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Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success Paperback – Illustrated, August 14, 2009
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Legendary college basketball coach John Wooden and Jay Carty know that when it comes down to it, success is an equal opportunity player. Anyone can create it in his or her career, family, and beyond.
Based on John Wooden's own method to victory, Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success reveals that success is built block by block, where each block is a crucial principle contributing to lifelong achievement. With these 32 daily readings, you will
● take an in-depth look at each block of the pyramid and explore what each one means
● understand how all the blocks together form the structure of the pyramid of success
● reflect on each principle and how it is present in your life
● learn how to put your best foot forward to reach achievement in every area of life
● obtain peace of mind from knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming
Join John Wooden and Jay Carty to discover the building blocks and key values--from confidence to faith--that have brought Coach to the pinnacle of success as a leader, a teacher, and a follower of God.
- Print length160 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherRevell
- Publication dateAugust 14, 2009
- Dimensions6 x 0.4 x 8.9 inches
- ISBN-100800726251
- ISBN-13978-0800726256
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Customer Reviews |
4.7 out of 5 stars 333
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4.7 out of 5 stars 43
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4.6 out of 5 stars 78
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4.6 out of 5 stars 81
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4.6 out of 5 stars 324
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4.9 out of 5 stars 15
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Price | $14.92$14.92 | $14.28$14.28 | $17.00$17.00 | $7.68$7.68 | $3.99$3.99 | $9.67$9.67 |
Editorial Reviews
From the Back Cover
Legendary college basketball coach John Wooden and Jay Carty know that when it comes down to it, success is an equal opportunity player. Anyone can create it in his or her career, family, and beyond.
Based on John Wooden's own method to victory, Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success reveals that success is built block by block, where each block is a crucial principle contributing to lifelong achievement in every area of life. Each of these 32 daily readings takes an in-depth look at a single block of the pyramid, which when combined with the other blocks forms the structure of the pyramid of success.
Join John Wooden and Jay Carty to discover the building blocks and key values--from confidence to faith--that have brought Coach to the pinnacle of success as a leader, a teacher, and a follower of God.
About the Author
JAY CARTY has played for the Los Angeles Lakers, coached basketball at his alma mater, Oregon State, and been a part of John Wooden's UCLA coaching staff. After hanging up his basketball shoes, Carty entered ministry. He has been a traveling preacher and the author of many books, includingPlaying with Fire, and the coauthor ofCoach Wooden One-on-One and Darrell Waltrip One-on-One. Jay and his wife, Mary, live in California.
Product details
- Publisher : Revell
- Publication date : August 14, 2009
- Edition : Illustrated
- Language : English
- Print length : 160 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0800726251
- ISBN-13 : 978-0800726256
- Item Weight : 6.9 ounces
- Dimensions : 6 x 0.4 x 8.9 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #13,496 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #15 in Sports Psychology (Books)
- #53 in Sports Biographies (Books)
- #238 in Success Self-Help
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors
Coach John Wooden was named The Greatest Coach Ever by Sporting News and Coach of the Century by ESPN. He won 10 NCAA championships as Head Coach of men’s basketball at UCLA. Since then, his wisdom, summarized most famously in his Pyramid of Success, has reinforced his status as a modern-day legend. His memorable mottos, unforgettable turns of phrase and timeless, sage advice have enriched countless lives.
Jay Carty has played for the Los Angeles Lakers, coached basketball at his alma mater, Oregon State, and been a part of John Wooden's UCLA coaching staff. After hanging up his basketball shoes, Carty entered ministry. He has been a traveling preacher and the author of many books, including Playing with Fire, and the coauthor of Coach Wooden One-on-One and Darrell Waltrip One-on-One. Jay and his wife, Mary, live in California.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book inspirational, with excellent life lessons and superb content, making it a must-read for coaches. Moreover, the structure receives positive feedback for its fantastic organization, and customers appreciate the character development, with one noting that Wooden valued personal integrity over ability. However, the religious content receives mixed reactions from customers.
AI Generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book inspirational, providing excellent life lessons and advice, with one customer noting it serves as a great guide for aspiring coaches.
"...Everything he did seemed genius--and with this wonderful book--we can take another big step toward our goals no matter what they are...." Read more
"...a legend among coaches, and his experiences and coaching strategy are well presented in this book...." Read more
"...values that if implemented will set the example and attract others to follow your leadership...." Read more
"...It is easy to read and it's very convincing how each element in his building blocks have a directly impact on our lives...." Read more
Customers find the book highly readable, with one customer noting it's a must-read for coaches, while another mentions it's particularly valuable for career-minded people.
"...Not only does it give you scripture which is critical, but it also gives you real life character lessons. Highly recommend!" Read more
"Good read" Read more
"...minister, so although Wooden’s writing and teaching is centered in Christian principles, it’s not until you read the second half of each chapter..." Read more
"...It is easy to read and it's very convincing how each element in his building blocks have a directly impact on our lives...." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's structure, noting its fantastic organization and super insights into Coach Wooden's philosophy, with one customer highlighting its timeless fundamental principles.
"...of Success' Building Blocks For A Better Life" is slim and so well organized you will learn so much and after each chapter it's 'Your Turn"...." Read more
"...The foundation principles are values that if implemented will set the example and attract others to follow your leadership...." Read more
"...about Coach Wooden's thoughts on success is that he put things in a kind but direct way, which is what I struggle to do..." Read more
"Super insight on Coach Wooden and his pyramid. I love his detailed insight on each layer. Very solid information. It's indepth...." Read more
Customers appreciate the character development in the book, praising Wooden's leadership qualities and values, with one customer noting his emphasis on personal integrity over ability.
