step, Krakauer takes us on his journey up Everest and introduces us to the members of his team. This book is so well written that you can feel the oxygen depravation and the cold, and are left feeling the personal loss of lives you come to know and care about as fully fleshed out people.

He brings to life the real concerns of guided ascents up Everest, the use of oxygen by guides, the inexperience of people who pay mega-bucks to be escorted to the world's highest peak, the state of mind that thin air brings to the human mind, and the accomplishments and follies of those who attempt such an extra-ordinary feat.

The book includes a map, eight pages of glossy black and white photos, some dark pictures leading into every chapter, blurbs from different publications that lead each chapter, a bibliography, and an extensive postscript answering some outstanding issues that arose in DeWalt's account of the same ascent called 'The Climb'.

This is one of the best non-fiction books I've read in a long time. The story is compelling and the telling is honest. Krakauer speaks of his survival guilt with open poignancy and candor. He passes over his own hardships and applauds the heroism of those who helped to save many of the stranded members of the climbing parties. He reports on bottlenecks high up on the mountain, particularly on the Hillary Step, that cause costly delays and could mean the difference between life and death at such altitudes. If you're looking for an exciting, heart pounding non-fiction read then look no further. I highly recommend this book. Enjoy!

ENGROSSING AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING
Jon Krakauer's narrative of the 1996 disaster on Mt. Everest is excellently written and extremely engrossing. Although the events are true, the book reads like a top action/adventure thriller, keeping us turning pages until the end. This is definitely a first-person account, though, and Krakauer makes sure the attention is centered on him, as he alternately extolls his virtues and reveals his faults. I felt extremely saddened when reading this book and I think we must look closely at how and why this tragedy happened. I cannot help but fault, in part, the two guides, Hall and Fischer. Both were experienced climbers and both had previously been on Everest. As guides, these men were running a business for profit and were desirous of satisfied customers--that meant making the summit. But these two men had also accepted the responsibility of caring for their clients' safety, as well as for the safety of those in expeditions not their own. The fact that they ignored self-imposed turn-around times simply cannot be forgiven. Ultimately, however, each person must take responsibility for his or her own actions. Technically, Everest is an easy climb, but the physical demands are enormous. The bulk of climbers were untrained, unfamiliar with their equipment, and simply not in the top physical condition needed to withstand the rigors of high-altitude climbing, a fact of which they certainly must have been aware. And if they weren't, then certainly Hall and Fischer were. Many of the previous reviewers have faulted the climbers for turning their backs on Beck Wethers and Yasuko Namba, but once you have actually engaged in high-altitude climbing, as I have done, you know Everest is not the place to become your brother's keeper. No one should have died and had Hall and Fischer turned around, as they should have, in all probability no one would have. Into Thin Air is a fascinating tale and one that poses many thought-provoking questions each man and woman must answer, not only on Everest, but in the course of his or her day-to-day life.

Riveting - But Tread Cautiously Through It
This account ignited a long distilled passion for the mountains, and renewed interest in the Outdoors. Krakauer (the name itself conjures up courage and strength)writes with immediacy and more important, from firsthand experience. He's a hardcore adventurer, he's lived it, and is one of those rare, original people able to express what is often inexplicable. This book was easy to read in one or two sittings, and tremendously compelling (leading me to read Into The Wild and other books related to the 1996 Everest incidents).

I was also one of those chagrined to discover, after having loved and being incredibly excited by this book, that for all its accuracy, there are some areas that should not be read without circumspection. Although the book mostly avoids The Blame Game, it lapses into this once focus moves to the Head Climber of Mountain Madness, the heroic but inarticulate Boukreev. Krakauer's facts are interspersed with some opinions, and a few of these opinions, especially those of Boukreev (who died in 1997, in an avalanche on Annapurna 1, instead of remaining in America to receive one of the highest awards for mountaineering bravery) - some of these opinions are distasteful.

While I am merely a reader, and I respect and admire the talents of these men in the mountains a great deal, I do wonder what prompted Krakauer to pursue his character assissination of Boukreev. Krakauer has dogged determination in his writing as much as he does in his climbing, but also a stubbornness, and in writing Into Thin Air (which he did incredibly quickly after the fact) seems to strive to be seen as the one and only leading authority, acknowledging that it is not perfect, but nevertheless the complete'the best'and total story of that 1996 climb. This is unfortunate, because Krakauer himself was on the mountain, and his own perceptions were not 100%. He does succeed in communicating his experience with profundity. He fails though, in a few of his many interpretations, including of some of his own mishaps, and thus, has opened the door to a raging debate on 'what really happened', including, for example, what happened to Andy Harris, his encounter on the Kangshung Face, and important conversations he was not privy to close to the summit.

His 'Postscript' response to The Climb goes to great lengths, and like the rest of the book, turns out to be well worded, but does not hide what eventually are borne out to be a few inaccuracies (inadequacies?). His experience on Everest is not his best mountaineering experience (he was at one point assisted by 2 guides), and Boukreev fared far far better. Actions, should at the end of such events, speak louder than Krakauer's (or anyone else's) words, and Boukreev's actions do. Krakauer's behaviour on that day was quite limited by comparison.

Krakauer needs to be more gracious to a man who helped insure the safety of every one of the members on his team (all but the leader survived,) with no permanent damage, while 4 members of Krakauer's team died, and at least one survivor had severe and permanent damage. The idea should not be to blame people in mountains, when things go wrong, but to recognise the right things that happen that save lives.

Krakauer's own account of his meeting with Beck Weathers also differs from Weather's own version. Krakauer actually resisted Weather's desperate plea for assistance, although Krakauer paints a more gracious picture of himself in his story. The point though, is not to point fingers, and Boukreev puts it perfectly when he says 'each is responsible for his own ambition' on the mountain. Thus, others should not be blamed when things go wrong, but hopefully, will have the wherwithal to respond in these extreme circumstances. The reality in the Death Zone is one person who breaks down, slows down, and needs assistance causes a domino effect, it leads to an exponential increase in the risks to the lives of others, as valuable resources of energy and oxygen and time get used up.

We live in world of soundbites, of show, and of course the 1996 Incident has been written about, and made into a television show.

Into Thin Air powerfully communicates the meaning and drama of that high world. It's most important defects though, are not recognising the astonishing courage of a man who stood up through the storm that day while it seemed everyone else, including the sherpas, whimpered in their tents. Few understand what happened, and Into Thin Air sadly perpetuates that mystification as far as it communicates Broukeev's role. Read The Climb after Into Thin Air, for more perspective. It's equally engrossing, well written, but a far more genuine account.

Impossible to put down!
Perhaps timing is everything, but don't tell that to Jon Krakauer, an outdoors writer and mountain climber who was offered the opportunity of a lifetime to climb Mount Everest; only to find himself in the middle of the most notable catastrophe to ever strike the mountain. With the 50th anniversary of the successful assent by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, there is renewed interest in Chomolungma (the Tibetan name for the mountain. Previous to the second half of the twentieth century, Everest was a forbidden monolith that crushed anyone who attempted to scale it's heights. But with it's invincibility shattered by Hillary and Norgay, Everest began to shed some of it's mystery, and bit by bit, the appearance (but just the appearance) of it's lethality. By the 90's, the primary requisite for a summit attempt was a bank account large enough to pay for an experienced guide. New problems like the litter of discarded oxygen canisters became a threat to the mountain, as the climbing ranks swelled with serious amateurs anxious to achieve various ego firsts like "first woman over 60," "first Lithuanian" to summit Everest, along with the highest mountains on each of the continents.

Outside magazine sent Krakauer on an expedition with Rob Hall, one of the most experienced of the new crop of guides, whose business it was to get climbers to the summit. Even with modern equipment and climbing techniques that's still a daunting task, not for the faint of heart or the expanded of waistline. However the professional mountaineers of Hillary's generation were being followed on Hall's expedition by a postal employee, a New York socialite and others. They were joined on the mountain by various teams, some so inexperienced as to be comical. Among the other teams was one led by Scott Fisher, another guide that was making a name for his ability to get people to the top and in a bit of braggadocio had even claimed that he had "found a golden staircase to the summit."

Krakauer outlines all of the minutia regarding preparation and execution of an Everest climb. You can almost find yourself wheezing as he describes what existence is like above the elevation that is known as the Death Zone. And he recounts in harrowing detail the storm that hit while Hall and Fisher's teams were near or below the summit, and the efforts of the others to rescue them. I had mixed feelings when I read of the final conversation between Rob Hall, as he sat helpless and dying on the mountain, and his pregnant wife back in New Zealand. Here is a man and woman exchanging their final words, both fully aware of his fate, and yet we mortals who will likely never be tested in this way are privy to his private thoughts and her quiet despair.

Moving from the role of dispassionate observer, into a deeper role of survivor, Krakauer anguishes over what he could have done differently, of the mistakes he believes he made and how he will ever reconcile his grief. Yes, he stood on the summit. Yes, he survived and returned home. But he has no satisfaction about conquering the mountain. And he questions why anyone else would even attempt it.

Seeking a state of grace
I remember the spring of 1996 and the Everest disasters very well. I was stuck in traffic when a writer named Jon Krakauer was briefly interviewed on NPR when he first returned as one of the survivors of a deadly climb. I had never given mountaineering or Everest much thought but the drama, and especially Krakauer's traumatized voice, inspired a curiosity I've only now actually pursued by reading this book.

If you have ever been at a popular tourist spot when several buses pulled up and disgorged different tours, you have the picture of what mountaineering on Everest had become by 1996. The golden era of exploration and mountaineering on Everest was over. Commercial expeditions charging $65,000 a head would take up clients who could pay, not necessarily those who were vetted mountaineers. Base Camp was a cross between a vanity fair and a scout jubilee. Krakauer, a practiced climber who was commissioned by Outside Magazine to write about the experience, had signed on with an ethical and highly skilled outfit. There was, to the climbers, little warning that anything could go wrong. Across the next several weeks, the climbers moved slowly up the mountain, becoming acclimated. Perhaps the first clue of the reality of Everest was encountering dead bodies from previous years that had simply been left behind. The 1996 groups kept going. The ravages of altitude sickness, the increasing consumption of oxygen canisters, and the physical punishment should have been more flags. The day scheduled for achieving the summit became a train wreck of bad choices, rejection of basic guidelines such as turn around times, altitude sickness, and the surprise of a subzero storm that suddenly grabbed the top of the world with hurricane force. The scramble for survival meant, in some cases, abandoning people for dead on the mountain, people who had become comrades on the ropes. Krakauer documents incredible stories of heroism and survival, as well as the death toll and permanent physical injuries incurred by some.

