Rating: 
Summary: The Awesome Mr. Knight***************
Review: What a guy, what an icon, what a great american!!! The general is at his all time best with this book. It is a must have for ANYONE that likes basketball-and honesty. Go Red Raiders.
Rating:
Summary: Selective and Subjective
Review: What we have here is Knight's version of a "story" which began in 1940 when he was born in Orrville, Ohio. He played for Ohio State (starting only two games in three years but was the "sixth man" on an NCAA championship team in 1960), began his coaching career as an assistant at Cuyahoga Falls (Ohio), was head coach at the U.S. Military Academy, and then at Indiana University where three of his teams won an N.C.A.A. championship. Today, he coaches at Texas Tech University. As with all other memoirs, Knight's is both selective and subjective: selective in terms of what Knight remembers (or at least what he is willing to share with his reader) and subjective in terms of how he interprets that "what." Having coached varsity basketball in New England for 13 years at two different boarding schools, I was soon convinced that basketball is probably the most difficult game to officiate. Almost all of the calls are subjective. Officials do not call what happened; rather, they call what they think they saw happen. I suspect that Knight encountered a similar situation when writing this book with Bob Hammel. His account may not be in all respects exactly what has happened in his life thus far but I am convinced that what he offers in this book is what Knight sincerely believes happened. More revealing, to me at least, is his explanations of why he was involved in so many different controversies along the way.According to Knight, he has almost always been a victim of circumstances such as when he was accused of assaulting a police officer in Puerto Rico and arrested (1979), of choking an Indiana player (Neil Reed) in 1997, grabbing the arm of an Indiana student (Kent Harvey) in 2000, and then verbally abusing the university's female legal counsel. Also in his opinion, he was victimized by the "stupidities" of Indiana University officials (notably President Myles Brand) and fired without just cause. Knight discusses these and other circumstances in this memoir. He is (with few exceptions) highly critical of journalists, especially sports writers, for unfairly exaggerating various incidents and thereby misrepresenting (if not totally misunderstanding) his intentions. For example, with regard to the incident in which he hurled a folding chair across a basketball court, he has explained with evident pride in his chair-throwing skill, that no one was in any danger. His nickname "The General" reminds me of George S. Patton who, until the day he died, felt victimized by the coverage of his soldier-slapping incident. (In fact, Patton slapped several whom he accused of cowardice and insubordination.) Among the recurrent themes throughout this book is Knight's strong sense of righteous indignation but keep in mind that all this is his version of what happened. Also why. So what do I make of this book? As a former basketball coach, I thoroughly enjoyed the detailed accounts of various seasons and of especially important games. Also, in fairness to Knight, I am grateful (I really am) to share his perspectives on what has obviously been, until now, a highly complicated and controversial career. Knight helps me to understand why so many people love him, respect him, and support him. Perhaps without realizing it, he also helps me to understand why so many other people view him with contempt and even hostility. At least in one respect, Knight reminds me of Billy Martin and Woody Hayes who, when working with certain kinds of athletes (talented, obedient, thick-skinned, deferential, preferably reverential), consistently produced winning teams. Also like Knight, their behavior on and off the field of competition was highly controversial and both of them frequently expressed the same righteous indignation which Knight does in this book. Even his severest critics concede that Knight is a great basketball coach. No one denies that he loves the game and coaches it with both passion and precision. These same critics also concede that there have been many instances in which Knight has demonstrated extraordinary kindness, compassion, and generosity with his players, albeit after they no longer played for him. And finally, his critics (albeit grudgingly) concede that he is highly intelligent, has a sharp wit, is wholeheartedly loyal and devoted to family members and friends, and (when so inclined) can really turn on the charm. However, they hasten to add that.... In the final analysis, Knight's "story" has many different versions. This is his.
Rating: 
Summary: Misunderstood
Review: When most people think of Bob Knight they think of the bully coach who physically abuses his players. Some of the reasons for this thinking are understandable, but not most. In his book Knight: My Story, Bob Knight talks very little about himself and gives credit to not only the game of basketball but all the people that have helped along the way. Knight states in the book if not for basketball he would not be anywhere in life and this is probably true. Knight is very sincere in this book and talks about the great relationships he has had with his players,friends, and family. If one wants to see another side of Bob Knight they should read this book. After this is done then, if you still feel the same way, you can make the harsh judgments that so many people place upon him.
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