I Came As a Shadow: An Autobiography

I decided to read “I Came As A Shadow” as I am an alumni Georgetown and avid fan who was fortunate to attend college and law school as well as live in DC from 1980-1990 during its golden era. Yet I was overwhelmed by Coach Thompson’s autobiography. Thoughtful and poignant. His accomplishments as a coach are well known, yet his impact on so many lives is incredible. A life well lived and then some. It is not only a must read for Georgetown alums but for anyone who seeks to understand and improve how they live and can lift up those around them. Calling it a sports biography would be short sighted. It is a treatise on life.

In this day and age, everyone should read this book I’m a middle aged white male. Always liked the Hoyas since I was a kid, but totally recall John Thompson being labeled negatively Listen to his side please I will pass this book along responsibly

Yes, I'm a lifelong Georgetown fan, but I never expected a book written with such honesty, insight, authenticity, and reality. This is sooooo much more than a book about basketball. Given recent events in the world, Big John was a man before his time. My respect for Georgetown as an institution of higher learning has deepened, despite being a law alum. This book can and should be used in so many classrooms. If is life, laid bare and unvarnished. Thanks to all who made this book a reality.

Great book! I loved it! John Thompson came as a shadow. He arrived quietly on the scene and gradually became visible to all. In this book, John talks about more than basketball but about life itself. He is transparent about his personal feelings about his decision-making whether they were good or bad. He spoke not only about racism in sports but in this country. Sadly, racism is still an issue today. Yet, John teaches us how we can beat the odds when the cards are stacked against us. John makes no apologies. He doesn't sugarcoat anything. He tells it like it is whether you believe him or accept what he has to say. A lot of what we thought we knew about John was what the media told us. It was refreshing to read what actually happened and what John thought of the situation. For instance, when he met with Notorious Drug Kingpin Rayful Edmond and when he met with Nike owner, Phil Knight, and how he helped Mr. Knight before Air Jordan elevated the business. Also, he discussed his meeting with Ann Iverson, Allen Iverson's mother. I also appreciated the back stories of Patrick Ewing and how he dealt with racism. I appreciated the stories about local basketball legends who became great after basketball at Georgetown, like Michael Jackson (not the singer) but ball player, and how he was responsible for the TNT NBA commentaries like Shaq and Kenny Smith. For a man who lived a quiet and private life, it felt good to be invited into John Thompson's psyche and understanding what made him tick. Yes, John was stoic, controlling, arrogant, selfish at times, and his body was as big as his ego, and filled with black pride, but he was also smart, brilliant, practical, and he really cared about his players. His heart was as tender as the towel he carried across his shoulder during games. It represented his mother and her hard work to get him to be the man he became. He wanted to win games and not save every black kid out there, but often times it happened that way. Mentoring fell into his lap and he accepted it whether he wanted to or not. Although Thompson lost more big games than he won, in the end, he proved to be one of the biggest champions in college sports because he changed lives and institutions. He helped build brands and peoples' characters. Although he came as a shadow, he left his mark in the history of Washington, DC forever!

I came to love & play basketball because of two coaches who inspired me when I was a kid. Coach John Thompson & Coach Dean Smith. During the 1982 NCAA Championship I cried when the Georgetown Hoyas lost but I knew they would be back. I could see the care that Coach Thompson & Smith had for their players beyond basketball but in life. Two Legends. This book was well written & taught me a lot about Coach Thompson I didn’t know. Highly recommend reading this book. R.I.P. Coach John Thompson one of the best to ever Coach & lead.

I grew up a huge Georgetown Hoya fan. Coach Thompson takes you inside the personal details of his life. From growing up, to HS and College. His brief but impactful Pro Basketball Career with the Boston Celtics of the 60s to starting his coaching career at St. Anthony. How he got the job at Georgetown, being Men's Head Basketball Coach, that created his Coaching Legacy! Coach Thompson tells it like it is, not mincing his words. He gives excellent perspective on the time period throughout his book. Race, that is something Coach Thompson had to deal with his whole life being a 6foot 10 in black man. As he would say, they started the problem, I am just reacting. RIP Coach.

The word “deep” comes to mind while reading this. I’m about halfway through and have loved every bit of it. I’m a Duke fan, but always have had respect for John Thompson. I’m happy I am currently reading this.

I was a freshman newly arrived at Georgetown the year John Thompson started coaching there. Later, his offices took over the handball courts I used to use in McDonough Gym. There's nothing he wrote about his time at the school that doesn't make my eyes moist with nostalgia, but this book transcends even that time and place. He's deeply beloved.

I Came AS A Shadow is not your typical sports book. John Thompson, through the writing of Jesse Washington gives us insight into the racial inequities in the U.S.A. through out his life in a interesting, raw and honest fashion. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in the history of racism in our country and/or for the avid sports fan.

