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A Game of Character: A Family Journey from Chicago's Southside to the Ivy League and Beyond
The eagerly anticipated inspirational memoir from Michelle Obama's brother, celebrating the extraordinary family members and mentors who have shaped his life
When he stepped into history's spotlight at the National Democratic Convention, Craig Robinson recalls that nothing could have been more gratifying than introducing his sister, Michelle Obama, to millions of Americans. Within minutes, he won the hearts of the nation by sharing highlights of growing up in the modest Robinson household, where the two were raised by devoted parents who taught them the values of education, hard work, and the importance of reaching far beyond what even seemed possible.
Those lessons of character were fundamentals in shaping Craig Robinson's own remarkable from his days playing street basketball on Chicago's Southside, while excelling academically, to admission at Princeton University, where he was later named Ivy League Player of the Year, twice. After playing professionally in Europe, Robinson made an about-face, entering the competitive field of finance. With his MBA from the University of Chicago, his meteoric rise landed him a partnership in a promising new venture. But another dream beckoned and Craig made the unusual decision to forego the trappings of money and status in the business world in order to become a basketball coach. He soon helped transform three struggling teams - as an assistant coach at Northwestern, then as head coach at Brown and now at Oregon State University. In his first season at OSU, he navigated what was declared to be one of the nation's best single season turnarounds.
In A Game of Character , Robinson takes readers behind the scenes to meet his most important influences in his understanding of the winning traits that are part of his playbook for success. Central to his story are his parents, Marian and Fraser, two indefatigable individuals who showed their children how to believe in themselves and live their lives with conviction through love, discipline and respect. With insights into this exemplary family, we relive memories of how Marian sacrificed a career to be a full-time mom, how Fraser got up and went to work every day while confronting the challenges of multiple sclerosis, how Craig and Michelle strengthened their bond as they journeyed out of the Southside to Princeton University and eventually, the national stage.
Heartwarming, inspiring, and even transformational, A Game of Character comes just at the right time in an era of change, reminding readers of our opportunity to work together and embrace the character of our nation, to make a difference in the lives of others and to pave the way for the next generation.
Watch a Video
When he stepped into history's spotlight at the National Democratic Convention, Craig Robinson recalls that nothing could have been more gratifying than introducing his sister, Michelle Obama, to millions of Americans. Within minutes, he won the hearts of the nation by sharing highlights of growing up in the modest Robinson household, where the two were raised by devoted parents who taught them the values of education, hard work, and the importance of reaching far beyond what even seemed possible.
Those lessons of character were fundamentals in shaping Craig Robinson's own remarkable from his days playing street basketball on Chicago's Southside, while excelling academically, to admission at Princeton University, where he was later named Ivy League Player of the Year, twice. After playing professionally in Europe, Robinson made an about-face, entering the competitive field of finance. With his MBA from the University of Chicago, his meteoric rise landed him a partnership in a promising new venture. But another dream beckoned and Craig made the unusual decision to forego the trappings of money and status in the business world in order to become a basketball coach. He soon helped transform three struggling teams - as an assistant coach at Northwestern, then as head coach at Brown and now at Oregon State University. In his first season at OSU, he navigated what was declared to be one of the nation's best single season turnarounds.
In A Game of Character , Robinson takes readers behind the scenes to meet his most important influences in his understanding of the winning traits that are part of his playbook for success. Central to his story are his parents, Marian and Fraser, two indefatigable individuals who showed their children how to believe in themselves and live their lives with conviction through love, discipline and respect. With insights into this exemplary family, we relive memories of how Marian sacrificed a career to be a full-time mom, how Fraser got up and went to work every day while confronting the challenges of multiple sclerosis, how Craig and Michelle strengthened their bond as they journeyed out of the Southside to Princeton University and eventually, the national stage.
Heartwarming, inspiring, and even transformational, A Game of Character comes just at the right time in an era of change, reminding readers of our opportunity to work together and embrace the character of our nation, to make a difference in the lives of others and to pave the way for the next generation.
