I've Got Your Back

Rating:
Summary: "I've got your back" is a must read for everyone.
Review: A very honest and from the heart inside look of life on the ATP Tennis tour from Brad Gilbert. You would never experience such an up close and personal account from such a high level player now coach of the world's highest ranked players (Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi). Read this book and learn what life is like on tour as a coach and get an inside look of life with Andy and Andre from past tournaments on and off the court. I was shocked from how personal and embracing this book is. What goes through the mind of Brad Gilbert is brilliant. And that's why the top players in the world have chosen him to lead their paths and guide their tennis careers. It's been said that Brad Gilbert's mind is like a walking tennis computer. This book takes you from the beginnings of Brad Gilbert as a player turned coach to Andy Roddick's awesome win of the 2003 US Open, and not to mention Andre Agassi's Olympic gold medal. In my opinion a must read for everyone especially if you love tennis.

Rating:
Summary: I've got your back, back, back......
Review: Big Gilbet fan, huge disciple of Winning Ugly! This is a completely different read. Not deep, but good, interesting sections on what he, as a coach, actually does on a professional level. His interaction with the player, insights, his influences. Book did tend to be repetitive - ok, once I'm told how great his relationship with Agassi and Roddick is, it's doesn't need to be harped on over and over, chapter after chapter. Hopefully the next book will be a little more strategic. Would like to see highlight tapes of some of his old matches(especially w/Becker) showing him applying his techniques. Should be a companion item for Winning Ugly.

Rating:
Summary: Strongly Recommended for Tennis Fans
Review: Having read and really enjoyed "Winning Ugly" I decided to give this book a try even though I had read a review stating that it was geared toward applying his principals to business. I did not find that to be the case at all. Yes, he did give tennis stories and then close with how that story might apply in other's business life. But what I found in this book is an inside look at a talented coach and his relationship with his player. And given that his players were Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick, it's an interesting story for tennis fans. I've never been a big Andre Agassi fan having watched him tank matches at the tournament at my club as well as some of his early antics. And could we please get the announcers to quit talking about him running up a hill as a statement of his great fitness. However, I do have a great appreciation for his talent. From reading this book I have a greater appreciation of Andre the man. He's grown from an undisciplined talent who was lucky to be in the right place with the right talent to an intelligent quality individual. And in some respects you have to give Brad some credit although Gilbert is not attempting to take any.

Although over 1/2 the book seems to mention Andre, there is quite a bit about Andy. It is interesting to hear him compare their different approaches to tennis and life in general.

Overall, I would recommend this book for any tennis fan. I do not think you will be disappointed. Another must read from Brad Gilbert.


Rating:
Summary: I've Got Your Back is a great book
Review: I've Got Your Back by Brad Gilbert is a great book. It was compelling, and well written. Gilbert gives you a look inside the proffesional tennis world that is humurous as well as fascinating. Keep in mind, this is not Winning Ugly 2, it is it's own book with a more personal style. This time instead of Brad Gilbert's technical advice, you get to know Brad Gilbert. I think that that is the best part about the book.
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Rating:
Summary: Disappointing!
Review: Since I am a huge fan of Winning Ugly I bought I've got your back immediately over amazon when it was out (In Switzerland it has not been released yet). I thought like Winning Ugly was advice for players and his second book was more into techniques of coaching. But to my astonishment it was all about Brad, Brad and Brad. All about what great guy he is and what outstanding relationship he has got to Agassi and Roddick. Hey Brad, take a look at Roger Federer who's been without a coach the entire year, in which he won 3 Slams! A coach cannot be that important, right?