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My Personal Best : Life Lessons from an All-American Journey
NATIONAL BESTSELLER
For John Wooden's millions of fans--a heartfelt and revealing self-portrait about the people and events that shaped his life
Sports Illustrated declared: "There has never been a finer coach in American sports than John Wooden. Nor a finer man." ESPN selected him as the "Greatest Coach of the 20th Century." From his birth on an Indiana tenant farm, to All-American honors at Purdue, to his historic record-setting UCLA dynasty, John Wooden is a towering figure in 20th-century sports, and his experience and wisdom an American treasure. In My Personal Best, Coach Wooden tells how he did it and the lessons he learned on his remarkable journey.
Pairing never-before-seen photos from Coach Wooden's private collection with his personal stories and affirmations, this book encompasses the dramatic arc of Wooden's larger-than-life achievements and experiences. As he did in his perpetual bestseller Wooden, Coach offers a wealth of biographical details, personal reflections, and a lifetime of lessons. His millions of fans will cherish this definitive pictorial history of a living sports legend.
"John Wooden is a living legend because he practiced what he preached--the code of ethics which created America's strength."
--Phil Jackson, head coach, Los Angeles Lakers
"Most of what I know, what's made me a smart man, has come from John Wooden."
--Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer
"A man of John Wooden's accomplishments and integrity would stand out in any era, but now, almost three decades after he coached his last game, he is in some ways an even more striking figure."
--Bob Costas
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
About the author
John Wooden
80 books340 followersJohn Robert Wooden is a retired American basketball coach. He is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player (class of 1961) and as a coach (class of 1973). He was the first person ever enshrined in both categories; only Lenny Wilkens and Bill Sharman have since been so honored. His 10 NCAA National Championships in a 12 year period while at UCLA are unmatched by any other college basketball coach.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
February 26, 2018
The book "My Personal Best" was the life story of John Wooden, a famous and successful basketball coach, from childhood to retirement. He tells his life story, along with the many guidelines he followed in his life. These include mentors he had growing up, poems he read, and little sayings that reminded him how to be the best person he could be his entire life. The entire book builds up through his childhood and career, to finish with the point that we can't be perfect, but we can do our personal best each and every day to be the best person and example to others that we can be. I thought that the book "My Personal Best" was a great read, and an extraordinary life story about coaching, teaching, and promoting the best in ourselves and others. The story focused a lot on understanding others and understanding yourself so that you can be the best you can be through the story of a coach who achieved many things in his career, including 10 NCAA National Championships. It was an insightful book that provided a lot of advice to people growing up about how to be successful not only as a player or coach, but also as a person.
October 26, 2017
A great, quick, read by the great John Wooden. The book is an autobiography of Wooden's life, in which he weaves in his personal life philosophy and lessons learned throughout his life. We start with Wooden's childhood in Indiana, his playing career at Purdue, his initial coaching career, and his eventual move to California, where he achieved all time coaching status at UCLA.
The core message of the book is that a central goal should be trying to do your personal best, regardless of the outcomes in life. This is summed up in a quote given by his old coach:
For when the one Great Scorer
Comes to write against your name,
He writes not that you won or lost,
But how you played the game.
Beautiful. Another interesting aspect of Wooden's character was that he taught English, and was a prolific reader. He taught several courses on Shakespeare, from which he must have learned a ton. Wooden takes education very seriously, and his stance that college athletes are "student's first" would be quite rare in this day and age. It is interesting to see how this has shifted, in our current times, people see education more as a "piece-of-paper", or credential, as opposed to a way to enhance your experience in life, and learn the great-big ideas in the world.
Wooden's relationship with his high-school sweetheart, Nellie, was also a powerfully admirable part of the book. The man truly practiced what he preached, and this is why he had so much success in the world, with so many admirers.
That's it! I'm just going to jot down a few quotes that I want to remember:
"Each day of the Journey is Precious. We must strive to make it a Masterpiece"
"A good parent, teacher, coach or leader- and really they're all the same- must understand human nature"
"Little things done well is probably the greatest secret to success"
"Discipline yourself and others wont have to"
"Respect every opponent, but fear none"
"The best way to improve your team is to improve yourself"
"Do not mistake activity for achievement"
"It is amazing how much we can accomplish when no one cares who get's the credit"
"Time spent getting even would be better spent getting ahead"
"Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming"
"Never Lie. Never Cheat. Never Steal.... Don't whine. Don't complain. Don't make excuses"
The core message of the book is that a central goal should be trying to do your personal best, regardless of the outcomes in life. This is summed up in a quote given by his old coach:
For when the one Great Scorer
Comes to write against your name,
He writes not that you won or lost,
But how you played the game.
