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Dean Smith wrote a very good book that shows his character.
26 Jun 2005
Dean Smith could probably run for president
The book "A Coach's Life" written by Dean Smith, is a life story of one the best coaches to have ever stepped on the hardwood.This book starts off talking about Dean's childhood.He tells stories of himself as an athlete, playing football, baseball and basketball.
Dean Smith
Dean Smith is now known as one of the greatest college basketball coaches of all time.I choose to read this memoir because I have a love for sports.Also, I have a deep passion for college sports because of the atmosphere at every college game I go to.Dean Smith coached one of my favorite colleges in the nation The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Autobiography/Biography    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. Audiobooks    4. Basketball coaches    5. Biography    6. Biography & Autobiography    7. Regional Subjects - South    8. Sports - Basketball    9. Sports - General    10. United States    11. Biography & Autobiography / Sports   

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A nice companion to his other work
"On the Big Blackfoot" is a series of readings and narratives by Norman Maclean and his son, John, plus an interview with Norman Maclean that I found to be the most interesting part of the recording.The focus of the discussions is quite naturally "A River Runs Through It," but they do go a bit beyond it.If you are a fan of any of Maclean's work, then hearing his voice is a treat. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. General    4. Parental Memoirs    5. Sports - General    6. Unabridged Audio - Autobiography/Biography    7. Nature / General   

Editorial Review

By becoming only the fifth coach in history to lead his team to consecutive Super Bowl victories, Mike Shanahan of the Denver Broncos has certainly shown that he is a winner. In Read more

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Think Like A Champion : Building Success One Victory at a Time
In review of the autobiography I read, Think Like a Champion: Building Success One Victory at a Time by Mike Shanahan, I learned a great deal about succeeding on the football field.But more importantly, I learned about succeeding in life.
Building success one victory at a time.
I have heard this advice before: If you want to be successful What a Success Story!Motivational!
A die-hard Broncos fan from the days dying watching those ridiculous striped socks and watching Fran Tripuka get killed, what a job Shanahan did turning it around into two Super Bowls in a row.Read more

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Business/Professional    2. Audio - Business / Professional    3. Audio Adult: Other    4. Audiobooks    5. Biography    6. Football - Professional    7. Football coaches    8. Motivational    9. Psychological aspects    10. Sports    11. Sports Psychology    12. United States    13. Business & Economics / Motivational   

Editorial Review

"Intrinsically irrational" is how Jon Krakauer characterizes the compulsion to climb Mount Everest in his audiobook Read more

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Fast paced, educating account of extreme mountaineering
Mr. Krakauer's account of the deadly trip to the top of Mt. Everest has a credibility to the story that many other action filled, non-fiction works have.Due mostly to the fact that Mr. Krakauer was a reporter who was there, a member of a team who witnessed the way the disaster unfolded in one of the most unforgiving environments in the world.His book is a chronicle of the things that went wrong with the expedition, things that were red-flags to those there but were not heeded.Some of the book deals with the commercialization of Everest, where if you have the money, you can find a guide that will risk your life, his life and others lives to get you to the top.Some of those who died were Everest guides, people who knew the signs of things going wrong, yet they still made the fateful decision of pressing on for the summit.Part of the book, about Beck Weathers is amazing and does give some hope to the extents and abuse the human body can take with a certain frame of mind.Albeit, it cost him his hands and part of his face, the fact that he survived is amazing none-the-less.
Read "The Climb," too...
I give "Above Thin Air" 5 stars because it is a magnificently written work about Everest, but Krakauer's venom towards Anatoli Boukreev was and is inexplicable when the facts of that night are laid bare.
Non-Fiction at Its Best
I couldn't put this book down. To be honest with you, I rarely enjoy non-fiction, yet the way with which Krakauer creates tension - something that most likely is not that difficult as Everest on its own is a formidable place - is as effective as some of the best fiction writers out there. I was also impressed with how he was able to situate the expedition and the characters involved within the rich tradition of Everest mountaineering. His descriptions of Hall and Fischer are remarkable and he has immortalized them for the general public as they have been immortalized with climbers for years. I also like the way with which Krakauer is honest about what he is and is not sure about concerning his account. Being above 26,000 ft. makes it very difficult to be sure of what took place. Overall, I was quite impresed with this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio - Nonfiction (Unabridged)    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. Audiobooks    4. Essays & Travelogues    5. Everest, Mount (China and Nepal)    6. Mountaineering    7. Mountaineering accidents    8. Specific Groups - General    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Sports - General    11. Unabridged Audio - Autobiography/Biography    12. Sports & Recreation / Mountaineering   

