Knight: My Story [ABRIDGED] [AUDIOBOOK] [CD] (Audio CD)

by Bob Knight (Author), Bob Hammel (Author), Robert Silver (Reader)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Knight was the basketball coach of Indiana University for 29 years before being fired in September 2000. Because of his fiery some would say uncontrollable temper, Knight has acquired many critics over the years, but he was a hero in Indiana, where his teams had many winning years, including an undefeated season in 1975-1976. With Knight's colorful background, it's surprising that the coach has delivered a mostly colorless autobiography. After excruciating detail about his days as a high school and college basketball player, Knight bogs downs his story with dry recitations of the highlights of virtually every team he coached. And to demonstrate that he is not some rogue figure, Knight goes to great lengths to describe the many friendships he has developed over the years. The combative Knight does not emerge until he begins discussing his firing. In Knight's view, his termination was the result of the personal agenda of Indiana University president Myles Brand. Brand's determination to remove Knight was hardened by the national media, which Knight is convinced was out to destroy him. Knight, in turn, loathed most people in the media (among the exceptions is sportswriter and coauthor Hammel). As an autobiography, Knight's book is disappointing; however, college hoops fans can learn more about the game from this book than from most instructional guides. (Mar.)Forecast: The book is due out just as "March Madness" begins, and the surprising success of Texas Tech (which Knight has turned into a Top 25 team) should only heighten interest in Knight. The book's publication coincides with ESPN's release of its movie, A Year on the Brink, which is based on John Feinstein's bestselling book and stars Brian Dennehy.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
Those who think Texas Tech made a mistake hiring Knight to lead its basketball program and fans everywhere should hear Knight's side of the story about his firing from the head coaching position at Indiana University (IU). He has convinced this reviewer that he is much more a victim of plotting by IU's upper administration, fueled by the sports media, than of any questionable personal actions taken when Knight may have lost his temper. And, unlike some coaches fired for their responses at games or in practice sessions, the author's actions range from the throwing of a plastic folding chair across the basketball floor to alleged mistreatment of players, allegations later denied by those reportedly abused or proved to be untrue by other observers or via videotape. This is quite a tale, very well read by Robert Silver and with plenty to hold the listener's attention. It offers great ideas on keeping college hoops a means to an education rather than an evolving feeder league for the NBA. Highly recommended for sports collections. Cliff Glaviano, Bowling Green State Univ. Libs., OH
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio; Abridged edition (March 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559277270
• ISBN-13: 978-1559277273
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 4.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #375,031 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This time, it's his turn..., April 6, 2002

By	"ducksquat" (Pearland, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Knight: My Story (Hardcover)

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!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars America, America, God shed His grace on thee, December 2, 2004

By	Shawn Mccullion (Nashua, NH) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Knight: My Story (Hardcover)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Great Coach -- Not So Great Book, September 24, 2002

By	John Standiford (Cypress, California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Knight: My Story (Hardcover)

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.