Beautiful. Another interesting aspect of Wooden's character was that he taught English, and was a prolific reader. He taught several courses on Shakespeare, from which he must have learned a ton. Wooden takes education very seriously, and his stance that college athletes are "student's first" would be quite rare in this day and age. It is interesting to see how this has shifted, in our current times, people see education more as a "piece-of-paper", or credential, as opposed to a way to enhance your experience in life, and learn the great-big ideas in the world.
Wooden's relationship with his high-school sweetheart, Nellie, was also a powerfully admirable part of the book. The man truly practiced what he preached, and this is why he had so much success in the world, with so many admirers.
That's it! I'm just going to jot down a few quotes that I want to remember:
"Each day of the Journey is Precious. We must strive to make it a Masterpiece"
"A good parent, teacher, coach or leader- and really they're all the same- must understand human nature"
"Little things done well is probably the greatest secret to success"
"Discipline yourself and others wont have to"
"Respect every opponent, but fear none"
"The best way to improve your team is to improve yourself"
"Do not mistake activity for achievement"
"It is amazing how much we can accomplish when no one cares who get's the credit"
"Time spent getting even would be better spent getting ahead"
"Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming"
"Never Lie. Never Cheat. Never Steal.... Don't whine. Don't complain. Don't make excuses"
February 24, 2020
My Personal Best is the expertly-done autobiography of John Wooden (1910-2010), the legendary UCLA basketball coach. Wooden, as coach of the UCLA Bruins in the 1960s and ‘70s, won ten NCAA championships in twelve years, including seven in a row. No other team had ever won more than four. Wooden’s tenure at UCLA also included a winning streak of 88 games. These records have never been eclipsed.
Starting life on a family farm in rural Indiana, Wooden was introduced to basketball early in life by his father, who nailed a tomato basket with the bottom knocked out to a beam in their barn. He grew up immersed in the basketball culture of Indiana, rising to fame as a player at Purdue University, where he achieved All-American three times. As a coach, Wooden rose through a succession of high school and lesser college coaching positions before achieving prominence at UCLA.
My Personal Best includes hundreds of photos of Wooden, his family, and his teams throughout his career. The book has some of the best physical production value I’ve ever seen: quality coated paper, masterful layout, well-composed writing, and beautiful use of color throughout. I’m not a big fan of sports figures or their biographies, but Wooden stands apart in American college basketball. He was an honest and hard-working man who was expert at developing the talents and personalities of his student athletes. Through his skillful coaching, they achieved heights of greatness never seen before or since.
Starting life on a family farm in rural Indiana, Wooden was introduced to basketball early in life by his father, who nailed a tomato basket with the bottom knocked out to a beam in their barn. He grew up immersed in the basketball culture of Indiana, rising to fame as a player at Purdue University, where he achieved All-American three times. As a coach, Wooden rose through a succession of high school and lesser college coaching positions before achieving prominence at UCLA.
My Personal Best includes hundreds of photos of Wooden, his family, and his teams throughout his career. The book has some of the best physical production value I’ve ever seen: quality coated paper, masterful layout, well-composed writing, and beautiful use of color throughout. I’m not a big fan of sports figures or their biographies, but Wooden stands apart in American college basketball. He was an honest and hard-working man who was expert at developing the talents and personalities of his student athletes. Through his skillful coaching, they achieved heights of greatness never seen before or since.
January 21, 2022
This book is a biography of John wooden, written by John wooden. John probably gives the best advice about sports and competitiveness I can think of.
The heart of his book is, to be successful, you must give your personal best. Not anyone else’s personal best, but YOUR personal best. The book lays it out beautifully. Do your best and forget the rest.
And really, if you think about it, doing your best should be the standard. You should never aim lower than your personal best. If you don’t give your personal best, you not only let your teammates, coaches, family, and others down, but you let yourself down. You’re doing nobody any good. The two things you can control on a basketball court are your attitude and your effort. Do those to the best of your ability. Give 100% to whatever you’re doing, and do it with a smile.