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288 pages, Hardcover
First published April 17, 2010
8 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 20, 2011
I am, admittedly, not a fan of our current president. I did not vote for him. I do not hold him in high esteem and I don't agree with most of his politics and ideals. So, when I was approached with the request to review a memoir written by the President's brother-in-law, I was a bit apprehensive that it would be an Obama love fest. I do like memoirs, however, so I agreed to review A Game of Character and I'm really glad I did.
Craig shares the story of his beloved parents, Fraser and Marian Robinson, and the manner in which they raised Craig and his sister Michelle. Fraser and Marian sound like ordinary, everyday people who managed to do extraordinary things. They weren't prosperous or wealthy, but they instilled family values and the importance of hard work into their children. They managed to send their children to Ivy League schools and supported and encouraged them in every activity. Fraser Robinson believed in the importance of a person's character and he passed that on to his children.
The Robinson/Obama family has a high opinion of itself, which is something that many highly successful people have. Understandably, Craig is very proud of his sister and brother-in-law. I appreciated that the political tones were simply because Barack Obama is part of his family and, therefore, the election and his being President of the United States is simply a part of their family life. Craig can't help that and he didn't use this book to preach about his brother-in-law's policies, which was refreshing.
Craig likens everything in the book to basketball. His writing style is very conversational and easy to read. The analogies, the lessons learned and the jargon are all basketball related. I like basketball and have a more than rudimentary understanding of it, but where the endless basketball analogies might annoy a non-sports fan, I think the lessons learned will resonate with everyone.
Craig shares the story of his beloved parents, Fraser and Marian Robinson, and the manner in which they raised Craig and his sister Michelle. Fraser and Marian sound like ordinary, everyday people who managed to do extraordinary things. They weren't prosperous or wealthy, but they instilled family values and the importance of hard work into their children. They managed to send their children to Ivy League schools and supported and encouraged them in every activity. Fraser Robinson believed in the importance of a person's character and he passed that on to his children.
The Robinson/Obama family has a high opinion of itself, which is something that many highly successful people have. Understandably, Craig is very proud of his sister and brother-in-law. I appreciated that the political tones were simply because Barack Obama is part of his family and, therefore, the election and his being President of the United States is simply a part of their family life. Craig can't help that and he didn't use this book to preach about his brother-in-law's policies, which was refreshing.
Craig likens everything in the book to basketball. His writing style is very conversational and easy to read. The analogies, the lessons learned and the jargon are all basketball related. I like basketball and have a more than rudimentary understanding of it, but where the endless basketball analogies might annoy a non-sports fan, I think the lessons learned will resonate with everyone.
November 11, 2013
Although Craig's story is inspirational in how a solid traditional working class family sent two gifted children to Ivy League Princeton and allowed them to reach their full potential, I give this book 3 stars because Craig is not the best writer out there. Perhaps, it is unfair to compare his writing to Obama who is literarily superior but there it is. Overall a good read on correct parenting based on example, and showing interest in the children's welfare while stimulating curiosity allowing them to develop their own critical thinking skills.
Craig was lucky to have numerous positive role models in his life from his close family unit and their relentless focus on education to Johnnie Gage emphasis on a good attitude.
Craig allows people to look @ things in a new different way. Marian and Fraser worked hard so that their kids could go farther than they themselves were capable of going. His father used basketball as a metaphor for character b/c of his interest in basketball. It helps that Fraser was the very embodiment of character, someone despite having a debilitating disease of MS never complained and never missed worked and came home to be the embodiment of a family man. Fraser and Marian encouraged independent thinking in their children and to come to their own conclusion. A person's character can truly shine when a person is down and out and no one can do everything on their own. The parents taught their kids to look @ a person's character.
Craig wanted to see his sister with someone he mutually loved shared similar values and aspirations, could balance decision with teamwork, develop the ability to compromise. Craig used basketball to test Obama's character and he found someone who was secure in his own skin, "not a phony" and someone who is relentless in pursuit of a goal. In
basketball, Barack was confident without being cocky.
