A Teen's Game Plan for Life [Hardcover]

Lou Holtz (Author), Matt Smith (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2002

After decades of helping to mold teenagers into adults as a highly successful football coach, including a national championship as the coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Lou Holtz shares a common sense message with teens in an easily understood game plan for life. He speaks clearly and persuasively to a generation that is "being asked to make important decisions that have adult consequences earlier than any previous generation." "In today's social climate," he tells them, "your ability to know how to make good decisions becomes more important than ever before." Lou Holtz is a highly sought-after speaker and author who for years has challenged and motivated adults. Now in a book that parents will want for their teen-age children he spells out his tested, proven game plan for life. Teens that want to define their life goals and then go about reaching them will want to read A TEEN'S GAME PLAN FOR LIFE.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up-A motivational title by a highly successful and much-publicized college football coach. In a breezy style, the author stresses his commitment to excellence, loyalty, clean living habits, and a belief in God. Holtz discusses having a positive attitude, being self-disciplined, setting and understanding goals, etc. He tells many stories regarding his life on and off the football field, but some of them fail to make his points. In one case, he describes how as a teen he urged a close friend to undertake a potentially dangerous swim; the anecdote is neither appropriate nor amusing. Halfway through the book, the narrative begins to ramble. Black-and-white photos of athletes, the author, and his family are often unfocused and grainy. The appendix is devoted to Holtz's accomplishments, which are a tribute to his determination.
Libby K. White, Jewish Vocational Services, Baltimore, MD
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Lou Holtz was head football coach at the University of Notre Dame from 1986 to 1996, winning the National Championship in 1988. Holtz is now the head football coach at the University of South Carolina. In 2000, Holtz became the first coach to lead four different schools to top 20 finishes (North Carolina, Arkansas, Notre Dame, South Carolina). Holtz is a master motivational speaker and a former analyst for CBS Sports. Lou Holtz and his wife Beth are parents to four grown children. This is his third book.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Sorin Books; 1St Edition edition (September 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1893732533
• ISBN-13: 978-1893732537
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #940,991 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

After nearly three decades on the sidelines, Lou Holtz retired from coaching and now shares his strategies for success with Fortune 500 companies, groups, and organizations. He lives in Florida.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, January 28, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: A Teen's Game Plan for Life (Hardcover)

I'm a Lou Holtz fan, a lot of people I've talked with say the book is just a recycled version of speeches he's given. Well I've never heard him speak in person, so the stories are new to me. Some of the stories relate to his childhood, marriage, goals and obviously coaching at Notre Dame and South Carolina.

It seems that this book is being marketed towards teenagers (I guess that's where they got the title) but I found it inspirational. I'll hang on to it and give it to my son in another 10 years or so when he's a teen.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Parents and Educators pocket book for student athletes!, February 8, 2010

By 

Rudolph P. Scharnweber (Port Washington, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: A Teen's Game Plan for Life (Paperback)

Lou Holtz's optimistic perspective for promoting successful student athletes is presented in an inspiring and humorous quick read. Don't even break out the highlighter for this book; each chapter and every character building message carries powerful strategies to help student athletes capture the essence of the why's and how's to be a successful person in school, on the playing field, at the workplace, and within our communities! This is a must read for parents and educators interested in promoting strong character for today's adolescents and, in turn, strong leaders for future generations!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Teen's Game Plan for Life byt Lou Holtz, January 12, 2011

By 

Nancy Murphy (NICEVILLE, FL, US) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Teen's Game Plan for Life (Paperback)

This book is so well written for teens, especially boys going through their teen life with no direction. I am a teacher of deaf and hard of hearing students, and I have used it particularly with the ones who are having self doubt and don't feel accepted. Coach Holtz lays it on the line--that it doesn't matter what kind of life or hurdles are thrown at you, you CAN overcome any obstacle to become a better person. It is an easy read, and it covers 5 basic principles with references to some interesting role models, who also had trouble with life decisions. I recommend this for parents or teachers of middle school/high school students, coaches and youth directors.