Play Audiobook Sample
West by West: My Charmed, Tormented Life Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.04) - 228 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
He is one of basketball's towering figures: "Mr. Clutch," who mesmerized his opponents and fans. The coach who began the Lakers' resurgence in the 1970s. The general manager who helped bring "Showtime" to Los Angeles, creating a championship-winning force that continues to this day.
Now, for the first time, the legendary Jerry West tells his story-from his tough childhood in West Virginia, to his unbelievable college success at West Virginia University, his 40-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, and his relationships with NBA legends like Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kobe Bryant. Unsparing in its self-assessment and honesty, West by West is far more than a sports memoir: it is a profound confession and a magnificent inspiration.
Download and start listening now!
"Fantastic! It's amazing reading about how complex Jerry West is....and it doesn't hurt that I remember listening to a lot of what ended up in the book. It also doesn't hurt that I got to see my name in both the acknowledgements and the book proper! I highly recommend checking this one out!"
— Emily (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
-
“If West’s star is among the brightest in the NBA firmament, the dark side of his success, told with startling candor, is almost too painful to learn. But fans of the game will want to understand what made Jerry West run.”
— Booklist -
“A very insightful book about one the greatest basketball players and minds that has ever been involved the game…He’s very forthcoming and candid about all of the ups and downs of his whole life—not just his basketball career and he pulls no punches.”
— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar -
“Apart from being an unquestionably successful, uncommonly admired human being, Jerry West…is a man traveling with a lot of demons. Pick up a copy of this brutally candid account of his life and you will understand him quite a bit better.”
— Los Angeles Times -
“West by West [goes] past the point where the cheers fade and sports books end to pose a question that rarely comes up: What is it all worth?”
— New York Times
Awards
-
A New York Times bestseller
-
A USA Today bestseller
West by West Listener Reviews
-
" Not well written at all. This book has a meandering, stream of consciousness narrative that is sometimes hard to follow. That said, Jerry West shows throughout the book that he is a sensitive, passionate, humble person who you can't help but root for. Also,his "dream" basketball game sounds AWESOME. "
— Sherrie, 2/6/2014 -
" The subtitle..."My Charmed, Tormented Life" is so appropriate. Who knew that Jerry West was such a tortured individual? Jerry has suffered from depression his whole life and has been unable to shake it except for short periods. The writing in the book was appropriate for a person with low self esteem, with the constant explanations for sentences he thought might be questioned by someone. He was so self aware and anxious to avoid any criticism to any of his stories. Ultimately, this book was a painful read. It was just too dark. I have sympathy for Jerry West and wish that he would have conquered his inner demons sometime in his adult life. "
— John, 1/26/2014 -
" A charmed life because of his physical abilities, tormented because of his childhood, the loss of his brother, and his lifelong battle with depression. Fame and fortune do not bring happiness. "
— Joan, 1/24/2014 -
" This was an interesting and complex book, with West juxtaposing his success in sports against his own troubled mind. "
— Steve, 1/11/2014 -
" The only reason I read this book through to the end is because of how iconic Jerry West is. Really, this was not a good book. Poorly written and reads more like a 300 page journal entry. "
— Chris, 1/9/2014 -
" Interesting read, but don't expect a ton of insight into basketball. The book is more about Jerry's battle with depression and his own demons. "
— Melvin, 12/16/2013 -
" This book was not necessarily what I'd envisioned when I'd picked it up. Instead of a look at the basketball career of one of the game's best, it was Jerry West wrestling with who he is and how he became that way. The loose chronology made it somewhat difficult to get into West's tale. "
— Adam, 12/13/2013 -
" Jerry West was my favorite basketball player as I was growing up. I never knew he was such a tortured soul. I was hoping for a bit more about his playing days, but found his telling of the inside workings of the business side very interesting. "
— Daniel, 8/15/2013 -
" really enjoyed reading this book, he took you though his life not just basketball. "
— P.e.lolo, 5/29/2013 -
" Memoir from Jerry West, deals a lot with his battle with depression. Sometimes informative, sometimes depressing, very interesting. "
— Jeff, 1/20/2013 -
" If you are not interested in Lakers basketball then this won't do much for you. I am so I enjoyed it and see where even legends carry too much baggage "
— James, 11/19/2012 -
" Wasn't sure how to feel after reading this book. I wouldn't call it an enjoyable read necessarily. Most of all I felt sorry for Jerry West. The book was mainly strong opinions of a stubborn and fragile psyche. I hope the book was therapeutic for him. "
— Shin, 8/12/2012 -
" Interesting autobiography about Jerry West and the depression he fights with. "
— David02139, 2/5/2012 -
" An amazing journey through the life of one my sporting heroes. I had not known about his tormented childhood & just how much it has provided the the fire to drive him through life. A great read for any true NBA fan. His chapter about his "Dream Game" alone is worth the read. "
— Shawn, 11/5/2011 -
" Jerry West - odd individual.. But I wanted to know more about him because he went to WVU "
— Tara, 9/23/2011
About the Authors
Jerry West is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. After retiring from the Los Angeles Lakers in 1974, he went on to lead the team, first as a coach and then as the general manager. He lives in California and West Virginia.