He learned from his parents that "life happens to you, putting choices in your path thatoffer an abundance of opportunities as well as challenges (and sometimes both), and that the best choices are usually the ones that require courage". The Robinson's emphasized family life and wanted to instill the character of self-esteem and selflessness. They genuinely loved their family and spent every free time they got on their family life.
The first step was moving out of the projects into a better neighborhood to give their children opportunities that they would normally would not have. The Robinson's loved each other very much giving up their respective freedom for the love that they had for one another was the glue to their family life. They also exhibited enthusiasm for life which they taught by example. They had the characteristics of successful individuals namely a stable family while having something to prove externally as well as living in a tough neighborhood with gangs. They lived in a multi-racial neighborhood that valued working. The space they lived in were cramped but good for family life. The siblings shared a bedroom while the parents turned the living room into their bedroom. Marian taught her kids to read thus allowing them to skip grades when the time came to go to school. Perhaps, they are correct in stating early education as key to a child's reading potential.
The Robinson's turned education into fun games that engaged their children's imagination. The Robinson's emphasized education as the key to their success. Craig celebrated when Michelle succeeded and felt injustice when the other felt slighted. Paternal grandfather made them look up words they did not know. Maternal grandparents separated over
personality differences. The Robinson's had a genuine interest in service with Fraser being the precinct Captain for the Democratic party.
From the military, Fraser learned the value of punctuality which Craig adopted in his life. The Robinson's came from a lineage of freed slaves from South Carolina which probably explains their predilection for leadership. They were rich in having a family life without which "it's tougher to believe in yourself and to develop the confidence and unselfishness needed to thrive in life.
Through consistent showing by example, Robinson's taught their kids the values of love, discipline, and respect. It shows the amount of character that the Robinson's instilled in Craig if he felt guilty for stealing instead of worrying about what other people thought about his actions. Self-esteem for the Robinson's were attached to hard work, diligence, and challenges. Craig never knew that they were poor until he went to Princeton.
Michelle had talent with an incredible worth ethic and was frugal with money while Craig spent as her got his money. The Robinson's not only encouraged their children to study diligently, they also pursued knowledge for their own sake. Marian taught her kids that "knowledge acquired is something no one can take away from the acquirer".
Fraser emphasized "it doesn't matter what you do in life, what counts is being the best @ whatever you choose." He emphasized hard work and persistence to be the best in whatever his kids decided to become.
By stopping smoking cold turkey, Fraser not only demonstrated his love, respect, and discipline to his kids; he also taught them how habits good and bad stem from moment-by-moment choices. Thus if one wishes to change a habit, one has to choose what to do to change that habit and act on it with conviction. The most effective plan for winning is
to develop the habits early on.
They were involved in their children's lives keeping communication lines open. Fraser counseled his child to have an even keel behavior towards victory and defeat thus Craig learned not to get over emotional during victories and defeats.
Coach Gage biggest emphasis was having a good attitude. Craig was a conscientious worrier. Craig idolized Love for his relentless nature. Street basketball taught players the art of basketball on how to psych your opponent out.
His parents explained sex education in a matter-of-fact manner which helped him avoid pregnancy or STD's. Living in a predominantly Black neighborhood, Craig was protected from racism but he was made fun of by "acting white" b/c he pronounced words properly and got straight A's.
Marian Robinson complained to the police precinct that a black police officer accused Craig of stealing a bike which she had the police officer apologize to her son. Craigs trustworthiness assured his parents he would not do anything to endanger that faith in self.
Craig learned to protect himself from bullies when he learned to fight b/c he was secure in his ability to fight, he was able to win without throwing a punch. When Craig graduated valedictorian from his class, his parents decided to send him to a Catholic high school that was challenging for him. Although the Robinson's were super involved in their children's lives, they knew when it was time for them to leave so their kids could grow as individuals.