Krakauer is an astonishing writer who does a good job of sorting out a confusing series of events. Realizing the limitations of one person's memory in the midst of a traumatic experience that has bequeathed a sense of guilt, he went back and interviewed other survivors to get at the truth. Although he never imposes overarching themes on the narrative, his story illustrates classic conflicts as humans are seen tempting mortality on the grandest scale on earth. The more they push their human capacities, the more the mountain seems determined to push the climbers down into their very flawed human place. In the end, this is not so much a tour of a mountain as it is an exploration of humanity. There are a lot of Monday morning quarterbacks pointing fingers at those who survived, and some are pointed weakly at Krakauer, but I found this to be very evenly handled.
... Read more

Editorial Review

In a notorious career with the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks, Bob Probert racked up points, penalty minutes, and bar bills, establishing himself as one of the most feared enforcers in the history of the NHL. On the ice, he was a fan favorite. He backed up his teammates 100 percent, taking on the toughest guys of his era. Off the ice, Probert played hard as well. Over his pro career he went through rehab 10 times, was suspended twice, was jailed for carrying cocaine across the border, and survived a near fatal motorcycle crash. When he died unexpectedly of a heart attack at the age of 45 on July 5, 2010, he was hard at work on his memoir. Probert wanted to tell his story in his own words to set the record straight.



Tough Guy is a gripping journey through the life of Bob Probert, with jaw-dropping stories of his on-ice battles and his reckless encounters with drugs, alcohol, police, customs officials, courts, and the NHL, told in his own voice and with his rich sense of humor. ... Read more

Reviews

Thank you to the Probert's
There can be no doubting that Bob Probert was the toughest, greatest and most feared fighter to ever lace on a pair of skates. It's true, ask anyone who has ever played the game or any knowledgeable hockey historian. It all came down to his influence and aura. Who did every hockey player who ever dropped the gloves try to emulate? 9 times out of 10 they will say, Bob Probert. No other fighter had more of a charisma and intimidation factor to this level before or since than ol' 24. The dynamic of the game changed once he hit the ice because Probert could do so much more than just be the reigning NHL heavyweight Champion, he could play the game. The most interesting thing about Probert was that he didn't have to do a ton of steroids to become a good enforcer (see Tony Twist) and didn't practice and train to the level of most players. His best way to train was to booze, party and bar room brawl all night long and then go out on the ice the next day and let his natural ability lead him to greatness. Can you imagine how good he could have been if he had his life together??? He went to rehab for drug and alcohol abuse, survived car and motorcycle crashes and was fined and suspended countless of times and still the NHL would always take him back!! Why??? Because he was that good!! Now that's amazing if you really look at how he lived his life!! Surely, all this abuse broke his body down and lead to his eventual downfall (especially when he went to Chicago in the 1995-96 season after being suspended for a year) because although feared and still a great fighter, he was never the same as he was in Detroit. Reading this book will explain to you just what was going on in the world of Bob Probert and at times it may be funny but it is also a testimony of self-destruction in a violent sport. Unfortunately, everything all caught up with him as he passed away at only 45 years old in 2010 due to heart failure in a most tragic fashion. What was also sad was that Bob (although suffering from a broken body) was in the best place he could be in with his family, whom he loved so much. A sad ending to an incredible life and icon of the Hockey world. God Speed Bob, may you rest in peace. ... Read more

Editorial Review

2008 Retailer's Choice Award winner!
Tony Dungy's words and example have intrigued millions of people, particularly following his victory in Super Bowl XLI, the first for an African American coach. How is it possible for a coach—especially a football coach—to win the respect of his players and lead them to the Super Bowl without the screaming histrionics, the profanities, and the demand that the sport come before anything else? How is it possible for anyone to be successful without compromising faith and family? In this inspiring and reflective memoir, now updated with a new chapter, Coach Dungy tells the story of a life lived for God and family—and challenges us all to redefine our ideas of what it means to succeed.

The softcover edition of this #1 New York Times best-seller includes a new chapter! In it, Coach reflects on the 2007 football season and last year's successful hardcover release of Quiet Strength. Also features a foreword by Denzel Washington and a 16-page color-photo insert. Over 1 million in print! ... Read more

Reviews

C. Van Wagner, July 12, 2007
This book proved to be much more than I'd expected. I've read the books of many famous personalities (in and out of sports), and I can honestly say that Coach Dungy breaks all the stereotypes. When he's at the top of his game, he gives the glory to God, his family and his team. When he's in the worst places of life, he praises God for His goodness. When he's searching for answers, he chooses to lean on God for direction. He consistently lives a life of integrity, sacrifice and service.....and allows the glory to go to the One who deserves it, not to himself. Wouldn't it be great if all of our professional sports figures conducted themselves in a similar way? Though I've never been a Colts fan, this book and the various interviews I've recetnly seen with Coach Dungy have won me over. I'd HIGHLY suggest this book for your summer reading list.

A Different Kind of Leader, July 14, 2007
Super Bowl championship coach Tony Dungy writes a tell-all book that the entire family can read. In fact, Dungy would not start his own bio with "super bowl championship coach." Instead, he would begin it with "Christian," then "husband," "parent," and "friend." Even when talking about coaching, Dungy's philosophy is on coaching the entire person--mentoring.

"Quiet Strength" is one part autobiography, one part thrilling sports biography, one part coaching technique, one part dealing with suffering, one part family life narrative, one part social commentary, and one part Christian living teaching. Woven together seamlessly, the subtitle accurately provides the beautiful tapestry that results: "The Principles, Practices, and Priorities of a Winning Life."

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen is the author of Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction , Soul Physicians, and Spiritual Friends.

An Excellent Book that Uplifts the Reader, August 4, 2007
I received my copy of Quiet Strength from the hands of Coach Dungy himself on the day the book was released in Atlanta, GA. The humble man from Jackson, MI was wearing the Super Bowl ring as he handed me the autographed book.

This is an extremely well written book! I was a big fan of Coach Dungy from his Tampa Bay Buc days (I am a Buc and Jaguar fan) and because like him I ended up in Indiana about the same time that he moved up here, I've followed his career up here--but this book unveals so much about the man and how his faith helps him to interpret the events of his life--both the good and the bad.

What many people would consider insignificant events, Coach Dungy helps the reader to reevaluate and to see in their correct light. I think anyone who reads this book will come away a better person than they were before they read the book--truly a mark of a great book, but also a mark of the quiet strength that motivate Tony Dungy!

Quiet Strength Means Never Having to Apologize for Being Kind, July 16, 2007
The head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, Tony Dungy has written an incredibly touching biography. For years Lovie Smith (coach of the Chicago Bears) and Dungy were considered "too soft' to be effective leaders in the NFL. They were also regarded to be two of the finest individuals associated with professional sports: both have genuine character, are humble, give thanks to God instead of themselves, and have a strong sense of family. The players on the Colts feel that kind of closeness to Dungy: a family spirit. Imagine the difficulty of uniting and motivating 44 of the toughest men on the planet into a common goal without resorting to strong-arm tactics that they are used to.

Tony's book is a testament to making life a `family moment.' Achievement shouldn't be made at the sacrifice of the achiever's soul. There are many real life lessons in Tony's biography, but this book is much more than that. They detail how to deal with issues with maturity, humility and thoughts of others first. Does it work? Well, he just won the Super Bowl with that philosophy, and believe me, 100's of sportswriters woke up the next day with stale egg on their face.

Dungy agonized whether to put the heartbreaking story of his son in the book, but finally relinquished to help others who have to somehow come to terms with family tragedies. I've grown so weary of endless sport exposes' that emphasizes the negative. That is one of the delights I had when reading this book- the absence of sports self-glorification in the Dungy story. This is far from being your average sports tell-all. In August of 2007, this book was number 1 in the country in sales, proving that you don't have to write a gossip book for a novel to be successful about sports.

Despite the disrespect by the Tampa Bay Bucs, despite losing his son, despite taking criticism for being too easy on his players and despite being misunderstood by the sports media, Tony Dungy has emerged positively. Lessons in life are not just learned: they are earned. 10 years from now his players will glowingly talk about the influence of Coach on their lives. Until then, when the final vindication comes for his selfless efforts, this book: "Quiet Strength" will serve as a monument to old-school values and the wonderful results they can bring.

Jeff Feezle of Macafeez

A Truly Remarkable Man, July 22, 2007
Two words sum up my review of Tony Dungy's book: Deeply inspirational. It doesn't matter what your background and interests are, everyone should read this book. You don't have to be a Colts fan. You don't have to even be a sports fan. You don't have to be a Christian, although Dungy's Christ-centric lifestyle is quite an inspiring model, especially when compared to the lifestyles of others in the game.

This isn't a football book. If you're looking for the X's and O's of how the Colts won the Super Bowl you'll need to look elsewhere. This is a remarkable story about a remarkable man and his journey up to now. Although it's easy for all of us to look at the positives in Dungy's life, especially since it's only been about 5 months since the Colts won the Lombardi trophy, this book outlines the many, many challenges and setbacks he's had along the way; but it's how he's responded to each and every one of those situations that make him an excellent role model.

I had often wondered why a search of "Tony Dungy" on Amazon yielded nothing until this book came out. The reason behind that is explained in the Introduction: as a very quiet, private man, Dungy didn't see the need to hype is career/life in a book. Or he didn't until he realized it could be used to help others, and that's precisely his goal with Quiet Strength. Much has been written about his outreach to teens in trouble after his own son committed suicide in 2005. Seeing this man in action and hearing him speak recently, I have no doubt these reports only scratch the surface. Dungy is a remarkable person who impacts everyone around him.

Dungy isn't one to operate with a bunch of smoke and mirrors. Even his advice on building a solid team would be considered pretty dull by today's standards. It's mostly "do what we do, whatever it takes", etc. No fire and brimstone, which is one of the reasons he probably looked like less of a winner after Jon Gruden was able to replace him in Tampa and win it all in his first year. Fortunately for good guys everywhere, Dungy proved once and for all that Leo Durocher was wrong and they can finish first! Further, the Colts success in 2006/2007 can be directly attributed to Dungy's stick-to-it attitude and approach.

This book caused me to look at Colts owner Jim Irsay differently. I've always assumed he was a cold mercenary, just like his dad. You remember Bob Irsay...he's the guy who moved the Colts from Baltimore to Indianapolis without telling anyone. Not that Jim wouldn't consider pulling up stakes as well, but it was interesting to read Dungy's story of how Jim first contacted him. It was immediately after Tampa let Dungy go and Irsay presented a vision for the team that reminded me of the old Art Rooney days in Pittsburgh. Irsay even went on to tell Dungy that money wouldn't be an issue and to make sure "your agent doesn't screw up the deal"!

Read this book and you too will discover that football is just one small but important piece of Tony Dungy's life. It's how he's dealt with all the other aspects of his life though that truly make this a outstanding book. Just when I thought there were no players/coaches in professional sports worthy of having your child look up to, Tony Dungy proved me wrong.

10 Stars Anyone can learn from this great coach. Anyone., August 26, 2007
Many will assume this is a book just for men or at least for lovers of football. And it is. But its also a GREAT book for anyone who wants to see a walk the talk example of a person who literally puts the Lord and their faith first, then family, job etc. And an excellent example of a man with personal discipline which doesn't allow for using vulgarities to get his team to do as he wants.

The book is a great way to learn from a great man, about how to be the best without compromising ones values. That the saying good guys finish last isn't true. I personally would love to see EVERY sports coach, church leader, father/mother, husband/wife, teacher/student read this book, and learn from it.

