West by West

My Charmed, Tormented Life

De: Jerry West, Jonathan Coleman

Narrado por: Ryan West

He is one of basketball's towering figures: "Mr. Clutch," who mesmerized his opponents and fans. The coach who began the Lakers' resurgence in the 1970s. The general manager who helped bring "Showtime" to Los Angeles, creating a championship-winning force that continues to this day.

Now, for the first time, the legendary Jerry West tells his story-from his tough childhood in West Virginia, to his unbelievable college success at West Virginia University, his 40-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, and his relationships with NBA legends like Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kobe Bryant. Unsparing in its self-assessment and honesty, West by West is far more than a sports memoir: it is a profound confession and a magnificent inspiration.

©2011 Jerry West, Jonathan Coleman (P)2011 Hachette Audio

Could not stop listening!

A must read for anyone who has lived though child abuse or know someone who has, if you are a sports fan in general or a basketball/Laker fan to be more direct.

Even the Great Ones Can Be Troubled

Jerry West was my childhood idol as I was a young basketball player in SoCal in the 1960’s. I listened to Chick Hearn describe every Laker game on my transistor radio and even got a flattop haircut just like Jerry. I was lucky enough to receive a college basketball scholarship and even luckier to meet Mr. West in the LA Sports Arena a few years later as he was scouting Pat Ewing for the Lakers. He was polite and soft spoken and thanked me for being a fan of his and the Lakers. Class act in every way. Until I read this incredible life story, I had no idea of the demons he wrestled with his entire life. Sadly, Jerry West passed away a few days ago. He is “The Icon” of the NBA and will always be my favorite basketball player. Rest in peace, Mr. Clutch!

Excellent stories, needs a pro narrator

The producers should have hired a pro reader; Ryan and Jerry do their best, but they sound like grade schoolers reading aloud in class.

I GET JERRY

I get the Pain..I have Overcome the Pain....Scars are there but...it is never Forgotten....and it's always a struggle and a Challenge...I get you Jerry
Thank you Jerry

Kindred Spirit

Me West. You are quite my kindred spirit, sir. Your story is very eye-opening. Thank you very much. Maria Mariani.

A man tortured by success

Such an interesting story behind the man behind the logo. A slowish read, great if you like sports.

Incredible book

Listen at 1.5x, seemed slow to me. Dive into the greatest developer and scout of talent in the history of the game. Legend.

Raw and Powerful

The book is biographical, but also something more. A genuine insight into a great man. Really delves into the emotions, tribulations, and the thought process of someone who we admire.

Great Read.

Informative but sad that Jerry West had such a traumatic childhood. I wish that he realized how loved he was.

I was irritated by the pronunciation of words like couldn’t, didn’t, Wooden, and don’t. Perhaps it was a dialectal variation, but the /d/ wasn’t pronounced when read. I wish Jerry had read it instead.

How successful West was despite his challenges and demons.

I enjoyed the narrator. I couldn't tell if it was West or not. Good job.