Honestly, this is very simple advice, but I don’t think I’ve heard anything more profound. Sometimes the simple answer is the best, and I think John gives great motives for why everyone should do their best. Not to mention his story is fascinating.
Also, John wooden’s pyramid for success is phenomenal! I won’t spoil anymore. Read the book!
The heart of his book is, to be successful, you must give your personal best. Not anyone else’s personal best, but YOUR personal best. The book lays it out beautifully. Do your best and forget the rest.
And really, if you think about it, doing your best should be the standard. You should never aim lower than your personal best. If you don’t give your personal best, you not only let your teammates, coaches, family, and others down, but you let yourself down. You’re doing nobody any good. The two things you can control on a basketball court are your attitude and your effort. Do those to the best of your ability. Give 100% to whatever you’re doing, and do it with a smile.
Honestly, this is very simple advice, but I don’t think I’ve heard anything more profound. Sometimes the simple answer is the best, and I think John gives great motives for why everyone should do their best. Not to mention his story is fascinating.
Also, John wooden’s pyramid for success is phenomenal! I won’t spoil anymore. Read the book!
July 16, 2018
Planning & preparation
Start optimistically
Ending training session with fun
Tying the activities learners hate to what they love
Rewarding activities that are boring but essential
Planning & preparation
Different reaction to different verbal comments: Learner centered
Patience is the most valuable asset of a trainer or leader
Be interested in finding the best way, not just your way
We need to couple firm discipline with fairness & reason, understanding & compassion
If you are not making mistakes you are doing nothing. You need to do something to make things
happen
Little things done well is the greatest secret of success
Focus on what you can control
January 11, 2020
What an absolutely wonderful book by perhaps THE greatest American coaching icon in athletic history. From his humble beginnings on his farm as a young boy and the influence of his father Joshua on him, to the coaches who influenced him as a young team player, to the players who he coached through his lifetime, this is an absolute MUST READ. The most poignant chapter, however, is perhaps the final chapter or two when he speaks of his lifelong love and affection for his wife Nell.
There is nothing better than the emotional connection that you make with a good book, and this book and I connected from beginning to end.
There is nothing better than the emotional connection that you make with a good book, and this book and I connected from beginning to end.
September 4, 2021
I read this book because I heard it influenced the writers who created Ted Lasso, an Apple TV series we enjoy. I did see how John Wooden inspired some of the leadership style of the main character, Ted Lasso.
I also went to Purdue, so that element helped hold my interest, too. It was an interesting and inspirational read. He is a legend and now I have a better understanding of why.
I liked the way it was written, and found it quick reading. I read a little every night before bed. It brought some sweet sanity to me during a time filled with pandemic challenges and political discord. And that helped me relax before a good night’s rest.
I also went to Purdue, so that element helped hold my interest, too. It was an interesting and inspirational read. He is a legend and now I have a better understanding of why.
I liked the way it was written, and found it quick reading. I read a little every night before bed. It brought some sweet sanity to me during a time filled with pandemic challenges and political discord. And that helped me relax before a good night’s rest.
February 25, 2021
This absolutely wonderful autobiography of John Wooden is a great read for anyone - basketball fan or not. It is full of simple philosophy and the simple, yet profound life lessons that made Coach Wooden a legend. I daresay, that the book would be a great graduation gift also.
"Talent is God-given; be humble.
Fame is man-given; be thankful.
Conceit is self-given; be careful."
John Wooden
"Talent is God-given; be humble.
Fame is man-given; be thankful.
Conceit is self-given; be careful."
John Wooden
January 1, 2023
This is a fantastic blend of a Wooden autobiography, basketball history, and life lessons. Everyone can achieve success by giving great effort and doing their best. A great book for anyone who wants to be challenged to live life to the fullest. My only wish is this book gave more about Wooden’s faith, which is mentioned as he refers to the Good Lord on several occasions. Many great photos throughout the book.
September 10, 2020
Very interesting to read about the life of John Wooden and how his upbringing shaped his approach to coaching. I definitely heard an undercurrent of (over?)confidence throughout the book, but I suppose he's earned it based on his coaching accomplishments. I also intend to take a few of his quotes to live by and use them in my daily family life as well.
April 2, 2019
"Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming"
Nostalgic little book filled with a lot of wholesome life advice. The sports parts bored me but the lessons that came from them were genuine.