That walking the talk and having the bar held high and not lowered makes for a great spouse, parent, friend, coach, teacher. And not in a holier than thou, preachy manner. I so loved reading how he gives praise and glory to God when he has successes and how he praises God and continues to ask Gods wisdom for his life and where he must go and must do.

An American Icon, July 15, 2007
This book is a testament to a great man who lives outside of ego, and who lives a life of integrity. It is always wonderful to see a person shine in God's light, and in the case of Tony Dungy, that's what is happening. And that's what this book is about.

In a world in which many believe in "dog eat dog", it's a blessing to know that sports leaders of this caliber exist and succeed on their own terms. Beyond that, Tony Dungy is a testament to the power of living your life well, and by that I mean, living it as if all life matters, not just your own and not just your most immediate goal.

This inspirational book is a blueprint for living a life of integrity, beyond the limited bounds of ego. Whether you are a sports fan or not, this book is an uplifting look at how good life can be, when winning become secondary to the WAY that you win. Imagine how wonderful it would be if everyone followed the author's principles.

Dear Coach Dungy, September 5, 2007
You probably wont ever read this review, but I just want to thank you so much for first writing this book, this book was an absolute inspiration to me and I gained so much through these pages on everything from how to be a leader of men to how to have integrity in good and bad times, how to handle disapointments both big and small and how to prioritize ones life. I know you didn't want to write a book about yourself and I am glad that in some ways you didn't. Although this book was about you, in a lot of ways it was about God working through you and how you step aside and allow that to happen. This is a rare trait among men today, so many times we seem to get in the way and mess up God's plans for our lives. So thanks for writing this book.
More importantly I want to thank you for being a man of God in such a public platform and for not straying from God's plan for your life no matter what the circumstances. You have been an inspiration to many young men who have watched you through the ups and downs of your life and they have watched a celebrity who lives what they profess and this also is extremly rare in todays culture. Young Men (and women) are seeing what true Christianity and faith and belief in God looks like through a man who never wavered in his faith , both through extreme lows and the highest highs. I appluad your faith and your life and aspire to be a man of God that lives his faith the way that you do.

God Bless
Todd Sullivan

An Uplifting Memoir of a Super Bowl Champion ... courageously living an Exemplary Life, August 27, 2007
Start spreading the news. I loved "Quiet Strength"! Initially I purchased it thinking I would get my weekly dose of football ... only to discover an excellent source on life, liberty, and God. I am reticent about discussing my feelings about religion as I know there are many lost-souls who think belief in a higher power is not rational, scientific, or cool.

With that caveat, it was refreshing to read the memoir of Coach Tony Dungy. Due to outside influences many in our culture think it is a badge of honor to be rude, crude, and tattooed. "Quiet Strength" is a fascinating counterbalance for all who believe the relevance of being religiously grounded, socially conscious, family oriented ... and intellectually prepared for the journey through life.

It is difficult to watch television nowadays without being exposed to a plethora of four- letter words and anything with "Pimp" in the title. Because of positive role models, I remember (fondly) "The Huxtables" television series. Like-minded individuals can now be exposed to the real thing by reading "Quiet Strength" and exploring the lives of Coach Dungy's extraordinary family. The book is eloquently written and loaded with amusing anecdotes from celebrities past and present.

Let me remind all who might cast aspersions on Coach Dungy and the principles to which he espouses ... to read the sobering statistics (page 272) on retired football players. Mr. Dungy is correct when he says: "This book is not all about football. It is about the journey... mine and yours ... and the lives we can touch, the legacy we can leave, and the world we can change for the better". Reading "Quiet Strength" is a marvelous way to start.
Reggie Johnson, Success-Tapes.Com

The Journey of a Level 5/Servant Leader, July 12, 2007
In Jim Collin's book Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't, he identifies Level 5 leaders as one element in organizations that have made the leap from good to great. In the chapter on Level 5 leaders, Collin's describes that the character values of Level 5 leaders were often shaped by the trials they faced in life. Tony Dungy's story provides an excellent example of the Level 5 leader and how his journey in life shaped his beliefs i.e. his faith and character values.

Tony Dungy personifies the character values of a servant leader: humility, excellence, open-mindedness, work ethic, kindness, gentleness, love of people, self-control, love of learning, etc. His story will encourage and inspire others to follow his example. It helped me understand how my own struggles during my wife's battles with two forms of cancer shaped my faith and character values. When we confront forces that are out of our control and threaten our lives or the lives of those we love, it has a profound clarifying affect on what we value in life and on the values we shed because we come to see them as shallow and superfluous.

If you have someone in your life who holds a position of leadership and loves football, you could not find a better gift for him than Tony Dungy's Quiet Strength. In addition to reading this book, let me also recommend another one of my favorites about a great leader My Personal Best : Life Lessons from an All-American Journey. If you are interested in a broader treatment of the character values of inspiring leaders and why they produce organizational cultures that bring out the best in people, consider our recently published book Fired Up or Burned Out: How to Reignite Your Team's Passion, Creativity, and Productivity
... Read more

Editorial Review

Coach Bobby Bowden is an icon of college football who ran his legendary, top-ranking program with a trademark southern charm. With his recent retirement, Bowden is ready to give fans and readers the behind-the-scenes story of his 55-year career and the path that helped him become one of college football's most successful coaches and patriarch of the sport's most famous coaching family.�

In this book, Bowden will reveal never-before-published details of the moments and events that have defined his life, including:�

* The tragic death of his grandson and son-in-law in a 2004 automobile accident.

* The details of his retirement as FSU's coach at the end of the 2009 season. ... Read more

Reviews

Inspiring story of an American treasure!
This is an excellent book and should do very well.

As former President Jimmy Carter so eloquently wrote on the back of Called to Coach, Bobby Bowden is a true American treasure. Whether your a Florida State fan, college football fan, parent, coach, mentor or Christian, you will find a plethora of inspirational stories from the life story of Bobby Bowden. Coach Bowden was not only one of college football's greatest coaches, but he also was one of our countries greatest leaders. The most inspiring part of this book was reading the stories, testimonials and parables from the pregame speeches Bowden delivered to his teams.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who cares about faith, values, and teaching our children to live their lives the right way.

A true legacy
Being a Miami fan, I can't help to envy FSU for having one of the Greatest coaches in college football. Great book. Very inspirational.

Moving story of a coaching legend
Not being a Florida State fan, I was surprised that I enjoyed this book as much as I did. It's a moving story of not just an excellent football coach but an inspirational man. Bowden's story - well told by Schlabach - is a real Horatio Alger tale of a man who worked his way up the old fashioned way, through hard work, perseverance and his enduring faith.

This book is filled with behind-the-scenes stories from from Bowden's long and illustrious coaching career, including his time at West Virginia and coaching against his sons as well as Bowden's early life in Birmingham and as a fledgling coach and husband.

This is not just a book for football fans, but for anyone interested in truly inspirational leaders of our time.

Called To Coach: Reflections on Life, Faith, and Football
This is a great book. I bought it because Bowden is my idol. In this book, he opened me up to the Lord. He showed me that without faith, you are on you own. I would recommend this book to anyone whether they like football or not. GO NOLES!!

Called to Coach
I have followed Bobby Bowden's coaching career since the late 70s, but
being from Alabama myself, it was interesting to learn about his early
years, in Birmingham. I learned he is the fine sincere gentleman, I
always thought he was.
GA

CALLED TO COACH
I ENJOY IT VERY MUCH. IT WAS ONE OF THE BEST BOOK I READ ABOUT FOOTBALL

Bobby Bowden
Great book, Bobby it a great person not just a great coach. And I am UM fan.

Called to Coach
Very inspiring. Coach Bowden brings forth the things that are important in life and gives his testimony in a humble way. The life story of a great man.

amazing Story
This book is absolutely a fantastic read. I recommend it for anybody that loves a great story. It doesn't matter if you like or know who bobby Bowden is because all-in-all, it is just a fascinating look into the life and career of a great person and leader.

Called to Coach
One of the best books I've read in a long time. Bobby Bowden is such a wonderful person. Very inspirational. ... Read more

Editorial Review

No owner has changed the landscape of sports more than New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. From the moment he bought the team in 1973 for $10 million, Steinbrenner's monomaniacal pursuit was to restore the most fabled franchise in baseball history to its former glory. Today the New York Yankees are worth more than $1 billion and are once again world champions.

Award-winning sportswriter Bill Madden traces Steinbrenner from his early days in Cleveland through his years as a shipping magnate, a Nixon fund-raiser, and a champion horse breeder to the fateful moment when he bought the Yankees, even though his father disparaged George's desire to own a professional sports team as a "hobby." Over the next four decades, Steinbrenner's tumultuous reign included his epic battles with Billy Martin, Reggie Jackson, Dave Winfield, even beloved Yankee captain Derek Jeter. His ruthless and free-spending tactics made him a lightning rod for controversy but they also paid off: Steinbrenner's Yankees have won seven championships and remain the gold standard in all sports. In the last few years, with his health declining, the Boss ceded control of the team to his sons, but not before lording over the team's historic transition from the House That Ruth Built to the House That George Built.

Throughout his three decades of covering the Yankees, Bill Madden has cultivated hundreds of sources at every level in the organization, from the many managers and front-office personnel Steinbrenner has fired to the bat boys who are ever present in the locker room. All of them have colorful stories about the man with whom they have enjoyed a love-hate relationship, but it is the Boss himself whose voice rises above the rest. And when Steinbrenner decided to give his final print interview, he spoke to Madden to set the record straight on his extraordinary life and career.

Reviews

Workman-like piece of sports journalism, June 3, 2010
Reading this book is like driving by a 10 car pile-up: horrifying, but fascinating nonetheless.

George Steinbrenner in his professional life has, on occasion, exhibited rage, narcissism, and greed. He has been accused of being a coward and a bully. He could also be creative, persuasive, sentimental, and spectacularly generous, and is indisputably one of the most financially successful sports businessmen in history. Thus, his biography - told straight up - makes for compelling reading. And this is what is delivered by the author, Bill Madden, an award-winning sportswriter who covered the NY Yankees beat for decades during the George Steinbrenner era.

This book is about what you would expect from a respected, veteran sportwriter, such as Madden: an excellent piece of reportage and sports journalism. Steinbrenner's story is fascinating stuff, even without analysis or embellishment (and, thus, the book's shortcoming). While a fascinating read, there is virtually no analysis of Mr. Steinbrenner's behavior or mental status, nor of his business genius, no explicit analysis of whether the greatness of the Yankees under his ownership occurred because of, or despite him.

Highly recommended.

George, Billie, Reggie -- It's Got It ALL, May 11, 2010
If you're a New York Yankee fans, a NY sports fan, a baseball fan, a sports fan in general, or just want to read the humorous and crazy happenings of the New York Yankees under George M. Steinbrenner, this book is a must read. In fact, when you consider the impact today in sports on ticket prices, free agency and player movements, and cable TV and network contracts, the impact that the Yankees and Steinbrenner have had is not to be underestimated.