"...it give you scripture which is critical, but it also gives you real life character lessons. Highly recommend!" Read more
"...The second level are principles of self discipline that when demonstrated consistently show others you are a person who is in control of theirself...." Read more
"Coach Wooden was a great leader and his pyramid is as relevant today as it was then..." Read more
"...Solid advice to help build his character." Read more
Customers have mixed feelings about the religious content in the book, with some appreciating its spiritual insights while others find the Christian-centric perspective overwhelming.
"...I really wanted to gift him this but it’s really overkill with the Christian-centric perspective...." Read more
"...of his Pyramid of Success with bible verses and religious connections from Jay Carty...." Read more
"...Instead I got a bunch of right wing Christian propaganda...." Read more
"This is NOT a typical John Wooden book. It's a really a daily devotional. It's a Jay Carty book with a little John Wooden...." Read more
Reviews with images

Un libro que todos deben tener
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2024Format: KindleVerified PurchaseToday, more than any other time this book is needed. It talks about the very things that are being drained and lacking in our society today. Not only does it give you scripture which is critical, but it also gives you real life character lessons. Highly recommend!
- Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2023Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseThe manner of how the book is organized is fantastic. Instead of book that is heavy as if that makes it great-"Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success' Building Blocks For A Better Life" is slim and so well organized you will learn so much and after each chapter it's 'Your Turn". Everything he did seemed genius--and with this wonderful book--we can take another big step toward our goals no matter what they are. So glad I bought this. When I was at UCLA I'd see Coach Wooden I'm sorry I didn't say, "Coach, can I shake your hand"? To me he was a great man.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2022Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseCoach Wooden was a legend among coaches, and his experiences and coaching strategy are well presented in this book. Wooden’s coauthor is a Christian minister, so although Wooden’s writing and teaching is centered in Christian principles, it’s not until you read the second half of each chapter that the Christian principles are emphasized. Regardless, you don’t have to be a Christian to benefit from the wisdom of Coach John Wooden presented in this book.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2013Coach Wooden is the ultimate principle architect. His blueprint for life was developed and refined over a life time. He laid a solid foundation of principles that will support all the other principles. The foundation principles are values that if implemented will set the example and attract others to follow your leadership. The second level are principles of self discipline that when demonstrated consistently show others you are a person who is in control of theirself. The third level are principles of both ability and camaraderie that draw individuals into a close knit team. The fourth level are the keys to the cap stone of competitive greatness. These two building blocks are crucial to individual success and when cultivated are displayed outwardly as sure sign of success. Like any great architect Coach included the mortar that is a necessity to hold the principles together. These mortar principles hold the block principles together because they incorporate deep inner seated values that intertwine and cause the block principles to withstand the test of time.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2007Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseI first heard of this book from a trainer in Mexico. It did not take me more than 30 minutes into reading to understand how valuable this book is towards self-development. It is easy to read and it's very convincing how each element in his building blocks have a directly impact on our lives. I use it to train adults and children with a slightly different approach but always giving credit to John Wooden and his book.
For those who are Christians, there is a segment at the end of each block with verses from the Bible for them to meditate on. I, personally, find it very useful. For those who are not Christians, they can simply ignore it as every element towards achieving success has a very logical rationale to it and it's spiritual beliefs is largely similar in other religions.
It's an excellent way to keep ourselves on track in everything that we do.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2024Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseOutstanding book!
- Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2024Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseJohn Wooten and Jay Carty wrote a short, direct to the point to help anyone in life. Initially, I this was about how to succeed playing basketball; however, the pyramid of success can be used in all aspects of life.
Top reviews from other countries
- D.CReviewed in Australia on March 13, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars inspirational
Format: KindleVerified Purchasethis book was fantastic, truly inspirational and a great motivator
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Marcelo SchejtmanReviewed in Mexico on April 19, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Coach Wooden’s Pyramid of Success
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseLibro OBLIGATORIO para los q nos dedicamos al desarrollo humano. Tiene toda la sabiduría de los estoicos, de los samurais y de los místicos de las filosofías más sabias y antiguas, personificado en una leyenda real del deporte.
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Nicola RaimondiReviewed in Italy on September 26, 2014
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastico
Il Reverendo John Wooden ci mostra il motivo per il quale possa essere considerato come uno dei più grandi allenatori della storia dello Sport; una serie di valori che dovrebbero essere spiegati a qualsiasi ragazzo che inizi la carriera da allenatore.
Mi sarebbe piaciuto leggere la scena in cui il coach al primo giorno di allenamento di Lew Alcindoor, gli insegna come allacciarsi le scarpe, e il crescendo che ha portato l'attuale Kareem Abdul Jaabar a diventare il proprietario del tiro più immarcabile della storia del gioco...
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ablogicReviewed in France on July 7, 2023
3.0 out of 5 stars Plutôt un résumé
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseLe livre officiel de J. Wooden est bien mieux. Cela reste très résumé et trop de paragraphes/commentaires d'un point de vue religieux (psaumes et compagnie). Bref, assez moyen dans l'ensemble.
- ahandkeReviewed in Canada on June 24, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseGreat book