John Papanek

Bill Walton

In February 2008, Bill Walton, after climbing to the top of every mountain he ever tried, suffered a catastrophic spinal collapse--the culmination of a lifetime of injuries--that left him in excruciating, debilitating, and unrelenting pain. Unable to walk, he underwent pioneering surgery and slowly recovered. The ordeal tested Walton to the fullest, but with extraordinary determination and sacrifice, he recovered. Now Bill Walton shares his life story in this remarkable memoir. Walton, the son of parents with no interest in athletics, played basketball in every spare moment. An outstanding player on a great high school team, he only wanted to play for John Wooden at UCLA--and Wooden wanted him. Walton was deeply influenced by the culture of the 1960s, but he respected the thoughtful, rigorous Wooden, who seemed immune to the turmoil of the times. Other than his parents, Wooden would be the greatest influence in Walton's life--the two would speak nearly every day for 43 years until Wooden's death. Throughout a brilliant championship career, accumulating injuries would afflict Walton. He would lose almost two-thirds of his playing time to injury. After his playing days ended, Walton chose a career in broadcasting, despite being a lifelong stutterer--once again he overcame a physical limitation and eventually won multiple broadcasting accolades. Wooden once said that no greatness ever came without sacrifice--nothing better illustrates this notion than Walton's life.--Adapted from dust jacket.

John Papanek

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