Bill Madden is the New York Daily News longtime Yankees beat writer and MLB columnist since the 1970's. Madden was there for the "Bronx Zoo" years of the 1970's when contract jealousies, fights, backstabbing, and personal hatred seemed to go hand-in-hand with the winning of those late-1970's Yankee teams. Madden continues into the 1980's, when despite a World Series appearance in 1981 and the signing of the biggest free agent of the decade (Dave Winfield) and one of the all-time Yankee greats in Don Mattingly, the decade was barren for the team. Not until the 1990's (more below) would things turn around.

Madden gives you all the details: how Steinbrenner and a consortium bought the team for $10 million (with George putting up less than $200,000); the crazy antics involving Steinbrenner, Billy Martin, and Reggie Jackson; the plunge into free-agency with Catfish Hunter and later Don Gullet which revolutionized baseball; the seedy antics involving the undermining of his managers, GM's, and team presidents; the Howie Spira episode which got George suspended by Fay Vincent; and how the expulsion from baseball in the 1990's ironically led to the Yankees rebirth. It's all there and a whole lot more.

It is ironic that Steinbrenner has had such phenomenal success with the Yankees, but mediocre success with his other businesses like shipbuilding and horses. Anyone who remained in George's good graces - client or ballplayer - did well by him. For instance, when the Yankees signed their historic 12-year, $500 million contract with MSG Network, it was considered a disaster for MSG. Midway through the deal, it was such a lucrative goldmine for MSG that the Yankees eventually created their own YES Network whose value today might be worth more than the Yankees and the new stadium combined.

Madden is sympathetic to Steinbrenner and his personal like and respect for the man clearly comes through. That does NOT mean that he is not fair or objective, he certainly is. Steinbrenner's many good deeds toward people, even those who he fired, ripped, or treated badly are well-documented here (and there are probably numerous other cases and charities that Madden did not include).

The gradual dissolution of the Joe Torre-Steinbrenner relationship, after the spectacular dynasty of 1996-2003, is also detailed at length. It's easy to see why the current regime, led by sons Hal and Hank, felt no attachment towards keeping Torre after 2007. Steinbrenner's personal side is also explored, along with the humorous recountings of his "Saturday Night Live" hosting and "Seinfeld" appearances (actually, Larry David since George's actual appearance got left on the cutting floor).

Bottom Line: A great read through 4 decades of Yankee and Steinbrenner history, plenty of baseball talk, lots of additional color and information on incidents you heard about but never knew the full story about, and lots of other funny happenings and discussions and behind-the-scenes player trade proposals and firings and hirings that never happened or did happen or which Steinbrenner wanted to happen or didn't want to happen. It's all there and then some. Yankee fans and Yankee haters will both enjoy it.

An Oxymoron, June 1, 2010
This is a facinating study in of a brilliant business man. His drive to win, in everything, leads him to treat people as chattel in working relationships, yet his compassion drives him to care for these same people in his personal relationships with them. The outward tyranical businessman has a thread altruism that manifests itself in his many charitable enterprises, which are not dealt with in any great detail. I believe the book is too heavily weighted in with negatives, of this force of nature that was George Steinbrenner, as compared to his positive contributions. That said it is a facinating look behind the curtain at baseball. It was a quick read for a Yankee fan.

Outstanding!!, July 2, 2010
My years as a Yankee fan have coincided almost directly with the number of years they've been owned by Steinbrenner - so nothing here was groundbreaking news for me. Nevertheless, Madden simply did a great job of giving readers an inside look of the man - the good, the bad and the ugly. Great read!!

George, Uncensored., June 7, 2010
Bill Madden writes a rollicking and very funny book on the life and times of Yankees owner George M. Steinbrenner. You will laugh and cringe at the same time readin this book, George ruled with an iron fist and it hit everyone.Very entertaining and insightful, also bings back memories and names from the past, some u may have forgotten about. Great book.

Madden Offers a Fair and Balanced Glimpse into the Life of a Friend, June 7, 2010
Just a few generations back, many professional teams were family-run operations that were in business for the long haul. Now there is just one (at least in baseball), and the end of an era is in sight, according to STEINBRENNER: The Last Lion of Baseball, by award-winning sports columnist Bill Madden.

There are many adjectives used to describe George Michael Steinbrenner III, principal owner and chair of the New York Yankees, and most are not complimentary. Since he took over the team in the early 1970s, there has been no shortage of fodder for the local press, including Madden, who has followed the game for the Daily News and New York Post. "Der Boss" (one of Steinbrenner's many nicknames) was famous for a fiery temper; prior to Joe Torre's lengthy stay as skipper, the Bronx Bombers went through 20 managerial changes between 1973 and 1995, including many repeat performances, most notably by the late Billy Martin. And that doesn't even take into account the front office. He would order his underlings to handle a task or acquire a certain player, often disregarding the objections of those far more knowledgeable in such matters, and then explode when things didn't work out the way he desired (and his staff expected). He would fire, then rehire, at the drop of a pin, often excusing the hasty behavior with "I didn't really mean it" or "I'll let it go, this time."

Yankees fans and haters are well aware of Steinbrenner's mercurial nature. His apologists point to his success; his enemies note the distractions and bad feelings among the team's personnel. Forget the infamous quote from Reggie Jackson about being "the straw that stirs the drink": that sobriquet should go to Steinbrenner. In fact, one has to wonder: does such drama like this occur on other teams (the husband-and-wife owners of the Dodgers are going through a nasty divorce, for example), or do we hear more about Steinbrenner's antics because his team plays in the media capital of the world?

Does Steinbrenner's megalomania come from some deep-rooted desire to both win the approval of his father --- a strict, hardworking and successful businessman --- and yet prove himself as his own man? Hard to say, although Madden certainly pushes the reader in that direction, albeit without the psychological profiling. Citing one example after another, he chronicles the Yankees chief as a bully and a liar, who could be incalculably mean and cruel, then turn around and create a foundation to make sure the orphans of New York City police and firefighters could go to college, or drop everything at the news of a friend in trouble. Madden includes the praise as well as the lash, but the former is far-between or generally underreported throughout the years; for all his penchant for being the center of attention, Steinbrenner didn't go after the press to note his good deeds.

Madden --- who was recently named winner of the Baseball Hall of Fame's annual Spink Award for outstanding career accomplishments as a writer --- strives to be even-handed. His role for the New York papers put him in a position to write a first-hand account, but he uses that relationship with a light hand, relying on his skills as a journalist rather than employing his personal observations. While dutifully covering Steinbrenner's rightful banishment from the game in the 1970s because of his illegal campaign contributions to Richard Nixon's presidential campaign, Madden goes to great lengths to show that his subject was unfairly treated by Commissioner Fay Vincent, who kicked him out of the game in 1990 for giving $40,000 to Howard Spira, a hustler and gambler, for his role in digging up dirt on Yankees outfielder Dave Winfield, with whom Steinbrenner was feuding over financial matters. Baseball, it seems, is not a law unto itself, and even Steinbrenner has rights of due process.

Sadly, the last few years have not been kind to the Yankees' leader. Ill health has rendered him a shell of his larger-than-life persona. Madden reports this with a mix of professional objectivity and personal sadness (after all, the two had had a working relationship and had even been fairly close at one point).

Are there elements in here that might embarrass Steinbrenner and his family? Perhaps. But as Madden relates in the introduction, he undertook the project at their suggestion. And judging by all accounts, he seems to have done a fair and balanced job.

The real George behind The Boss, June 2, 2010
I grew up in the Bronx as of course a Yankee fan, unfortunately starting my fandom as a 9 year-old in 1965, which was the beginning of a long decline (do the names Horace Clark, Dooley Womack and Bill Monboquette ring bells?). So George Steinbrenner rescued the franchise from corporate-led (CBS) loser-dome. George's influence on not only Major League Baseball but all of professional sports is undeniable, taking advantage of free agency, cable networks and a win-at-all costs attitude (not that common among owners over the years) and very public face to drive a winning record. In many ways the antidote to what Charlie Feeney became in Oakland. Bill Madden has created a very readable book, sticking to the facts, straight chronology and a terrific set of sources. Madden doesn't try to analyze much, as he is a newpaper reporter at heart, not trying to drive a specific agenda. He reminded me why I despised Steinbrenner for much of his career, and many fans may have forgotten some of his dispicable behavior. Who would want to work for a boss like George? Not many of his many GMs, Managers, old friends or other executives. George displayed almost schizo-behavior, reminding me of my 4th grade teacher who would erupt in anger at a student before flipping 180 degrees and smothering him or her with kisses. George did it with power and money, and Madden clearly shows why George was at times a loyal friend, philanthropist and citizen. "At times" being the key words. There is a great film in here, and I can't wait to see someone other than Larry David playing The Boss!

The Definitive Biography, May 22, 2010
This is the book many of us lifelong fans have been eagerly awaiting for quite some time now. With Steinbrenner's health failing relentlessly, I was beginning to despair that it would ever be written. But here it is, and thank goodness it was written by the guy best qualified to write it.

It will undoubtedly go down as the definitive Steinbrenner biography, and deservedly so. It is not a hatchet job, but neither is it a valentine - it is an accurate account (to the extent that that is possible without Steinbrenner's direct cooperation) of the Steinbrenner Era, the greatest and most tumultuous period in Yankee history since Ruth, Gehrig, and the rest of Murderer's Row prowled the Bronx.

Madden is a long-time Yankee beat reporter who knows Steinbrenner better than anybody, and has first-hand knowledge of the entire Era except the early, Gabe Paul days; and he was given exclusive access to first-hand materials from that period by Paul's family. Nobody has a more intimate knowledge of the Steinbrenner Yankees except Steinbrenner himself, and he clearly is no longer capable of writing his own memoir, nor would he be nearly as objective a narrator if he were.

There are surprising stories you wouldn't expect to read about a relentless publicity hound. For example, Steinbrenner quietly financed numerous college educations -- the total number will never be known -- for many people, some complete strangers, out of his own pocket. And unlike earlier books -- particularly the error-riddled Golenbock biography -- Madden gets his facts straight. Plus, the account is as accurate and objective as can possibly be expected from a writer who was right in the middle of many of the wacky high jinks he describes.

It is also the best book yet about the Yankees organization itself, in any era, with the possible exception of "Damned Yankees" (also written by Madden, along with Moss Klein).

Steinbrenner and the Yankees are the Churchill cigars of sports: world famous, impossible to ignore, and either loved or reviled by everybody. Fans and abominators alike will find plenty of anecdotes to bolster their preconceived opinions; but any fan of sports or human nature, regardless of his or her Yankee leanings, will enjoy this book, both as a history lesson and as a rollicking, funny memoir by a really good sportswriter who really was there.

The Steinbrenner Formula for Success, May 21, 2010
George Steinbrenner is an intense man; no doubt. Those eyes; he always looks like he's about to fire somebody, which of course, he's done with great regularity since first taking ownership of the New York Yankees in 1973. One would think that his abrasive management style would produce less than stellar results; a team in turmoil seldom succeeds.

