Back From the Dead

By: Bill Walton

Narrated by: Bill Walton

“An elegiac yet exuberant new memoir” (The New York Times Book Review)—Bill Walton’s New York Times bestselling memoir about his recovery from debilitating physical injury and how lessons from John Wooden at UCLA (and the music of the Grateful Dead) inspired his darkest hours.

In February 2008, Bill Walton suffered a spinal collapse so devastating he was unable to get up. It was the culmination of a lifetime of injury. Although Walton had played fourteen seasons in the NBA, he actually missed more games than he played during those years due to injury. From the time of his spinal collapse until his eventual recovery, he spent most of three years flat on the ground. The pain was excruciating, and he thought seriously about killing himself. But he survived, and Back from the Dead is the story of his injury and recovery, set in the context of his amazing athletic career.

Walton grew up in southern California in the 1950s and was deeply influenced by the political and cultural upheavals of the 1960s. Although Walton identified strongly with the counterculture, especially in music, the greatest influence on him outside his family was Coach John Wooden, a thoughtful, precise mentor who seemed immune to the turmoil of the times. The two men would speak every day for forty-three years until Wooden’s death at age ninety-nine.

John Wooden once said that no greatness ever came without sacrifice. In this “frequently stirring memoir…Walton’s love for life and the people and things in it—including his college coach, John Wooden—is infectious. You can’t stop reading, or rooting for the man” (Publishers Weekly). Back from the Dead shares his dramatic story, including his basketball and broadcasting careers, his many setbacks and rebounds, and his ultimate triumph as the toughest of champions. “[Walton] scores another basket—a deeply personal one.” (Kirkus Reviews)

Bill was the best

Bill was a genius. Read this please. Music. Sports. Life. Take care of your spine and family.

I love Bill Walton

His life story is incredible. His enthusiasm is infectious. Thank you for sharing your life Bill

Entertaining and Informative

Bill Walton confirmed why he was a 3-Time All-American and a 3-Time Academic All-American back in the 1970s and is still a very large presence today. He is passionate, honest (to a point), and writes as beautifully as he played the game of basketball (when he was healthy). His hyperbole can be overbearing, but it becomes humorous because it is exactly who he is! Being the same age as Bill and a long-time fan of his play and his politics, his mixing of basketball in college and the pros, with his love of music, and then his revelation of his many surgeries, recoveries, and more surgeries weaves an amazing personal story of grit, persistence, and cooperative friendships. It was a wonderful listen!

Bill Walton had a unique place in American history.

This book is a terrific insight into the unique and positive attitude that is Bill Walton. Basketball, while used as the vehicle to tell his story is a small part of his life. This free thinker, athletic BB talent talks about preparation, execution, pain, endurance, philosophy and overcoming the obstacles of life in a positive manner. Walton seems to be the epitome of what all the self help and motivational books speak of. I'd love to have a conversation with Bill knowing that basketball would be a small portion of it. He is a national treasure in many ways. His reading of the book was excellent and I came away thinking "life is wonderful."

Bill was a mighty force

Read by the only person who could give this story the proper energy..This book is for everyone,but if you’re a deadhead and or basketball fan it’s a must read/listen.