Sum It Up

A Thousand and Ninety-Eight Victories, a Couple of Irrelevant Losses, and a Life in Perspective

By: Pat Head Summitt, Sally Jenkins

Narrated by: Sally Jenkins

Length: 13 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

Pat Summitt, the all-time winningest coach in NCAA basketball history and best-selling author of Reach for the Summitt and Raise the Roof, tells for the first time her remarkable story of victory and resilience as well as facing down her greatest challenge: early-onset Alzheimer's disease.

Pat Summitt was only 21 when she became head coach of the Tennessee Vols women's basketball team. For 38 years, she has broken records, winning more games than any NCAA team in basketball history. She has coached an undefeated season, co-captained the first women's Olympic team, was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, and has been named Sports Illustrated "Sportswoman of the Year".

She owes her coaching success to her personal struggles and triumphs. She learned to be tough from her strict, demanding father. Motherhood taught her to balance that rigidity with communication and kindness. She is a role model for the many women she's coached; 74 of her players have become coaches.

Pat's life took a shocking turn in 2011, when she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, an irreversible brain condition that affects 5 million Americans. Despite her devastating diagnosis, she led the Vols to win their 16th SEC championship in March 2012. Pat continues to be a fighter, facing this new challenge the way she's faced every other - with hard work, perseverance, and a sense of humor.

©2013 Pat Head Summitt (P)2013 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"I have admired Pat Summitt for many years. To me, she epitomizes what it means to be a coach. Not only has she molded championship teams, but she has helped her players grow as people and always done it with class and dignity. This book gives us tremendous lessons for winning on and off the court." (Tony Dungy, former professional American football player and NFL coach, and number-one New York Times best-selling author of Quiet Strength and Uncommon)

"Pat was a pioneer. She has led women’s basketball over the last three decades. As a result of her leadership, women’s basketball has achieved great heights. I consider a true honor to call her a friend.” (Mike Krzyzewski, head basketball coach, Duke University)

"Basketball legend Pat Summitt recalls her life in vivid detail, describing its triumphs, both on and off the court.... With her trademark honesty and grace, Summitt reveals her fears, her early anger and astonishment, her diminishing abilities, her decision to retire, and how her faith sustains her. "(USA Today)

An undeniable pioneer of women's basketball.

A fascinating insight to the life of Pat Summitt and the amazing program she built at Tennessee. All women basketball players owe her a debt of gratitude for the path she blazed with strength and grace.

great book

great story about an amazing journey and woman - you will enjoy even if you are not a sports fan

Amazing!

This is an excellent and inspiring book! You cannot read this without being moved and pushed to do your best.

Truly inspirational

An amazing book about an amazing woman. A great read for any woman or sports lover.

A Leaders Guide to Demanding Greatness

Athletes, medical professionals, and leaders in any field will walk away motivated and challenged. Uplifting!

Remarkable Lady

Pat Head Summit is such a remarkable woman. Driven. Passionate. Caring. She built a Women's Basketball dynasty - not only at the University of Tennessee, but throughout the NCAA. Thanks in large part to her pioneering efforts, female athletes have so many opportunities and scholarships and women's basketball is permeated with former Lady Vols carrying on the tradition.

Best book ever!

This is my favorite book I've ever read! Pat was such a wonderful woman, reading this book makes wish I could've known her!! This is a must read for anyone remotely interacted in her life or career.

True Leader and Legend

The book takes you from Pat’s childhood through her Alzheimer's diagnosis. Great read. I enjoyed learning more about her backstory and hearing the stories about players that I remembered and some I had forgotten.

Loved it.

What did you love best about Sum It Up?

I liked the history of how her career came about and I liked the behind the scene stories of the players and coaches. And, of course how her disease is progressing and how she is handling it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Sum It Up?

I really enjoy her discussions about the role her son plays in her life. I also like the Connecticut's Gino A. discussion.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The way she remembers her players.

Any additional comments?

Highly recommend it.

Life changing!

What an inspirational human-strength, faith, character, love and human weaknesses all so candidly shared.
I have a new love of the sport and a respect for these women athletes who were (are) so strong!
More importantly, I have a new perspective as I partner with my husband through this journey- Pat's one of hope and looking at the 'can do's' made my heart grow! Thank you for this amazing gift!