West by West

“Deeply thoughtful in a way rare among books by former athletes . . . as much about depression, self-doubt, and insomnia as it is about basketball.” —The New Yorker

One of the Year’s Best Nonfiction Books—Los Angeles Times

He is one of basketball's towering figures: “Mr. Clutch,” who mesmerized his opponents and fans. The coach who began the Lakers' resurgence in the 1970s. The general manager who helped bring “Showtime” to Los Angeles, creating a championship-winning force that continues to this day.

Now, for the first time, the legendary Jerry West tells his story—from his tough childhood in West Virginia, to his unbelievable college success at West Virginia University, his forty-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, and his relationships with NBA legends like Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kobe Bryant. Unsparing in its self-assessment and honesty, West by West is far more than a sports memoir: it is a profound confession and a magnificent inspiration.

“West looks deep into the mirror . . . going past the point where the cheers fade and sports books end to pose a question that rarely comes up: What is it all worth?” —The New York Times

“Pick up a copy of this brutally candid account and you will understand Jerry West quite a bit better.” —Los Angeles Times

“With remarkable clarity and courage, West explores his flaws and ghosts, his glory on the court and his struggles off . . . Few would have the courage to look so deeply into the mirror, but in this exceptional book, West has done so.” —Gay Talese