Customer Reviews
A Fan of John Wooden's Pyramid of Success Would Appreciate This Book 
2008-09-20
The SEC is my favorite football conference, but I wanted to read this book. Jim Tressel shows readers that there is more to his life than football after reading this book. Chris Fabry collaborated well with Tressel. I own 10 different books about John Wooden's Pyramid of Success and the Block O had its genesis from Tressel's interest in the pyramid. This is not a stereotypical coaches book that centers on four yards and a cloud of dust. This expands to real life. John Maxwell writing the forward is indicative of that.
I was impressed with his mentioning of hearing Bobby Richardson and being impacting by hs quote, "If the game of life ended tonight, would you be a winner?" The influence of his parents, especially his father was interesting. I especially saw insights about his thoughts about his dad when he mentioned his dad coaching at Baldwin Wallace University.
I like the anecdote about James Laurinaitis visiting the boy in the hospital who was wearing his jersey when injured in a lawn-mower accident. The by cried when they cut his jersey. I appreciated Tressel mentioning the impact of the American soldiers who are fans of The Ohio State University.
Tressel is an interesting person as a subject for a sports fan. Even though in a short span he went from coaching Youngstown State University to coaching The Ohio State University to a national championship, he considers being more important than doing. That was expressed by his contrition for telling a YSU after he committed a personal foul, "You are not worth 15 yards."
I feel better as a person for reading this book. There are some things I would have liked to have seen in the book. I wished Tressel would have mentioned what he learned as a person from dealing with Maurice Clarett. It would have been nice it book were bigger to include more about The Winners Manual as long as he did not give away information that would be harmful to his team or helpful to his opponent.
I would recommend a coach reading this book and making sure their players read the book for personal development for the whole person.
Don't miss! 
2008-09-20
This book is one of two books that I will use as a reference for self improvement. It was a great "how to be your best" guide. I loved the numerous anecdotes and inspiring quotes. I especially loved the stories about individual YSU and Ohio State football players. This is definately a book you don't want to miss!
Outstanding personal development guide 2008-09-11
This book provides much insite into not only Coach Tressels' program and philosophy, but also illuminates many reasons why OSU is able to attract so many quality recruits to their school. With pressure to win year after year in major college sports programs, it is easy to see why a prospective student-athlete and parents would see value at OSU compared to other programs that are more football-only oriented. I did not attend Ohio State so I don't believe I have some of the more fervent bias held by actual Buckeyes. In fact, my son, a current Florida Gator, also read the book and is using the 'Block O of life' guide for his own personal development [even though he doesn't dare refer to it by name while in Gainesville]. I congratulate and thank Coach Tressel in his effort to share part of his program and am sure it will be of some degree of benefit to anyone who reads it.
A Worthwhile Read 2008-09-01
Not one to buy positive motivational books I gave this one a try because I admire the author. There is a load of ideas one could adapt for personal use in this book. he author does not try and sell you on 'his program'. He is just sharing what has worked for him and his programs over the years. You pick and choose what you want to do with it.
It is also a good insite into a major college football program.
Jim Tressel, you are my hero. 2008-08-26
I almost stopped reading this book after the first hour because I was afraid I would have to rethink my perspective.
I might have to change my ways.
I'm going to set some life changing goals and its all because of Jim Tressel.
I thought this was going to be a "Book of quotes", but its not, its deep.
I actually feel like a better person.
To be a championship team, you must first become a group of individual champions.
It has a religious feel to it, but in a broad and general "Be a good person, find inner peace, be the best you can be in whatever you do, go do good things in your community" type of way.
I already knew Jim Tressel was some kind of super human, i just had no idea how super he was.
Review from a Penn State Fan 2008-08-22
The Winners Manual: For the Game of Life shares Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel's "Big Ten" fundamentals for success: Attitude, Discipline, Faith, Handling Adversity & Success, Excellence, Love, Toughness, Responsibility, Team, and Hope. Peppered with personal stories from Tressel's storied coaching career, the book shares the fundamental lessons that he has been imparting to his players for the past 20 years. A perfect blend of football stories, spiritual insights, motivational reading, and practical application,
The Winners Manual provides an inside look at the core philosophy that has served as the foundation for one of the most successful college football programs of all time. Includes 8 pages of color photos and a foreword from
NYT best-selling author John Maxwell.
Excellent 2008-08-17
The Winners Manual is a guide for living one's life but the emphasis is throught sports so it appeals to folks who normally would not want to read a self-improvement book. My 16 year old son started reading this book and realized it was full of great ideas to become more successful in life and not just about Ohio State Football! This book is a WINNER.
It's a Winner 2008-08-06
This book was a joy. It's one of those that you savor, reading a little at a time. There isn't a page that doesn't have a story or anecdote that will touch your heart. I especially liked the section on hope where Maurice Clarett was mentioned. Coach Tressel is a treasure. Thank you for writing this.
Fabulous! 2008-08-04
I am so impressed with this book - and so surprised.
Here you have a book by one of America's top football coaches and, most impressively, he writes about his mother's gratitude at being given the opportunity to be of service to her community, and how this specifically impacted his approach to football and the coaching of young people.
He describes her approach to life as 'Attitude' - being grateful for the opportunity to be of service to others, to look outward at how you can be of service rather than inward at how you are doing, as the basis for excellence as an athlete (or in your work and life).
He also talks about excellence as an approach that pertains to your life as a whole - how do you show up at home after work, how do you treat people in stressful situations, how do you bring out the best in a player, a child, a passing acquaintance.
I would recommend this book highly to anyone interested in having a great life - it is not just about football!
If you enjoy this book, I also highly recommend: Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment and How to Create a Magical Relationship both by Ariel and Shya Kane. They also write about excellence and suggest, like Tressel's mother, being of service to others, especially in the little challenges that show up moment to moment, rather than having your attention on yourself.
It is so nice to see so many authors writing about how to have success, and successful lives, based on what Tressel describes as gratitude, taking care of others, and going for excellence in everything you do.
Dr. Arthur C Huston Jr. DDS 2008-07-26
As a "Son of a Buckeye" I have had the opportunity to observe the Ohio State Football program over the years. Jim Tressel brings a unique perspective to the idea of coaching. He is basically a farmer. His goal is to to grow his crop of student-athletes into successful and effective participants in modern society. His fertilizer is his personal philosophy which is well described in this book. If you wish to grow your own crop: your children, your business,or any other endeavor that you find yourself committed to, this book is a must read.
