The John Wooden Pyramid of Success: The Authorized Biography, Philosophy and Ultimate Guide to Life, Leadership, Friendship and Love of the Greatest Coach in the History of Sports

by Neville L. Johnson

The John Wooden Pyramid of Success features the words and values of the the official Pyramid of Success Lecture, Coach Wooden's favorite maxims, interviews with him about his life and philosophy, and thirty photos of Wooden throughout his life. Wooden is the consummate businessman, who during the last twelve years of his job obtained a virtual monopoly on the national title for collegiate basketball. Learn how he did so as the master strategist, psychologist, motivator, and example. Husband, father, friend, educator, poet, athlete, Hoosier, and just plain great guy, Coach Wooden's story and approach to life is an inspiration for all ages. At last, the complete story is told. For the inside story of a true hero in sports and life, this is indispensable and joyous reading. Features original interviews with his family, players, and friends. "(The Pyramid of Success) is a very effective blueprint for life." --Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Basketball Hall of Famer

"The Pyramid is very simple, very clear, and it makes sense. It's a tremendous motivational tool for self-esteem, personal development." --Walt Hazzard, Olympic Gold Medalist

". . . the greatest teacher of all time . . . I'd take a look at this book. It's a very, very good read. -- J im Rome, national sports broadcaster

"A wonderful book . . . It's a book not only enjoyable for basketball fans but should be shared with kids." --Larry Grossman, ESPN Radio

"Everything anyone could possibly want to know about the UCLA basketball coach. If you're a fan [it's] worth the price . . ." --Larry Stewart, Los Angeles Times
(Neville L. Johnson)

Genres: Sports, Biography, Nonfiction, Self Help

480 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2003

About the author

Neville Johnson is an attorney, bestselling author, publisher, musician, recording artist, poet, and devoted husband.

According to The Los Angeles Times, Johnson is “one of the most feared litigators in Hollywood.” He has been selected as one of the top 100 Power Lawyers in entertainment law by the Hollywood Reporter every year since 2008 and a Super Lawyer (top 5% as voted by his peers). Johnson has worked with such clients as Nancy Sinatra, members of The Beach Boys, Fleetwood Mac and The Moody Blues, K-Tel, Mitch Ryder, the Academy of Country Music, The Motels, Jane’s Addiction, The Temptations; and the heirs of Rick Nelson, Buddy Holly, and John Lennon.

Johnson is the author of the bestseller THE JOHN WOODEN PYRAMID OF SUCCESS: The Authorized Biography, Philosophy and Ultimate Guide to Life, Leadership, Friendship and Love of the Greatest Coach in the History of Sports as well as the poetry collection WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG: Poems For People In Love.

As alter-ego songwriter and recording artist, Trevor McShane, Johnson has recorded six albums, including, Asphalt & Sand, released in 2014. He regularly performs Americana music with his nine-member band.

Reviews

[John Hudson]

Could have had tighter editing

[J]

I picked this book up shortly after Coach Wooden died. I agonized over which book to read and settled on this one. It turned out to be not such a good idea. While chapter three actually is the focus of Coach Wooden's philosophy, it seems to be the only one that really reached me.

I think Neville Johnson fell short in telling Coach Wooden's story. At points - especially in the first couple of chapters, Johnson's hero worship got in the way of Coach Wooden’s story.

I have used Chapter three as a teaching document for my students and intend to do use it again in the future. However, I can't, in good conscience recommend this book because Johnson seems to be one of the many people who have exploited their relationship with Coach Wooden just to sell a book.

Since I don't personally know Johnson, I cannot speak to his motivations. Perhaps he was just too close to offer an objective biography of one of the most loved coaches in American History.

In spite of this Johnson’s failings, it is an interesting read. Unfortunately, Johnson took the approach of leading his readers around by the nose.

[Faith Reidenbach]

John Wooden (1910-2010) was the greatest college basketball coach in history, but I also consider him a great American. By nearly all accounts he was a wise, deeply spiritual, extremely hard-working man, and his "Pyramid of Success" has inspired many a business enterprise and other organizations.

This book is billed as "the authorized biography" of Wooden, but it's based on only 2 or 3 short interviews, as far as I can tell. Also, the lawyer-author presents only the makings of a biography--300 of 500 pages are simply transcripted interviews with family, friends, and former players, often repetitive.

Still, I found much to love here, notably a transcript of a lecture Wooden gave about his famous pyramid, insights into how he led his teams to 10 championships, and pages of "Woodenisms," the aphorisms that Wooden collected to educate and motivate his players. I read the second edition of this book, in which Johnson gives Wooden his due as a coach who fought racism and eventually helped integrate men's college basketball.

[Joe Dawson]

Wooden was definitely one of my favorite coaches. I've read a few other books by and about him and this was not necessarily my favorite, but still pretty good.