Customer Reviews

A Game of Character: A Family Journey from Chicago's Southside to the Ivy League and Beyond

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Trauma, desperation, abuse, and a number of other negative factors sell memoirs. In this book you will find none of that. You will also not find much about the famous or celebrated people Craig Robinson knows as there is little name dropping here except for his pride in his family members. This is a book about family values, a strong foundation for future success, and uses basketball as a metaphor for the choices Robinson has made in life.
Why did I like this book? The themes involved here are ones that I believe in as a parent. Obviously, not everyone is as ultimately successful in that area as Fraser and Marian Robinson were, but even a little of their common sense approach and spirituality will result in positives. Robinson wasn't overtly wordy expounding on details of his early life, but the general theme was responsibility and respect. The Robinsons were hands on parents and their kids managed to excel in ways that seem incredible to most people. There was a huge amount of wealth in this family, but it had nothing to do with the material. As for Craig Robinson himself, his story was one of success and staying in the game. A former basketball star, investment banker, and now head coach, his is a remarkable story. While I found his insites and comments about his better known relatives interesting and humanizing, this book stands by itself as it chronicles a life that is somewhat removed from that of presumably most of his readers but easy to relate to.
There wasn't anything I disliked in this book. Robinson was divorced from his first wife who was the mother of his two older children. He was respectful of her and he speaks lovingly of all his children, his current wife, and family. He is seemingly a very positive person and that seems to fit perfectly with his life choice to coach college basketball. It took a lot to follow his destiny and ultimately do what gave him real joy. While I am well aware that a good college coach can make a decent living, investment banking is very lucrative. It took a lot for Robinson to make a choice in favor of coaching and this book reflects that.

When this book arrived my first thought wasn't about Robinson being the brother-in-law of President Obama, but was more about his wonderfully life affirming personal story. Aside from his star turn at the Democratic National Convention back in 2008 Robinson has largely stayed out of the spotlight, busily keeping busy with his career and life. There were times reading the book I kept forgetting his White House connections as the book isn't really so much about that as the story of his parents, their family, and his life. It's nice to read a truly inspirational story about somebody getting ahead in life through old fashioned determination, getting good grades and working hard and that is certain the story of the Robinson family. In an age where so many people find inspiration in the wrong places (musicians, athletes, actors, etc.) it's nice to see a book that covers people who do move from working class origins to a much better place in life. More importantly Robinson seems like a genuinely nice guy and certainly somebody to emulate and look up to. Don't be surprised if you see him out on the motivational speakers circuit, because this is a story you'll want to hear more about!

This book is the inspiring story of Michelle Obama's brother who is well known in his own right as a college basketball coach. The values he was raised with needs to be passed on to young people and adults these days. I hope a version comes out for young teen. You can tell from the chapter headings that there is a lot of good advice contained in this fast read:
Part I: The Fundamentals
1. Meet the Home Team
2. Robinson Family Values: Love, Discipline, Respect
3. Know Who You are and Live Your Life with Conviction
4, Be Relentless: You have to Win to Stay on the Court
5. Don't Be Afraid to Be Smart and Cool
6. The Correct Choice May Not Be the Right Choice
Part II: On the Road
7. From the Southside of Chicago to Princeton
8. Learn the Game, Not Just Your Position
9. Luck is Just Another Word for Hard Work
10. Character is Shaped by Choices Made Very Step of the Way
11. Expect the Best but Prepare for the Unexpected.
Part III: A New Season
12. Building a Strong Family is like Building a Strong Team
13. A Strategy for Change Starts with the Belief that You can Win
14. Playing a new Position
15. Be Relentless: You Have to Win to Stay on the Court (Reprise)
Part IV: Full-Court Press
16. What Would Fraser Robinson Say?
17. Harnessing Energy, Seizing Momentum
18. The Character of a Nation

Postgame: We All Have a Window of Opporunity

Craig Robinson went from living in the projects of Chicago, to graduating from Princeton University, to vice president at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, to coaching Ivy League and Division 1 basketball teams. Along the way, he used the lessons and values instilled in him by his parents, Fraser and Marian Robinson, to work hard, be relentless and persevere.

In A Game of Character, Robinson shares many stories from his youth, including numerous examples of how his parents taught he and his sister, Michelle Robinson Obama, important character traits. He also shows many ways in which the game of basketball can build and expose a person's character. Does a player know when to pass the ball or does he always take the shot himself? Can a player take a risk when an opportunity presents itself, or does he always do the "right," safe move? Although I'm not a fan of basketball, it was an interesting way to examine a person's character.

In addition to his youth, Robinson also shares how he made it to, and through, Princeton University. And why he made choices later in his life that were grounded in those early lessons learned from his parents and his coaches. A Game of Character is an inspirational tale that gave me many ideas as a parent on how to instill the importance of hard work and determination into my children. I think the book has a lot to offer parents, basketball fans and players, and of course, those who want to get a glimpse into the First Lady's childhood as well. After all, Michelle Obama grew up in the same household as Robinson, and many of his early stories feature his sister as well.

