Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Wins, Losses, and Lessons: An Autobiography” as Want to Read:
Wins, Losses, and Lessons: An Autobiography
by
Lou Holtz
When I die and people realize that I will not be resurrected in three days, they will forget me. That is the way it should be. For reasons known only to God, I was asked to write an autobiography. Most people who knew me growing up didn't think I would ever read a book, let alone write one.Few people in the history of college sports have been more influential or ...more
—Lou Holtz
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
Wins, Losses, and Lessons
,
please sign up
.
Be the first to ask a question about Wins, Losses, and Lessons
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
653)
College Football! Whether you love it, hate it, or don't know anything about it, this book is an awesome and easy read! It may not be as interesting to someone who is not a college football fan but still an incredible read for anyone who wants to share his faith journey.
Lou Holtz! Love him, hate him (really? is there anyone?), or don't know a thing about him, this book is well written, humorous, and thoughtful - practical wisdom without the cliches.
Lou's writing is much like what his personality ...more
Lou Holtz! Love him, hate him (really? is there anyone?), or don't know a thing about him, this book is well written, humorous, and thoughtful - practical wisdom without the cliches.
Lou's writing is much like what his personality ...more
Honestly, I did not really believe that I would be at all interested in this book. I like college football, and I knew that Lou Holtz was a famous coach from Notre Dame, but I never realized how much exactly he went through in his career as a coach. All of the coaching positions that he held throughout his career were all interesting in their own way. Throughout his career he came into contact with several football icons such as Paul "Bear" Bryant, Joe Namath, and Bill Parcels. Before, I had nev
...more
momentum is attitude, knew God and family loved me vs material goods, lack of discipline is lack of freedom, do what right avoid wrong give best care for others, persistence omnipotent, what you do for them not to them, see failings-learn, hardship can be advantage, money creates distractions, deliberately create hardships for kids, Horatio Alger society, start with attitude not a victim, overcome vs victim, listen to learn, worst is giving up on self, process 2m bits/second mind, parenting matt
...more
I love stories about little guys from little Ohio small towns making it big. I could never reach the same heights Coach has, but I can only hope to be an inspiration on anybody the way he has on thousands of people
Oct 29, 2011
Kristen
added it
Few people in the history of college sports have been more influential or had a bigger impact than Lou Holtz. Winner of the three national Coach of the Year honors, the only coach ever to lead six different schools to season-ending bowl games, and the ninth-winningest coach in college football history, Lou Holtz is a great person all around.
I love this book and it is absolutely amazing from every point of view. He explains his life growing up, the only child in his family that was able to go t ...more
I love this book and it is absolutely amazing from every point of view. He explains his life growing up, the only child in his family that was able to go t ...more
I really enjoyed reading this book be Lou Holtz. Lou Holtz was the coach at Notre dame from 1986 to 1996 where he led the Irish to a national championship. In his book Holtz describes the lessons he learned on, and off the field which led to his success as a coach. The book starts with Holtz describing his childhood growing up and continues to detail the many events along the way that made him who he is today. Holtz was a part of a large family that did not have a lot of money, but had a clear s
...more
May 23, 2014
Travis Doig
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Coaches, teachers, parents, students, pastors and bosses in any place of the country at anytime.
A great book every coach should read in every sport, Coach Holtz's simple philosophy on life is highly inspiring and quite entertaining. It is full of many valuable lessons for all readers of any age and they are easily applicable to any situation in any area of life. I am thankful for Coach Holtz and his wisdom and am glad that he thought enough of his fellow human beings to share his life story with us. I hope I get to meet you one day Coach!
This book was excellent. I always love to see Lou Holtz on ESPN and wait for the other guys to quit talking so I can hear what he has to say. But this book only increased my respect for this man. He is not only a great coach, but a great man. All the young men who had him for a coach were very fortunate. Of course, he is not perfect, and he owns up to his mistakes in coaching and in his life. I thought one of the best things he put in his book was that many people are prepared for and can handle
...more
I love biographies and feel you can learn a lot from successful people in almost any field. For this reason I purchased Wins, Losses and Lessons, Lou Holtz's autobiography even though I virtually never watch college football and didn't know who the guy was other than reading the book's description. BUT... I loved the book. It pulled me right along and I found myself annoying friends and family members because I kept trying to tell them stories from the book.
"Anne, if I want to hear about this g ...more
"Anne, if I want to hear about this g ...more
This book was very moving for me. I enjoyed reading about one of my all time favorite coaches, as well as sports figures.
This book shows those who read it that truly anything in life is possible as long as you want it bad enough, and are willing to work hard to get it.
I enjoyed how Coach Holtz lets readers into the most personal aspects of his life, including the journey from his family falling apart as a young man, to the battles his wife went through with throat cancer at an advanced age.
Coach ...more
This book shows those who read it that truly anything in life is possible as long as you want it bad enough, and are willing to work hard to get it.
I enjoyed how Coach Holtz lets readers into the most personal aspects of his life, including the journey from his family falling apart as a young man, to the battles his wife went through with throat cancer at an advanced age.
