Wooden

Rating:
Summary: The Best Book I have ever read
Review: Being a UCLA graduate and passionate basketball fan, I was, and continue to be, intrigued by the mystique surrounding John Wooden. This book is more than just basketball, Teacher Wooden talks about his family upbringing and how that shaped his views on life, as well as his philosophy in teaching and guiding his UCLA teams of the 60's and 70's. The book is an easy read in that Mr. Wooden conveys his thoughts in simple language and in short anecdotes and paragraphs. One can read a little passage every now and then and get value and substance from the book. It does not require you to read for an extended period of time at one sitting to get something out of it. I write this review so that perhaps I can influence at least one person to buy this book. It has changed how I look at things and life in a positive manner. I am now fortunate enough to be able to pass by Mr. Wooden during UCLA home games. I will never forget once he smiled at me. A simple smile that has had a lasting impression on me. This book is highly similar--it is simple but will no doubt leave a lasting impression on you and your life.

Rating:
Summary: Lessons of Life
Review: It is pregame. We are in the locker room. We've gone over the scouting reports, our assignments and our game plan. Yet still the players wait. The girls all wait for the "quote". Before every game and most practices we have a quote. Something to inspire or perhaps something on which to reflect. Well there is plenty of that in this small little book as the master philosopher coach teaches us his beliefs and shares his wisdom. I had purchased a copy of this years ago. A bit worn and tattered now, but then at the end of the 2000-2001 season my lone senior captain, a wonderful and bright young lady named Callie, gave me a new shinny copy in which she inscribed "I've had a great four years and learned many valuable lessons." She didn't mention wins or losses. She mentioned lessons. That's what sharing Wooden with your team can do for you - help teach the game of life. Short but powerful. A good book from a great man.

Rating:
Summary: More than just inspirational
Review: Many books exist that teach you about life and "strategies" for living. But none will give you the kind of depth Wooden gives you. What takes others a hundred pages to say John Wooden says in one paragraph. What's more, his words stay with you. This book does not push you toward action by simply giving you a two-hundred page pep talk. Rather, Wooden discusses the importance of fundamental values, character, and true success. And he leaves the rest up to you. I agree with the previous reviewer... keep this book next to your Bible.

Rating:
Summary: "Hoops, Dreams, & Life"
Review: In some sense, I think reading 6 to 10 pages of Coach Wooden's book before your day begins would benefit anyone reguardless of their situation. Not only is Coach Wooden's testimony powerful, enlightining, and inspiring, it informs the reader that basketball and life with the concept of team, coincides with all of our daily events. Learning Coach's "Pyramid of Success" will help anyone make solid decisions, stand firmly with them, and more importantly propel the iniative to excecute your decision with a positive attitude! Keep this book next to your Bible, it a keeper!!
-AllotofVision-

Rating:
Summary: Wooden wonderful
Review: Wooden is a wonderfully inspriational book and with challenge the reader be upright on behalf of his/her values. An easy read yet profound, Wooden will make you focus on improving yourself and at the same time show to how to build others up. Every leader should read this book at least once.

Rating:
Summary: The Many Habits of Highly Effective Hoops (and Living)!
Review: Success in popular sports affords coaches a platform for their ideas which the mainstream might not be so receptive to were they not seen as "winners". Phil Jackson's Zen-inspired "Sacred Hoops" is a good example.

John Wooden, perhaps the most successful basketball coach on any level, had a philosophy probably most familiar in your grandfahter's day and least prevalent in competitive sports today. His focus was not on winning (outscoring your opponent), but on preparation, on reaching your own level of competency, and on emphasizing teamwork over individiual focus (to a degree that would be hard to imagine in today's game).

"Wooden" is not about basketball so much as timeless wisdom, living and playing with maturity and in balance. His philosophy is simple to understand, yet so difficult to live by. Not many of us had a highly-principled father to inspire us as did John Wooden, but the wisdom gathered here serves to capture the essence of Coach Wooden's inspiration.
Highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and reflections On and ..
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Hey Youth Sport Coach - you gotta read this
Review: I wish every person that coached a youth (or any youthful spirit) could read, and live by, Coach Wooden's observations and reflections.

Now I know why they called him coach - he earned it and he lived it. To be called coach is a privelege - Wooden's observations and reflections help one earn and live up to that privelege.

Rating:
Summary: Not a book about basketball, but about life!
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Priceless!
Review: This is a truly excellent book. Anyone can benefit from this book by reading for as little as a few minutes, or from cover to cover. John Wooden's wisdom can be felt on every page. My highest recommendation.