Nostalgic little book filled with a lot of wholesome life advice. The sports parts bored me but the lessons that came from them were genuine.
October 14, 2019
John Wooden's my hero in all times. I read and learned a lot from all his books - the pyramid of success, quotes, and coaching principles. My understanding of the big idea behind this book is that your personal best. That is success, and don’t let anybody tell you otherwise.
March 8, 2021
Greatest Of All Time
Every book coach wrote U have Enjoyed.
More than a coach, mentor, father of friend.
His gift to us all are his example o doing your best.
So far the best book of the many I have read.
JM
Every book coach wrote U have Enjoyed.
More than a coach, mentor, father of friend.
His gift to us all are his example o doing your best.
So far the best book of the many I have read.
JM
June 4, 2022
"Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming" (Pg. 134)
This line stood out to me because he describes a really positive idea of what success is.
This line stood out to me because he describes a really positive idea of what success is.
August 5, 2022
it was not a book i really loved or enjoyed reading but it was super touching and the lessons spoke about are very touching and powerful and he really is just an impressive, kind, good man and i liked reading jim’s memoir
April 18, 2018
This book really brought tears to my eyes, a great read for any person of influence!
November 29, 2018
A good summary of Wooden’s life and career. Had a number of photos I hadn’t seen before. This would make a good introduction to Wooden for those who aren’t yet fans.
July 6, 2019
Everyone should read this book So good, easy read, very inspiring
August 3, 2019
Very profound "What a coach, what a teacher, father, son and husband God has ever borrowed us" wow!
October 24, 2019
Small book packed with lessons with every turn of a page.
December 19, 2021
A phenomenal book for living.
April 7, 2023
Made me laugh and made me cry. Not much more you could ask for in a book!
November 1, 2023
Amazing story
John Wooden played and coached basketball through the 1920's into the 1970's ; this book tells one those lessons learned through the eras
John Wooden played and coached basketball through the 1920's into the 1970's ; this book tells one those lessons learned through the eras
November 8, 2023
What a great man and coach! I loved his words of wisdom!
Read
May 14, 2012First Checkpoint: #2
The main character of this book is John Wooden, one of the greatest college basketball coaches to ever live. This book, My Personal Best, written by John Wooden with Steve Jamison, is a memoir of John’s life. As a result, the book goes in chronological order according to John’s life. So, at the beginning of the book, John is just a kid growing up on his Indiana farm, telling us about the people around him. I’m sure his views have changed since he was a boy, but I’m not so sure that I would want to be friends with him. He seemed to have a pretty uptight life, strictly working on his family’s farm all the time with some playing afterwards. Now there is obviously a generation gap with different technologies separating us, but his life seemed pretty unexciting. All he ever did was work on the farm, go to school, and just occasionally play baseball or basketball.
I wouldn’t necessarily want to be his friend, but I feel like I would like to have as a mentor or coach. He followed many principles his father and mother taught him, and he applied their values and morals in everyday life. He reminds me a lot of my high school basketball coach except maybe a little nicer. They both are from small towns, have really strong values, and have sort a “blue-collar” attitude towards life. His philosophies are all based off of personal greatness, and achieving what one can do personally, not necessarily compared to others. It seemed as a child he tried to apply them as well because he really believed in them. Overall, I would enjoy having him as a mentor to help guide me through my life, but I wouldn’t want to be his friend.
Second Checkpoint: #3
This text has greatly contributed to my personal enlightenment. As I have been reading further into the text, John Wooden along with Steve Jamison have been able to show numerous situations and occurrences in John Wooden’s life that have provided helpful philosophical advice. So far he has mentioned his father, his grade school principal, high school basketball coach, and college basketball coach as his mentors. John’s mentality and attitude towards life has been thoroughly based off of and influenced by these men and their views, actions, and advice. The lessons John has learned have allowed me to reflect them in my everyday life as well as my games of basketball.
One of Wooden’s main philosophies when relating basketball with school, is that, “There’s a reason student comes first in the word student-athlete.” I personally believe in this statement and have been doing my best throughout my entire life to live out this idea that education comes before sports. Another philosophy, which was passed down from John’s father, that I have newly been trying to follow, more specifically for the game of basketball is, “Don’t try to be better than somebody else, but never cease to be the best you can be.” This concept can also be applied to anything else that one may do in life, like their schoolwork, profession, or even how they socially interact.