However, this particular team has succeeded like no other sports franchise in history, and they've got the trophies to prove it.

In a most compelling biography, Bill Madden has chronicled the tumultuous reign of King George, from its shaky beginnings to its glorious present. In between, we observe the good, the bad, and the ugly of this fascinating and perplexing personality. Love him or hate him, Steinbrenner and his assorted cast of characters have been quite a show; at times rollicking; at times poignant; but always great theater.

Along the way, Madden has done a superb job of taking the reader along for a most enjoyable and wild ride with baseball's "last lion". Certainly, there will be no one quite like George Steinbrenner again.

great book on the boss, June 6, 2010
as a yankee fan from way back in the day this is the kind of book that debates conversation, laughters, what was that he did are all there. Billy, Reggie, Munson, Winfield, Donny baseball, Jeter, Riveria,Torre, his sons, his power, money,drive, will,etc.. are all well put together and you get an inside and all around look at the Empire that George Steinbrenner built. One of the last Rebels in baseball. think Jerry Jones the Dallas Cowboys owner didn't take a page or two from the Steinbrenner way of operating?

very compelling and well written and a must for any Yankee fan. ... Read more

Editorial Review

More than any other sports figure, Vince Lombardi transformed football into a metaphor of the American experience. The son of an Italian immigrant butcher, Lombardi toiled for twenty frustrating years as a high school coach and then as an assistant at Fordham, West Point, and the New York Giants before his big break came at age forty-six with the chance to coach a struggling team in snowbound Wisconsin. His leadership of the Green Bay Packers to five world championships in nine seasons is the most storied period in NFL history. Lombardi became a living legend, a symbol to many of leadership, discipline, perseverance, and teamwork, and to others of an obsession with winning. In When Pride Still Mattered, Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Maraniss captures the myth and the man, football, God, and country in a thrilling biography destined to become an American classic. ... Read more

Reviews

One of the best biographies ever written.
My dad was one of the eight men who played under Lombardi for his entire tenure in Green Bay. In fact he is a frequent contributor to Mr Maraniss's work. Now that my some of bias has been revealed I want to say that this is the finest biography I ever read. Mr. Maraniss filled out so much about a character I thought I knew well. I had heard my dad say the things about Lombardi that are quoted in the book, so in some ways the inclusion of his thoughts in the book were its least interesting parts to me. The author's research into Lombardi's early life and his conclusions from that research, not just names and dates, is a thread carefully woven through every chapter to a point that near the end the effect is nearly haunting. Lombardi was not really the myth he is often portrayed as, but rather a man acutely aware of his surroundings in nearly every circumstance who was able to absorb enough positive material from each that when his opportunity finally came he seized it and delivered all he had absorbed in a way no one ever had and maybe never will again. The true inspiration that comes from this book is not what Lombardi became but rather the revelation of the power of something so simple as paying attention to what makes great things great and staying dedicated to those values. I am forty years old and there is picture in my office that is one of my most prized possessions. The photo is of my dad, my brothers, Lombardi and me getting off the plane before the NFL Championship in 1960. It was always important to me because of its unique representaton of that part of my family. Though I never thought it possible, Mr. Maraniss made it more precious to me because of what he taught me about the only guy in the picture who was not a member of my family.

A Rewarding Sports Biography and more
Although I grew up in during Lombardi's rise to fame in the 1960's, I have never read any other sports book or biography that dealt with him, up to this time, motivated finally more by Mr. Maraniss's previous books on President Clinton, which I have read, than by any great desire to become knowledgeable about this football great.

There is not much that I can add that hasn't already been said in all the other reader reviews that appear on this page. The author's biography presents a no-holds-bared look at this interesting sports coach and personality that fortunately, as another reader said, presents a man whose reality lives up to the myths that have been built up around him.

What I would like to add is that this book also provides some very useful historical context around the Lombardi years that makes his life all the more vivid: life in the fifties and sixties, the rise of professional football to its prominence today and the rise and influence of the media in the sports world as well as in all other aspects of late 20th century life.

This is a book ANYONE will enjoy, not only because of the subject matter it covers, but also due to the meticulous reporting, fluid writing style, and most of all, for the way the book sincerely tugs on the emotions of the reader, for Lombardi, his family and for a time period gone by.

In sum, this is a book that rewards the reader all the way around.

PERFECT GIFT
If there's a better gift for a father or grandfather than "When Pride Still Mattered," I haven't heard of it. This is truly a masterpiece of a biography, probably the best I've ever read. Like most of the reviewers have already said on this page, the book is dripping with details and wonderful accounts not just from Lombardi's players, but his paperboy, high school classmates, golf caddies, etc. I'm not the world's biggest football fan, but it didn't matter reading this book. Lombardi's story is a true American classic. Can't wait for Maraniss' next biography!

One of the Best
When I was a kid, I read Green Bay Packers lineman Jerry Kramer's book Instant Replay, his diary of the 1967 season, and to this day that era still has a mythical hold on me. Indeed, "When Pride Still Mattered: The Life of Vince Lombardi" continued the magic. After also reading David Maraniss' biography on Bill Clinton, I'm convinced Maraniss is one of the best non-fiction writers of our time. With Clinton and now Lombardi, Maraniss proves he has the ability to take a person who has reached unimaginable success, and show us their strengths, weaknesses and flaws, without taking away from what made them great in the first place. This is a book that you wish would never end. It's that good.

Something for Everyone
As he did in First In His Class, his wonderful biography of Bill Clinton, Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Maraniss has packed so many details and so many colorful stories into When Pride Still Mattered that the book reads more like a novel than a biography. Football fans probably think they already know everything about Vince Lombardi; serious readers may think they have no use for a biography of a football coach. Both don't know what they're missing. There's plenty of football here: great chapters on Fordham's Seven Blocks of Granite, the New York Giants team with assistant coaches named Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry, the immortal Ice Bowl, Lombardi's final season in Washington. But Maraniss sets it all in its proper context, and the reader knows what it's like to live in the New York of the 1930s (even which subway routes to take from here to there), knows Lombardi's weekly routine in Green Bay (clean closets, watch Tom and Jerry cartoons), feels how cold it was at Lambeau Field or how difficult it could be for his family to live with "St. Vince." This is not merely a sports book or only a biography; like Lombardi himself, it's everything -- more than -- and yet nothing, like you'd expect it to be.

An excellent, unbiased, detailed biography
I previously read Michael O'Brien's "Vince" and found it to be a very good read. However, David Maraniss has cast aside the myth of Lombardi even more effectively and created a detailed portrait of an honest, driven, passionate man.

Lombardi is a fascinating character, and this biography does an excellent job delving into the contradictions in his beliefs, his love for his players and football, and his family struggles.

Maraniss paints such a thorough picture of the character of this man that the final pages (which deal with the Coach's fight against cancer) are heartbreaking.

Anyone who enjoys reading biographies about interesting people will enjoy this book.

Well researched and well thought out
As I read this book, the thing that kept running through my mind was how much research the author had to do. That is the difference between this book and other biographies, especially when you think that the two best sources of information - Vince and wife Marie - have long since passed away. I commend him for his efforts as not just a writer, but as a researcher. I will say this though, there are volumes and volumes of information about the Packers and Lombardi, making the writer's job not easier, but less time-consuming because of the availability of all the information out there.

As for the writing, I loved the way he blended Lombardi's day-to-day life with the football seasons. Just when you thought he was going to give you some boring play-by-play, he took you in another direction, describing Lombardi's relationship with a player, an assistant coach, a business leader, even his secretary, and he did so in a thorough and fascinating manner. He then took you back on the field for the play-by-play, and as a reader you felt like you never left.

You don't have to be a sports lover to love this book, because to me it's not really a sport book. Instead, it is a journey into the psyche of a man who was driven to succeed in everything he did. Chapters on his personal appearances, business ventures and other interests were nearly as interesting as the tales of his obsession with football. Lombardi was truly driven to be the best at everything he did.

The title of this book says volumes because to Lombardi pride did matter. Everything he did - except perhaps his relationship with his immediate family - he did with the intent of showing others that quality mattered to him.

I loved the book and despite his many shortcomings, I love Lombardi.

"the man"
picked up this book thinking it would give me a motivational boost...didn't get much of a boost, but did read an outstanding biography. i've heard this book quoted as the "best sports biography ever written", and i have no reason to doubt that. it is a book that looks at lombardi's life as if we were viewing it through a 1960's 8mm video movie camera. would recommend it to any and all!

Brings the Legend who was Lombardi to life.
In his excellent biography of Green Bay Packers head coach Vince Lombardi, author David Maraniss has painted with his crisp and lively narrative an objective, balanced and candid portrait of a legend. Here is seen the complex, driven man that was Lombardi, "warts" and all -- the undersized and underrated lineman who, despite his admittedly limited football skills, used his unconquerable will to became one of Fordham's "Seven Blocks of Granite"; the ambitious and brilliant assistant coach, first for Army, and then for the New York Giants, always aware of his prodigious coaching talents, looking for twenty years to fulfill his destiny as a head coach; as Green Bay's head coach, the tyrannical taskmaster of the pro gridiron, gaining first fear, then grudging respect, and finally love from those who played for him; and the remote husband and father, unable to make the investment of time and emotion in his wife, son and daughter whom he loved. At Maraniss' hands, Vince Lombardi is sometimes easy to dislike, but always remains an admirable figure. This is a book which allows the reader to really get to know its subject. It is one of the finest biographies I've read in many years. Highly recommended!

This is a winner
When I first picked this book up I thought it might not be my cup of tea. I thought if I didn't like it I could give it to my dad. Now, I intend to give a copy to my dad and other male relatives for Christmas. What a book! Having grown up in Wisconsin after Lombardi, this book has filled in so many holes. But, more importantly, I can't put this book down. Every game that is recounted becomes a breathtaking moment. And the analysis of Lombardi, professional football, and our myth making culture is amazing. Anyone with an interest in football will love this book. Anyone from Wisconsin should read this book (it makes sense of the Packer phenomanon). Anyone who enjoys biography should read this. And, finally, anyone who enjoys a good read ought to read this. Happy holidays... ... Read more

Editorial Review

Evoking days gone by when coaches were expected as much for their off-court performance as for their success on the court, this unique and intimate work presents the timeless wisdom of legendary basketball coach John Wooden.

In honest and telling passages about virtually every aspect of life, Wooden shares the important personal philosophies that helped make him the winningest coach of all time. ... Read more

Reviews

A "Wizard", Yes, But Also Human
Having once coached varsity high school basketball for 13 years and having heard Coach Wooden speak at numerous clinics, I can personally attest to the authenticity of this book's contents. It correctly suggests both the man's wizardry and humanity. Jabbar and Walton have almost nothing in common except their talent to play basketball and their love and respect for Coach Wooden. He is proud of them but probably just as proud of hundreds of other players (most known only to him, their families, and friends) who are physicians, educators, artists, attorneys, public servants, corporate executives, entertainers, etc. He set very high standards, especially for himself. He prepared for each practice and each game with meticulous care. He hated losing for lack of a maximum effort but accepted defeat (after a maximum effort) with exceptional style and grace. Anyone who has any association with children, especially those privileged to coach at any level, should read this book. And may I add, anyone who feels adrift in her or his life should also read this book. The "lessons" provided helped to win so many NCAA national basketball champlionships; they also helped to develop the character of those who played on the U.C.L.A. teams which won them.

