Knight: My Story

Rating:
Summary: The Good, The Bad, and The General!
Review: Full disclosure. I am an Indiana University alumnus, a big fan of both college basketball and Indiana hoops and a Bob Knight supporter. If you fit these categories, I think you will enjoy Knight's new book. However, this is hardly an unbiased opinion. Let me try something else.

There are two undeniable facts about Bob Knight: first, he has spent a lifetime in college basketball; and, two, he reached EVERY pinnacle available in college/amateur basketball. These two facts alone make for some interesting storytelling, and that is what you get with Knight's new book. He is a very intelligent and humorous individual, and, obviously, highly volatile. Bring all these elements together in a book and you get an in-depth, enjoyable and informative look at college basketball as only Bob Knight could tell it. Certainly, all the criticisms of this book ring correct. Coach Knight gloats over his friends and supporters, and quickly dismisses his critics and detractors. That is human nature, but certainly not a reason to avoid the book.

Is Bob Knight perfect? No way, and he is the first to admit it. Knight even goes as far as saying he can be his own worst enemy. He admits, at times, he doesn't know when to close his mouth. He even acknowledges mistakes along the way - personally and professionally. More importantly, however, Coach Knight also takes readers inside a gold medal-winning Olympic team and three NCAA national championship teams. He shows an unfailing commitment and devotion to his players and their families. He shows what it means to run a clean basketball program that graduates its players. Finally, his passion for coaching and for the game of basketball comes across in every page.

If you are a staunch critic of Bob Knight, this book will not change your opinion. However, if one gives the man a chance to address some of those criticisms, as well as a chance to talk about his experiences in the game, you might find a new perspective, or, at least, enjoy the book.

Rating:
Summary: don loves him
Review: hi i read bob knights book. that book was the best book i ever read because he was part of history. all the kids wanted to paly for him . i met don zimmer who wrote a book about dons life . after when he was leaving to go home i stoped him and asked him if he read bobs book he said yes i liked it. then don asked me if i saw the movie. i said yes . he said i did not like it they made him out to be a monster and then he said u know if i had boys or if my boys went to play bastketball i want them to play for bob. so u see if don liked the book and i liked the book u will too. bye

Rating:
Summary: Not the "Best" Knight book, but rather "THE" Knight Book !
Review: I agree that this is not the "best" book about Bob Knight. It is extraordinarily difficult for an autobiography to ever to be the most compelling story of an individual. For the best book on Coach Knight, see "Bob Knight: His Own Man" by Joan Mellen. She was perhaps the first writer to have virtually unrestricted access and time with the Coach, and her insights are deep and balanced.

However, this is "THE" book on Bob Knight, since it is his story, in his own voice, told his way, from his perspective. Far better than most "hack" autobiographies rushed into print by ghost authors, this is obviously the very thoughtful, purposeful and spirited work of Coach Knight. The famous Indiana sportswriter Bob Hammel is a contributor, but obviously not a ghost or even co-author. The very essence of Bob Knight comes through loud and clear on every page.

Now, is this a "tell all" trash-mouth page-turner? Absolutely not - despite Coach Knight's vaunted ability to use weave obscenities into most amazing display of demonic poetry. The Coach's passion is obvious for the game of basketball and for the teams on which he played and, most importantly those that he coached. He is true to his form - a tireless student of the game, and a relentless coach seeking its perfect execution on the court.

I found it fascinating to watch how a player hell-bent on winning, became the coach hell-bent on winning, who then became, over time, the coach hell-bent on being the best coach (who, by the way, is still hell-bent on winning - just doing so the right way). He reverently learned from and courted the great coaches of the game (many long after their star had lost its luster and the public had relegated them to the dustbin of history). While he never seems to recognize it, you can see how his personal mission changed to becoming simply the best coach of the game there is - not to supplant the greats who came before him, but rather to honor them during a time when so few others seemed to truly care for the game.

This book is important for the same reason any other autobiography is important - it is the person, their experience and opinion, in their words, in their voice, from their perspective, with all the value and foibles that brings.