The main character of this book is John Wooden, one of the greatest college basketball coaches to ever live. This book, My Personal Best, written by John Wooden with Steve Jamison, is a memoir of John’s life. As a result, the book goes in chronological order according to John’s life. So, at the beginning of the book, John is just a kid growing up on his Indiana farm, telling us about the people around him. I’m sure his views have changed since he was a boy, but I’m not so sure that I would want to be friends with him. He seemed to have a pretty uptight life, strictly working on his family’s farm all the time with some playing afterwards. Now there is obviously a generation gap with different technologies separating us, but his life seemed pretty unexciting. All he ever did was work on the farm, go to school, and just occasionally play baseball or basketball.
I wouldn’t necessarily want to be his friend, but I feel like I would like to have as a mentor or coach. He followed many principles his father and mother taught him, and he applied their values and morals in everyday life. He reminds me a lot of my high school basketball coach except maybe a little nicer. They both are from small towns, have really strong values, and have sort a “blue-collar” attitude towards life. His philosophies are all based off of personal greatness, and achieving what one can do personally, not necessarily compared to others. It seemed as a child he tried to apply them as well because he really believed in them. Overall, I would enjoy having him as a mentor to help guide me through my life, but I wouldn’t want to be his friend.
Second Checkpoint: #3
This text has greatly contributed to my personal enlightenment. As I have been reading further into the text, John Wooden along with Steve Jamison have been able to show numerous situations and occurrences in John Wooden’s life that have provided helpful philosophical advice. So far he has mentioned his father, his grade school principal, high school basketball coach, and college basketball coach as his mentors. John’s mentality and attitude towards life has been thoroughly based off of and influenced by these men and their views, actions, and advice. The lessons John has learned have allowed me to reflect them in my everyday life as well as my games of basketball.
One of Wooden’s main philosophies when relating basketball with school, is that, “There’s a reason student comes first in the word student-athlete.” I personally believe in this statement and have been doing my best throughout my entire life to live out this idea that education comes before sports. Another philosophy, which was passed down from John’s father, that I have newly been trying to follow, more specifically for the game of basketball is, “Don’t try to be better than somebody else, but never cease to be the best you can be.” This concept can also be applied to anything else that one may do in life, like their schoolwork, profession, or even how they socially interact.
January 4, 2016
“My Personal Best”, the story of John Wooden, his life and lessons learned along the way. John Wooden the famed UCLA basketball coach who won 10 National Championships writes this book telling about his life telling the things he learned throughout his life regarding basketball and just life in general. Using things learned from his dad as a child as well what he learned in his early coaching career to achieve what he did. With these things creating the “Pyramid of Success” with which he based his coaching and teaching career on. And in all writing this book to teach the valuable life lessons that he learned throughout his life.
This book has great content the teachings that John Wooden is passing on in sharing this life are great. The thing is that the book is not only focused on coaching basketball in focuses a lot on things relating to life and not basketball which surprised me. I was expecting it to be focused around basketball which obviously was not the case. The way he incorporated life lessons into basketball came with great success as winning 10 National Championships is not easy. Though he was not only focused on winning he was also focused on making his players better off the court. Due to these things I think that this book would suitable for anybody because of the great lessons it teaches. Though I think that a basketball or sports fan would appreciate it more due to the topic it is based around. But overall if you have the chance to read this book you should no matter who you are or what your interests are because it has some great content.
This book has great content the teachings that John Wooden is passing on in sharing this life are great. The thing is that the book is not only focused on coaching basketball in focuses a lot on things relating to life and not basketball which surprised me. I was expecting it to be focused around basketball which obviously was not the case. The way he incorporated life lessons into basketball came with great success as winning 10 National Championships is not easy. Though he was not only focused on winning he was also focused on making his players better off the court. Due to these things I think that this book would suitable for anybody because of the great lessons it teaches. Though I think that a basketball or sports fan would appreciate it more due to the topic it is based around. But overall if you have the chance to read this book you should no matter who you are or what your interests are because it has some great content.
February 10, 2014
John Wooden, a basketball coaching legend, won 10 national championships in his 27 years at UCLA, but it was his honest and positive approach to life that won him a multitude of fans. This book chronicles some of the biggest moments of his life and how they influenced him, from his father reading poetry to he and his brothers to the death of his beloved Nell in 1985. He loved his family, respected others, and was always striving for success, on the court and off.
