Out of print for more than 30 years, now available for the first time as an eBook, this is the controversial story of John Wooden's first 25 years and first 8 NCAA Championships as UCLA Head Basketball Coach. This is the only book that gives a true picture of the character of John Wooden and the influence of his assistant, Jerry Norman, whose contributions Wooden  ignored and tried to bury.

Compiled with more than 40 hours of interviews with Coach Wooden, learn about the man behind the coach. The players tell their their stories in their own words. This is the book that UCLA Athletic Director J.D. Morgan tried to ban.

Click the book to read the first chapter and for ordering information. Also available on Kindle.

Hope Springs (10/10)

by Tony Medley

Runtime 95 minutes.

Not for children.

Meryl Streep has proven, at least to me, that she is not a comedienne, not a musical comedy star, and not an impressionist. What she is, is a fine dramatic actress. When she gets the right role, she can blow me away, as she did in Doubt (2008), just as she seems to blow others away by simply appearing on the screen in any old role.

Here she lights up the screen in translating a deep, perceptive script by Vanessa Taylor in her first screenplay for a feature film. For the last ten years Taylor has written for TV. TV's loss is movie goers' gain because this is the best script of the year, at least so far.

Well-directed by David Frankel, whose biggest success to date has been The Devil Wears Prada, Streep and Tommy Lee Jones seem trapped in a loveless, sexless marriage, much to Streep's displeasure. Jones is one of the more disagreeable husbands one could hope to meet. Streep cajoles him to visit Maine and therapist Steve Carell.

Although there are a few other people in the cast, this is basically a film of three people, all of whom give Oscar®-quality performances. While it is labeled as a romantic comedy, it's not very funny. Oh, there are a few lines and situations that might bring some chuckles, but this is more Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf  than it is Pillow Talk or When Harry Met Sally. It's not nearly as rough or brutal as 'Woolf, but it explores the relationship between husband and wife just as thoroughly and probably with more depth because these characters are far more typical than the drunken couple in 'Woolf. The talk is frank, and the acting by the three is mesmerizing, especially Streep, who really pulls at the heartstrings.

Carell foregoes his usual role as a deadpan comedian for this one as a caring psychoanalyst, and he nails it.

Even though it's sometimes difficult to watch, this should be rewarded as one of the best of the year. Taylor is a screenwriter to watch.