Coach Wooden's Forgotten Teams - Book Review

Book:  Coach Wooden's Forgotten Teams

Author:  Pat Williams with Jim Denney

Publisher:  Revell

196 pages, paperback


This is a very well written book, consisting of 9 chapters.  Coach Wooden was a legendary basketball coach.  He not only trained his players in the game, he also trained them for life with his godly wisdom.  This book brings to light the summer basketball camps many were privileged to attend.

We hear stories from some of the coaches who worked at the camps.  We also hear from many of the campers themselves, as they look back over the years to when they were younger enjoying the basketball lessons.

The book is inspiring as it shares many of the wise sayings of the coach.  We also get the sense that he was a very humble man with a great Christian faith.

Here are a couple of my favorites from the book:

Page 65, "The example Coach set by doing things like that made a big impression on me. Coach didn't preach.  He lived his lessons. He set an example. Whenever you were around him, it was lesson after lesson. He'd never say, "This is how you should  lead,' but if you had eyes to see and ears to hear, you'd learn by watching the man."

Page 75, "He would say, 'Drink deeply from good books, first and foremost, the Bible.' I think he spent a lot of time there, and his faith was a grounding point."


Reading this book will make you want to be a better parent. It will make you want to be a better person, in general.   You might even start taking notes, or highlighting passages in the book, for later reference.

* Disclosure - This book was provided for review purposes. *

The Smart Woman's Guide to Retirement Planning by Mary Hunt

Book - The Smart Woman's Guide to Retirement Planning

Author - Mary Hunt

Publisher - Revell

Hardcover, 213 pages



Mary Hunt always has great ideas for managing money. In each of her books, I find inspiration and motivation!  In her latest book, "The Smart Woman's Guide to Retirement Planning" she shares what it takes to get control of one's finances with the later years in mind.

I was specifically intrigued by the latest resources in money management (including specific banks she considers trustworthy; online banking, bill paying, etc.). I also loved her revelation when she realized she, herself, was very close to the age to begin receiving Medicare, and she had a moment of panic!

Her insight and friendly advice on different types of investments, ideas for savings, and her wonderful "you - can- do - it" attitude is just what we need in today's difficult economy.

She compared taking care of one's health to taking care of one's finances.  When we neglect our health, eating junk food, ignoring our need for exercise, and live stressful lives, the result is damage and disease to the body.  This is very similar to our reckless, and careless approach to our money.  We can live financially healthy lives, or we can live in a financial mess! 

She reminds us that we are responsible for what we do with our money.  Here is a quote from the book:

"If you have a management style like the one I lived by for so many years in which you spend money until it's gone then white - knuckle it until you can manage to get more, you need a change. Your system doesn't work."  (page 57)

She tells us that in our lives, it doesn't matter how much money we made, it will only matter what we DID with that money.




*Disclosure - I received a copy of each book for review purposes.*

Raise Him Up by Derrick and Stephanie Moore

Book - Raise Him Up - A Single Mother's Guide to Raising a Successful Black Man

Authors - Derrick Moore and Stephanie Perry Moore

Publisher - Thomas Nelson

Paperback, 265 pages.



For a Mother to be a sole provider for her family is a large burden to carry.  When she is trying to raise a successful son alone, she has it even harder.  This book is a perfect guidebook for single mothers. 

Derrick shares lessons and memories of his own mother.  Her strong and courageous wisdom floored me.  I am in awe of her.   Derrick grew up in a financially poor household. His Mother worked to support him, and his two siblings.  She did a fantastic job. 

Derrick gives us motivational lessons, including inspiring stories and brief Bible lessons.  He talks about mothers being the cheerleaders and coaches of their children.  His writing makes one feel like one is having dinner at his house and hearing incredible wisdom.  He is a valuable mentor!

Stephanie gives us wonderful pep talks.  At one point, I got out my pen and started highlighting sections.  To me, that means I intend to keep this book and benefit from its wisdom for a long time!

I want to share a couple of quotes from the book:

Page 45:  "It's very important that you stay disciplined.  Don't get caught up in attempting to give what your son wants; instead, give him what he needs."

Page 48:  "My mother was great at giving what she had and not complaining about what she didn't have."

Page 26:  "Will you put into use all the tools at your disposal to reach your son and call him forth into the destiny God has prepared for him?"


Throughout the book, you will find sections like:  "Mama's Stories;"   "Time Out;"  "Spiritual Impact;" and "Athletic Tale."     I realize this book was written specifically for single mothers who are struggling to raise their sons, but I found it highly valuable for me - as a wife and mother of five children.  Derrick and Stephanie share tremendous insights into what godly, successful motherhood looks like.  This is a valuable book!




*Disclosure - I received a copy of this book for review purposes.*