~ Coach Wooden's Forgotten Teams - Revell Reads ~

~ WEDNESDAY NON-FICTION FEATURE ~

-- 'COACH WOODEN'S FORGOTTEN TEAMS' --

Stories and Lessons from John Wooden's 

Summer Basketball Camps

Written by Pat Williams with Jim Denney

Foreward by Nan Wooden

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Rediscover the man, the coach, and the legend you thought you knew

Legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden is known for his record-breaking run of NCAA championships and for working with some of the best players in the sport. His principles for success have been used by not only coaches and athletes but also entrepreneurs and leaders of all kinds. But his reach stretches even farther than most people know--into the hearts and lives of the people who learned the game of basketball on one of Coach Wooden's forgotten teams.

For nearly twenty years, John Wooden ran scores of summer youth basketball camps, imparting wisdom and teaching skills to thousands of boys and girls between the ages of eight and fifteen. Most would not grow up to play professional or even college ball, but all of them found their lives changed by their interaction with the greatest coach who ever lived. In those camps, Coach Wooden also impacted hundreds of camp counselors and assistant coaches.

This one-of-a-kind book shares their inspiring stories, along with six fundamental lessons from Coach Wooden for a life of success and unforgettable impact on others.

ENDORSEMENTS:

"Pat uncovers new insights into my father's life--his values, his faith, his intensely competitive spirit, and his serving heart."--Nan Wooden

"Pat Williams captures not only the greatness but the goodness of John Wooden. Other than my own father, Coach Wooden is the greatest man I've ever known."--Dick Enberg, sportscaster, winner of multiple Hall of Fame and Emmy awards

"Pat Williams's great new book, Coach Wooden's Forgotten Teams, brings it all back--the fun, the excitement, and the joy of playing basketball under the instruction of Coach John Wooden himself!"--Ann Meyers Drysdale

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Pat Williams is senior vice president of the NBA's Orlando Magic. He has more than 50 years of professional sports experience, has written more than 100 books, including the popular Coach Wooden, Coach Wooden's Greatest Secret, and The Success Intersection, and is one of America's most sought-after motivational speakers. He lives in Florida. Find out more at www.patwilliams.com.
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Jim Denney is a writer with more than 100 books to his credit. His collaborative titles include numerous books with Pat Williams, including Coach Wooden, Coach Wooden's Greatest Secret, and The Success Intersection. Find out more at www.writinginoverdrive.com.

LINK TO EXCERPT--COURTESY OF THE PUBLISHER

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MY REVIEW:
I chose this book for review when it became available through the Revell Reads blogger program because I have watched John Wooden's PBS television show on his 'Pyramid of Success'. I enjoyed the show especially because of Coach Wooden's kind, heartwarming, folksy wisdom; and I wanted to read this book to learn more about his impact on youth basketball players.

This book was well-researched and was sprinkled with quotations from Coach Wooden, anecdotes from his UCLA players/summer campers/summer camp coaches/friends/family, and biographical information about this unique individual. This biographical information is included mostly in Chapter Eight, and I wish it would have been moved up to the beginning of the book so I would have known more about his background when I was reading about his various jobs and championships.

Throughout the book men and women shared examples of how Coach Wooden's fundamentals about life had a positive influence on their lives. Moreover, they gave concrete examples of how his teachings affected their lives outside of the basketball court. Many mentioned Coach Wooden had impacted their lives as husbands/wives, fathers/mothers, teachers, coaches, and citizens in general. 

The coach's simple teachings have had a ripple effect because his players and campers have gone on to teach their players and campers how to be high-quality contributing members of society, and so his influence lives on and on. What a legacy John Wooden left to this world.

Two of my favorite pieces of wisdom garnered from Coach Wooden's teachings are to 'always do the best of which I am capable'.  The other is to make it a practice to show kindness to, or do a good deed for, someone each day without the expectation of being repaid in any way. 

**Interesting fact:  John Wooden lived to be almost 100 years old. Born:  10/14/1910. Died:  6/4/2010. 
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I highly recommend this book for fans of Christian non-fiction, sports fans, men and women seeking to learn and grow in their own lives, and for individuals who seek to learn more about this fascinating man.

Disclosure from blogger: I received a hardcover copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review to be posted on my blog and on retailer sites and Goodreads. I received no compensation for my review or posts here or on any other site.

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COMING UP SOON ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC':

-- Friday, May 11th: Friday Fiction Feature on 'The Spirit of Christmas'. Post includes a Book Spotlight and Snippet. Hosted by SLB Tours.

-- Saturday, May 12th: Cover Reveal for 'The Whispering Winds of Spring'. Hosted by SLB Tours.

-- Monday, May 14th: For my Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday post this week I will be welcoming children's author C. Lee McKenzie for an interview about her career as an author. Post will include a book spotlight and a print copy giveaway {US Only; sponsored by the publisher} of her upcoming middle-grade release, 'Some Very Messy Midieval Magic'.

-- Tuesday, May 15th: Blog Tour Stop for Author Shawn Pollock's historical World War II novel, 'The Road to Freedom'. This stop will include a fun list of ten little-known facts about the book created especially for 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic' by the author.

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