Wisdom from a master teacher
Listen to anyone who speaks about him, or read anything that anyone writes about him, and you will instantly know that John Wooden is truly a national treasure. This book of Wooden's wisdom and life philosophies is definitely on my short list of the best books of all time about character and leadership.

This book is a collection of the simple and direct beliefs and observations of John Wooden, arguably the best (college) basketball coach of all time. Interestingly, very little of what Wooden wants to teach is about basketball. His quick stories, short vignettes, and detailed memories focus on life and relationships with others.

Coach Wooden is a gentle man with the courage and discipline to live his life according to his deepest held ideals, values, and principles. Despite his teams' unbelievable success (10 NCAA national basketball championships in 12 years (including 7 in a row!), 88 consecutive victories, and 38 straight NCAA tournament victories), and his own fame (many coach-of-the-year honors, "Sports Illustrated's" sportsman of the year, a lifetime winning percentage of over 80%, and the first man to be elected to college basketball's hall of fame as both a player (3-time All-American at Purdue) and coach), he resisted the public pressures and temptations to stay true to himself and his beliefs.

Coach Wooden defines success as the "peace of mind that is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming." The book finishes with 30 pages devoted to Wooden's legendary "Pyramid of Success" and another 5 pages of his favorite sayings - 35 priceless pages in a priceless book.

At a time when America is re-defining and searching for true heroes to lead us forward from our darkest days, this book is a beacon of hope and guidance and should serve as a blueprint for making heroes of us all.

Wooden- The Wizard does it again!
I bought this book while visiting the UCLA campus to attend a mens' basketball game. I received "Practical Modern Basketball" from my high school coach as a gift when I began my teaching and coaching career in 1976. This became my coaching bible for years to come. When I saw this new book, Wooden, I bought it without hesitation, thinking that John Wooden's "Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court" was as much a mystery as it was curiosity relative to my appreciation and utilization of the words of wisdom provided in the book I received as a gift in 1976.

My career in public education has allowed me to seriously reflect on my life as it pertains to personal gratification of preparing for unknown opportunities and being able to rationalize with poise and confidence. I attribute many successes in my life to the Wooden philosophy that I followed in my early years of my career. Wooden's, reflections, is an outstanding assessment of what a man of Mr. Wooden's character achieved through hard work, dedication to his own philosophy, and the love for life and people. I have recommended this book to personnel within my organization,to coaches and friends. It is also a great asset for parents who need direction in how to raise their children, basing all dialoge and communication on respect. I truly respect the real value of this book as an asset to my future and my family and my responsibities as Assistant Superintendent of Schools!

Thanks, Eddie Booth, Winnemucca, NV

Not a book about basketball, but about life!
John Wooden had one of the most successful basketball careers as both a player in coach. He also had a strong family life with his parents, wife and kids. In this book, you'll read all his secrets to success that makes him a truly special person of strong moral values and organizational skills. He surely was a great influence on almost everyone he associated with.

There's nothing here about basketball strategy. The book is broken up into 1-4 paragraph anecdotes about subjects relating to family values, organization, and success.

His basic philosophy in winning was not which team scored the most, but whether or not his team played to their maximum ability. He also has some interesting stories about Bill Walton and Kareem Abdul Jabbar.

The best part of the book, in my opinion, is where he outlines his pyramid of success. The pyramid is a step-by-step, building block of characteristics you must master which lead you to maximizing your potential and perform at the highest level possible, whether it's sports, business, or family. A must read.

"Failing to prepare is preparing to fail."
John Wooden, former UCLA Basketball coach, came together with Steve Jamison to compile a book based on John Wooden's philosophies. This book, "A Lifetime of Reflections and Observations On and Off the Court" appeals to everybody. If you're a fan of basketball, play basketball, or are a father or mother, son or daughter, John Wooden gives his advice to everybody. Most people will think that this book is only about basketball, not at all. If you're looking for answers for any kind of problem you are facing, I'm sure John Wooden will have some affect on you.

John Wooden is an 88 year old who was a former UCLA basketball coach, leading the Bruins to 10 championships in 12 years. He grew up in a small town and has lived a simple and basic life. In the book, he talks about success as a person, personal goals, acting towards others, behaviour, discipline, parenting, leadership, adversity, and numerous other topics - of course including basketball.

This book has made me a better person and a better basketball player. It has taught me that I can learn from experience, not things that I can learn before-hand. It has taught me how to constantly improve and how to always work harder. To be industrious and enthusiastic in everything I do! With that said, I'll leave you with a quote from John Wooden that has helped me improve in school, on the court, or whenever I'm working; "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail."

An outstanding work of art.
Quite simply the most impressive book of this nature I have ever read. John Wooden provides all readers with inspiration and a challenge. I only wish I could have met the man. All the people who have been behind the creation of this masterpiece, should be congratulated. It will stand the test of time.

Basketball & More, Wooden's lessons on life
John Wooden is more content with his role in this world than any person I know. But that's easy when you have touched so many people positively. I hated the Bruins until they beat my beloved UofMemphis Tigers in 73 behind Walton's 21-22 shooting, still considered on of the greatest performances in basketball. After that I listened to Wooden as a television analyst and it was inspiring. No words were wasted. Not maximum entertainment. Just pure knowledge for those willing to listen and learn.

That's what Wooden was and wanted to be, a teacher. In this one book, he states his simple principles, where he learned them, and why they are important. Imagine a man growing up early in this century in Indiana in a hardworking Midwestern family. That's what Wooden was and that's what this book relays to the reader.

Don't read this book to get a basketball lesson. Read this book to learn life's lesson and relish in a man who has no ego because he knows that it is a detriment.

I cannot say enough good things about this man and the life he led. This book was given to me by a friend of John Wooden's, autographed and enclosed with his personal business card. The business card contains the Pyramid for success. John Wooden, always coaching, always teaching.

The Plain and Simple Truth
It's just a small little book, how can it be anything more than a collection of cliches? Hmmm, good question. This is all I can tell you: it works. Philosophy often has so little practical application in the real world. Not so with Wooden's message. Read it, absorb it, live it. You'll see.

Ten year's ago I wrote a letter to coach Wooden. He was so very kind to respond. His letter remains on my wall to this day, and the words of wisdom in that letter are within this book. I asked Coach Wooden how you can get players to "over-achieve." He corrected me. "Nobody can overachieve," he wrote, "you can only do the best that you're capable of doing. It's the leader's job to create an environment where the followers can rise to their own level of competence."

That is the key.

Create an evironment where you can become the best that you can be. Follow his words of advice and before you realize it you are within that "healthy environment." Next thing you know, good things just start happening more often than they did before.

Life is hard no matter what you do. Coach Wooden doesn't claim anything different, but his philosophy, which is really a country blend of Christianity, Zen, and a host of other philosophies simplified, creates that "healthy environment."

Short, simple, genius.

Took my game - and life - to another level.
This book has had perhaps the greatest influence on me as of late. I have drank from this book deeply, and read it several times. In fact, when I seek advice, I open up the little blue book and look for something that says about problems. Not only has this book took my basketball skills to a whole nother level, but it has made me a better person all around. I have changed many of my bad habits, and I'm pretty glad I have changed, as many of my friends like my new attitude, etc. For basketball players, this book will get you into it mentally. Before I read this book, I only had the physical talent to play the game, now I feel as if I have a stable mental view and I am in the game mentally. This book teaches you so much, I cannot say enough. Coach Wooden even guides you step by step, pillar by pillar, through the period of success. This book is a must for basketball fans, players, and for the average person. Even if you despise sports, this book contains information on life itself, it's a must for all.

Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and reflections On and ..
I have long been a John Wooden and UCLA fan. Growing up in N.C., everyone was expected to be a UNC or NC State fan. I was neither.

I have owned "They Call Me Coach" for many years, and recently purchased Coach's "Lifetime Observations". While most of the information is similar to "They Call Me Coach", this book reinforces the solid principles and values upon which Coach Wooden has built his life. It contains fewer stories about basketball, and more about life, values and worthwhile achievement. It is another opportunity to gain insight into how this man has accomplished such great success as a person, not just as a coach. For the reader, it is also an opportunity for for self-examination.

Thanks to Coach Wooden and Steve Jamison for offering to those of us who cherish the Coach's contributions to life another chance to absorb the teaching of a lifetime. ... Read more

Editorial Review

“Zero regrets. It’s a philosophy not just about sport but about life. School, business, academics, love—anything and everything. It’s complicated and yet not. You have to figure out who it is you want to be. Not what you want to be—who. There has to be a vision, a dream, a plan. Then you chase that with everything you’ve got.”

Over three consecutive Olympic games, Apolo Ohno has come to symbolize the very best of the competitive spirit—remaining equally gracious in victory and defeat, always striving to improve his performance, and appreciating the value of the hard work of training as much as any reward it might bring. In Zero Regrets, Apolo shares the inspiring personal story behind his remarkable success, as well as the hard-won truths and strategies he has discovered in good times and bad.

Raised by his single father, an immigrant from Japan who often worked twelve-hour days, the young Apolo found it difficult to balance his enormous natural gifts as an athlete with an admittedly wild, rebellious streak. After making a name for himself as a promising young speed skater, his career was almost over before it began when his lack of preparation caused him to finish last at the U.S. Olympic trials in 1998. A life-changing week of solitary soul-searching at the age of fifteen led him to recommit himself to his training, and at the 1999 world junior championships he won first place overall—one of the most remarkable turnarounds in sports history. From that moment on, the world of speed skating had a new champion and Apolo was on his way to legendary status.

Much more than an account of races won and lost, Zero Regrets is a compelling portrait of a father-and-son relationship that deepened over time and was based on respect, love, and unshakable faith in each other. For the first time, Apolo reveals what he knows about his long-absent mother; he makes us feel what it is like to face the best competitors on the planet with the eyes of millions of fans upon you; and he shares his secrets for achieving total focus and mental toughness, secrets that can be applied in situations well beyond sports. We learn the details of the unbelievably intense workout and diet that he endured while training for the 2010 Winter Olympics, a regime that literally reshaped his body and led to some of his most thrilling victories.

In this deeply personal and entertaining book, Apolo shows how we can all come closer to living with zero regrets. While Apolo’s own journey may be unique, the insights he has gleaned along the way have the power to help us all feel like champions every day.

Reviews

Articulate and Conversational
Nice mix of motivational philosophy and biography. I was pleased that the book stays out of the gossipy details, but focuses more on mindset, competition preparation and personal memories. Apolo comes across as a genuinely nice guy who stays true to his mission. He's had highs and lows like anyone and I found it very inspirational as I face life's challenges. His life could have gone in a completely different direction and I enjoyed reading how he recognized where he was heading and how he steered himself toward a higher destiny. His relationship with his father is heartwarming. Role models so often disappoint but Apolo's journey shows that there are some smart, thoughtful athletes to learn from and be inspired by.