Jason and I read this aloud to each other for a few minutes each night as Gage listened or played, a perfect book for it. I hope that Jason will read this with Gage when he gets older. Wooden is role model because of the way he lived his life. He had success after success and yet he was always trying to learn lessons from perceived failings. It was so refreshing to read about someone considered the best in their field who was also just a decent human being. He was 99 when he died in 2010.
The book had lots of pictures and lots of basketball talk and is a perfect read for fathers & sons.
Jason and I read this aloud to each other for a few minutes each night as Gage listened or played, a perfect book for it. I hope that Jason will read this with Gage when he gets older. Wooden is role model because of the way he lived his life. He had success after success and yet he was always trying to learn lessons from perceived failings. It was so refreshing to read about someone considered the best in their field who was also just a decent human being. He was 99 when he died in 2010.
The book had lots of pictures and lots of basketball talk and is a perfect read for fathers & sons.
August 21, 2015
Prior to living in southern California, I didn't really know who John Wooden was, except that he was a basketball coach. Now I know he was much more than that; he is a legend.
Coach Wooden discusses his life, from his early days playing basketball on an uneven dirt court with fruit baskets to shoot into, to the passing of his beloved wife. He talks about the great influence of his father and coaches who lovingly taught him to always do his best. He openly shares the mistakes he made, both as a player and a coach, and the lessons he learned from them. He also talks about some of the players he coached, the 12 NCAA championships at UCLA, and what made him most proud. Included are numerous photos from his life. And while basketball is a big focus of the book, it's not the only focus in the book or his life.
An inspirational book I can highly recommend to anyone. Coach Wooden is a great role model - something that is unfortunately uncommon among sports figures.
Coach Wooden discusses his life, from his early days playing basketball on an uneven dirt court with fruit baskets to shoot into, to the passing of his beloved wife. He talks about the great influence of his father and coaches who lovingly taught him to always do his best. He openly shares the mistakes he made, both as a player and a coach, and the lessons he learned from them. He also talks about some of the players he coached, the 12 NCAA championships at UCLA, and what made him most proud. Included are numerous photos from his life. And while basketball is a big focus of the book, it's not the only focus in the book or his life.
An inspirational book I can highly recommend to anyone. Coach Wooden is a great role model - something that is unfortunately uncommon among sports figures.
June 22, 2015
I specifically read this book because it was Father's Day. I was certainly looking for some fatherly and grandfatherly stories to draw some wisdom from.
So reading a book written by John Wooden seemed like a great idea. I was not disappointed at all.
Anyone who thinks that this is a book only about how to coach a basketball team would be pleasantly surprised. Yes, this is a book by a man considered by many to be the greatest college basketball in history. However, this is also a book about a man considered by many to be the greatest life coach as well.
In a nutshell, the motto "it's what you learn AFTER you know it all, that counts" that speaks the loudest as pride is usually the biggest reason people fail in life. This is precisely what the books speaks to from start to finish.
It's a great read for anyone looking for some life lesson's regarding how to live and not live.
So reading a book written by John Wooden seemed like a great idea. I was not disappointed at all.
Anyone who thinks that this is a book only about how to coach a basketball team would be pleasantly surprised. Yes, this is a book by a man considered by many to be the greatest college basketball in history. However, this is also a book about a man considered by many to be the greatest life coach as well.
In a nutshell, the motto "it's what you learn AFTER you know it all, that counts" that speaks the loudest as pride is usually the biggest reason people fail in life. This is precisely what the books speaks to from start to finish.
It's a great read for anyone looking for some life lesson's regarding how to live and not live.
December 27, 2016
Reads like a written in two weeks Reader's Digest or Scholastic Edition. Too much always do your best/ practice makes perfect preaching. But any bio of the master is better than nothing.
Good advice for coaches in player handling. Wooden's style was all about speed: fast break, full court press.
Amazing that he kicked around UCLA since 1948 before the first championship in '64. For skeptics who think it was all about talent and giant centers, they won their first championship with a 6'5" center; and after Walton, a 6' 7" center.
"The profession brings with it automatic criticism. . . . When you lose, you're criticized for losing. When you win, after a while you're criticized for not winning enough." This influenced his decision to retire. Criticism?! For the guy who just won 10 of the last 12 national championships!
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