Editorial Review

As baseball legend Ted Williams lay dying in Florida, his old Boston Red Sox teammates Johnny Pesky and Dom DiMaggio piled into a car and drove 1,300 miles to see their friend. Another member of the close-knit group, Bobby Doerr, remained in Oregon to tend to his wife who had suffered a stroke. Besides providing a poignant travelogue of the elderly Pesky and DiMaggio's trip, David Halberstam's Read more

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Great read
great story about long friendships originating from their days as ballplayers. The persoanlities of Doerr, Dimaggio, Pesky, and Williams really shine through in this short read. I never knew much about Dom Dimaggio before this book, after reading it he sounds like a Hall of Famer. Too bad he's not in. Williams comes off as alternatively abrasive and childlike, yet still somehow loveable. This is definitely a good story about long friendships.

Baseball, Friendship, and the Shared Experience
This is a touching, fun, and relaxed telling of the story of 4 Red Sox players from the glory days, who all these decades later, are still looking after each other.Ted, Johnny, Dom, and Bobby never won a World Series, but their nearly lifelong friendship speaks about much more than just baseball. Wonderfully told by the author, who of course, is a fan himself.

The Teammates
This is a great book. One of the best books I've read. Dom Dimaggio and Johnny Pesky is driving to Florida to visit the sick Ted Williams for the last time. On the 1,300 mi. trip to Florida, Dimaggio and Pesky look back on all the memories they had on the Red Sox with Ted and Bobby Doerr. Memories from fishing with Williams and Doerr to the field of Fenway Park. Dan Halberstam has once again created a master-piece. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    2. Audiobooks    3. Baseball - History    4. Baseball players    5. Biography    6. Boston Red Sox (Baseball team)    7. History    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    10. United States    11. Sports & Recreation / Baseball / History   

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A Fantastic Memoir
Conroy's fiction has always been a biography of sorts (Great Santini in particular) but I think his choice to chronicle his life through his final basketball season at the Citadel was brilliant.It brings together all the elements of his fictional life that we have come to love and respect:His overbearing father, the south in the 1950s and 1960s, and the one character common to all his books: Sports.
Disappointing, overrated
As a memoir of a relatively prolific and popular author, this book is a very disappointing.Ardent fans of Pat Conroy obviously love this book, but then again, they love everything with his name on it irrespective of content (a cook book?)Conroy revisits his early experiences that provided the repetivive themes in his fiction as psuedo-non-fiction.(The dialogue in the book reads more like fiction, and it is simply not credible that he could recount exact conversations from childhood to college.)He gives the reader minimal insight into his experience as a writer.Rather, the book reads like an exercise in self-therapy that does explore his well known issues rather deeply (although losing is not one of them.)Conroy may have provided all that he can in terms of describing his process and how he approaches his craft.If that is the case, then this book should serve as inspiration for aspiring writers.Publishing fiction is not necessarily about literary excellence.It's a business.
Another 3 Pointer For Pat
Pat Conroy is a national tresure. His writing is sublime, he is one of the few writers who can capably place the reader into almost any situation and paint such a realistic portrait that the reader feels he is actually there.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. Basketball players    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Charleston    7. College sports    8. Literary    9. Novelists, American    10. Personal Memoirs    11. South Carolina    12. Sports - Basketball    13. Unabridged Audio - Autobiography/Biography    14. Biography & Autobiography / Literary   

Reviews (11)

One of the best.
When I first started reading this book I had a tough time putting it down. It takes us back to Tigers early golf days right up to the winning of his first Masters Tournament in record numbers. Tim Rosaforte really makes this book come alive. You will not be disappointed in this one.

