Customer Reviews

The Gifts of Jimmy V: A Coach's Legacy

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I literally couldn't put this book down. Upon receiving this book as a Christmas gift from my wife (who has endured my fascination with Jimmy V for years) I read the book within a day of opening the front cover. As a student at NCSU during the last year of his tenure I was touched by his gifts. This book shows the human side of Jimmy and his relationships with his family, players, fellow coaches, sportswriters. You will find yourself laughing outloud and moved at the same time. The book gives an informative look into the truth behind all of the myths surrounding his departure from N.C. State. This is truly a motivational book which provides an insightful look to the life of coach Jimmy V.

Jim Valvano is best remembered for two things--running around the court after NC State won the 1983 National Championship, and for the emotional ESPY speech he made, where he urged everyone "Don't Give Up--Don't Ever Give Up." This book goes beyond that to tell amusing and often touching stories of Valvano's life through the eyes of those who knew him best, starting with his brother Bob who author's the book. Bob has a radio show on ESPN Radio that is pretty funny (I have heard it late at night while driving mostly), and he tells some funny stories in this book. The book is a biography of Jim Valvano, but VERY liberally spiced with stories all throughout.
It covers Valvano's firing at NC State, and raises interesting issues about it. Bob adored his brother, and makes no secret about that, but it serves him well here when talking about Jim's very courageous fight with cancer. Those chapters are often very moving.
It is a very quick read. Includes the entire text from the ESPY speech, and some columns from writers Tony Kornheiser, John Feinstein and Mike Lupica in an appendix.
I thought it was funny and moving, and really enjoyed it. It is not really a "basketball" book, and not really a biography...it is like Bob Valvano has just decided to chat with you and tell you about his brother. It helps that Jim was a very interesting guy...if you know who he was you'll enjoy it, and if you didn't you will probably get to know him and admire him, as I did!

I was very pleased with this book and the condition it arrived in. As a used book, it was categorized to be in very good condition and it definitely was. As the seller indicated, the outside cover showed some slight "rubbing" but other than that it was like new. The price was excellent and I will purchase from this seller again! Thank You!

I am an avid college basketball fan and love the basketball talent and coaches of "Tobacco Road". I vividly remember with Jimmy V won the NCAA tournament that year and watched on television.
Great information in the book about Jimmy V that I was not aware of much of the information that was shared in the book.
I would recommend this book to any basketball junkie, it's great!

I loved this book! The NC State run up to the National Title occurred while my father was battling the same cancer that took Jimmy V. Valvano's illness and his famous speech all occurred shortly after my dad (also a Rutgers grad) passed. This book raced me back to the 1980s - it made me laugh out loud, and cry. He was obviously a great guy who was loved by his teammates, players and colleagues in the coaching world. I'm sure they too laughed and cried with Jimmy V.

While reading the Gifts of Jimmy V, I found myself laughing out loud while imagining the plots told by his brothers, coaches, and friends. Although I was too young to remember the Championship win at NC State, I do recall his ESPN days. I always thought he was a nut, and thought it was a shame that cancer took him away in such a tragic way. The book was great, and if you are like me and don't have time to read novels, it's a good short book that gives you a different look at life and how you should live it.