Scan barcode
lukeestrada10's review against another edition
2.0
Men will literally write an autobiography instead of going to therapy
shrubs5110's review against another edition
4.0
Jerry West does not hold anything back. He was upfront about his childhood, playing career, NBA executive career, and the people in his life (especially the people in his life). I thought it was interesting that the game of basketball is the source of most of his happiness yet is also responsible for the inner angst he deals with daily. Talk about a catch-22! The one issue I had with West's biography was his incessant self-loathing. He constantly is putting himself down and that came off as whining to me. Then again, if you've experienced a lifetime of depression, you'd want to complain a bit too. If you're interested in the man behind 'the logo, 'West by West' is worth the read.
tammommy's review against another edition
4.0
So I received this book through the Goodreads First-Reads program. I like stories about real people, and I love hearing how they overcame things to become the people they are today.
This was a good book, but I am just not enough of a basketball fan to really understand and get into it all. I know, I live in Indiana, how can I not be a basketball fan, I don't know, trick of fate, but I have never really been all that into basketball, now football is another story altogether.
There were parts that were really good. The back history into his life, how he made friends and never seemed to notice the differences in skin color between people. I loved that, and I understood it and could grasp it. There were other parts, and to made it almost felt like a lot of name-dropping, when he would talk about another player, had how they did this or that, and tell their story and then wind it back to him. I just got lost in some of those and really had a hard time reading the whole book, as you can probably tell because of the amount of time that has passed since I got the book, until I finally started reading it until now! I mean, it really took me a long time to read this, because I had to keep putting it down and walking away from it for awhile before i could go back and read more.
Now, if you are a die-hard basketball fan, you will love this book. You might enjoy all the references to other players and times and accomplishments and the like. I still think the book was well-written and that it would appeal to men, but i just couldn't do it more than I did.
This was a good book, but I am just not enough of a basketball fan to really understand and get into it all. I know, I live in Indiana, how can I not be a basketball fan, I don't know, trick of fate, but I have never really been all that into basketball, now football is another story altogether.
There were parts that were really good. The back history into his life, how he made friends and never seemed to notice the differences in skin color between people. I loved that, and I understood it and could grasp it. There were other parts, and to made it almost felt like a lot of name-dropping, when he would talk about another player, had how they did this or that, and tell their story and then wind it back to him. I just got lost in some of those and really had a hard time reading the whole book, as you can probably tell because of the amount of time that has passed since I got the book, until I finally started reading it until now! I mean, it really took me a long time to read this, because I had to keep putting it down and walking away from it for awhile before i could go back and read more.
Now, if you are a die-hard basketball fan, you will love this book. You might enjoy all the references to other players and times and accomplishments and the like. I still think the book was well-written and that it would appeal to men, but i just couldn't do it more than I did.
kozy44's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
I ventured into West By West not knowing what to expect or how much information West would divulge. This book is incredibly comprehensive and oozes Jerry West’s aura. The book goes through us upbringing and his complex dislike for his parents. West delves into his personal life and his playing career which offers an incredible insights and details. He goes through his management career with the Lakers and Grizzlies and provides even more information. There is an unusual chapter about his dream game that was unusual but be delivers some very interesting opinions. Overall the book is extremely interesting and provides lots of intriguing information on a very complex man who has been in many roles in the NBA. Readers will appreciate the honesty, insight, and opinions that West provides in this book. A fantastically written biography.
toddlleopold's review
4.0
Can someone give Jerry West a hug?
The subtitle isn't kidding: West IS tormented. He's constantly determined to see himself realistically (or pessimistically). Surprisingly, this proves to be the book's saving grace. There were times I wish he'd done the usual athlete's thing of saying, "This happened, and here's how I saved the day," but his downplaying of his skills has the effect of showing how much he admires Elgin Baylor, Bill Russell and other competitors -- a rarity in books like this.
He also seems to be trying to figure out WHY he's tormented without relying on any particular crutches. Oh, he blames his father, and his brother's death in Korea, but he doesn't use the events to let himself off the hook. Such introspection is rare in any memoir.
So, though I wish the book was a bit more well-rounded, I give it points for being unlike any sports memoir I've ever read. And it made me more of a Jerry West fan (which, considering I've never been a Lakers fan, is saying something).
The subtitle isn't kidding: West IS tormented. He's constantly determined to see himself realistically (or pessimistically). Surprisingly, this proves to be the book's saving grace. There were times I wish he'd done the usual athlete's thing of saying, "This happened, and here's how I saved the day," but his downplaying of his skills has the effect of showing how much he admires Elgin Baylor, Bill Russell and other competitors -- a rarity in books like this.
He also seems to be trying to figure out WHY he's tormented without relying on any particular crutches. Oh, he blames his father, and his brother's death in Korea, but he doesn't use the events to let himself off the hook. Such introspection is rare in any memoir.
So, though I wish the book was a bit more well-rounded, I give it points for being unlike any sports memoir I've ever read. And it made me more of a Jerry West fan (which, considering I've never been a Lakers fan, is saying something).
sofiacostalima's review
Here's what I knew about Jerry West: he is the NBA symbol and... that's it.
So I cried my eyes out when I found out about his brother and when he talked about depression. Great book.
So I cried my eyes out when I found out about his brother and when he talked about depression. Great book.
blacksentai's review against another edition
3.0
West was a weird dude. the book is completely fascinating as he discussed how strange his life was. He is arguably the most successful man in the history of basketball if you take into account the entire scope of his career. In this book we kind of see how he held himself together, or didn't depending on how you view it. The book is a basketball book, just not an on court basketball book. Everything we learn in this book is directly influential to his career.
jakewritesbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I guess it really depends on what you're looking for. If you (like me) wanted more insight into how West felt about his playing/coaching/GM days, skip it. This is an unfocused work that meanders in different directions at the drop of a hat. If you wanted more insight into the personally tortured soul of Jerry West, then this should give you what you're looking for. It was a book that was billed as such so it might be my fault for expecting something different. I'm sure it was a cathartic experience for West and that's what really matters.
A side note (and this is personal to me so take that for what it's worth): I was really frustrated at how West took shots at his family and then glossed over his first marriage which produced two kids. As a product of a single-mother, I have little sympathy for West's excuses when half the book is him being critical of his own parents. It's his autobiography and he can write what he wants but that irked me. Didn't affect my rating, just felt like sharing.
A side note (and this is personal to me so take that for what it's worth): I was really frustrated at how West took shots at his family and then glossed over his first marriage which produced two kids. As a product of a single-mother, I have little sympathy for West's excuses when half the book is him being critical of his own parents. It's his autobiography and he can write what he wants but that irked me. Didn't affect my rating, just felt like sharing.