Values of the Game

by Bill Bradley

Book Overview

As the Presidential run heats up with the start of the primary season in New Hampshire on February 2, the attention to the candidates and their issues will become even more intense.?? Values of the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 157965116X
• ISBN13: 9781579651169
• Release Date: October 1998
• Publisher: Artisan Publishers
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 2.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 8.4" x 10.3"

Customer Reviews

Must reading for basketball and/or Bill Bradley fans

I've long been a Bill Bradley fan . . . his talent on the basketball court always impressed me, in large part because he seemed to have to work so much harder than many other players . . . then when he entered the political arena, I continued to follow his career with interest . . . my only regret is that he never got past the Senate . . . I still think he would have made a fine President. Hearing his book, VALUES OF THE GAME, impressed me even more . . . it is not a standard spots autobiography, but rather a collection of essays by Bradley that deal with such topics as passion, discipline, responsibility, and resilience . . . he shows how these all became key parts of his life, citing examples of such greats as Cousy, Chamberlian, Iverson, and Pippen . . . I got a particular kick out of what he said about Dennis Rodman: he admired his rebounding tenacity, but noted that Rodman "isn't everybody's cup of tea" because of his behavior. This would be a great gift for any basketball fan, young or old . . . nevertheless, I'd recommend giving the book rather than the audio version that I heard . . . though the narration by John Randolph Jones was fine, I would have much preferred Bradley doing the reading himself.

Lessons for Life

I own the paperback edition of this book and feel it is an excellent value. The book, made up of ten essays on such topics as "passion", "discipline", "responsibility", "resilience", and more, is a great gift for young and old alike. For the young it will teach them the tradition values of the game and the lessons we can take from it. For the old it reaffirms our belief system that this game of basketball is very special and can prepare you to deal with many of life's challenges. The book begins with an essay on passion. The pure pleasure, pure joy of basketball. Lets face it, there is something special for those of us who love the game. The squeak of the sneakers, the bounce of the ball, the swish of the net. It is something that keeps many of us playing in over thirty (over forty?) pick up leagues or taking backyard jump shots well beyond our prime. And as you work on your game, work to get better, your practice builds confidence, and confidence builds success. What a valuable lesson! As Bradley points out "winning was fun, but so was the struggle to improve. This is one of the lessons you learned from the game:basketball was a clear example of virtue rewarded."

Bradley's book reminds us how we can all be champions

In this inspiring book, Bradley demonstrates the values that have helped shape him as a person, and enabled him to achieve excellence. The book is a colorful and creative collection of eye-catching basketball photos interlaced with chapters on values of the game. In describing ideals that have helped him and other champions to succeed both on and off the court, he encourages us all to pursue excellence in our own lives- whatever our life circumstances may be.He names ten core values that he has found meaningful in his development as a player and a person. They are: passion, discipline, selflessness, respect, perspective, courage, leadership, responsibility, resilience and imagination.Bill Bradley has demonstrated here that he is truly a man of the people. He wants to encourage every American to celebrate the gifts, abilities and values that give them meaning and hope in their lives. I highly recommend this book to everyone with the courage to reach beyond their grasp and strive for excellence in their lives. The pictures and stories are great, and the essays are even better. Pick it up today, and also, be sure to make your vote count in November- your opinion matters and deserves to be heard!

A wonderful book about basketball . . . and enduring values

Terrific stories, sensational photos. Buying it for my brother's B-Da

Moving Without the Ball

When I was 10, my father gave me a thin book written by John McPhee called, "A Sense of Where You Are," which was based on his New Yorker feature articles about college basketball's player of the year, Bill Bradley of Princeton. McPhee's title was based on Bradley's observation that an experienced and perceptive player should know where he is on the court at all times, and be able to know where his teammates are, and anticipate Where They Will Be, at all times. McPhee described teammates disappointed in themselves because Bradley would find them with a pass when they were just getting open, and before the teammate was even aware he had beaten his man and was ready for the ball. McPhee observed an exceptional young man, not just a ball player, who had a remarkable sense of where he was in life and where he was going. Bradley has never lost this quality.Later, with the Knicks, Bradley sacrificed his individual game completely within the Knicks system. His specialties were instantaneous touch passes to teammates breaking to the basket, and moving without the ball to disrupt the opponent's defense and create an open shot.Bradley is still "moving without the ball." He could have been senator for life from New Jersey, but gave up his seat voluntarily to study and prepare himself more (for the Presidency?) His new book provides basketball fans (and anyone else who appreciates physical excellence, mental discipline, and high moral character, beautifully illustrated and described) with a portrait of what the sport can be at its best, and a lesson about what success takes (and costs). His message connects on all levels, the visual, because of the magnificent collection of photographs, the intellectual, because of the powerful and effective prose (even the photo captions are eloquent), and emotional (especially for the basketball fans reliving the great achievements).As in the book I received as a child, Bradley quotes the lesson he learned at youth camp from "Easy" Ed McCauley, otherwise famous as the answer to the trivia question, "Who did the Celtics trade to get Bill Russell?" McCauley, a great teacher who obviously worked hard to make it look so "easy," told the young Bradley to always practice, because someday he'll meet someone in competition with roughly equal abilities, and the better prepared will win.I have a feeling Bradley is practicing right now for the year 2000. With the mess we have in Washington (as well as the NBA) right now, the values he describes are refreshing. I put down the book (a cover to cover read in less than 2 hours) full of hope.