Craig Robinson is lucky to have numerous role models that his parents placed him in a position to have. Fr Mike did not want Craig to succumb to stereotypes of what other people thought of him. Fr Carroll required Craig to think critically about religion. It was in Mt Carmel that Craig got a taste of insidious racism that people hated him b/c he was black and when he tried harder, they resented him more. The history teacher taught Craig not to get riled up by the teachers racist attitude and to keep his cool. Craig was exposed to diverse group of guys from a variety of backgrounds and
experiences in his Mt Carmel team.
Robinson's raised their kids right to be honest but not push overs.
B/c of his academics combined with his athletic prowess, Craig was able to attend Princeton paid in part by his parents going into debt. But for bragging rights, his parents were happy to go into debt for their son to have a Princeton education. He believes being outside one comfort zone builds character as he proves by going to Princeton. Rodgers a Black upper mc man mentored Craig a man from a working class background. Although Princeton did provide a minorities/working class orientation, it was insufficient for Craig who never considered academics as a serious endeavor being the first to go to college from his family. John's enthusiasm made Craig look up to him. He liked playing for Pete Carril. Craig worked as a custodian in a dorm room in order to save his parents some money. After having a melt down for not being the top student, Craig called his father who offered the explanation that Princeton picked him b/c somehow he could contribute to the school. He left engineering and moved to liberal arts. With his switch to liberal arts, he did better in school.
Princeton offense focused on teamwork and player development. He did better in school when the season started b/c he was busier. It was only when Michelle enrolled at Princeton that Craig felt @ home. His favorite subjects @ Princeton were philosophy and religion. Being a better player made him a more confident and better student. Bill Bradley acknowledge Craig during his commencement.
He councils that people set objectives of what success looks like for them instead of shooting for NBA and falling short. He was drafted by the 76'ers in the 4th round. But in the NBA trials, they were looking for stars not team players so Craig lost out on a spot. His hard worked paid off in European league was looking for players so he was able to play in Manchester, England. So after a two year stint as a European ball player in which he got to experience Europe and date European women, he decided that he wanted to coach but first went b-school so he could save up for the low paying job of a coach. I like his approach of saying that luck is another word for hard work.
Character is shaped by choices every step of the way. He looked @ how a person has learned from his past choices on how he grew out of it. Before coaching basketball, he had a 15 year stint in Wall Street as brokerage firm Dean Witter. He wanted to be financially secure and provide for his rapidly ailing father before pursuing his dream as a coach. He mastered the art of cold-calling.
Craig married a black business woman whom he did not discuss his desire to become a coach instead of staying in a financial sector which presented a problem when he was offered a job @ Cornell and she did not want to go with him. They did not talk about their values and priorities before hand. He succumbed to his wife pressure and continued down the business track. So he got a MBA from U. of Chicago b/c he was worried about his father's MS health. Michelle was @ this point finished with Harvard Law School and working at Sidley Austin and met Obama. At this point, she was concentrated on her career and did not want to date anyone that would distract her from a goal of rising in the law firm ranks. Barack and Michelle had a view that public service could positively impact people.
As a bond trader, he was able to see what it was like being the only black person in a prominent position. He was a yuppie. He was able to live it up for awhile saying to himself if his father never complained than why should he. His father died b/c he would deny the symptoms of MS that crippled him. During this time, he advanced in the world of investment banking while his marriage was falling apart until divorce was imminent and finalized.
At the same time, he excelled in his first coaching stint. After trying to make as an entrepreneur before the business took off and he could make money, Craig got a phone call from the Northwestern head coach and he jumped at the chance without asking for compensation which meant he really wanted to coach.
Craig started his new job with a lower wage and a desire to get his kids through a rough patch during the divorce, but he was in the path where he wanted to be in. It is great that Craig found a soulmate in Kelly and they waited 5 yrs until they married making a long distance relationship work. It is also great that they took the time to get to know each other with conversation before jumping in marriage. It was great how their relationship started in 2001 and climax with her living in Craig's mom's home in 2003. I am glad he found someone whom he could share his ambition with a fellow coaching personality.