A CHAMPION RISES
At age twenty-one, Eldrick "Tiger" Woods became the youngest individual to win the Masters Tournament. This young phenomena ushered in a new age for golf and sports fans all over wanted to know, who is this rising champion? Sports writer Tim Rosaforte provides that answer by penning one of the first biographies of Tiger. A Very Well Written Book
Although the story dragged in the beginning, I found the book Tiger Woods The Makings Of A Champion very interesting and entertaining.It was also a very well written book.It struck me with awe when I read that Tiger started swinging a golf club at 10 months.The book also shows people how hard Tiger's childhood was.That he couldn't even play at some golf courses because he was black.It showed how great a golfer Tiger Woods is, and how he could possibly be the player of the future. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio - Autobiography / Biography    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. Audiobooks    4. Biography    5. Golf    6. Golfers    7. People of Color    8. Sports    9. United States    10. Biography: sport   

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One of My New Favorite Books
Before beginning this review, I read the reviews of others; good and bad.I'm shocked at the venom spewed by people who called Erik Weihenmayer an arrogant jerk based on what they read.I had the opposite impression, but grant that the essence of an individual cannot be captured in the pages of a book.Many, many biographies have been written, yet, all fall short of completely describing the individual.Erik displayed unabashed love for his family, his wife, his friends, even his guide dog.He spent equal time describing his failures and his triumphs.He exposes his frailties by describing the trial and error involved in learning to effectively teach sighted children.He points out that the road to his successes were not his alone, but his, his family's, his wife's, his climbing partners', even his young students who were insightful and helpful when it came to his teaching.I especially liked that he described the antics, the pranks and the everyday 'slice of life' moments.I thouroughly enjoyed this book, so much that I can't imagine how anyone could NOT like it.But, there are all kinds people in this world and we all make it go 'round.I'd give it a perfect five, but it stops short of telling about climbing all seven summits.I'd prefer he'd waited until then to write his bio.

Soar to New Heights
I just finished reading the most wonderful book I have ever read.It's personal, it's a journey, it's an inspiration.And I don't even know how to make a tribute to the author.He seems like one of the more wonderful people in this world.The fact that he did what most of us couldn't is phenomenal; the fact that he enjoyed it is more. I was absorbed with this book from beginning to end.
Touch the Top of the World
I met Erik years ago and remember admiring his job.He was a blind man, on his own, teaching children.He cracked up over my high pitched voice.I could go on, but years later, we got in touch and I read his book.You see, this guy never complained or showed what he had been through.He was confident, independent...yet searching.
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Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Autobiography/Biography    2. Audiobooks    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Blind athletes    7. Mountaineering    8. Mountaineers    9. Physical Impairments    10. Specific Groups - Special Needs    11. Sports - General    12. United States   

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Her brother Sen. George Allen is a Vicious Bully
Haven't read this yet, but am getting it.This book isn't just about George Allen the football coach, but also about her brother George Allen the Republican senator.She details numerous examples of severe abuse by George Jr. against his siblings.Sen. Allen is being talked up as a Presidential hopeful, so I am reading this book to find out what a sick psychotic freak he really is (in addition to a notorious racist)
Appalling, but very Republican
"George Allen emerges as a self-centered man who chose to sacrifice a normal family life for the sake of his career"
The Personal Football Book
As an avid football fan, George Allen is one of the greatest NFL Coaches of all time.Throughout the book, Jennifer Allen describes they storybook life of an NFL coach from a footbal and personal perspective. George's rough-and-tough attitude made two winningless teams, the Los Angeles Rams and Washington Redskins, into champions.However, his personality as a coach effected his role as a father, which created tension between him and his children.As the his only daughter, Jennifer tries to win her father's affection as she struggles of being a product of an NFL coach and well-known celebrity. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1961-    2. Abridged Audio - Autobiography/Biography    3. Allen, Jennifer,    4. Audio - Autobiography / Biography    5. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    6. Audiobooks    7. Biography & Autobiography    8. Family    9. Family Relationships    10. Football coaches    11. Sports - Football    12. Sports - General    13. United States    14. Women    15. Biography & Autobiography / General   

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Medieval chivalry
This was an excellent book about a youth named Myles Falworth, the son of a wrongfully exiled blind Lord.The book is about Myles quest to restore his family's honor and safety.It follows well the customs of medieval England, emphasizing bravery and honor, courage and mercy.It is an inspiring tale, and few young readers would not be able to learn a thing or two about life from Myles.
Excellent Book!!
My children,ages 14, 10, and 8 really enjoyed this book. The main character,Myles, gets into all kinds of mischief. He makes the book fun. We used this book at the end of a homeschool Middle Ages unit study. I wish we would have used it in the beginning. This book, in my opinion, is the best by Howard Pyle.