An inspiring must-read!
ZERO REGRETS: BE GREATER THAN YESTERDAY succeeds not merely as a compelling memoir, but as an inspiring motivational guide to mental and physical strength, personal and professional reward, through the pursuit of zero regrets.

I loved reading it, particularly the love, respect, admiration, and gratitude Apolo has for his amazing dad, Yuki Ohno. Mr. Ohno himself is an inspiration, and we can all do well to learn from his wisdom, his constant and unconditional love, and unwavering support as Apolo's "hero, best friend, coach, mentor, Dad."

Short track speed skating serves as the dramatic medium for Apolo's profound and powerful message; fraught with unforeseen challenges at every turn, seemingly insurmountable obstacles--and in Apolo's case, amazing recoveries and brilliant victories--short track is the perfect metaphor for life, and Apolo the perfect example of living with zero regrets.

In the prologue, Apolo states: "I did not want to write a book out of some sense of self-indulgence, or perfectionism, or self-adoration. No. Instead, I simply wanted to make plain what I have learned along my path in the hope that my journey would encourage others to strive for what is needed, to reach for the unreachable, to recognize that everyone makes mistakes but the point is to bounce back stronger."

Thank you, Apolo and Mr. Ohno, for sharing so much of yourselves and what you have learned, and encouraging us and inspiring us to be greater than yesterday in this moving, beautifully written book.

Candid look inside the heart and soul of a champion
From the first sentence, you are hooked. You quickly realize this is not the typical celebrity tell-all. This is a candid look into the heart and soul of a champion and how he finds inspiration in his own life.

For a young man who is accustomed to showing no emotion on the ice, Apolo truly opens up about his challenges, insecurities, and successes. Apolo does not paint himself in a totally positive light either. He acknowedges the mistakes he made, the path that was leading him astray, the rebellious years where he butted heads with his father. He readily gives praise and respect to those people that made a difference in his own life through their support, coaching, expertise, friendship, loyalty, and love. However, Apolo stops short of any mention of his romantic life. By his own admission in a recent interview, he did not want this to be a book about "women I have dated or who wanted to date me."

Apolo provides an inside look into the sacrifices he made and the grueling training schedule he endured to prepare for his Olympic pursuits. He talks about his thoughts in those moments before his races, during his races, and after the races. Apolo's personal philosophy that things happen the way they are supposed to provides an interesting perspective on each of his wins and losses, successes and failures.

And for those who first met Apolo on Dancing with the Stars, you will not be disappointed. He recounts how he was first approached to do the show, his decision to participate, and his experiences as part of the wildly popular reality show.

This will be a book that you will read more than once. It will be your go-to book when you are searching for inspiration to get you through your own challenge. It will be the book you will reach for when you need motivation. It will be a constant reminder that life is best lived when you strive for zero regrets.

Amazing... Inspirational
Apolo grew up fast and faced many challenges. Instead of complaining, he turned his energy towards positive actions and became the amazing young man that he is today. He opens up and shares his thoughts while training, competing, and preparing his goals for the next steps in his life. He is a positive role model and I recommend that his book be required reading material in schools. I was fortunate enough to meet him at a recent book singing and he is just as nice in person as he is in the media.

Zero Regrets? Most Definitely
Zero Regrets is a great read. I eagerly anticipated its release, even when it was just a post-Olympics consideration. Once I started reading, though, I wasn't disappointed. Far from it. It's a page turner, and you will have a tough time putting it down. I will say this: I read a lot, but I have never wanted to read the same book twice in the span of a week...until now. The way Apolo describes his experience is captivating, and odds are you may have missed a few things the first time through.
Pick yourself up a copy. You won't regret it ;)

Must Read
Zero Regrets is more than just a story of success for an olympic athlete. It is a story of rebellion, angst and heart. Apolo Ohno and his father have an amazing connection. This father and son relationship was a life saver for this young man. The dedication his father had and still has to his son is remarkable. He went to great lengths to make sure his son had direction, guidance and love. When Apolo realized the amazing gift he had in front of him he began to see his life through a new vision. His talent was useless until his mental focus grew to meet it. Inspiring, motivating and captivating are qualities that this book is filled with. It is a story everyone can relate to.

Zero Regrets should be required reading in schools
Whether or not you are a fan of Apolo Ohno (I'll admit I've been a huge fan since 2002) this is a book that everyone should read. Apolo's life story alone (told in conversational detail) is a reason to read this book. However, Zero Regrets: Be Great Than Yesterday is far more than a simple memoir... it's a philosophy. And the philosophy is as simple as the title states: Be greater than yesterday. Apolo outlines the vicissitudes of life, the up and the downs of the journey. However, it's his attitude and genuine respect for other people that really resonate with the reader. As a former educator, I truly believe that this is the kind of book kids should be required to read in school. It illustrates the importance of so many valuable life lessons, with a fresh perspective and a touch of humor. It teaches you to never give up...but not in an annoying preachy way. What makes Apolo Ohno a true hero has nothing to do with the record-breaking 8 olympic medals he has won. What make him a true hero is the context of his character.

Amazing person, amazing story!
I've been a fan of Apolo Ohno since the 2002 Olympics. I admit he first caught my eye because of his looks, but I became a fan for life due to the class and grace with which he conducted himself during those Games. Since then he has proven time and again what a great role model he is for all ages, on and off the ice. I had the honor of meeting him at one of his book signings and he is truly one of the nicest, most pleasant and genuine people I've ever met.

If possible, I admire this amazing young man even more after reading this book. He writes from the heart about his early life, competitions, and yes, even a bit about "Dancing with the Stars." He talks about his all-too-human struggles with injuries, self-doubt, fear, and frustration, and how he overcame these challenges with the help of his friends, coaches, advisors, and his amazing father. He proves that it doesn't matter where you come from; anyone can chase their dreams and improve their lives.

Make no mistake, this is no sleazy kiss-and-tell type memoir. If you're looking for gossip, you won't find it here. Instead you'll find motivation and advice that you can apply to any aspect of life. He has a way of raising your spirits through his words; you just feel good after reading this book. And I definitely recommend listening to the audio version; listening to his story in his own voice is quite the treat. He is a natural storyteller and very articulate. The microphone loves him as much as the camera does.

I would give this book and its author more than five stars if possible.

Inspirational
I'm almost finished reading Apolo Anton Ohno's book and have more admiration for him than even before I read his book. His insight and maturity amazes me. The dedication to his sport and to living his life with "No regrets" can be an example to us all. I plan on giving the book to family members for Christmas as the message he conveys can apply to everyone, no matter their age or whether they are an athlete or not. What a great role model for our youth. Congrats to Apolo and thanks for sharing your life and being an inspiration for us all. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The Wisdom of Wooden is John Wooden’s final book, completed just weeks before his passing in June 2010. In it he shares his most treasured memories and never-before-seen photographs as he looks back on an extraordinary life on and off the court.

Hailed by many as the greatest coach in the history of American sports, John Wooden is as famous for his personal philosophy as he is for his career achievements. He inspired, guided, and motivated generations of fans with his bestselling books on leadership, values, family, and the true meaning of success.

Coach Wooden wrote his final book, The Wisdom of Wooden: My Century On and Off the Court, in the last months before his death. Filled with his most treasured memories and more than 100 photographs, many never-before seen, it captures a life spent teaching, guiding, and serving others. Starting with his father’s now-famous 7 Point Creed—including “Make Each Day Your Masterpiece,” “Help Others,” and “Be True to Yourself,”—Coach Wooden affirms the principles to true success that helped him become an All American at Purdue University, a winning coach at Indiana State University, and an iconic sports figure at UCLA.

Yet anyone who knows John Wooden knows his record on the court was only part of the story. In The Wisdom of Wooden the legendary coach offers readers a rare glimpse not just behind the scenes but inside the man; not just on the court but in the huddles; not just his maxims but his poems, those he wrote and those he loved; not just the people he inspired, but the family, friends, and fans who inspired him; not just the lessons he taught but the lessons he learned; not just what was on his mind but what was in his heart.

Ultimately it was the life he lived that served as a model for his greatest lesson of all: a deep commitment to family, friends, and faith—the bedrock values of the man we all called, “Coach.”

Praise for John Wooden

“The Wisdom of Wooden has given me the life that I have . . . Thanks, Coach, for your faith and patience.”
—Bill Walton

“The Wisdom of Wooden is a lifetime of Coach Wooden’s ideas on how to live life without sacrificing your moral principles. His life is a prime example of how this can be done--one that we can all learn from.”
—Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

“John Wooden sets an example for all of us by constantly striving to be the best in every aspect of his life. Throughout my life, I have found inspiration and direction in the Bible. Today, I also find inspiration and direction in the words of John Wooden.”
—Tom Coughlin, Head Coach, New York Giants

“One hundred years—what an amazing life. But here’s what's even more amazing about John Wooden and the timeless verities his life has embodied. One hundred years from now they will still be talking about his accomplishments and his approach.”
—Bob Costas

"There has never been a finer man in American sports than John Wooden, or a finer coach."
--Sports Illustrated ... Read more

Reviews

A how-to guide for living an extraordinary life, August 26, 2010
This charming book celebrates the extraordinary life of coach John Wooden and shares the principles that guided him throughout his career. Contents include the 7 point creed and the two sets of threes from Wooden's father, Wooden's own Pyramid of Success, the Pyramid of Success modified for children, and his Sportsmanship pledge for youngsters. You don't have to be a sports fan to benefit from the collected wisdom and quotes in here. His words are simple, powerful, and sane. Buy this book and read it together with your children, your parents, or your grandparents.

The Wisdom Of Wooden, August 22, 2010
I have become a real fan of John Wooden and his great wisdom!!I am very glad that we have his books through which he can share his wisdom with us. I am giving these books to my grandson and some young friends so that they, too, can learn to be a man like Coach John Wooden. He has put his ideas down so simply that anyone can learn from them. His life can continue to change and mold young people for years to come.

WOODEN, October 24, 2010
Can't just have one or some of Woodens's books. He is a teacher and there are life lessons in all Wooden did. This is a book that's style is easy to read but many visuals. Follow what he says and learn. A great summary/

A Legacy in quotes and photos., September 6, 2010
A great way to remember a great man. Open any page for
a memory or a memorable and inspiring quotation.

I thought it was great., July 29, 2010
I thought it was great. It encompasses all of Coach Wooden's thoughts and beliefs combined with his life story. I plan on putting it out for my students to read. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The inspirational true story of how one man led a football team—and a city—to triumph in Super Bowl XLIV.

In the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans Superdome became a national symbol of misery and hopelessness, where the truly desperate rode out the storm.
Four years later, in that very stadium, the New Orleans Saints won the NFC championship and earned their first-ever trip to the Super Bowl.
Two weeks later, the Saints soundly defeated the heavily favored Indianapolis Colts 31 - 17 in what would become the most-watched television event in history.
This is the inspirational story of a city recovering from disaster and a team with a history of heartbreak, seen through the eyes of the coach who taught them both how to win.

