Coach

Publisher's Summary

"There are teachers with a rare ability to enter a child's mind; it's as if their ability to get there at all gives them the right to stay forever."

There was a turning point in Michael Lewis' life, in a baseball game when he was 14 years old. The irascible and often terrifying Coach Fitz put the ball in his hand with the game on the line and managed to convey such confident trust in Lewis's ability that the boy had no choice but to live up to it. "I didn't have words for it then, but I do now: I am about to show the world, and myself, what I can do."

The coach's message was not simply about winning but about self-respect, sacrifice, courage, and endurance. In some ways, and now 30 years later, Lewis still finds himself trying to measure up to what Coach Fitz expected of him.

©2005 Michael Lewis (P)2005 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

A Nostalgia Tour of a Great Man

More of a tribute/essay/paean than a book, Coach is a relic. It is a reflection on Billy "Fitz" Fitzgerald, one of those influential and transformative men who through their character, courage and strength affect a large number of boys. Lewis recalls his memories of Coach Fitz and details the way both parents and children have changed (at least in the milieu of New Orleans and the Isidore Newman School). At heart it is a nostalgia tour of a great man and how lessons about adversity, strength, practice, resolve, respect and focus taught the right way to the right children can help children concur both fear and failure on the road to adulthood.

15 of 20 people found this review helpful

As Always

Michael Lewis goes back to his New Orleans high school where his old coach Billy Fitzgerald has come under fire from his player's parents and is in danger of losing his position. Lewis then takes on the attitude of the players millennial parents; one that tells them it is their duty to remove both obstacles and consequences from their son's paths. Ultimately Fitzgerald retained his coaching job until February 2014. It was also this project that brought Lewis together with his old high school teammate Sean Tuohy; which led to the bestseller "The Blind Side" which of course became the hit movie "The Blind Side." The sale price of 2.95 makes this a fantastic bargain.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Wonderful Lessons

Michael Lewis captures the exceptional experience countless athletes and students have had with coaches and teachers over the years. He relates his good fortune in having a coach who helped him realize he had something to contribute and emphasized the importance of hard work.

Lewis has an uncanny ability to clearly explain many aspects of life and this book is right on target. My entire family listened to the book and we all enjoyed the message.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Nice listen but WAY OVERPRICED

Even at member price of 6.35 for less than an hour? I wasn't paying attention!!!

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Lewis at his best.

ML manages to give a stirring tribute to a highschool coach and tell a cautionary tale about modern patenting all packed into less than an hour. Worth every minute of the hour listening.

Must reading for today's parent

Strong life long lessons for today's athletes and parents. Great story telling by Michael Lewis.

For anyone who's had a tough coach

When you've had a tough coach, but you know deep down he's got your back. Also a tale of how society can't handle tough love anymore.

excellent!!!

this is top notch. short and sweet this is a lesson for us all. A+

Such an uplifting book...

My wife and I listened to this while on a road trip. Our only objection was that it was over so quick! What a great story. You won't be sorry to add this title to your library and reread it often.

READ!

An amazing story! So many lessons in this short book. I listened to it 4 times in 7 days!