Men of Iron- A story of knighthood and adventure
Men of Iron, by Howard Pyle, is the story of a young man of the early 1400's in England, whose character develops as he trains to become a knight. He shows that he is willing to make sacrifices for his principles of right and wrong and dedicates himself to regaining his father's good reputation. He also illustrates his religious character and trust in God. The hero in Men of Iron by Howard Pyle proves that a willingness to sacrifice and stand up for what is right will result in happiness.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography - Sports & Recreation    2. Children's Audio - 4-8    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Legends, Myths, & Fables - General   

Editorial Review

People around the world have found inspiration in the story of Lance Armstrong--a world-class athlete nearly struck down by cancer, only to recover and win the Tour de France, the multiday bicycle race famous for its grueling intensity. Armstrong is a thoroughgoing Texan jock, and the changes brought to his life by his illness are startling and powerful, but he's just not interested in wearing a hero suit. While his vocabulary is a bit on the he-man side (highest compliment to his wife: "she's a stud"), his actions will melt the most hard-bitten souls: a cancer foundation and benefit bike ride, his astonishing commitment to training that got him past countless hurdles, loyalty to the people and corporations that never gave up on him. There's serious medical detail here, which may not be for the faint of heart; from chemo to surgical procedures to his wife's in vitro fertilization, you won't be spared a single x-ray, IV drip, or unfortunate side effect. Athletes and coaches everywhere will benefit from the same extraordinary detail provided about his training sessions--every aching tendon, every rainy afternoon, and every small triumph during his long recovery is here in living color. Read more

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trash
we all know this story, but if you want to read a cocky, self absorbed version from lance's perspective pick this up. horribly written, some attempts are made at poeticism ("I keep riding, into the highest peering hills, up the pitch of a mountainside, where green leaves quiver in the cold sun") but overall i'd probably get more out of a 2 page summary of his life on wikipedia.

Inspirational!
Lance provides a lot of insight into his life, who he is, and how he became the greatest cyclist in the world in this book!This book covers his life from birth to the 2nd Tour de France win.The dedication he has to his job (cycling) is so impressive.A truly inspirational story....

Fantastic- One of the best books I have ever read
I must say that this is easily one of the best books I have ever read, and probably the most inspirational.It delves deep into the realms of the human spirit, against the worst of odds.Lance Armstrong isn't just the single greatest athlete of our generation, hes an American hero, and he beat cancer.Yes, he did not just survive, he defeated it, and proved it can be done.I have never had cancer, I have never fought against unbelieveble odds.This man has, and he tells his story in a remarkable, touching, and humane way.Fantastic Read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Autobiography/Biography    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. Audiobooks    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Cancer patients    7. Cycling - General    8. Cyclists    9. Diseases - Cancer    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Specific Groups - General    12. Sports - General    13. United States    14. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Editorial Review

In baseball and beyond, 1997 has been the year of Jackie Robinson, the 50th anniversary of his obliteration of the game's color line, and a time to reflect on a marvelous man whose heroism and decency cut far beyond the foul lines. Arnold Rampersad, a Princeton professor who's edited the poetry of Langston Hughes and the essays of Richard Wright, and collaborated with tennis great Arthur Ashe on his powerful memoir Read more

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Great thing to read!
It was a year of Fire and also the year of Grace for Jackie Robinson!! It is an amazing book to read about a great person who changed history and loves baseball!! It is more than just baseball and it has so many things to show that shaped Jackie's life so much. It is also spiritual and emotional book that leaves you to become a stronger person to make a great difference in the world.

Jackie Robinson
I really liked this book and normally I dont like reading. Ijust wanted to keep reading to see what was going to happen next. I think Jackie Robinson is a vary good romodel because no matter what, you should never give up. Because Jackie never gave up he ended up being one of the best baseball players to ever play the game. But most of all he broke the color code for all professional sports.

