Reach for the Summit : Definite Dozen System for Succeeding at Whatever You Do.

Rating:
Summary: Pat Summitt's methods are very effective.
Review: "Principles are anchors; without them you will drift." This concept proves to be the underlying theme in Pat Summitt's Reach for the Summit. Summitt, along with Sally Jenkins, describes her numerous experiences as a basketball coach and truly connects both emotionally and mentally with the readers. The various influences Summitt has been affected by, the assorted methods described, and the simple style allows this motivational book to be both effective and inspirational.

In Reach for the Summit, Pat Summitt, head coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols, draws upon twenty-four years of experience as a triumphant coach to provide motivational advice for those that want to find success in all areas of life. Structured around her "Definite Dozen" system, each of the twelve chapters covers one rule of achievement. Personal anecdotes, basic ethics, and numerous strategies are used throughout the book to provide a solid foundation for her system. One of the most apparent themes that is stressed throughout the book is the fact that very few people know how to achieve success repeatedly. Many people can win once by getting lucky, following their intuition, or practicing a semi-effective short-term formula. Because people have a tendency to lose sight of their priorities, grow content, and abandon their principles, Summitt's book accurately describes how to build a system of effective methods and stick to them. This book will have a lasting value because of its applicability to almost any situation.

Through her amusing stories and few painful memories, Summitt reveals her failures and truimphs as an amateur basketball player, as an Olympic athlete, as a Division I coach, and as a mother. She has become one of the most successful and highest-paid coaches in the country, despite her birth into a hard-working farm family fromn the backwoods of Tennessee. Candidly describing how she personally turned defeat into victory, Summitt then shows the reader how to do the same. However, the content of the book is primarily composed of basketball related incidents and may prove to be tiresome to those who do not share her same admiration for the sport. One of the most sufficient methods of motivation Pat Summitt uses in this book seems to be her thought-provoking rhetorical questions. "What will you do today to better yourself?" "How will you become a more successful person?" The questions enable the reader to analyze the numerous aspects of his or her life.

The diction of this novel proves to be rather simple and understandable, and this characteristic may further add to the content's effectiveness. Descriptive stories support all of her keys to success, and in addition to being useful illustrative tools, the stories are also entertaining and humorous. For example, Coach Summitt tells the story of a freshman post player's tendency of allowing the ball to get knocked out of her hands. Abby Conklin scores and rebounds well but always let some smaller guard slap the ball away from her. During halftime of one of the midseason games in 1997, Coach Summitt shoves a basketball into Abby's stomach and tells her to hold onto the ball for the remainder of the game, take it home, and then carry is around to all her classes on campus the next day. This particular story illustrates the "Discipline yourself so no one else has to" step. Conclusively, this book's strategies prove to be relevant for anyone who wants to establish higher principles.

Personally, I have found Coach Summitt's inspirational methods to be rather practical. I believe that the information she offers, being based on viable experiences, proves to be quite relevant in my life. After reflecting on her tactics, I have gained a much greater respect for athletes and coaches who work at the collegiate level. Additionally, the motivation I obtained form this book will hopefully elevate my level of achievement in school, sports, and the most important game of all-life.

Rating:
Summary: A must read for any leader!
Review: As a long time Pat Summitt fan and Lady Vols follower, I could not put this book down. If you didn't follow Pat Summitt you would not know what she is talking about. Her style of leadership is one of the best techniques for teaching future leaders the ins and outs of the real world and how team sports will instill in them the importance of being a team player in the corporate world. Her sense of humor makes even the toughest coaches in the world easy to play for. A real winner who has learned from humility and from sucess. The job is never done, you just keep refining it.

Rating:
Summary: Refreshing, Reinvigorating & Really Worthwhile
Review: Being a girl's basketball coach, I first thought I would gain some insight into how to build a winning program. While Pat Summit's book gives you the elements of that, she does a far better job of explaining how to "bake the cake" than simply what to put in it. This book is excellent for people in management positions (that's right, coaching is management)and appropriate points are made relevant to sports, business and life in general. Simply put, clear instructions, clear focus on the ultimate goal, and hard work are an unbeatable combination, that usually result in not having to make excuses or explanations.
I treasure this book as something to utilize along with Coach Wooden's "Pyramid of Success". If you're looking for a new style offense or a secret to better defense, forget it. If you're interested in developing the most out of your players as athletes, and more importantly, people; this book is a must.

Rating:
Summary: A valuable read for anyone in pursuit of excellence!
Review: For the first time I have read a motivational book that breaks ideas down into easy digestable pieces. As a college coach I am impressed with Coach Summitt's philosophy and execution. I share her ideals and focus. My 10 year old daughter's comment was, "Gee, Dad there are other coachs like you!" If she ever decides to play basketball I hope Pat is around to coach her. This has become required reading of my players at Claremont McKenna. Success is easy, you just have to work for it.