After 5 yrs as an assistant coach @ Northwestern, he applied to a coaching position @ Brown which was like Northwestern was a turnaround prospect. He laid out a plan to what a turnaround prospect would look like at Brown and laid the case for he being the role model of Ivy League looks like. 5 days before his wedding to Kelly, Craig received the offer from Brown. It also probably helped that Barack was considered a Presidential contender at that point in a blue state. What a great wedding gift for Craig, to have the head coaching job @ Brown! No wonder his pictures during his wedding was pure bliss to get married to the love of his life combined with getting his dream job must have been overwhelmingly positive.
Kelly and Craig shared the love of sports and were natural coaches which was great bond for both of them. Avery took the wedding badly while Leslie cozied to the fact the fact that his father married to Kelly. I like how Craig and Fraser not only liked basketball but more importantly saw it as a metaphor for life and learned important life lessons in playing the game.
Obama wanted the support of the Robinson family before he decided to run. Ultimately, he saw an opportunity to run for President that might never be his again and took it. Besides happy parents, make happy children. Obama was elected b/c of a movement that made his 1st election monumentous.
Even if he might have gotten the job in part b/c he was Obama's brother-in-law, he showed that he belonged in coaching when Brown ended with a winning season and he was named Ivy League Coach of the Year. But standards for academics had fallen since Craig was recruited for Princeton as can be seen by the fact that players @ Brown did not know what a metaphor was.
Craig campaigned for Obama and the transformational nature for his campaign which was huge for him as he got to tell his story of success. Although Obama proved to be a good campaigner, he need his family and friends around to keep his life as normal as possible thus giving him strength.
Craig knows that since only a tiny percentage could make it to the NBA, it was more important that every player learn character that would be applicable to all areas in their lives. OSU was a bottom feeder and the 4 coaches with whom they wanted rejected them so Craig stepped in and took the job.
In OSU, Craig had to foster a feeling of family that the ball players there lacked b/c of their bad backgrounds. He fostered a feeling of community with his players. Marian encourage curiosity in her children. He tried to foster curiosity in his players. He told the players to create a journal to chronicle improvements in their performance. He was able to make the team win 18 games the most OSU won in 11 yrs by having a team buy in to his program of team first mentality. He instituted weekly evaluations so people knew where they stood.
It is good that Barack Obama was elected president for his inspirational nature of people to overcome oppression in order to move to the top. It was also timely reading this book in which Craig marries Kelly and Obama being the love child of a black father and white mother after reading Mudbound and the horrors of interracial dating following WWII which included the lynching of the offending black person. It shows how far America has come from those dark years.
He ends with telling that we all have a unique opportunity to positively impact the world which is @ the heart of character.
Craig was lucky to have numerous positive role models in his life from his close family unit and their relentless focus on education to Johnnie Gage emphasis on a good attitude.
Craig allows people to look @ things in a new different way. Marian and Fraser worked hard so that their kids could go farther than they themselves were capable of going. His father used basketball as a metaphor for character b/c of his interest in basketball. It helps that Fraser was the very embodiment of character, someone despite having a debilitating disease of MS never complained and never missed worked and came home to be the embodiment of a family man. Fraser and Marian encouraged independent thinking in their children and to come to their own conclusion. A person's character can truly shine when a person is down and out and no one can do everything on their own. The parents taught their kids to look @ a person's character.
Craig wanted to see his sister with someone he mutually loved shared similar values and aspirations, could balance decision with teamwork, develop the ability to compromise. Craig used basketball to test Obama's character and he found someone who was secure in his own skin, "not a phony" and someone who is relentless in pursuit of a goal. In
basketball, Barack was confident without being cocky.
