Wooden By Coach John Wooden with Steve Jamison There are few men in America who inspire me like John Wooden. As a teen boy, I watched NCAA basketball championship after championship when that UCLA team dominated like none-other before or since. It’s leader…John Wooden. Steve Jamison captures the essence of Wooden. This book is more than X’s and O’s. It is more than a litany of quotes and stories from players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Sidney Wicks, Denny Crum, and Bill Walton. It is a book of telling passages about virtually every aspect of life. Wooden shares his personal philosophy on family, achievement, success, and excellence. It is a book of roots. It compares strength and gentleness. With a background in small town southern Indiana, he quotes his father in the early decades of the 20th century. His observation of his mother is endearing. You will read of the loss of a beloved spouse in his dear Nellie and the peace of mind that followed. When Wooden speaks of competition, you listen. He describes his “be quick but don’t hurry” approach to the game of basketball and life. Winning and losing…now there are two subjects I like to read from Wooden. He writes of six ways to bring out the best in people. He speaks of coaching, teaching, and leading. He puts it all together in his pyramid of success. He concludes it all with his favorite maxims. Frankly, if it comes from John Wooden, read it. He is a gift to those of us on the journey of life and leadership. I want to be like him when I grow up!