Coach ...more
Fantastic book. I was a Freshman at Notre Dame when Lou won his National Championship. I relived a lot of memories of that year and several others that followed. It was great to learn more of history and the paths that he took to finally get to ND. Inspiring.
I started out not wanting to read what I thought was a business managemnet book. (I bought it only because i was leaving the bookstore and needed something to read). I am thrilled i picked this book up, it'd be a mistake not to read!
The life lesson pulled from this book is a simple one, DO THE RIGHT THING. Reading this book makes you want to run out into the world and become a better person, if for no other reason than to make yourself proud to be you! GREAT man, GREAT book. FYI, I am NOT an Iri ...more
The life lesson pulled from this book is a simple one, DO THE RIGHT THING. Reading this book makes you want to run out into the world and become a better person, if for no other reason than to make yourself proud to be you! GREAT man, GREAT book. FYI, I am NOT an Iri ...more
Wins, Losses, and Lessons: An Autobiography
by Lou Holtz (William Morrow 2006)(Biography). Lou Holtz, famous former college football coach cum sportswriter has had some interesting jobs. He has been the head coach at the Universities of Arkansas, South Carolina, and Notre Dame. Now a popular sportscaster, he's a likable guy in a high profile job. Reading this book makes one think that he even cared for the boys he coached! He's one of the good guys. My rating: 7/10, finished 2007.
Given that I am Catholic, like college football, was at Ohio State in the Woody Hays era, and taught by brothers of Holy Cross, this book was of interst to me. Unexpectedly, Lou had many life lessons and beliefs that were very inspiring to hear and which I would not have know unless I read this book. I listened to the book on CD as I like to hear authors read their books whenever that is possible.
I can't believe how much I am enjoying this book. Lou Holtz has such an inspiring view on life. If you believe in hard work, responsibility, personal culpability and refusing to settle than you'll feel good knowing you're not alone after reading this book! Oh yeah, and if you like sports, especially the Irish, that helps too:) However, this book is about much more than football.
Jan 07, 2008
Paul
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
coaches, inpirationalists, positive thinker, football addicts, Notre Dame alumni
I highly recommend
listening
to this book. To hear Holtz, with that heavy lisp, adds so much to his words. A true lesson in not feeling sorry for yourself, setting goals, and the art of perseverence.
The guy had nothing and really made something out of himself. He shows why family is the most important thing in a person's life...no matter how poor you start out.
The guy had nothing and really made something out of himself. He shows why family is the most important thing in a person's life...no matter how poor you start out.
Mar 09, 2009
Amy
added it
You don't have to love football to love Lou or this book!!! This book is awesome and I think every single person should have to read it. It is about perservence and faith and sheer appreciation for what you have been given. His experiences are amazing and truely entertaining and chock full of life lessons.
Good book. Full of personal experiences about character traits Coach Holtz learned. Not a whole lot of football, actually. Any guy would like it but I think any parent would too. Some solid advice on how to raise a child and how to guide one's life.
view 1 comment
Lou Holtz, though not very good as an ESPN analyst, gives a tremendous account of his life spent coaching. He is open about his faith and is another great example of coaching through encouragement and not fear.
Who doesn't love Lou? Half the book is about the '68 season at Ohio State working for Woody, and why shouldn't it be? It was there he entered the land of the giants, and worked for one of the greatest.
I thought the book was funny I read it right after having heard him talk at a banquet. I thought he was hilarious so I read the book. It took an afternoon to read and it was a fun read.
This book has some great lessons and life philosophies. The detailed football accounts weren't as interesting to me, but I learned a lot about football coaching!
A easy read for football or ND fans. Lou is passionate yet has maintained his principals and integrity...seems hard to do in sport careers.
Autobiography. Told in same inspiring way that Holtz is known to speak - entertaining, thought provoking, interesting, and informative. Well done.
Jul 14, 2007
Patty Ruz
marked it as to-read
Recommends it for:
anyone that enjoys athletics and leadership
I've seen him speak and seen a video...he is outstanding in speaking of life and sports. A very religious man and an amazing coach of Notre Dame.
A principled man who was gifted at identifying and bringing out the talent in others. I love great coaches and Lou is a great one.
My boss gave this to me, so I'm adding it to my "reading" shelf. Mostly I am reading "What is the What" though... and New York magazine...
It was a good read. His childhood reminds me of my father. I think you'd need to enjoy football at least a little to enjoy the book.
Lou Holtz is a great coach and a good man. This book really brings home the old fashioned values of honor, honesty, and respect
A lot of funny stuff in this book and at least 2 really funny stories. Good read even if you're not a Notre Dame fan.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Louis Leo "Lou" Holtz (born January 6, 1937) is a retired American football coach, and active sportscaster, author, and motivational speaker. He served as the head football coach at The College of William & Mary (1969–1971), North Carolina State University (1972–1975), the University of Arkansas (1977–1983), the University of Minnesota (1984–1985), the University of Notre Dame (1986–1996), and
...more
More about Lou Holtz...
