Customer Reviews

Knight: My Story

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I truly believe there is only one way to judge a college basketball coach. League titles, NCAA appearances, total wins, Final Fours and National Championships are the norm in measuring success. And, of course, prowess in these areas will secure the legacy of anyone. However, the way I quantify coaching greatness is much more important than wins and losses. It's something you can't tangibly gauge. Simply stated, it's the relationships he or she cultivates with players. And the loyalty they show after they graduate.

Even his staunchest critics can not deny that Bob Knight is a Hall of Famer in this category.

In "Knight: My Story" Bob Knight writes about the relationships he has developed throughout the years with his former players. One needs to look no further than Landon Turner to realize why the ones he coached are tenacious Bob Knight supporters.

Landon Turner played on Knight's 1981 championship team. Tragically, shortly after, Turner was paralyzed for life in a vehicle accident. Through the efforts of Knight, Red Auerbach selected Landon Turner in the late rounds of the NBA draft. A simple gesture which, Turner says, meant the world to him.

The book is a window into the philosophies of a man who through the yelling, screaming, so called intimidation, language, and perceived sour demeanor, somehow has found the greatest allies in his former players.

Some of Knight's pundits clearly know absolutely nothing about how to coach a basketball team; how to lead young men through a season of intense pressure and adversity. And, they are obviously not bright enough to understand that basketball is a metaphor for life. Knight is preparing boys for manhood. Do you think anyone of them (who gets it) make excuses when their boss asks them do accomplish a task? I think not.

Knight is not a coach of basketball, he's a teacher of life.

You need to look no further than his "eight greatest words", which appear in the first sentence of his book, "America, America, God shed His grace on thee", to realize how deep his character flows.

I've been anticipating book since I was 15 years old. It was worth the wait.

Bob Knight is a complex man. The media portrays him in one primary light. We all have formed opinions of the man based upon whatever the media spews and we're at their mercy to provide unbiased facts. We also know that isn't always the case.

I'm not writing to state that the words in Bob Knight's book are all true. What I am writing is that they seem to be his words. It's as if he were speaking to you directly. There are some clever stories in the book that demonstrate how the man thinks and feels and what he believes in. He certainly does entertain whether through his coaching prowess or in his dialogue. He's not flawless by any means, but as a reader who has enjoyed reading Jesse Ventura's books on his take, I would recommend this to be a good read if you want to learn more about Bob Knight's side of the story. He may be biased in it, and rightfully so because it's his voice. He finally gets a chance to have his opinion out in the public as the media rarely cares about his version. After reading this, you may change your opinion on the man and understand that he too is a mere mortal man. He just happens to be thrust into the limelight.

It's a fun read at most times. There are some passages where he defends himself that seems skeptical to me. However, I take everything I read with a grain of salt. Any sports enthusiast, or those who appreciate psychology, will likely enjoy the words he's been wanting to get out since the 40's. Those who are easily duped by everything the press spews might not enjoy the book. This isn't the finest prose I've ever read, but it is certainly entertaining and worth the money!

Let's get my bias out of the way first: I like Coach Knight. While he has lost his temper at times, he is an honest person and a fine teacher of college men. The vast majority of players who have played for him claim that they are better people because of him and I believe them.

That being said, I can't get quite excited about this book as I can regarding Texas Tech's chances in the upcoming basketball season. While this book is full of many interesting anecdotes and stories, it lacks organization. This is especially true as you near the end of the book. Instead of following an outline or logical flow, the book jumps from issue to issue and story without logical transitions.

Overall, I would recommend it to people who are big Bobby Knight fans except that I would be surprised if there is anything in the book that would be all the surprising to a big fan. What I enjoyed was when he would share his opinions of other sports stars and coaches and even his opinions of political leaders. For example we learn of his friendship with Ted Williams and hunting trips with President Bush and Stormin' Norman but that comes mixed between some other topics that aren't as compelling.

There have been other books written about Knight such as Feinstein's that might not be as flattering but might be more compelling to read. I would recommend reading this book and one of the others and comparing them. It would make for an interesting contrast.

In short, I'll be rooting for the Coach again this season, but it won't be beacuse of anything that I read about it in this book.

Whether you love him, hate him, or are neutral toward him (I'm in the last category), Bob Knight's book is a fascinating glimpse at his personality, his Indiana basketball teams, and college basketball in general. For Indiana basketball fans (I'm an ACC fan) and college basketball fans in general (a category I fit into), this is a must read. Knight gives a lot of detail about his Indiana teams, especially those that won national championships, and discusses his point of view on the state of college basketball today.

