A Good Man: The Pete Newell Story [Hardcover]

Bruce Jenkins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 18, 1999 | Series: Pete Newell Stories

A Good Man takes you back to the smoky haze of Madison Square Garden in the 1950s, when college basketball was king. It transports you to a dead-quiet high school gym in Hawaii, where Shaquille O'Neal is quietly listening to a legend. The Pete Newell story, told with great detail and affection by Bruce Jenkins, is a portrayal of a great man who just happens to be a basketball lifer. It is about a coach from a much simpler time, whose wisdom is as contemporary as it is old. Get to know Pete Newell. He truly has had an amazing life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I know Bruce's work, and I know Pete's contribution to the game. The combination is irresistible. The chapter analyzing Pete and John Wooden is particularly compelling. Every fan of hoops and hoops history should get this book."
-Jack McCallum, Sports Illustrated

"Enlightening and entertaining on every page. Pete Newell is living history. He has a wonderful basketball mind, and his story has been told by a wonderful writer."
-Dan McGrath, Chicago Tribune

"Pete Newell is one of the most underrated coaches and people in the history of basketball. Bruce Jenkins' book is stylish and charming and fun--much like the man himself."
-John Feinstein

"Pete Newell is a basketball treasure, the game's guru, and he is needed now more than ever to educate a fundamentally deficient generation of basketball players. Bruce Jenkins has captured the man and the coach perfectly."
-Dave Newhouse, Oakland Tribune

"Jenkins' book is an insightful look at one of the game's most renowned coaches, along with his late wife, Florence, a most remarkable woman."
-Mai Florence, Los Angeles Times

"James Naismith invented basketball. He did so in order that Pete Newell would come along a few years later to perfect it. Newell operates what is called a "Big Man's Camp" each year, but the biggest man of all runs it. Count me among the embarrassed legions who only now realize that the greatest unwritten story in basketball was Pete Newell's. Thanks to Bruce Jenkins, it's unwritten no longer."
-Bob Ryan, Boston Globe

About the Author

Bruce Jenkins is an award-winning sports columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, covering the World Series, Wimbledon, the NBA finals and other major events on the sports calendar, while still making time to travel to the North shore of Hawaii once a year, on a surfing trip.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 335 pages
• Publisher: Frog Books (November 18, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583940022
• ISBN-13: 978-1583940020
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,414,328 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for Basketball fans, December 26, 1999

By 

Edwin Nakamura (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Good Man: The Pete Newell Story (Hardcover)

Excellent book on the history of Pete Newell, with many stories contributed by former players, friends, and family.

Pete contributed some of his theories of basketball, and his approach to the game. It's a must read for all Old Blues, and anyone else who is interested in the development of today's game.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Biased yet thoroughly enjoyable, June 1, 2000

By 

Lynn Shackelford (Moorpark, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Good Man: The Pete Newell Story (Hardcover)

First, I must confess I know Pete Newell and family. One normally expects an author to explore the pros and cons of a man. But this book is biased in exploring Pete Newell's life and his coaching. Anyone who explores Pete Newell could only write in this fashion. I have never found anyone who had a problem dealing with Pete and the book in my opinion is accurate and truthful. Thank you Mr. Jenkins for documenting one of the best and most popular basketball minds ever. Pete has a saying in basketball, you are either a giver or taker. Pete in life, has been a big giver. I will always cherish that part of my life which included Pete and Florence Newell. This from someone who is not easily impressed. I played at UCLA for John Wooden.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For any coach, January 30, 2002

By 

"[e-mail]" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Good Man: The Pete Newell Story (Hardcover)

As a former Pete Newell, Jr. player, I eagerly anticipated the printing of this book. I had heard plenty about his father that I knew he was not only a "Good Man," but a great man as well. Coach Newell, Jr. was my inspiration to join the coaching ranks, and still is. However, knowing your past helps you know your future. This book sheds light on, who I biasly feel is the greatest college basketball mind. In all the research and studying I've done over the years to prepare myself for coaching, I feel this book has given me so much more than what I have read to date. The book is enlightening, philosophical, saddening and amazingly funny. I recommend this for any college basketball fan or basketball coach. You won't regret it.