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17th out of 430 books
—
354 voters
Season on the Brink
"A Season on the Brink" chronicles the basketball season that John Feinstein spent following the Indiana Hoosiers and their fiery coach, Bob Knight. Knight granted Feinstein an unprecedented inside look at college basketball -- with complete access to every moment of the season. Feinstein saw and heard it all -- practices, team meetings, strategy sessions, and mid-game hud...more
Paperback, 352 pages
Published
November 15th 1989
by Simon & Schuster
(first published 1986)
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I think it's interesting how many people say this book just confirms that Bob Knight is an asshole, when I really don't think anything could humanize him more than the stories Feinstein tells about Knight's passions and insecurities. If anything the book might be a too-sympathetic portrayal; Feinstein mainly represents Knight as being driven by love of the game and desire to win, when in reality his main concern was with himself, namely how he was treated and how he was represented in the media....more
Yes, Bob Knight is a jerk. However, there is something admirable yet tragic about a guy who pursues perfection with the doggedness that he does, and in doing so puts relationships in jeopardy. Even though some of his methods are deplorable, isn't that the passion we look for in all our stars? LeBron James was one of the top 3 players - if not the best player - in basketball in the 2010-2011 season but was widely regarded as a disappointment because he did not live up to his infinite potential. A...more
Sep 02, 2008
Laura
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
people without TVs that are forced to read about basketball games instead of watching them
This book proves 2 things without a doubt:
1. Bob Knight is an asshole
2. You can read about a game or see it live, but basketball is best enjoyed on TV in the comfort of your own home.
The end.
1. Bob Knight is an asshole
2. You can read about a game or see it live, but basketball is best enjoyed on TV in the comfort of your own home.
The end.
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A very in-depth look at a year (and more) of the Indiana University basketball program coached by the unpredictable Bob Knight. I was impressed with the amount of detail with which Feinstein wrote this book. All the traditions and routines were very fascinating and bring the reader closer to what is going on.
After reading this book, one gets the impression that Bob Knight is a man who, although he has issues with controlling his temper and actions, cares very much about his players and program a...more
After reading this book, one gets the impression that Bob Knight is a man who, although he has issues with controlling his temper and actions, cares very much about his players and program a...more
I liked it because it was about Bob Knight, a figure I have been fascinated by for many, many years. I used to tell people I decided to get my undergrad degree at Indiana University because of Knight (in a past life I was an inappropriately obsessed basketball player, against all odds at 5'1"). This was, of course, before I learned of his hilariously out-of-touch sexism. But still, his style of basketball was my bread and butter. I can't believe I hadn't read Feinstein's book sooner--it is still...more
stop the presses!
Bob Knight is an asshole......
Bob Knight is an asshole......
Although this is a decent look into the ups and downs of college basketball with one of the most winning and polarizing coaches ever, it fell short for me with too much focus on the mood swings of Bob Knight and too little involvement in the development and progress of the student athletes. I lost count of how many times I read that "Steve Alford was just Steve Alford" for a wrap up on one of the great players of the game and then have minimal insight into his reactions to the coach's tirades. O...more
I read this first when Bobby Knight was still coach of Indiana, beloved by Hoosiers, adored by pundits, and hated by basically every other basketball fan in the world, and it did nothing but reinforce that he is, indeed, an asshole. I did reread it recently, since it seems that he has mellowed since leaving coaching and becoming a commentator, and I am left with the feeling that this was simply a man who should have never been involved with the molding of young men. Great basketball coach, sure....more
If you know anything about college basketball, you know who Bobby Knight is. But few people can pinpoint the reason why Knight is the way he is and why he is known as one of the best coaches in college basketball history. “A Season on the Brink” chronicles the 1985-1986 basketball season, a year after the infamous chair-throwing incident. In this book, author John Feinstein was somehow allowed to shadow Knight and the team throughout the year, witnessing both the good and bad with the Indiana Ho...more
Getting to read about a hard-ass coach like Bob Knights makes me further appreciate both his genius, and my inability to play basketball. There's no way, with my already delicate mindset, that I could get a new asshole ripped into me on the daily without finding me hanging in my closet by the drawstring of my team issued shorts. I also love books that give me the "behind the scenes" look at any sports team, so if you happen to not like sports (or have a life) probs not the best book for you.
Maybe the best single sports book ever written. Bob Knight, then basketball coach of the University of Indiana, gave John Feinstein complete access to the team and coaches for one year. What emerged was a scalding portrait of a brilliant, unsettled, and unsettling coach and a team of college players dealing with his anger and inhumanity on top of a major college basketball schedule and its pressures. Couldn't put it down.
Love him or hate him, Bob Knight is the best coaches of basketball in America. # national Championships, highest graduation rate of a Div 1 program, and no NCAA violations. He has spawned many other great coaches like Coach K (we will excuse Isiah Thomas-nice guy, bad coach). Read this book after reading his own autobiography and see the season through eyes.If you love college hoops definitely read this one
I had really high expectations for this book, which weren't met, but I think that stems mainly from that fact that when this book was published in the late 80's, it probably was revolutionary. Today, though, social media has made the behind-the-scenes stuff in this book relatively mainstream. I applaud Bob Knight for allowing Feinstein to follow him around for a year - that takes guts, especially if he was going to act the way he did. There are parts of Bob Knight's coaching philosophy that I ad...more
The fact that Bobby Knight is a jerk doesn't prevent this from being a great read. And even a jerk may hold some principles that are admibable, which is why it is so confusing to see that he is nonetheless a jerk.
