Yes Ma'am, No Sir Lib/E: The 12 Essential Steps for Success in Life

by Ken Carter, Vince Bailey (Reading)

Accountability ... overcoming adversity ... taking charge of your life ... learning how to succeed when others expect you to fail. These are the essences of Coach Carter's basic building blocks for winning in life. From learning about the quality of one's character to the love of learning-as well as the importance of self-discipline and spirituality-Coach Carter takes you through his own life experiences and shows you how you, too, can become successful in your everyday life. As the no-nonsense head coach of the Richmond High School boys' basketball team from 1997-2002, Ken Coach Carter gained nationwide fame when he locked his undefeated team out of the gym in order to push them to improve their grades. Since then, Coach Carter has remained in the public eye as a highly sought-after speaker-partaking in more than 125 speaking engagements per year-for youth groups and educational panels worldwide. Yes Ma'am, No Sir spells out Coach's twelve lessons for success. Inspirational, motivational, and informational, this is must-reading for anyone who truly wants to know how to get ahead.

Audio CD

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the huge success of his inspirational movie, Coach Carter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1wAem...), Ken Carter wrote this book which details strategies for a successful life. These strategies should maximize an individual's opportunity to reach his potential.
The life skills taught in this book are invaluable, but not as exciting as watching the movie which explains why there are so few reviews for this book compared to the number of reviews for the movie.
I did enjoy the movie Coach Carter, but I think the inspirational take away can fade too quickly. Having this book as a guide to help focus on specific behaviors and goals that all young people should keep in mind could be beneficial.
Not every young man will want to read this book, so I suggest that youth leaders (male and female) read this book and find ways to pass the messages on to their charges. I think this would be a great book for father and son to read together.

[Diana Nagy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I've read in months! Let me tell you that this book is one of THE MOST inspirational, motivational jump-to-your-feet get moving books you'll ever read! This book makes you feel that you can do anything you put your mind to-but only if you know the worth of yourself and have what it takes to work hard and persevere. And we all know that's what it takes. But you have to do the work to get the worth. The more you fail, the more you'll learn. The more you learn, the more you'll know. The more you know, the smarter you'll be. The smarter you are the more you'll succeed. The more you succeed, the more you'll raise your self-esteem, confidence and belief in yourself. The more you succeed the more you'll succeed. But you gotta be doing what you love. Motivation isn't what gets you going its MEANING. When something means enough to you, you'll do whatever it takes to hop skip and jump over any hurdles that come your way. And hurdles will come. Failures will come. Set backs will come. Plans won't work out. But you'll keep going because you know that if you work hard and persevere you'll get what you're striving for. What you put in you get back. Plant a seed and harvest a garden! Get this book now! It WILL Change Your Life forever! I'll never get rid of this copy. Its mine forever. But I will encourage everyone to purchase it because it will give you the spark needed to get up and get going. Today!

[Marvin Watts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am making a career change to become a middle school teacher. I just happen to be in Houston and I went to an event that Coach Carter was the keynote. To actually meet someone who had a movie made about your life was surreal. He is just down to earth and he is passioniate about inspiring us to be great teachers.

[Chivon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful book for adults at all stages in life especially if facing a challenging period. You are sign posted in steps to take to redirect our paths, purpose and abilities to improve our life experiences and also to positioning the self to support/serve others with our influence and authentic selves all based on hard work, learning and critical thinking which focuses on achieving our goals.

This book is particularly useful to people who may never have had access to good parenting/mentors. In fact this would be invaluable to them.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anybody who has seen the movie Coach Carter is a little familiar with the man Ken Carter. In this book Coach Carter expands on his philosophy on what it takes to be successful not only on the basketball court but in life. Twelve chapters, each illustrating a point make up the book. This is a excellent, cats read that gives you a lotto think about. Goood book for teachers, coaches, parents or anyone who wants a blueprint on how to achieve your dreams.

[Kylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very inspired by this book!

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read my full review: http://bit.ly/Xcwy7K

My opinion: Loved, Loved, Loved this book. I feel it should be required reading for our youth. I love leadership books that utilize personal stories mixed in with "steps". I think the youth that read it can relate and "visualize" it through the story of Ken Carter's life and those of his players.

If I had one criticism about this book, it would be in further examples he gave of positive leadership, he, for the most part, used only basketball players. He missed out on one that I consider rockin'....Charles "Peanut" Tillman!

[Sally Barnett]

Picked it up thinking it might be good for my 16 year old grandson. The ideas are good but Coach Carter is a little to full of himself. He did have an outstanding career as a High School basketball coach. I like that he stressed moral values and education to his kids. He once like his team out of the gym because some of them were googing off in their classes. It meant forfeiting a game but he made his point and had an excellent record of getting colllege scholarships for his boys.

[Kumiko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met the coach this year while experiencing a crisis at the time. For those who think he is tooting his horn... then maybe you should ask yourself "what have I done to make someone's life better today?" He goes beyond what's in the movie even reaching out to random people at a motivational seminar. Check out his foundation. As for the book, it was just better seeing him in person.

[Latoya Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi!

I am happy to say I had the pleasure of editing this book. If you are looking for an inspirational read for your son, daughter, or grandchild (preferably age 14 and up), then this is an excellent book for their or your own library.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

-L

[Robert Mclain · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most of what I got out of this book is Coach Carter can sure toot his own horn. Did not realize that he went out with story trying to get the movie made.

[Dana Harripersad · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book for those seeking a baseline to forge self-discipline.

[Kelsey Yates · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasn't really set up as 12 steps. It was just 12 chapters about his life. Not the best book to read on the subject of success.

[Warren Nast · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. Better then the movie.

[Briღ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an inspiring book, Loved it!