From start to finish Craig Robinson provides a heart warming, inspirational narrative of his family's experience and the lessons to be learned from a warm and caring home led by loving and determined parents. Written in a straightforward conversational style, the book shares Craig Robinson's family and life experiences through his eyes. Readers soon find themselves part of the wonderful Robinson family and at the book's end turn the last page hoping for more.

I truly enjoyed reading how Mr. Robinson and his sister, the First Lady, grew up. The games, the teasing, the love make it relatable to almost every one as it is a story of loving parents who do the best they can as a team.

I could just picture the story of little Sasha at his wedding. It had me rolling and brought back memories of when I grew up. So did the liver story.

The other things I love about the book are his passion for basketball that is clear throughout, the way he handles challenges and the great sense of humor that the whole family seem to share.

I already recommended this book to a friend of mine in Holland who also loves basketball with a passion, is also a coach, and just won another championship.

I gave sent this book to my mother for Mother's Day. She is an avid reader and truly enjoyed Craig's sharing of his life, growing up with Michelle and the great lessons taught by his parents.

I had high hopes for this book. From everything I had read, this man was very disciplined, very smart, very talented, and had a sound marriage and sound judgement. His autobiography, for me, anyway, was too upbeat and glib.

Book review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.


If you're just looking for a book of inspiration -- searching for love, seeking discipline, establishing respect, living with conviction, being relentless, revealing passion -- this would be a good choice.


If the book you want to read would be one about parental influence -- that is, how parents can positively affect one's life, and the imprint parents can leave on their children and their children's values -- this would be a good choice.


If, instead, you want a book about character -- how a single person with strong motivation and unbelievable conviction -- not only can influence others, but in special, well-orchestrated ways does influence those around him -- this would be a good choice.


This is a well-written book in which Robinson derives important lessons from the way he was raised, the influences of both his parents, and the various guides and suggestions from his environment (teachers, professors, other coaches, co-players, kids he coached, and mentors) that he shares with his readers.


However, if you want a book that gives insight into the character of both Michelle Obama or Barack Obama, then this becomes an even more enjoyable and insightful choice. For example, I found fascinating the way Craig and his sister, Michelle, went about vetting Barack -- determining whether or not he would be a suitable suitor. The insights Craig derived from the way Barack played a "pick-up" basketball game were both delightful and telling.


It was great fun reading about how Michelle (Craig calls her Miche) LaVaughn Robinson met Barack (while he was interning at the Sidley Austin law firm in Chicago). Craig writes of Miche's interest: "But before that evening when we first met him, apparently Barack almost blew it by asking her out that first summer when he worked for her as an intern. Big mistake! When I heard about that, I had little hope for the guy. Michelle turned him down, adamantly. While I didn't get the transcript of what she said, I can assure you that when my sister is adamant about something, there is no negotiating to follow" (p. 149). There is much more on this, but this gives you an idea of how much insight and information Craig shares -- and how he uses examples from his life to draw lessons. In this case it was how the types of choices we make reveal character.


It was even more fun reading about Sasha as the flower-girl at Craig's wedding, how she was coached, and then how she performed -- dropping one petal at a time "with thoughtful strategy and purpose" (p. 184). Delightful stuff.


How Michelle delivered the "best-man toast" at the reception was also insightful. When she became choked-up, Barack "rose from his seat and went to stand next to her," and how "I [Craig] went to stand on the other side of my sister--but I was more emotional than the two of them. And by the time Michelle was done, everybody in the place was crying like a baby" (p. 186).


The way Barack introduced the idea of running for the presidency, how he bounced the idea off Craig, and how Barack "asked if I [Craig] minded talking to Michelle about how this window of opportunity might not ever be available again . . ." (p. 189), is truly fascinating history. What Craig experienced emotionally before confronting Miche and his mother about Barack's intentions was interesting, and how he prepared for both meetings was eye-opening to say the least (pp. 189-192).


Craig offers insider information about the planning and running of the campaign for the presidency and the role he was asked and came to play in the campaign. He talks about the importance that the interactive Web site played in the campaign and how "the game plan developed by Barack with his closest strategists (David Axelrod and David Plouffe) hinged on changing the game of politics as usual" (p. 198). There is no one else who can provide these insights, observations, and responses. What the Obama campaign asked of Craig Robinson was really "above his pay grade," but how he responded, prepared, and delivered is information you will not find elsewhere.


I thought what Craig writes about the campaign's response to the "out-and-out-lies being reported as fact" was exceptional information: "Indeed, Barack, Michelle, and all of the Obama fr President staff would stay up above the fray and not get into the mud-slinging. In the general election, that quality of character -- keeping your cool and having the right temperament -- would help win the day. Barack's natural ability to remain calm and focused on the problem at hand -- `No Drama Obama' -- thus made him the leader that America needed at a time of grave uncertainties. It's one of his attributes that continues to amaze me [Craig], and I know him pretty well" (p. 209).


Sure, the book is about Craig, about basketball, and about character, but this book is amazing on a number of different levels. At just 256 pages, it is well worth the read!

IT WAS O.K.....IT WAS PASSED ON. ACTUALLY WISH I HAD TAKEN IT OUT
AT LIBRARY. NOTHING I WOULD WANT TO SAVE IN MY LIBRARY. BUT
INTERESTING.