He learned from his parents that "life happens to you, putting choices in your path thatoffer an abundance of opportunities as well as challenges (and sometimes both), and that the best choices are usually the ones that require courage". The Robinson's emphasized family life and wanted to instill the character of self-esteem and selflessness. They genuinely loved their family and spent every free time they got on their family life.
The first step was moving out of the projects into a better neighborhood to give their children opportunities that they would normally would not have. The Robinson's loved each other very much giving up their respective freedom for the love that they had for one another was the glue to their family life. They also exhibited enthusiasm for life which they taught by example. They had the characteristics of successful individuals namely a stable family while having something to prove externally as well as living in a tough neighborhood with gangs. They lived in a multi-racial neighborhood that valued working. The space they lived in were cramped but good for family life. The siblings shared a bedroom while the parents turned the living room into their bedroom. Marian taught her kids to read thus allowing them to skip grades when the time came to go to school. Perhaps, they are correct in stating early education as key to a child's reading potential.
The Robinson's turned education into fun games that engaged their children's imagination. The Robinson's emphasized education as the key to their success. Craig celebrated when Michelle succeeded and felt injustice when the other felt slighted. Paternal grandfather made them look up words they did not know. Maternal grandparents separated over
personality differences. The Robinson's had a genuine interest in service with Fraser being the precinct Captain for the Democratic party.
From the military, Fraser learned the value of punctuality which Craig adopted in his life. The Robinson's came from a lineage of freed slaves from South Carolina which probably explains their predilection for leadership. They were rich in having a family life without which "it's tougher to believe in yourself and to develop the confidence and unselfishness needed to thrive in life.
Through consistent showing by example, Robinson's taught their kids the values of love, discipline, and respect. It shows the amount of character that the Robinson's instilled in Craig if he felt guilty for stealing instead of worrying about what other people thought about his actions. Self-esteem for the Robinson's were attached to hard work, diligence, and challenges. Craig never knew that they were poor until he went to Princeton.
Michelle had talent with an incredible worth ethic and was frugal with money while Craig spent as her got his money. The Robinson's not only encouraged their children to study diligently, they also pursued knowledge for their own sake. Marian taught her kids that "knowledge acquired is something no one can take away from the acquirer".
Fraser emphasized "it doesn't matter what you do in life, what counts is being the best @ whatever you choose." He emphasized hard work and persistence to be the best in whatever his kids decided to become.
By stopping smoking cold turkey, Fraser not only demonstrated his love, respect, and discipline to his kids; he also taught them how habits good and bad stem from moment-by-moment choices. Thus if one wishes to change a habit, one has to choose what to do to change that habit and act on it with conviction. The most effective plan for winning is
to develop the habits early on.
They were involved in their children's lives keeping communication lines open. Fraser counseled his child to have an even keel behavior towards victory and defeat thus Craig learned not to get over emotional during victories and defeats.
Coach Gage biggest emphasis was having a good attitude. Craig was a conscientious worrier. Craig idolized Love for his relentless nature. Street basketball taught players the art of basketball on how to psych your opponent out.
His parents explained sex education in a matter-of-fact manner which helped him avoid pregnancy or STD's. Living in a predominantly Black neighborhood, Craig was protected from racism but he was made fun of by "acting white" b/c he pronounced words properly and got straight A's.
Marian Robinson complained to the police precinct that a black police officer accused Craig of stealing a bike which she had the police officer apologize to her son. Craigs trustworthiness assured his parents he would not do anything to endanger that faith in self.
Craig learned to protect himself from bullies when he learned to fight b/c he was secure in his ability to fight, he was able to win without throwing a punch. When Craig graduated valedictorian from his class, his parents decided to send him to a Catholic high school that was challenging for him. Although the Robinson's were super involved in their children's lives, they knew when it was time for them to leave so their kids could grow as individuals.
