Be Quick But Don't Hurry (Hardcover)

~ (Author), John Wooden (Contributor) "GROWING UP as a sports--crazed kid in Westwood, California, I had the chance to watch some of the nation's most compelling stars and teams compete..." (more)
Key Phrases: Coach Wooden, John Wooden, Bill Walton (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

John Wooden was named ESPN's Coach of the Century for the way he led his UCLA basketball team to the top of the sporting world in the 1960s and '70s. Andrew Hill was a rebellious and sparingly used reserve on the squad before becoming a successful television executive. While it's doubtful that either would have predicted it at the time, the lessons imparted on the court by Wooden eventually helped Hill reach the top of his profession. And in Be Quick--but Don't Hurry, named for one of the legendary coach's ubiquitous aphorisms, the now-grateful protégé translates that sage advice into 21 "secrets" that may help others realize similar accomplishments. Like the title, the counsel can usually be boiled down into short expressions that are deceptively simple. Examples include "Focus on effort, not winning," "Balance is EVERYTHING," "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail," and "The team with the best players almost always wins." To show their relevance and power, Hill fleshes them out with solid examples from the hardwood as well as the business world. And with the track record Wooden has compiled, who are we not to take them seriously? --Howard Rothman

From Publishers Weekly

When Hill, a television executive, played basketball at UCLA during the 1970s, he became one of only 200 men to play for Wooden, the winningest coach in college basketball history. The two constantly engaged in verbal sparring (e.g., on his first day, Hill suggested that Wooden cancel practice in protest against the Vietnam War, and Wooden retaliated that Hill could choose not to come to practice that day or ever, but only Wooden would decide whether to cancel a practice). Some 20 years later, Hill had an epiphany and began visiting his old coach, developing a deep friendship reminiscent of the one described by Mitch Albom in Tuesdays with Morrie. For Hill, it yielded new revelations based on Wooden's famous "pyramid of success," constructed of precepts such as "keep it simple" and "teamwork is not a preference, it's a necessity." Hill's writing is clean and clear, and his respect and admiration for Wooden are apparent. But as a tribute to a coach, the book will have limited appeal. As a life and business mentoring book, it falls short because the advice isn't particularly insightful or original. Hill neglects to explain to his readers how the principles build upon each other, and the examples focus only on Hill's professional life without discussing other business arenas. Although Wooden's name and the book's price make this an appealing gift, sports fans and business leaders interested in Wooden's "pyramid of success" will benefit more from Brian D. Biro's Beyond Success (Forecasts, Dec. 4). Agents, Christy Fletcher and Chris Silbermann, Carlisle & Co.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; 1 edition (February 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743213882
• ISBN-13: 978-0743213882
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #251,087 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, Wooden's magic is nailed!, March 28, 2001

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

As a former UCLA basketballer under John Wooden, I have been waiting for someone to summarize his "secrets." In a quick and articulate read, Andy Hill has done it! Now when someone asks what made Wooden so great, I can tell them to read this book. Former Wooden players are honored to have played for him, but more importantly we implement his philosophy daily. I suppose many college athletes are influenced by their coaches, but everday in everything they do? Interesting, sitting on the bench and thinking he did little, Andy Hill now stands tall among the former Bruin hoopsters. Lynn Shackelford 67-69

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For Teachers, Managers, Basketball Fans, Men and Their Wives, February 24, 2001

By	Barbara Rosove (Sherman Oaks, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Be Quick But Don't Hurry is not only a great and quick read, but Andy Hill's application of the 23 "Secrets" (Wooden's Pyramid of success)that Coach John Wooden utilized in coaching the most successful teams in the history of college basketball are transferable to teaching, business, the non-profit sector, management and even friendships. Hill's touching relationship with Wooden speaks to the lives of any man who thinks of his own father, for better and worse. After 30 years, Hill recognized that his own personal success in business was fundamentally influenced by what the Coach taught him and his team mates. This book can be of good use by teachers, clergy (of which I am one), managers in large and small business, students, athletes, men and their wives who want to better understand their husband's relationships not only with other men, but more importantly with their fathers.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice book with helpful tips, September 26, 2001

By	Dan E. Ross "Dan Ross" (Frisco, Tx USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Be Quick But Don't Hurry is a quick read, a pretty good book and a different take on John Wooden's Pyramid of Success that he utilized in coaching the most successful teams in the history of college basketball (UCLA in the 60's and 70's.)

Mr. Hill played for Wooden during his amazing stretch of championships as a backup. The book is basically a reflection of how, after 30 years, Mr. Hill recognized how much he learned from Coach Wooden without knowing he was being taught anything at all.

He discusses how the Secrets of the pyramid are transferable to teaching, business, management and even friendships.

The book is very personal and well written. If you are trying to become a leader or want to learn the keys to success you would gain quite a bit from reading this book. Most importantly, just like basketball, you have to apply these secrets until they become second nature for them to have a profound impact on your life.