John Thompson was one of the legendary coaches of college basketball's Big East. it was Dave Gavitt who put together a number of Catholic-affiliated colleges in the major urban centers of the East Coast to produce multiple NCAA powerhouses - Villanova, Providence, St. Johns, Boston College, Seton Hall and Georgetown - along with state university UConn that fell within the region. However, none was more feared than Georgetown with its collection of future NBA Hall of Famers -- Patrick Ewing, Alan Iverson, Dikembe Mtumbo, and Alonzo Mourning, -- coached by a man who had won two NBA championships as backup to the legendary Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics. This marvelous book captures Thompson's sensitivity to the tough urban upbringings of his players as well as his intensity to win. Well done.

I decided to read “I Came As A Shadow” as I am an alumni Georgetown and avid fan who was fortunate to attend college and law school as well as live in DC from 1980-1990 during its golden era. Yet I was overwhelmed by Coach Thompson’s autobiography. Thoughtful and poignant. His accomplishments as a coach are well known, yet his impact on so many lives is incredible. A life well lived and then some. It is not only a must read for Georgetown alums but for anyone who seeks to understand and improve how they live and can lift up those around them. Calling it a sports biography would be short sighted. It is a treatise on life.

In this day and age, everyone should read this book I’m a middle aged white male. Always liked the Hoyas since I was a kid, but totally recall John Thompson being labeled negatively Listen to his side please I will pass this book along responsibly

Yes, I'm a lifelong Georgetown fan, but I never expected a book written with such honesty, insight, authenticity, and reality. This is sooooo much more than a book about basketball. Given recent events in the world, Big John was a man before his time. My respect for Georgetown as an institution of higher learning has deepened, despite being a law alum. This book can and should be used in so many classrooms. If is life, laid bare and unvarnished. Thanks to all who made this book a reality.

Great book! I loved it! John Thompson came as a shadow. He arrived quietly on the scene and gradually became visible to all. In this book, John talks about more than basketball but about life itself. He is transparent about his personal feelings about his decision-making whether they were good or bad. He spoke not only about racism in sports but in this country. Sadly, racism is still an issue today. Yet, John teaches us how we can beat the odds when the cards are stacked against us. John makes no apologies. He doesn't sugarcoat anything. He tells it like it is whether you believe him or accept what he has to say. A lot of what we thought we knew about John was what the media told us. It was refreshing to read what actually happened and what John thought of the situation. For instance, when he met with Notorious Drug Kingpin Rayful Edmond and when he met with Nike owner, Phil Knight, and how he helped Mr. Knight before Air Jordan elevated the business. Also, he discussed his meeting with Ann Iverson, Allen Iverson's mother. I also appreciated the back stories of Patrick Ewing and how he dealt with racism. I appreciated the stories about local basketball legends who became great after basketball at Georgetown, like Michael Jackson (not the singer) but ball player, and how he was responsible for the TNT NBA commentaries like Shaq and Kenny Smith. For a man who lived a quiet and private life, it felt good to be invited into John Thompson's psyche and understanding what made him tick. Yes, John was stoic, controlling, arrogant, selfish at times, and his body was as big as his ego, and filled with black pride, but he was also smart, brilliant, practical, and he really cared about his players. His heart was as tender as the towel he carried across his shoulder during games. It represented his mother and her hard work to get him to be the man he became. He wanted to win games and not save every black kid out there, but often times it happened that way. Mentoring fell into his lap and he accepted it whether he wanted to or not. Although Thompson lost more big games than he won, in the end, he proved to be one of the biggest champions in college sports because he changed lives and institutions. He helped build brands and peoples' characters. Although he came as a shadow, he left his mark in the history of Washington, DC forever!

I came to love & play basketball because of two coaches who inspired me when I was a kid. Coach John Thompson & Coach Dean Smith. During the 1982 NCAA Championship I cried when the Georgetown Hoyas lost but I knew they would be back. I could see the care that Coach Thompson & Smith had for their players beyond basketball but in life. Two Legends. This book was well written & taught me a lot about Coach Thompson I didn’t know. Highly recommend reading this book. R.I.P. Coach John Thompson one of the best to ever Coach & lead.

I grew up a huge Georgetown Hoya fan. Coach Thompson takes you inside the personal details of his life. From growing up, to HS and College. His brief but impactful Pro Basketball Career with the Boston Celtics of the 60s to starting his coaching career at St. Anthony. How he got the job at Georgetown, being Men's Head Basketball Coach, that created his Coaching Legacy! Coach Thompson tells it like it is, not mincing his words. He gives excellent perspective on the time period throughout his book. Race, that is something Coach Thompson had to deal with his whole life being a 6foot 10 in black man. As he would say, they started the problem, I am just reacting. RIP Coach.

