West by West Paperback – Illustrated, October 9, 2012

This is a very interesting book. Jerry West took the liberty of writing his book the way he wanted to write it. Not an autobiography summarizing his good deeds but rather a brutally honest review of his weaknesses and continual mention of his friends/associates that he compliments for their role in his life. Basically he is trying to take no credit and mention everyone. AND it's very effective! Now I admit to scanning a couple of sections particularly quotes about a book concerning depression. West manages to take a very glamorous successful life and give the view from his eyes which is of failure as a basketball player, friend and relative. It's certainly a unique approach and well worth the read. Additionally, I know many of the people who were very close to Jerry in Memphis and watched his career here. I served on one charity function with him held at his house where it was openly stated that he doesn't like to do this and might at any time head to his bedroom for the night. Interestingly, he stayed the night and immediately said he would like to do it again the next year. I mention this as you see an incredibly shy individual with many insecurities. But, I also ran in to him at the Regent Beverly Wilshire just after he was named as moving to Memphis. Not wanting to bother him but not wanting to be rude either I did mention we were looking forward to having him. He was incredibly gracious even bubbly talking quite a while which is somewhat at odds with his introverted description of himself. Basically, he is just a good guy who attempts to make everyone else feel special but struggles internally. I can see where living with him would be difficult.But there was a big inconsistency to me. Reading on Kindle all of the pictures were in the back. When you read of this troubled soul but then look at these pictures of an incredibly full life, they are totally at odds. Reading his acknowledgments also you are overcome with the friends he mentioned. Frankly, I think he mentioned more friends in this section than I have ever had. With his friends, great marriage, and five sons, sounds like a pretty great life to me.This book won't appeal to a basic sports fan looking for sports stories. But from a human interest story, a story of a great legend in Los Angeles or Memphis, this is a perfect book. You will learn about a very interesting man as he bases his soul. Overall, a very good read.

This is not just a basketball book, but a great American story. The most honest account by any measure of one of the greatest players in the history of the game and then one of the greatest executives the game has ever seen.

Jerry's search for his father's love lead to his tortured life of achievement and gave the world a magnificent athlete. This book is essential reading for anyone who loves the game of basketball, as Jerry may have been its consummate ambassador. He is the Logo for a reason. This book deftly illustrates his rise and ability to stay atop the sport in different ways for more than 5 decades.

I wanted to learn more about the history of Mr West. I did my research and landed on this book. He had one of the most iconic jump shots in the NBA. There are many eras worth mentioning. His life story shown in this book details what hard work ethic can do for someone. Wonderful and easy read for a sports fan or historian. It's work a read in my opinion. Dennis

Jerry West's autobiography, "West by West," is well sub-titled "My Charmed, Tormented Life." Those of us who grew up in a certain era of pro basketball, when shorts were SHORT, had posters of Jerry West in our rooms. He is the logo of the NBA. Always serious on court, West could find the basket, seemingly with his eyes clothes. Mr. Clutch, Chick Hearn called him.In this book, we find that the exterior competitor is nothing like the living soul of Jerry West. On the court, West found his solace, his reason for living. Off the court, he felt inept, tongue-tied, and uncomfortable. He had grown up in a non-nurturing home, lost his older brother in the Korean War, and could not reconcile his inner demons with life in the larger world.This is an honest appraisal of a famous man, his family ties, and his personal war with himself. He reveals feeling slighted by those who worked with him, the disintegration of his first marriage, and that his perfectionist ways brought one of his sons to say simply, "He's weird."Pulling himself up from the West Virginia backwoods to become one of the greatest players in NBA history was not enough for Jerry West. He tried coaching, managing a team, driving fast cars, and golf. Nothing brought him happiness. His second wife, Karen, has offered him the unconditional love he sought all of his life.While the parenthetical expressions sometimes get in the way of the story telling, I found this book fascinating, charming, and tormented. I recommend it to basketball junkies and to parents with teens who believe that money is the answer to all their problems, that making it big in music or sports will bring a perfect life. If anyone can disprove this argument, it is Jerry West with Jonathan Coleman in "West by West."