A great read! I did go to IU so I am prejudiced but I was glad when Myles Brand finally gave Knight the heave-ho so I am not quite so prejudiced.
A great read! I did go to IU so I am prejudiced but I was glad when Myles Brand finally gave Knight the heave-ho so I am not quite so prejudiced.
I thought this book was done really well on a lot of levels. It's one of the best sports tagalong books I've read. And that is saying something since this is written about a season where I was 1 year old at the time. I had no attachment to or recollection of the particular Hoosiers team. I knew very little about Bob Knight other than the obvious. I've seen a few of the classic Hoosier games on ESPN Classic. But to go in with so little knowledge and come out loving the book, and Bob Knight himsel...more
This book is a great book. John Feinstein has shared many great things that I didn't know about Indiana basketball. I loved the Indiana Hoosiers. I watch them every time they play. I wish I could see Bob Knight coach my team. In the book now it is November 1985. It is just before the Indiana Hoosiers have started there season. They have been having some trouble though. Some players are having rouble with getting to class. Also some players are having trouble with the NCAA if they the team wants...more
An excellent book chronicling one season of Indiana University basketball. Feinstein, as in all his books, goes into great depth and detail in describing the events. He paints Bob Knight as caring coach, but also a fierce competitor. There is a great amount of profanity in this book as Knight frequently uses the F-word.
This is a pretty "no holds barred" review of Indiana Univ. basketball and Coach Bob Knight. It portrays a multi-dimensional and complex man with tremendous drive and intellect. We sometimes forget the good he did for the I.U. Library and past players and only see the tenacity evident during NCAA Tournament time.
Finished it just in time for the start of the 2011/2012 campaign! Unbelievable access to Bobby. Feinstein always moves right along. Entertaining read that I referenced in conversation a lot while reading - the mark of an accessible book for me.
A lot of people have the wrong idea about Bobby Knight-that he was a brutal and mindless leader. Read this book if you want to be convinced otherwise. Oh, and I'd gladly have John Feinstein write my autobiography.
An absolute must read for anyone with any interest in college basketball, or who has spent even a fraction of a second wondering why Bobby Knight is such a _______ (fill in the blank). One of Feinstein's very best.
The author was given virtually complete access to the Indiana basketball team for their 1985-1986 season. Does well in describing the day to day pressures facing a major college basketball program.
This book was, pretty much, exactly what I expected. Bobby Knight yelling. Bobby Knight belittling. Bobby Knight screaming. Bobby Knight sympathizing. Bobby Knight eating. Bobby Knight bitching. Bobby Knight loving. Mixed in is John Feinstein providing colorful commentary and history to the season before The Season on the Brink. Special props to Cleveland State whom I totally forgot knocked the Hoosiers out of the first round. All in all, it was a mildly enjoyable read, especially when they disc...more
This was the first of many season inside books that Feinstein wrote. This book became a huge bestseller with Feinstein shadowing Bobby Knight for a season ans discussing his legendary temper.
I thought that this book was hysterical. Yes, BK is not a kind man but his outbursts are comic genius. This is not typically the kind of book that I read, but I was pleasantly entertained.
Dec 29, 2012
Jonathan
is currently reading it
In light of this college basketball season's IU hoopla, figured this was a very worthy first-time read.
More on IU hoops here:
http://www.indianapolismonthly.com/IU...
More on IU hoops here:
http://www.indianapolismonthly.com/IU...
A classic insider's view of the most colorful coach in college sports. It gets a bit repetitive, but Feinstein paints a full portrait of Knight's character.
I thought this was a great book. I liked how it showed you an inside view of what it was like on the Indiana basketball team. It goes into a lot of details of Bob Knights coaching methods. Because it was written in the 80's, you can see how some of the players talked about in the book did later on in their careers, which was kind of cool.
Read this book years ago when it first was published. A kind of 1st of its kind all access book. Gave a insight into the great coach Bobby Knight during the hey day of his years at Indiana University
Here's the remarkable thing: I finished it. And I not only dislike college basketball, I am completely ignorant of it. The only reason I read this book was because I heard the author interviewed on a nationally-syndicated radio show and found him to be an engaging storyteller. Since he was promoting the re-release of this book on its 25th anniversary, I thought I might like to read his writing. It's a tribute to John Feinstein's story-telling ability that I hung in there to the end. If you like...more
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John Feinstein is one of the nation’s most successful and prolific sports authors who has written 24 books to date. His most recent work Are You Kidding Me? , written with Rocco Mediate, was released on May 18, 2009, and is presently on the shelf at bookstores everywhere. In addition, he is an award-winning columnist and regular contributor in both radio and television.
His works include the two t...more
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