The word “deep” comes to mind while reading this. I’m about halfway through and have loved every bit of it. I’m a Duke fan, but always have had respect for John Thompson. I’m happy I am currently reading this.

I was a freshman newly arrived at Georgetown the year John Thompson started coaching there. Later, his offices took over the handball courts I used to use in McDonough Gym. There's nothing he wrote about his time at the school that doesn't make my eyes moist with nostalgia, but this book transcends even that time and place. He's deeply beloved.

I Came AS A Shadow is not your typical sports book. John Thompson, through the writing of Jesse Washington gives us insight into the racial inequities in the U.S.A. through out his life in a interesting, raw and honest fashion. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in the history of racism in our country and/or for the avid sports fan.

John Thompson was one of the legendary coaches of college basketball's Big East. it was Dave Gavitt who put together a number of Catholic-affiliated colleges in the major urban centers of the East Coast to produce multiple NCAA powerhouses - Villanova, Providence, St. Johns, Boston College, Seton Hall and Georgetown - along with state university UConn that fell within the region. However, none was more feared than Georgetown with its collection of future NBA Hall of Famers -- Patrick Ewing, Alan Iverson, Dikembe Mtumbo, and Alonzo Mourning, -- coached by a man who had won two NBA championships as backup to the legendary Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics. This marvelous book captures Thompson's sensitivity to the tough urban upbringings of his players as well as his intensity to win. Well done.

The book was more interesting than I expected. I never knew that Thompson had a reading disability as a kid and that his life was so segregated in the Washington, DC, of the 1940s and 1950s. Fascinating that his parents came from Jim Crowe parts of Maryland and his Dad could not read or write while his mother had a 4 year college degree but worked cleaning houses. Also interesting to see that Red Auerbach got involved with Thompson while Thompson was still in high school and that Red encouraged Thompson to attend Providence College, a very white Catholic school that was not Co-ed. Good inside stories also about the political side of basketball like the quotas limiting the number of black players on a team in the NBA back in the 1960s. Thompson also had interesting comments about the pressure that black referees feel when officiating when one of the coaches is black. Thompson said black referees often try too hard to be impartial and end up making bad calls against black coaches because they want to avoid the appearance of playing favorites. All in all, it was a very interesting read for me but that is probably because I have been following college basketball since the late 1950s and I could remember many of the teams and players that Thompson mentioned in his book. He talks about playing with Vinnie Ernst at Providence while Joe Mullaney was coaching. He talks about how it felt to be one of the very few blacks on campus at Providence College in the early 1960s. Thompson speaks highly of his parents and the fine example they set for him. He mentions how shrewd and smart his father was even though he could not read or write. His father encouraged him to always watch and study successful people and learn from them. His father said to be a good listener and try to learn from everyone. Again, a very entertaining and interesting book. Reading this book gave me a better understanding of Thompson's personality and career.

This is a great book about a man often misunderstood. I met Coach Thompson and he was bigger than life in person and very pleasant away from the spot light. A candid look at a great man!

If you are a teacher, coach or basketball fan there is gold on every page. If you are all three the book will vibrate and shake the reader. His life is like a genius Forest Gump intersecting with CEOs of Apple and Nike and Presidents for a half century.

John Thompson does a great job of taking us on the journey that was his life - from early childhood, through high school, college, and on to great success as a brilliant coach. He doesn't mince words about what he faced on that journey, or what others in his family had to endure. It is a perfect book to be read now by everyone. Whether you even care about basketball. Pick it up, read it, and be changed for the better.

A basketball coach, a life coach. An exemplar of what it means to be a man. I admire no one in sports more. His book is frank, self-revealing, and it captures his way of speaking. Kudos to him and his ghost writer.

I read it very slowly right from the start. One, because every page made me reflect, and, two, I never wanted it to end.

As a former college athlete in the 90’s, watching coaches like Coach Thompson, Coach Nolan Richardson and other black coaches gave you a since of pride. Reading this book brought back so many memories that were just unbelievable. The walk out of Prop 42 changed the lives of many kids even over 30 years later. Those old coaches raised many boys to become great men. This book should be shared with every high school student across the country!

Very interesting book. I learned a lot about John Thompson's life that I did not know before. This book does a good job of explaining who he was and why he did many of the things people viewed as controversial.

Certainly one of the best sports books I’ve ever read. Great coach, great leader, great man. I’m not sure we’ll see another one like him.

A great book. John Thompson takes you on a journey that’s bigger than Georgetown Basketball. This book gives the reader a greater understanding and appreciation why Coach Thompson was respected, admired and memorialized as one of the best in basketball.

As a GU alum and DC native who arrived on campus the year after Coach Thompson, I enjoyed reliving moments from games I had attended. I had classes with many of the players too. There's no doubt that Coach had a profound influence on raising the school's profile and endowment. His legacy lives on through his players and their accomplishments.

