Reach for the Summit

In Reach for the Summit, Pat Summitt, head coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols, draws upon twenty-four years of experience as a triumphant coach to provide motivational advice for those that want to find success in all areas of life. Structured around her "Definite Dozen" system, each of the twelve chapters covers one rule of achievement. Personal anecdotes, basic ethics, and numerous strategies are used throughout the book to provide a solid foundation for her system. One of the most apparent themes that is stressed throughout the book is the fact that very few people know how to achieve success repeatedly. Many people can win once by getting lucky, following their intuition, or practicing a semi-effective short-term formula. Because people have a tendency to lose sight of their priorities, grow content, and abandon their principles, Summitt's book accurately describes how to build a system of effective methods and stick to them. This book will have a lasting value because of its applicability to almost any situation.

Through her amusing stories and few painful memories, Summitt reveals her failures and truimphs as an amateur basketball player, as an Olympic athlete, as a Division I coach, and as a mother. She has become one of the most successful and highest-paid coaches in the country, despite her birth into a hard-working farm family fromn the backwoods of Tennessee. Candidly describing how she personally turned defeat into victory, Summitt then shows the reader how to do the same. However, the content of the book is primarily composed of basketball related incidents and may prove to be tiresome to those who do not share her same admiration for the sport. One of the most sufficient methods of motivation Pat Summitt uses in this book seems to be her thought-provoking rhetorical questions. "What will you do today to better yourself?" "How will you become a more successful person?" The questions enable the reader to analyze the numerous aspects of his or her life.

The diction of this novel proves to be rather simple and understandable, and this characteristic may further add to the content's effectiveness. Descriptive stories support all of her keys to success, and in addition to being useful illustrative tools, the stories are also entertaining and humorous. For example, Coach Summitt tells the story of a freshman post player's tendency of allowing the ball to get knocked out of her hands. Abby Conklin scores and rebounds well but always let some smaller guard slap the ball away from her. During halftime of one of the midseason games in 1997, Coach Summitt shoves a basketball into Abby's stomach and tells her to hold onto the ball for the remainder of the game, take it home, and then carry is around to all her classes on campus the next day. This particular story illustrates the "Discipline yourself so no one else has to" step. Conclusively, this book's strategies prove to be relevant for anyone who wants to establish higher principles.

Personally, I have found Coach Summitt's inspirational methods to be rather practical. I believe that the information she offers, being based on viable experiences, proves to be quite relevant in my life. After reflecting on her tactics, I have gained a much greater respect for athletes and coaches who work at the collegiate level. Additionally, the motivation I obtained form this book will hopefully elevate my level of achievement in school, sports, and the most important game of all-life.


An Excellent Resource for Self-Improvement   January 17, 1999
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Pat Summit has written a very truthful and honest book about what it takes to be successful. I really hate self-improvement books, however I found this to be a great book. I would suggest it to both athletes, and managers in the public/private sector. I don't know too much about basketball, Coach Summit, or the University of Tennessee, but that didn't really matter. Coach Summit writes very simply, and uses many examples. At many points I found myself laughing at her stories.


Pat gives you the keys to her success. Well Done.   January 3, 1999
As a coach I appreciate the effort Pat went through to live and create this book. Whether you are in business or athletics you will profit from reading it. Excellent


A great book about how to be successful in whatever you do   January 1, 1999
This is a great book. Pat thoroughly explains the "definite dozen" system which she uses to coach her players at Tennessee. She gives specific examples of how the system has affected her players. Great book!!