Coach

By: Michael Lewis

Narrated by: Michael Lewis

Length: 57 mins

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.

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.

Nice listen but WAY OVERPRICED

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

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.

We all need a Coach Fitz

I knew about half way through this short listen that I needed to share it. I listened to this with my sons and will surely be giving this as a gift.

Succinct and powerful

A short and punchy story of coaching, awakening, becoming, and all the fears and struggles and confusion and myths in between.

So Good

I first read this when my boys were young and playing recreational team sports. I don’t know how many copies I gave away... to coaches, players and other parents. I love Michael Lewis.

Classic Michael Lewis

Listen closely. You will get to learn a lot from this short audiobook.
Failure and fear - two things that one must overcome to live a good life. It is either do it or else... no good life for you.

Poignant evaluation of today’s Sports parent

I had a Coach Fitz growing up and this book helped me remember him and my experience back in the eighties. This book will help me navigate my parenting strategy with my young athletes. I will definitely be sharing this book with friends.

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.