Wins, Losses, and Lessons

An Autobiography

By: Lou Holtz

Narrated by: Lou Holtz

Length: 5 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

Few people in the history of college sports have been more influential or had a bigger impact than Lou Holtz. Winner of the three national Coach of the Year honors, the only coach ever to lead six different schools to season-ending bowl games, and the ninth-winningest coach in college football history, Holtz is still teaching and coaching, although he is no longer on the gridiron.

In his most telling work to date, the man still known as "Coach" by all who cross his path reveals what motivated a rail-thin 135-pound kid with marginal academic credentials and a pronounced speech impediment to play and coach college football, and to become one of the most sought-after motivational speakers in history. With unflinching honesty and his trademark dry wit, Holtz goes deep, giving us the intimate details of the people who shaped his life and the decisions he would make that shaped the lives of so many others.

His is a storied career, and Holtz provides a frank and inside look at the challenges he overcame to turn around the programs at William and Mary, North Carolina State, Arkansas, and Minnesota. From growing up in East Liverpool, Ohio, to his early days as a graduate assistant at the University of Iowa, to his national championship runs at Notre Dame and his final seasons on the sidelines in South Carolina, Lou Holtz gives his best, a poignant, funny, and instructive look into a life well lived.

©2006 Lou Holtz (P)2006 HarperCollins Publishers

Lou Holtz is a winner!

If you could sum up Wins, Losses, and Lessons in three words, what would they be?

Great book with many life lessons. Holtz is a true leader and one of the greatest coaches to ever join the game of football!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Holtz- I love the way he looks at life.

Which scene was your favorite?

All of his conversations with Woody Hayes (former Ohio State Head Coach)

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

I enjoyed it all.

Any additional comments?

I have read this book twice myself and this was the first time I listened to it. I am glad I did. It was good to hear it read by Holtz himself.

Great!

Awesome book written and narrated by an even more amazing person. Thank you Lou Holtz for sharing both your story and the many life lessons.

Loved it

Outstanding story of resilience Perseverance Story chopped full of great leadership Tidbits I would recommend this book to anyone in a leadership role This is now my 2nd Lou Holtz books

Thanks Coach

Loved it because I did not know the entire story behind you leaving Minnesota. You gave me my opportunity there, won a scholarship and after the following season you were gone. Many different stories were out there but I appreciate that after 35 years I now know. Wish you had stayed but understand now. Your entire story is great and to be honest if anyone else had read it, it wouldn't have been as good. God bless Coach.

Lou speaks with little emotion

What made the experience of listening to Wins, Losses, and Lessons the most enjoyable?

read while driving 300 miles which made the trip seem shorter

What other book might you compare Wins, Losses, and Lessons to and why?

God, Country, Notre Dame

What three words best describe Lou Holtz’s performance?

very little emotion

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

humorous

Any additional comments?

none

Outstanding Book

One of the best audio books I have had the pleasure of listening to. Lou Holz reads the book in his patented folksy tone interjected with humor. He demonstrates many lessons of life through his journey as an effective football coach, leader, father and husband. A man of deep moral conviction and integrity he is an inspiration to everyone. One of only a few books I would consider listening to a second time.

Pure & Simple

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I was like listening to my Grandpa give me advice on the things I wish I'd had the wisdom to ask him about while he was still with us.

What about Lou Holtz’s performance did you like?

Genuine

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I want the scrawny kid on my team

Any additional comments?

my sincerest thanks to the Author and his family

An inspiring book - not a football book

I am so glad that Lou Holtz reads this himself. It added so much charm to the story. It is not about football. It is about meeting tough challenges and winning. And when you don't win, you get tougher and then win next time. It is deeply moving, funny and uplifting. I recommend it for anyone.

must have (hear) audible book for all genders

Not only is the book enriched with history and name dropping of many famous people, not only is it about football, the game and the players, but this book is about life and the changes life throws at us and perspectives on how to live and handle those changes. yes, it's a biography of Lou Holtz, and you will learn things about him that you wouldn't otherwise have a chance to know, but you get an inside on how he coached his team, not the plays, but how he brought the team together emotionally and as a family with integrity and honor and each time he put those things in place, the team was great and each time those things were missing, troubles fell upon them. this is not just a book for the male gender. it might help if you have some knowledge of football and some knowledge of who Lou Holtz is, but overall, this book will move you, even if you know nothing about football.

Lous story needs to become a movie!

Lou Holtz's story holds so much more beyond the football field that every leader/leader-to-be needs this book. Who better to learn life's values and leadership than from a man who has done way more than prove he knows what it takes. His story is significant in every angle and holds massive value! This is all coming from 2nd generation die hard MSU family. Lou was more than a thorn in the sides of my family for many years though an amazing man to learn from.