Rating:
Summary: Should Be Required Reading For EVERYONE
Review: Having long been a fan of Pat Summitt & the Tennessee Lady Vols, I finally got around to reading this book and I must say it was a real eye-opener. You've seen pictures of Pat on tv & in the newspapers, usually in some player's face during a crucial moment of a game & you might think, "this woman is really tough on her players." Well, guess what? She IS tough, and many of the players that she's been toughest on went on to be championship players in the WNBA after getting their degrees at the University Of Tennessee. Other than building championship teams, Pat's main goal is seeing that her players get their education & graduate. Everyone on the team must sit in the 1st 3 rows in their classes and pay attention. After reading this book, I came away with the realization that she really does care about these young women and always made it a point to assure them of this. At times when she knew she'd really have to lean on a player, Pat would contact their parents to give them a heads up so that there would be no misunderstanding. Pat Summitt grew up tough but fair, not afraid of hard work and expecting alot from others. Her Definite Dozen System is easy to apply in any job, in all walks of life. You just have to be determined to overcome adversity and to face every challenge that comes your way. Highly recommended reading for everyone, not just fans of women's basketball.

Rating:
Summary: definitely an "old shcool" coach
Review: Having long been a fan of Pat Summitt & the Tennessee Lady Vols, I finally got around to reading this book and I must say it was a real eye-opener. You've seen pictures of Pat on tv & in the newspapers, usually in some player's face during a crucial moment of a game & you might think, "this woman is really tough on her players." Well, guess what? She IS tough, and many of the players that she's been toughest on went on to be championship players in the WNBA after getting their degrees at the University Of Tennessee. Other than building championship teams, Pat's main goal is seeing that her players get their education & graduate. Everyone on the team must sit in the 1st 3 rows in their classes and pay attention. After reading this book, I came away with the realization that she really does care about these young women and always made it a point to assure them of this. At times when she knew she'd really have to lean on a player, Pat would contact their parents to give them a heads up so that there would be no misunderstanding. Pat Summitt grew up tough but fair, not afraid of hard work and expecting alot from others. Her Definite Dozen System is easy to apply in any job, in all walks of life. You just have to be determined to overcome adversity and to face every challenge that comes your way. Highly recommended reading for everyone, not just fans of women's basketball.

Rating:
Summary: Type A personality in a woman's basketball program.
Review: I enjoyed this book because Pat is definetely old school when she comes to her coaching and managing. I think as America has become a rich country, hard driving individuals like Pat and her parents have become downgraded as more people opt for the human relations style management. Pat proves that the hard driven type management is still very effective in motivating people to their best. In this book, Pat describes both her personal and professional experiences and how that has changed her to the coach she is today. Nothing beats success, and Pat's championships prove her way can make results.
This book is a surprisely good read on leadership and managing. It is applicable to both sports and business. The personal and professional stories prove that Pat's way is still effective in today's world.

Rating:
Summary: Type A personality in a woman's basketball program.
Review: I enjoyed this book because Pat is definetely old school when she comes to her coaching and managing. I think as America has become a rich country, hard driving individuals like Pat and her parents have become downgraded as more people opt for the human relations style management. Pat proves that the hard driven type management is still very effective in motivating people to their best. In this book, Pat describes both her personal and professional experiences and how that has changed her to the coach she is today. Nothing beats success, and Pat's championships prove her way can make results.
This book is a surprisely good read on leadership and managing. It is applicable to both sports and business. The personal and professional stories prove that Pat's way is still effective in today's world.

Rating:
Summary: A Master of Success--A Must Read!!!!
Review: Of course, I could not just read one of Pat Summitt's books, I had to read all three. Pat has a plain, matter-of-fact and in-your-face style that is refreshing. If you can not find the mountain of success to climb, Pat will bring the mountain to you. She forces you to look at her definite dozen and find the areas where you know you could most likely improve. And without fail, she will lay down the gauntlet challenging you. She makes you believe that success is within everyone's reach, if you would just work at it. I have made some adjustments myself, since I have started a part-time home based business. I have read a number of books on success. "Reach for the Summit" is by far the clearest, simplest and most inspiring that I have read. GREAT WORK PAT!

Rating:
Summary: A valuable read for anyone in pursuit of excellence!
Review: You don't have to be a basketball fan or embrace Pat Summitt's aggressive personal coaching style to benefit from this thought provoking book. If you've been put off by Pat's "mean" image in the past (as I had been), check out this book and get to know her better. She shares her successes and failures with refreshing honesty and delightful, often humorous anecdotes. She's the first one to admit that her in-your-face style isn't for everyone, but her genuine love of her student athletes is reflected here. Read about Pat's philosophy of winning with an open mind, and you will find yourself equipped with some practical wisdom on how to rise to the challenges of life.