If you are a serious basketball fan, a Coach Knight fan or even an informed critic, you owe it to yourself to read this book. Just read Joan Mellen's book too, please.

Rating:
Summary: Don't Prejudge Coach Knight
Review: I am not a basketball fan of any level. My personal library consists of hundreds of baseball books, but less than five basketball books. I have heard about Coach Knight and his alleged abusive treatment of players, and expected a book laced with profanities. I was pleasantly surprised with the very minimal amount of swearing the book contained. I have no doubt that Coach Knight has the best interests of his players in mind in giving their best efforts whether it be on the basketball floor, in the classroom, or in any other employment they may be involved in. A number of very respected people in many walks of life are Coach Knight supporters. Ted Williams, Mark McGuire, and Tony LaRussa are among those from the world of baseball who respect him for what he does. Coach Knight admits that remaining in Indiana after the administration changed was a mistake, but when you are dedicated in your work, and you have been at a school (Indiana) for as long as he was, it isn't easy to just pick up and leave. Sometimes adversity can be a blessing in disguise, and his firing at Indiana and eventual hiring at Texas Tech turned out well for him. When the administration doesn't support you it is time to move on. Coach Knight's love of his work and dedication to Indiana made the decision a difficult one for him and the administration ended up making it for him. As I said, I am not a basketball fan, but I came away with a greater understanding and respect for Coach Knight after reading this book. If you are relying on the opinions of others in judging Coach Knight, you owe it to yourself to hear his version regarding his life and years of coaching. All of the controversial incidents coloring his career are dealt with from his point of view, and it is only fair to hear him out in regard to these cases. This book will be a permanent addition to my library.

Rating:
Summary: Not a KNIGHT fan but a fan of this book
Review: I have have grown up rooting for the orange and blue of the Fighting Illini. I have been raised to dislike the hoosiers. Bobby Knight was a great coach I will give him that. But he was a hoosier and i have been taught like i have said to dislike the hoosiers. ON the other hand i loved this book and here are some reasons why. This book give knight's story on why he exploded that day a few years back. It tells the story and life of a great coach. We can criticized him all we want to but he had great success in the coaching ranks. Most and I say most not all for the reason everyone knows, most of his players respected what he brought to the team. He brought a hard nosed attitude that ended up in victories. He was a great coach who made a mistake and this mistake shouldnt haunt him for the rest of his life. A GREAT BOOK!!!

Rating:
Summary: Good Read!
Review: I just purchased this book and have found myself completely absorbed by it. This is a must have if you want to hear the story from the man himself.

You will feel the anguish Knight felt when he realized he had no team to coach after being terminated from Indiana University. You will get the sense of how much he longed to get back into coaching subsequent to his year off. And you will get a sense of how unperturbed he is now that he is at Texas Tech.

His anecdotes are very amusing and you will find yourself laughing out loud.

If you want the straight story, buy Knight: My Story!

Rating:
Summary: A Hoosier Must
Review: I moved to Indiana near the end of Bob Knight's reign as the Head Coach at Indiana University. I was fascinated by the intensity and loyalty that the IU fans showed toward their coach and team. I personally have always appreciated Bob Knight as a coach, though I may not have always agreed with his antics. I do believe that college athletes need a coach who will teach discipline. His autobiography gives you an inside look at his life and perhaps a better understanding of how the coach really is. He definitely tells it as it is and does not pull any punches in this book. One of the strong points of this book is the emphasis the coach puts on in his coaching philosophies and his past accomplishments. You begin to understand, through the detailed recollections of important games, why the coach is revered by so many. He seems to take you there and let you know what was going through his mind and how he handled the situations. Also, the coach briefly addresses many of the "situations" he has been in over the years. Although they are his side of the story, you get the story as Coach Knight saw it, not how the media reported it. I thought it was particularly interesting when he discussed his firing from IU. He firmly believes that the school was out to get him, and for a brief moment, you may begin to believe him. I know that the media sure gave it a lot of attention here in Indiana, of course their spin on the situation was different then his. A common theme in this book is Coach Knight`s disdain for the media.
Overall, I think that the book is something that any "import" Hoosier should read. You begin to understand the idiosyncrasies that are Coach Knight. It also will help you understand why you see so many Texas Tech Red Raiders bumper stickers in Central Indiana.