Terrific Read
This biography does an outstanding job of giving an overview of Robinson's life and times, from his early, awnry but talented years in Pasadena, through UCLA, then the military, and then the Brooklyn Dodgers and beyond.It paints a picture of a strong willed gentleman with enormous pride, dedicated to his family, and dedicated to the idea of racial integration and equality.The influences of his mother on his early, somewhat (understandably) confrontational character, that allowed him to ultimately be the individual who paired with Branch Rickey to integrate "America's Pastime" are clearly laid out.Read more

Subjects:  1. Afro-American baseball players    2. Audio - Autobiography / Biography    3. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    4. Audiobooks    5. Baseball - General    6. Baseball players    7. Biography    8. Historical - U.S.    9. People of Color    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Sports - Baseball    12. United States    13. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Editorial Review

As coach of the Green Bay Packers from 1959 to 1967, Vince Lombardi turned perennial losers into a juggernaut, winning back-to-back NFL titles in 1961 and 1962, and Superbowls I and II in 1966 and 1967. Stern, severe, sentimental, and paternal, he stood revered, reviled, respected, and mocked--a touchstone for the '60s all in one person. Which adds up to the myth we've been left with. But who was the man? That's the question Pulitzer Prize-winner David Maraniss tackles. It begins with Lombardi's looming father, a man as colorful as his son would be conservative. Still, from his father Vince Lombardi learned a sense of presence and authority that could impress itself with just a look. If a moment can sum up and embrace a man's life--and capture the breadth of Maraniss's thoroughness--it is one that takes place off the field when the Packers organization decides to redecorate their offices in advance of the new head coach's arrival: "During an earlier visit," Maraniss reports, "he had examined the quarters--peeling walls, creaky floor, old leather chairs with holes in them, discarded newspapers and magazines piled on chairs and in the corners--and pronounced the setting unworthy of a National Football League club. 'This is a disgrace!' he had remarked." In one moment, one comment, Lombardi announced his intentions, made his vision and professionalism clear, and began to shake up a stale organization. It reveals far more about the man than wins and losses, and is the kind of moment Maraniss uses again and again in this superb resurrection of a figure who so symbolized a sporting era and sensibility. Read more

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Reviews (132)

Thorough book about a fascinating life
I picked up this book by accident without really beliving I would read the whole thing.Once I got started, I could not put it down.There is much detail on the early life of Vince Lombardi and his family's background.Lombardi's education is well documented as well as how he basically accidentally ended up as a High School teacher and sports coach, which eventually would lead to his college and professional football coaching career. It gives you a good picture of a man who accomplished so much in such a short time as an NFL head coach, and became an American Icon along the way.Plus there is much detail about Lombardi's spiritual life.Along the way, you get a picture (slightly) of American race relations in the 1920's-60's as far as Lombardi was concerned.I enjoyed this read and it lead me to seek out other books about Lombard, however the only other one I have since gotten my hands on does not come close to this one.

Severly Long and Intricate
If you are in search of knowing every nook, crook, and cranny of Coach Lombardi's life from childhood on, then you have the right book.It is full of good things, but becomes rather monotonous and slow as it is a little too many intricacies about his life. The book turned into a very long read for me even though I am glad I read it.

Cluttered with pointless detail
There is a good book here. Unfortunately, it lies buried under layers of pointless detail. Do we really need to know the recipes for Lombardi's mother's meat pies? Do we really need to know the names and geographical backgrounds of all of Lombardi's fellow freshman recruits at Fordham? Or the complete lyrics of the school song the Lombardi-coached high school team sang to the nuns following a victory? Mannerisms, personality quirks, and pointless anecdotes of peripheral characters? Thorough research is a good thing, but a writer should choose the most telling details to use rather than simply dumping them all out for the reader to wade through. Still an interesting read, but the book could have used a good editor with a sharp red pencil. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Autobiography/Biography    2. Audio Adult: Other    3. Audiobooks    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Football - Professional    7. Football coaches    8. Sports - Football    9. Sports - General    10. United States    11. Biography & Autobiography / Sports   