There are really two main topics that run throughout the book - and that is Indiana basketball and the controversies that have surrounded Knight - mostly because of his volatile temper. From a basketball standpoint this is really a great inside look at the college game and the Hoosiers. Knight's detestation of losing and lack of effort are part of what gets him into trouble because he is clearly a disciplinarian and expects a lot from his players and others involved in the program. On the other hand that is also why his teams traditionally have been over achievers. In my opinion, his success in college basketball has been mostly because of his coaching talent and getting his teams to play like a team instead of selfishly.

Even though in some ways Knight claims, and I think in a lot ways rightfully so, that a lot of controversies about his temper and clashes with players, officials, or others is a result of his reputation and are undeserved. Frankly, I do believe him on this account. And he does seem contrite about some incidents that are clearly his own fault where he's lost his temper. Some may argue that he is not apologetic enough or doesn't face his own faults in some of the controversies and I can't disagree with that either. On these issues the reader will have to decide what to believe.

But either way, this is highly readable and very interesting.

If you're a Knight fan, you will love this book. If you're not, you're likely to hate it. Coach Knight recounts many of the incidents that have made him one of the polarizing figures in sports. Find out what really happened in his final seasons at IU. Laugh heartily at his tales of run-ins with non-fans from New Orleans to Puerto Rico. Observe his relationships with colleagues (Parcells, Larusa, Woody Hayes), players (Jordan, Thomas, Alford, Cheney), and friends (Ted Williams, Dick Vitale). Best of all, appreciate how he uses basketball as a vehicle for teaching character.

My only disappointment was his neglect of the reported friction between him and some of his former players (who I also admire) like Alford and Krzyzewski. I wish he would have explained or dismissed the media's fixation on these supposed grievances. Instead, he ignores it.

If you are disgusted by the deluge of recent negative stories from the sports page, then read this and be confident that at least one man requires his players study, behave, and play hard.

In "Knight: My Story", coach Knight lets us all into his world.
This autobiographical view takes the reader on a trip from Knight's high school days in Orrville, OH, all the way to the start of his first season at Texas Tech. Those familar with "The General" will no doubt be impressed that "he tells it like it is" as easily in the written form as he does with the spoken word. There's no question that this is Knight's book!

Basketball coaches will appreciate the snippets that Knight provides of "his" approach to basketball. While, not an "X's and O's" kind of book, there's plenty of basketball talk found here! Knight philosophical view of the game (and competition itself) really jumps off the pages of the book.

There are copious amounts of "name-dropping" throughout the book, which I think shows the "small-town boy" that's still present in Knight's being. Anecdotes about big-time celebs such Ted Williams, Howard Cosell, Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, and Presidents Ford and Bush are prominently discussed, just to name a very few. The index of the book is impressive if, for no only reason, then for the sheer number of major "players" that are displayed.

All in all, this is a very enjoyable and quick read. Knight pulls no punches in discribing his firing from Indiana. For Hoosier fans, some of it will be gut-wrenching! Highly recommended for all basketball fans, but especially those from the Hoosier state!

Full disclosure. I am an Indiana University alumnus, a big fan of both college basketball and Indiana hoops and a Bob Knight supporter. If you fit these categories, I think you will enjoy Knight's new book. However, this is hardly an unbiased opinion. Let me try something else.

There are two undeniable facts about Bob Knight: first, he has spent a lifetime in college basketball; and, two, he reached EVERY pinnacle available in college/amateur basketball. These two facts alone make for some interesting storytelling, and that is what you get with Knight's new book. He is a very intelligent and humorous individual, and, obviously, highly volatile. Bring all these elements together in a book and you get an in-depth, enjoyable and informative look at college basketball as only Bob Knight could tell it. Certainly, all the criticisms of this book ring correct. Coach Knight gloats over his friends and supporters, and quickly dismisses his critics and detractors. That is human nature, but certainly not a reason to avoid the book.

Is Bob Knight perfect? No way, and he is the first to admit it. Knight even goes as far as saying he can be his own worst enemy. He admits, at times, he doesn't know when to close his mouth. He even acknowledges mistakes along the way - personally and professionally. More importantly, however, Coach Knight also takes readers inside a gold medal-winning Olympic team and three NCAA national championship teams. He shows an unfailing commitment and devotion to his players and their families. He shows what it means to run a clean basketball program that graduates its players. Finally, his passion for coaching and for the game of basketball comes across in every page.

If you are a staunch critic of Bob Knight, this book will not change your opinion. However, if one gives the man a chance to address some of those criticisms, as well as a chance to talk about his experiences in the game, you might find a new perspective, or, at least, enjoy the book.