Rating:
Summary: A Hoosier Must
Review: I moved to Indiana near the end of Bob Knight's reign as the Head Coach at Indiana University. I was fascinated by the intensity and loyalty that the IU fans showed toward their coach and team. I personally have always appreciated Bob Knight as a coach, though I may not have always agreed with his antics. I do believe that college athletes need a coach who will teach discipline. His autobiography gives you an inside look at his life and perhaps a better understanding of how the coach really is. He definitely tells it as it is and does not pull any punches in this book. One of the strong points of this book is the emphasis the coach puts on in his coaching philosophies and his past accomplishments. You begin to understand, through the detailed recollections of important games, why the coach is revered by so many. He seems to take you there and let you know what was going through his mind and how he handled the situations. Also, the coach briefly addresses many of the "situations" he has been in over the years. Although they are his side of the story, you get the story as Coach Knight saw it, not how the media reported it. I thought it was particularly interesting when he discussed his firing from IU. He firmly believes that the school was out to get him, and for a brief moment, you may begin to believe him. I know that the media sure gave it a lot of attention here in Indiana, of course their spin on the situation was different then his. A common theme in this book is Coach Knight`s disdain for the media.
Overall, I think that the book is something that any "import" Hoosier should read. You begin to understand the idiosyncrasies that are Coach Knight. It also will help you understand why you see so many Texas Tech Red Raiders bumper stickers in Central Indiana.

Rating:
Summary: not understood
Review: I read this book because I wanted to see what America's most hated on college coach was like in his own words. I never throught he was as bad as the media makes him out to be. I think athletes need a real strict coach or they would run all over their coaches. From reading the book, I think the coach is just a misunderstood guy, who only wants the best for his players and team. I don't understand how a guy that won that many games for a school could have been treated so unfairly.

Rating:
Summary: America, America, God shed His grace on thee
Review: I truly believe there is only one way to judge a college basketball coach. League titles, NCAA appearances, total wins, Final Fours and National Championships are the norm in measuring success. And, of course, prowess in these areas will secure the legacy of anyone. However, the way I quantify coaching greatness is much more important than wins and losses. It's something you can't tangibly gauge. Simply stated, it's the relationships he or she cultivates with players. And the loyalty they show after they graduate.

Even his staunchest critics can not deny that Bob Knight is a Hall of Famer in this category.

In "Knight: My Story" Bob Knight writes about the relationships he has developed throughout the years with his former players. One needs to look no further than Landon Turner to realize why the ones he coached are tenacious Bob Knight supporters.

Landon Turner played on Knight's 1981 championship team. Tragically, shortly after, Turner was paralyzed for life in a vehicle accident. Through the efforts of Knight, Red Auerbach selected Landon Turner in the late rounds of the NBA draft. A simple gesture which, Turner says, meant the world to him.

The book is a window into the philosophies of a man who through the yelling, screaming, so called intimidation, language, and perceived sour demeanor, somehow has found the greatest allies in his former players.

Some of Knight's pundits clearly know absolutely nothing about how to coach a basketball team; how to lead young men through a season of intense pressure and adversity. And, they are obviously not bright enough to understand that basketball is a metaphor for life. Knight is preparing boys for manhood. Do you think anyone of them (who gets it) make excuses when their boss asks them do accomplish a task? I think not.

Knight is not a coach of basketball, he's a teacher of life.

You need to look no further than his "eight greatest words", which appear in the first sentence of his book, "America, America, God shed His grace on thee", to realize how deep his character flows.

I've been anticipating book since I was 15 years old. It was worth the wait.