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Branson reinvented!
It's hard to describe this read, but the best way is think of it as a nexus between a business lecture, a motivation speech and a thriller novel! Branson comes across as a sincere, open and up front kind of guy - the very same smiley guy you see in those outrageous newspaper photos!
Losing My Virginity
It was a great inspiration to me as an entrepneur, abeit not so successful.Nevetheless, I enjoyed it so much I have suggested tomany friends and employees that they read this one!His life has been a great adventure, a great inspiration to experience life to the fullest.Let every moment count.

truly inspirational
Warning: Don't get carried away by the title of this book, it is purely metaphoric.
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Subjects:  1. Biography/Autobiography    2. Biography: film, television & music    3. Biography: sport    4. Entrepreneurship    5. Postwar period, 1945 to c 2000    6. United Kingdom, Great Britain   

Editorial Review

Lou Gehrig started his professional baseball career at a time when players began to be seen as national celebrities. Though this suited charismatic men such as Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio, Gehrig avoided the spotlight and preferred to speak with his bat. Best known for playing in 2,130 consecutive games as well as his courage in battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (a disease that now bears his name), the Iron Horse that emerges from this book is surprisingly naïve and insecure. He would cry in the clubhouse after disappointing performances, was painfully shy around women (much to the amusement of some of his teammates), and particularly devoted to his German-immigrant mother all his life. Even after earning the league MVP award he still feared the Yankees would let him go. Against the advice of Ruth and others, he refused to negotiate aggressively and so earned less than he deserved for many seasons. Honest, humble, and notoriously frugal, his only vices were chewing gum and the occasional cigarette. And despite becoming one of the finest first basemen of all time, Jonathan Eig shows how Gehrig never seemed to conquer his self-doubt, only to manage it better. Read more

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A Gentlemanly Hero
Even though it's 70 years after Lou Gehrig ran the bases, Mr. Eig has crafted a masterpiece that brings this athlete to life before our eyes. We see his rise to stardom as a quiet hero, and we see his hearbreaking descent into the physical hell of ALS.Everyone knows how this book will end, but even so, the final act will leave you weeping.
I'm 14, so call me a kid if you want
This book was the best biography I have ever read. I absolutely hate the Yankees with all my heart, but this book makes you love the Yankees a little bit more. Eig gave a good balance of personal life and baseball life where he excelled in both. The only complaint I have is that the 2-3 chapters of ALS coverage was really boring. All the letters to read were a pain and I just wanted to get done with it, but don't be discouraged to read it because everything else is flawless.

Triple Crown Winner!
Having read a number of biographies about Lou Gehrig, I was looking forward to reading this one and I was not disappointed.Mr. Eig gives us insight into the childhood of Gehrig, along with the domineering role that his mother played in his life.As he begins his professional career, we are privy to the insecurity that he experienced, even in times of success.In addition, we see the conflicted Lou when he marries and it causes problems with his mother. Finally we watch as A.L.S. chokes the life out of a strong and courageous man.This in an awesome and insightful work. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Autobiography/Biography    2. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis    3. Audiobooks    4. Baseball - History    5. Baseball players    6. Biography    7. Biography & Autobiography    8. Biography/Autobiography    9. Patients    10. Sports - Baseball    11. Sports - General    12. United States    13. Biography & Autobiography / Sports   

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Despite losing, Conroy scores
Although I'm not a basketball player or even a sports fan, I couldn't put this book down. The book is really about the coming of age of a young man, as seen through the experience of an intense basketball season at a military academy. The writing is full of wonderful metaphors, and smooth and easy to read. The emotional journey--like other Conroy books--is intense. The difference here is that the experience is so real. He's describing real people, and the narrator is Conroy himself. The depiction of what goes on at The Citadel may shock you with its brutality. Its amazing that Conroy can recreate his senior year in college so clearly thirty years later. Thoroughly enjoyable. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Abridged Audio - Autobiography/Biography    3. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    4. Basketball players    5. Biography    6. Biography & Autobiography    7. Charleston    8. College sports    9. Literary    10. Novelists, American    11. Personal Memoirs    12. South Carolina    13. Sports - Basketball    14. Biography & Autobiography / Literary