If you're a true Knight-o-phile, you absolutely must read this book. If you're a somewhat disinterested observer who enjoyed "Season on the Brink", let me caution you: this may not be the best book for you. This book is really a collection of anecdotes and homages to various friends (coaching mentors Clair Bee, Pete Newell, Henry Iba, Fred Taylor, Red Auerbach and others play prominent roles). Told in a voice that is sometimes self-deprecating and other times a bit holier-than-thou, Knight is generally entertaining, humorous and extremely intelligent.

If you've following RMK's career closely, you will likely enjoy his inside stories. Even more entertaining is a game you can play while reading the book: based upon how he describes acquaintances, figuring out who is still on his good side (they'll be mentioned in glowing terms)... and who is persona non grata (they won't be mentioned at all - or dissed in a short paragraph). Basketball's greatest tactician is easy to read in this regard: he wears his feelings on his sleeve, at least as it pertains to friendships and loyalties.

If you're looking for a 'Season on the Brink' (the book, not the lame movie effort) followup, this is not it. You'd be better off reading Alford's 'Playing for Knight'. Instead, RMK describes the rich legacy of coaching that Iba, Newell, Bee and others left him. His friends, both famous and obscure, are credited here - Ted Williams and Bill Parcells are two notables that left lasting impressions. Just be aware that the the book is a lengthy chronicle of his background, feelings and relationships... the entertainment value of which is not necessarily high, but informative and interesting nonetheless.

From a basketball standpoint, Knight's career is amazing -- from playing as a reserve on a national championship team, to coaching at West Point, helping build the Indiana University program to a national power, and coaching the Olympic team, it's easy to lose sight of the fact that he's had a remarkable career.

People want to dwell on the controversies -- but let's face it, no one wants to be judged entirely by what they've done wrong. Especially in one's autobiography. He makes comments about things that he'd wished he handled differently and answers questions about controversies openly. While he may not address some incidents to some people's satisfaction and may not provide as many mea culpas to some of his critics' likings -- he doesn't ignore the issues either.

As a coach, he's probably not too different but other coaches -- but the media chooses to focus on his indiscretions. Maybe, as one fellow reviewer pointed out, he is overexposed -- but this is more the fault of restless media than any effort of Knight's to court attention. There are numerous coaches who sign players who have no business being in college and have no chance of ever graduating who are far more exploitive of college basketball than Knight could ever be, but the media chooses to pay them scant attention. Not surprisingly, Knight takes issue with a sector of the media. His objections are valid, but it's nothing that he dwells on.

In any sports autobiography, there are three key questions: does the person's career have enough length and accomplishment to cover a wide range of events and people, does the author tackle difficult subjects with a degree of evenhandedness, and can the author avoid turning the book into a long, vindictive diatribe.

Knight My Story is successful on all three counts. While he's critical of the Indiana administration for its handling of his dismissal, he never becomes vicious. It's important to consider this book relative to other books within its genre (autobiography, basketball) and not simply whether or not one thinks Knight should have told Jim Nantz whether or not he called his former players prior to the Final Four.

All autobiographies are open to interpretation. More definitive readings of history happen down the line -- should the topic be worthy of a more detailed study. For any fan of college basketball, or for anyone who's interested in taking an open-minded approach to Bob Knight, this is very worthwhile reading.

I moved to Indiana near the end of Bob Knight's reign as the Head Coach at Indiana University. I was fascinated by the intensity and loyalty that the IU fans showed toward their coach and team. I personally have always appreciated Bob Knight as a coach, though I may not have always agreed with his antics. I do believe that college athletes need a coach who will teach discipline. His autobiography gives you an inside look at his life and perhaps a better understanding of how the coach really is. He definitely tells it as it is and does not pull any punches in this book. One of the strong points of this book is the emphasis the coach puts on in his coaching philosophies and his past accomplishments. You begin to understand, through the detailed recollections of important games, why the coach is revered by so many. He seems to take you there and let you know what was going through his mind and how he handled the situations. Also, the coach briefly addresses many of the "situations" he has been in over the years. Although they are his side of the story, you get the story as Coach Knight saw it, not how the media reported it. I thought it was particularly interesting when he discussed his firing from IU. He firmly believes that the school was out to get him, and for a brief moment, you may begin to believe him. I know that the media sure gave it a lot of attention here in Indiana, of course their spin on the situation was different then his. A common theme in this book is Coach Knight`s disdain for the media.
Overall, I think that the book is something that any "import" Hoosier should read. You begin to understand the idiosyncrasies that are Coach Knight. It also will help you understand why you see so many Texas Tech Red Raiders bumper stickers in Central Indiana.