Sum It Up: 1,098 Victories, A Couple Of Irrelevant Losses, And A Life In Perspective (2013) - Plot & Excerpts
I picked this up on a whim when I saw it on the NEW book case at the local library. I've always admired Pat Summitt for her accomplishments - probably the most impressive thing from this UT alumnus is the fact that girls on her team have a 100% graduation rate. Wish other coaches had this priority! What I liked is how she seems so honest and forthright in her story. She talks about how she has been too hard on some of the players at times and how she made mistakes in working with them. I had heard much praise regarding Coach Summit and watched her teams dominate the women's college basketball scene for so many years, so I greatly anticipated a good read when I began this memoir. I wasn't disappointed. Read by her co-author Sally Jenkins with the southern accent reminiscent of Pat Summit's, this story of grit, determination, independence, leadership, discipline, and love is inspirational, touching, and entertaining. Her sharp wit, combined with down-home folksiness, is endearing. Whether the reader is a fan of the game of basketball or not, one cannot but marvel at her deep understanding of the game, her motivational techniques, her intense desire to excel and to get her players to do the same, and her respect for her players, her colleagues, and her friends. She is certainly one of the people for whom a player can feel strong dislike as she is pushing her to her limits, psychologically as well as physically, while simultaneously feeling tremendous loyalty and love. But perhaps what impressed me the most was her honesty, combined with a sincere graciousness. She is very willing to admit her shortcomings and mistakes, particularly in dealing with certain players who provided great challenges to her coaching ability. She also speaks of her rivals, like Gino Auriemma, and even her ex-husband with fairness and respect. This is an extraordinary person who is a legendary trailblazer to whom women's basketball will always be indebted for taking it to an entirely new level. Her brilliant records speak for themselves (100% graduation rate over 38 seasons? Who DOES that!), but this book succeeds and then some in speaking for what her life has stood for.
What do You think about Sum It Up: 1,098 Victories, A Couple Of Irrelevant Losses, And A Life In Perspective (2013)?
Very interesting life story of a remarkable woman.
—Ryanna
Wonderfully written and very inspiring.
—comawhitebutterfly