This autobiography captures the rhythm and excitement of a great storyteller telling a series of their most personal stories, set with enough background that everyone can put themselves in the scene. Thompson’s self-awareness and leadership insights would be a great read all by themselves without any context of sports, race, excellence, capitalism. As a total package, it reads like one person’s roadmap to world-class excellence and long-term impact.

Great autobiography about a man who was a mystery to many. Successful in more ways than apparent. Excellent read though wish he had provided more details in some cases.

A really good book which definitely opened my eyes to racism. It’s probably not as bad as it used to be but it’s still a very big problem for our country. A great book!!!

Very nice read! It was almost like having a conversation with Big John. He covered everything, no holds barred, and it was especially nice for me as someone raised in that area.

In depth look @ racial issues Allows knowledge of the personal path aside from x’s & o’s of the game Recommend to anyone - great book

I learned lots of things about John Thompson and Georgetown that I never knew. He was an inspiration on and off the court and provided opportunities to those who would not have the opportunity. Wink Wink

Unfortunately I’ve been very busy have yet to read it as soon as I do I will certainly keep you posted certainly looks like some good reading

I am a John Thompson fan. His autobiography tells his story in an engaging and thorough way. I recommend it highly

One of my fathers favorite coaches of all time! He really enjoyed reading it! Said it will be a collectibles items!

HE IS IN A CLASS ALL BY HIMSELF......A DYNAMIC CONTRIBUTION TO OUR HISTORY

Unapologetic, educational and real! Great book that everyone should read. Far more than a basketball story, this is a life story that happens to include a deflated basketball at it's core. Well done Coach.

Such a great book about so much more than basketbAll. It was great learning about such a great leader and his impression on today.

The book was very good and very informative. Totally enjoyed it!!

Extremely personal with candid perspectives from The Great John Thompson...the book illustrates that he was a great communicator and man ahead of his time. I had no idea that he was so instrumental in pressuring the NCAA to uphold Prop 48.

A must-read for any coach committed to using sports as a vehicle to impact athletes for the better. What an amazing man and role model for all coaches.

This is a Big East hoops dream read for old school fans

This book reads like a rare conversation with Coach Thompson as he defines his career and beliefs in the college basketball world. Great for the lover of sports. T

A great perspective on racism, coaching and relationships. Having remembered most of the matchups and characters from this era, this candid account provided great insight into the hey day of the Big East. A spectacular read that I had trouble putting down.

Could hear Coach’s voice as I was reading it. I wish he had lived until publication so he could hear how much he has meant to so many.

I love college basketball & have always had great respect for Coach Thompson. This brought me closer to him, felt like I got to know him on a personal level rather than him just being an icon.

Awesome book...and great message

This is a great read. I’m not a big basketball fan but this book is about his life. He’s mentors and the people who mentored him Lots of stories about his childhood in DC.

Very good book

a view to a MAN in the public view not so HAPPY to have him

An excellent look into a man that made a difference in the lives of so many. He was truly misunderstood by many. Hope this puts him in a new light

Very insightful book, into one of the greatest CBB coaches of all time. Reading this book, helped me appreciate Coach Thomoson even more, and my respect grew for him. This books is an in depth look into the life of a black man, who impacted thousands of lives for the better.

Great read !

A very good read!

If we are defined by the difference we make to our communities and the lives we secure then certainly John Thompson is someone larger than his shadow.

Well written and historically correct - An incredible thinker and well spoken Man

Book is in outstanding shape for being “used” delivered quickly and is entertaining to read.

It was stunning in its honesty and raw vulnerability of a person widely misunderstood who was a great educator and standard bearer for change. A first rate reflection of a complicated human being.

Perhaps the most impactful college coach of my lifetime in grooming teenage ballers into becoming men! Endless Respect and Admiration for Coach Thompson. Rest in Power.

This is a great book about what it takes in life to succeed. The ups and downs and the joy and growth that comes with good character and perseverance.

Gives a real background of John Thompson and how he overcame the obstacles he met in life. Real insight into the players.

Very interesting and relevant.

This was an excellent book with a good read!

I really enjoyed reading this book because it contained plenty of information about John Thompson’s life on and off the court.

Great read! Great subject! A must read for any student athlete of any genetic background. Bravo!

EXCELLENT

This is a tremendous story about a smart, talented and ambitious man who also happens to be a great citizen of our nation.

As a DC native, I really appreciate this book. John Thompson was a trailblazer and this books shows how much is an impact he had on and off the court.

Plain and Simply, I can't put this book down

Great life story and true trailblazer... totally gave a new view on a tough basketball coach... much more to him..

Excellent autobiography!! This book made me gain more respect for not only Thompson, but so many others!

If you are a fan of Big John and the Georgetown Hoyas it is a must read

Great book, arrived quick

Interesting

Excellent account of Georgetown and her basketball history.