March 31, 2008 -- Reading Phil Jackson

In Union Square, after a visit to Borders

Reading The Last Season: A Team in Search of Its Soul, by Phil Jackson, the first book he's read in a year. Let's document it, said I.

He's a sports fan--this coach, the LA Lakers coach, is supposed to be fantastic.

His favorite book of all time--The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. He likes the part about the baobab trees.

Then, his friend arrived. End of conversation.

Her favorite book--Invisible Monsters, by Chuck Palahniuk.

What makes The Little Prince such a favorite book--so many people tell me they love it, and, I love it too, but what is it that makes it so good?

7 Comments:

Jen said...

i don't know... because i didn't like it. a guy i had a crush on loved saint-ex so i read some other books by him and about him, but i still don't get the hype about 'the little prince'. sorry. maybe someone here enlightens me.

Say Lee said...

Any coach who can deftly steer a team too small to accommodate the two biggest egos in NBA has to be special.

Pat Riley deserves the same kudos too while he was the coach of the Lakers in the 1980s. But then the temperament of the cast was different back then.

Bill said...

The excerpt, about the snake eating the elephant and adults viewing the image and making it a hat, says a whole lot to me. Imagination is important.

I should find the book and reread it...it's been a long while since I've read it.

Sonya Worthy said...

Bill, I love that part, too. I remember drawing pictures of it in my notebooks at school when I was doodling during class!

Anonymous said...

Isn't that BCourt from the Balls Leagues? Look at him boning up on strategy during the fantasy playoffs. Cheap.

Bill said...

I actually reread the "The Little Prince" today. It's interesting how it's a children's book, though adults probably need to read it more than children do. I think Antoine might have been being cleverly subtle (this is a book for childern, adults won't understand).

Why people like it? The book reminds some of us of what it's important and what's nonsense. Of course, it's not going to speak to all adults. People, who are already living meaningful lives, might just read it and think "of course, so?" Then there are others who simply see the hat and think about figures and don't see anything more. For those in between, I think it's worthwhile to remember.

Though at some point, I think we all can get past attachment. The book just leaves everything at attachment.

Anonymous said...

I love "The Little Prince". Mainly for the one part in which the fox teaches the prince how to "tame" him. I loved it so much, I gave it to the first boy I ever loved for that part in particular.

I don't think I'll ever be able to read that book without thinking about David the whole time ever again.