Second Wind: The Memoirs of an Opinionated Man

Russell is a wily and stubborn yet unconventionally thoughtful persona. Russell was an avid student and his opinions, while unorthodox, make a lot of sense, and thus are very humorous. His qualms with the idolization of sports stars, for example, manifest in funny anecdotes about fans seeking autographs and Red Auerbach trying to retire his jersey. And though Russell tries to depict his life in unromatntic terms - the final scene is of him giving up his clim of Mt Ranier - his story is inspirational. The path he takes from rural, segregated Louisiana - where his peers believe in ghosts - to media superstar is dramatic.

My favorite section in the book is the part where Russell describes Sam Jones's ability to take over a game, but Jones's refusal to do it very often. Jones didn't want the responsibility, he says, which confuses his teammates. The juxtaposition of Jones's great abilities to his listless and uncooperative sides was captivating. This is by far the best sports memoirs, and one of the best memoirs period, I've ever read.


an excellent inside of a perfect basketball game   May 7, 1999
Pete Schmieler (schmpete@pclink.com) (Apple Valley, Minnesota)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful

Bill Russell takes you way inside to experience what playing in the NBA is all about when it works to the best it's able. A super fine book. I am glad it surfaced again in my archives. You really get the FEEL about playing a perfect game, especially as a TEAM.


Every athelete should read it, it's a great book about life.   November 23, 1998
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

This book is about life and the determination it takes to make it. It's funny yet it made me cry. It takes a boy from humble beginings to being on top of the world.


A book about life, its pleasures and pains. A great read   May 19, 1997
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

Bill Russell writes as he played; with controversy and excellence. As an N.B.A. All-Star and 11-time world champion, he knows about life and transfers this knowledge to the pages of his book. This is a book about life's victories and defeats and how to deal with them. Russell is entertaining, candid and controversial. He says what he thinks and has a great philosophy of life. This book was written in 1979, but is even more important today, as we are besieged with athletes with big salaries and even bigger egos. This book reveals a social as well as athletic history. If you can find a copy, it is well worth the reading.