Reviews

RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN SAYS: "AN AMAZING SYMBOL OF A DUAL TRIUMPH OVER ADVERSITY... THE NFL SAINTS & THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS!"
The whole world is well aware of the horror of Hurricane Katrina and due to the NFL's international appeal the whole world also knows about the New Orleans Saints winning Super Bowl XLIV in 2010. Because of the constant exposure of these two monumental events, I had first hesitated to buy this book... because I had watched the game... watched the news... read the papers... and I'm a sports fanatic... so I figured how many different ways can someone describe the same game... the same victory parade... and the same monumental havoc caused by Mother Nature? Man! Was I pleasantly surprised when I read this book. Saints coach Sean Payton traces his life from the emotional high... high atop a float in a Mardi-Gras-like victory parade before EIGHT-HUNDRED-THOUSAND-FANS-IN-NEW-ORLEANS back to his roots with not only an "everyman" type dialogue... but even more amazingly Sean delivers a no-holds-barred look behind the scenes at some of the sports well known individuals.

An example of his "everyman" approach... with all the varnish removed as he cast political correctness to the wind... is demonstrated very early on as the Super Bowl victory parade was in full swing when Sean writes: "I WAS SEVEN BUD LIGHTS IN. IT WAS MY TURN TO GREET THE MAYOR. MY WIFE SQUEEZED MY WRIST AND SAID," CONTROL YOURSELF HONEY." The reader is taken from his college ball to short stints in "pro ball" in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Arena Football League that lasted as long as an average blink of the eye. His attempts to make coaching a career had him bouncing around like an out of control pin-ball machine. From graduate assistant-to assistant-to-position-coach from one side of the country to the next. He worked with coaches such as Jon Gruden, Bill Callahan, his most cherished mentor Bill Parcells, and Jim Fassel among others. Payton's tell-it-like-it-is-shoot-straight-from-the-chest-honesty is never more apparent than when he was an assistant and called the plays under New York Giant Head Coach Jim Fassel. The Giants got the ball back with a few seconds left in the first half in a game against the Cardinals and Sean wanted to just "take a knee" and end the half. Fassel overruled him after asking Sean more than once and Sean steadfastly said he wanted to down the ball and end the half. Fassel instead called a pass play that was intercepted and returned for a game-tying touchdown. After the game Fassel blamed Sean for the call to the media. Sean confronted Fassel "mano- y- mano": "UH, COACH," "WHOEVER TAKES THE BLAME FOR THAT CALL IS UNIMPORTANT TO ME. BUT YOU KNOW THAT WHEN WE DISCUSSED IT ON THE SIDELINE, I SAID, "WE SHOULD TAKE A KNEE." That season was Payton's last with the Giants. When Payton took over the Saints he made it clear that he was installing new goals and expectations. Some notable players didn't seem to "get" the message. "DONTE' STALLWORTH, THE SAINTS FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICK IN 2002 AND THIRTEENTH OVERALL THAT YEAR, SHOWED UP LATE FOR MANDATORY TEAM MEETINGS MORE THAN ONCE. I HAD A WORD WITH DONTE' AFTER THE SECOND TIME." I'M DYING TO TRADE OR CUT YOU, I TOLD HIM". ".YOU'RE MAKING IT EASY FOR ME." "HE WAS A SLACKER. IN THIS NEW SAINTS OFFENSE, SOMEONE WHO WAS UNRELIABLE WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME FITTING IN." "DEFENSIVE TACKLE JONATHAN SULLIVAN WAS ANOTHER PLAYER WHO SHOWED UP ON THE RADAR-AND NOT IN A GOOD WAY. HE TOO WAS A FIRST-ROUND PICK, SIXTH OVERALL. HE WAS OVERWEIGHT NOW AND DIDN'T SEEM EAGER TO EXPEND MUCH EXTRA EFFORT."

*BOTH PLAYERS WERE SOON ON OTHER ROSTERS.*

There is a chapter on Sean's interview for a head coaching position with the reclusive... mysterious... Hall Of Fame Legend... Oakland Raiders owner, Al Davis... that is absolutely a classic. From Al's constant habit of changing topics faster than Larry King changes wives... to his less than impressive choice of dinner. Where other potential employers wined and dined Sean in the fanciest restaurants... Mr. Davis eschewed such class establishments and instead sent an aid out for ten McDonald's kid's meal cheeseburgers and coleslaw from KFC. And for what it's worth Sean makes sure to let you know that despite the Super Bowl rings on Al's fingers... he was a sloppy eater.

There are countless insider tales such as these along with many "cold-ones" being thrown back. Along the way it's refreshing to read about all the motivational tools that Payton uses during training both before and during the season. Everything from paint ball wars... to water park contests... to Bill Belichick imitations... to charitable causes that brings tears to the players and coaches eyes. And of course the comeback of a team and a city. No football fan... regardless of your favorite team... will ever think the same way about Coach Sean Payton after reading this book!

Great, "bring back the excitement "read!
For those of us who have followed the Saint's journey to the big game, this book creates and allows the reader to relive the excitement of their championship season. Coach Payton does a superb job of telling his story in a simple, but interesting and totally readable manner. I read it in two nights. i just couldn't put it down! He provides interesting background information regarding securing a coaching job and the social networking associated with it. His re-telling of the motivational events and activities for the team gives great insight into his brilliance and leaves no one to wonder how he brought this team to the Super Bowl. The only thing I felt was missing is that I wished he would have discussed the Shockey acquisition. I think Shockey and his contributions to the team are formidable, and i'm sorry that that was not highlighted. Otherwise, a perfect book for Saint's fans, football fans, and anyone who wants an inside look at a NFL's team success.

Loved it!
I am born and raised in NOLA and I loved this book! I don't read much but I finished this book in two days. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves the saints and the city of new orleans.

Great read for every saint fan. It is very easy to read and i could not put it down!

Awesome book!

Best book I've read so far in 2010
Full disclosure - I've been a fan of the NFL and a fan of the NO Saints for all 43 years of their existence. But even if I were not, I would have absolutely loved this book.

In an interview, Sean Payton said that this book was the literary equivalent of sitting with him in an airport bar and this would be the resulting 5 hour or so discussion while waiting for a delayed flight. He is right. The book is Sean Payton telling his story and the story of the Saints and their City.

It is at once wonderful and enlightening. Through his eyes you see the unique City of New Orleans, the people of the City and how the team and the City interact. Nowhere else does a city and a professional sports franchise have this kind of symbiotic relationship and that relationship is hard to fathom for those who haven't seen it first hand. Still Payton and his author, Ellis Henican manage to create a clear and lucid portrait of these 2 entities.

This is truly a wonderful book. You do not need to be a Saints fan or even a football fan to get a lot out of it. It speaks of people, of motivation, of desire, of love and of fortitude. This is not intended to be a motivational tome, but just observing Payton and the City through his eyes and words, you can't help but be moved and even motivated.

Wonderful Read, truly a behind-the-scenes look at coaching
Before the book was released, Sean told an interviewer he wanted the book to read like someone got 5 hours with him at an airport bar when their planes are delayed. Mission accomplished. This is not your normal rah-rah coaching to win book. This is truly a behind-the-scenes, warts and all look at a team, and a city, in shambles that was taken to the pinnacle of success in 4 short years by a man who embraced the challenge of the circumstances and grew to love the city and their wildly loyal fan base- while that fan base grew to love and respect him and his team.

An easy, fun, humorous and touching read - I highly recommend it!

Great Book
Rarely does a football book bring tears to my eyes but this one did. Payton's love for New Orleans, his team & the team's fans is remarkable & so is this book.

Great Book
As a long time New Orleans Saints fan (I was born wearing a black and gold jersey), I was absolutely thrilled when the Saints won to the Superbowl. Life in New Orleans went from crazy to ecstatic very quickly. In this book, Payton talks about his career before the Saints, the decision making process, and then truly focuses on his commitment to the New Orleans Saints and how he brings the team--and the city--to life.

Payton is completely honest in the book. From how he wanted the Green Bay job to his dislike for certain players, and it's all revealed in this book. The behind the scenes traditions and sayings are all explained and nothing is left out. Payton said, before the book was released, that he wanted it to feel like the reader and him were sitting at a bar, just talking. When I closed the book after the last page, I felt just like that.

GREAT read!

Home Team
I dont read books very often, but this I could not put down till I finished it. Everyone who loves football should read this. This man is so down to earth, that is a good reason for being a winning coach. If you are a Saints fan, you really need to read this. I Loved it.

Great book about a great city and a great team
This is the story of Sean Payton's rise to become the Super Bowl winning coach, but more significantly it's the story of the return of a great city from the worst Hurricane Katrina had to give. Equal treatment is given to the coach, the team, and the city, and they are woven together extremely well. It presents the city and the team we love and how they were both rebuilt, at least partially through a commitment from each of them to love the other, no matter what. I think it's a great book that belongs on the bookshelf of anyone who loves football, the Saints, and/or the City of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Matt Long, Where do they grow people like him?
Let me start by saying that I had a whole different perspective of this story...My Brother, Dr. Dean Lorich, is one of the Trauma Surgeons who would not give up on Matt when lesser Surgeons with less skill may have been way out of their league. My Brother called me the day that the bus rolled over Matt and I had been an avid follower of Matt's successful ride back from Death's Door. The beauty of Matt is that he knew that a lesser man would have died. A man with less intestinal fortitude would have never made it. His courage is the kind that only few have, usually reserved only for Firemen, Police Officers and the Men and Women serving in the military but Matt should be an example for anyone suffering in one way or another. I've listened to Matt's story as told by my Brother and seen his awesome story on Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel and read it in Runner's World Magazine but "The Long Run" goes deeper into the Man, Matt Long...A true inspiration for any Runner, Doctor, Fireman....or just anyone who wants to a read a Rocky-like Comeback story....a good guy who actually does win...a triumph....Congratulations MATT....My Mother and I are thrilled that my Brother could be a part of your life!....God Bless.

A must read for anyone!!! Inspiration beyond belief.
This book is not only for athletes - it is for anyone. Matt takes us to a place inside each of us - that place where we reach deep and keep on keeping on!!!! Matt never gave up after being hit by a bus on his bicyle and being near death - he is truly an inspiration to anyone. You should share this book with your friends and family - it makes you forget about those little aches and pains you have when you realize all Matt when through and endured. If you know anyone going through depression or a major illness - please let them read this as it will help them through the tough times. I had the privilege of meeting Matt a month ago by accident(well I shouldn't use that word) and I just knew I wouldn't be disappointed with this book - he is just that special and it shows in his book.
Matt was kept alive for a reason and this book and his foundation I WILL are only the beginning!!!!

Totally inspirational and incredible to believe!
This story is amazing. From what life has brought to Matt Long and how he has handled the challenges, it is truly remarkable. I am not a runner due to knee injuries, but am inspired to give it more of a try than I ever have before. Thank you Matt for sharing the good, bad, and ugly details which truly encourages people to get motivated and improve their own lives. ... Read more