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.

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

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.

14 of 19 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

Simple, yet profound

I enjoyed the pacing and tone of this book. It made me reflect on the coaches I have had in my life and things I have learned from them. The anecdotes had resonance, and it highlighted simple truths about being on a team, responsibility to others, and the formative roles of coaches.

A listen for every parent

Loved it, this should be a listen to every parent, athlete or not. Every child deserves a Coach Fitz.

Good life lesson

I am older now and connected with this story at some many levels; my adult children, my past life and current life. Good story, listen with an open mind.

Every parent should listen to this...

This is story about a coach that cared enough about his young athletes to try to teach them character, even though most of their parents fought him every step of the way. I had a few teachers like that. I regret that I never had the privilege of playing for Coach Fitz. I’m sure he would have made me into a better man, in spite of myself.

A "fun size" Michael Lewis story.

As always, a wonderful Michael Lewis story. Reporting on his coach from childhood, he draws a sharp contrast to the parental environment of some forty years ago (regarding how they parented their children) in contrast to today. Audible 20 Review Sweepstakes Entry

Spot on story

This book is an accurate reflection of what it's like to coach today's high school athlete. The parental influence and sense of entitlement prevents modern day coaches from being the mentors and teachers they are qualified to be.