The Essential Vince Lombardi : Words and Wisdom to Motivate, Inspire, and Win »

Vince Lombardi Jr. is a writer, attorney, and motivational speaker. A former member of the Minnesota state legislature, Lombardi has held a number of executive positions in professional football. He is the author of What It Takes to Be #1: Vince Lombardi on Leadership.

"The only way I know how to coach the game is all the way."

Vince Lombardi was without question the greatest football coach of his time, perhaps of all time. But the man himself was more, much more. He was a thoughtful man with uncommon passion, a motivator with uncompromising values—and a leader with unprecedented wisdom and authority.

"Winning is the name of the game ... Be a hard loser"

More than a generation since his untimely passing, Vince Lombardi's fiery words continue to resonate. The Essential Vince Lombardi compiles Lombardi's most quotable, memorable expressions into one extraordinary volume. Down-to-earth yet inspiring, it reintroduces us to the thoughts and ideas that drove Vince Lombardi to the top.

"The leader must always walk the tightrope between the consent he must win and the control he must exert."

Vince Lombardi was a football coach by trade, but a leader by instinct. The Essential Vince Lombardi reveals the man through his words, provides insights into what made him tick, and explains how we can use those insights to power our own lives and careers.

Vince Lombardi lived each day with urgency, passion, and conviction. His uncanny ability to inspire greatness, and to motivate his followers to test the limits of their endurance, made him the standard by which leaders in all walks of life have come to be measured.

For the first time ever, The Essential Vince Lombardi collects Lombardi's most memorable and inspirational quotes in one easily referenced volume. Alphabetically-arranged subject headings provide instant access to Lombardi's thoughts, attitudes, and opinions. Fascinating to read front-to-back and equally valuable as a spirited and insightful reference, this amazing volume allows the greatest coach in the history of football to hold court on his favorite subjects:

• Confidence—"Confidence is contagious. So is lack of confidence"
• Discipline—"You don't do things right once in a while. You do them right all the time."
• Learning—"Errors and mistakes are the necessary steps in the learning process; once they have served their purpose, they should be forgotten."

More than just a simple quote book, however, The Essential Vince Lombardi contains observations from its author, Vince Lombardi Jr.; reminiscences from Lombardi family members and associates; rare, previously unpublished photographs; "Lombardi Lessons" for applying Lombardi's wisdom to everyday situations; and more. It places Lombardi's favorite thoughts and quotes into the context of everyday life, without compromising any of their striking power or originality

The Essential Vince Lombardi—indispensable to Lombardi aficionados—will also be valuable to all readers for the strength of its prose, the passion of its opinions, and the wisdom that shines through on every page. Vince Lombardi's stay on earth was far too fleeting; in The Essential Vince Lombardi, his words live on to motivate and inspire—today, and for generations to come.

Vince Lombardi Jr. is a writer, attorney, and motivational speaker. A former member of the Minnesota state legislature, Lombardi has held a number of executive positions in professional football. He is the author of What It Takes to Be #1: Vince Lombardi on Leadership.

Publishers Weekly

Readers craving a real insider's take on one of the NFL's most influential coaches should look elsewhere, but those seeking an assemblage of gridiron-inspired wisdom can call time here. Chock-a-block with snippets of motivating words the elder Lombardi uttered in speeches or screamed in locker rooms throughout his life and career, the volume also contains brief recollections from Lombardi fils. Everything the great coach said, from the key to a successful running game to how it's important to be polite to nuns, is meticulously documented for posterity. It's good stuff-platitudes with attitude, if you will-and had the book stopped there, it would have been a welcome addition to the motivational literature of sports fans and business leaders alike. Lombardi Jr.'s explanations of what his father meant and where and why he spoke the words, though, are superfluous, and sometimes serve to distract readers from the coach's thoughts on discipline, glory and personal growth. Quotes from Lombardi's players (e.g. Hall-of-Famers Bart Starr and Jim Taylor) provide pithier insights on the man ESPN named the Coach of the Century. (Oct.) Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.