Craig Robinson is lucky to have numerous role models that his parents placed him in a position to have. Fr Mike did not want Craig to succumb to stereotypes of what other people thought of him. Fr Carroll required Craig to think critically about religion. It was in Mt Carmel that Craig got a taste of insidious racism that people hated him b/c he was black and when he tried harder, they resented him more. The history teacher taught Craig not to get riled up by the teachers racist attitude and to keep his cool. Craig was exposed to diverse group of guys from a variety of backgrounds and
experiences in his Mt Carmel team.
Robinson's raised their kids right to be honest but not push overs.
B/c of his academics combined with his athletic prowess, Craig was able to attend Princeton paid in part by his parents going into debt. But for bragging rights, his parents were happy to go into debt for their son to have a Princeton education. He believes being outside one comfort zone builds character as he proves by going to Princeton. Rodgers a Black upper mc man mentored Craig a man from a working class background. Although Princeton did provide a minorities/working class orientation, it was insufficient for Craig who never considered academics as a serious endeavor being the first to go to college from his family. John's enthusiasm made Craig look up to him. He liked playing for Pete Carril. Craig worked as a custodian in a dorm room in order to save his parents some money. After having a melt down for not being the top student, Craig called his father who offered the explanation that Princeton picked him b/c somehow he could contribute to the school. He left engineering and moved to liberal arts. With his switch to liberal arts, he did better in school.
Princeton offense focused on teamwork and player development. He did better in school when the season started b/c he was busier. It was only when Michelle enrolled at Princeton that Craig felt @ home. His favorite subjects @ Princeton were philosophy and religion. Being a better player made him a more confident and better student. Bill Bradley acknowledge Craig during his commencement.
He councils that people set objectives of what success looks like for them instead of shooting for NBA and falling short. He was drafted by the 76'ers in the 4th round. But in the NBA trials, they were looking for stars not team players so Craig lost out on a spot. His hard worked paid off in European league was looking for players so he was able to play in Manchester, England. So after a two year stint as a European ball player in which he got to experience Europe and date European women, he decided that he wanted to coach but first went b-school so he could save up for the low paying job of a coach. I like his approach of saying that luck is another word for hard work.
Character is shaped by choices every step of the way. He looked @ how a person has learned from his past choices on how he grew out of it. Before coaching basketball, he had a 15 year stint in Wall Street as brokerage firm Dean Witter. He wanted to be financially secure and provide for his rapidly ailing father before pursuing his dream as a coach. He mastered the art of cold-calling.
Craig married a black business woman whom he did not discuss his desire to become a coach instead of staying in a financial sector which presented a problem when he was offered a job @ Cornell and she did not want to go with him. They did not talk about their values and priorities before hand. He succumbed to his wife pressure and continued down the business track. So he got a MBA from U. of Chicago b/c he was worried about his father's MS health. Michelle was @ this point finished with Harvard Law School and working at Sidley Austin and met Obama. At this point, she was concentrated on her career and did not want to date anyone that would distract her from a goal of rising in the law firm ranks. Barack and Michelle had a view that public service could positively impact people.
As a bond trader, he was able to see what it was like being the only black person in a prominent position. He was a yuppie. He was able to live it up for awhile saying to himself if his father never complained than why should he. His father died b/c he would deny the symptoms of MS that crippled him. During this time, he advanced in the world of investment banking while his marriage was falling apart until divorce was imminent and finalized.
At the same time, he excelled in his first coaching stint. After trying to make as an entrepreneur before the business took off and he could make money, Craig got a phone call from the Northwestern head coach and he jumped at the chance without asking for compensation which meant he really wanted to coach.
Craig started his new job with a lower wage and a desire to get his kids through a rough patch during the divorce, but he was in the path where he wanted to be in. It is great that Craig found a soulmate in Kelly and they waited 5 yrs until they married making a long distance relationship work. It is also great that they took the time to get to know each other with conversation before jumping in marriage. It was great how their relationship started in 2001 and climax with her living in Craig's mom's home in 2003. I am glad he found someone whom he could share his ambition with a fellow coaching personality.
After 5 yrs as an assistant coach @ Northwestern, he applied to a coaching position @ Brown which was like Northwestern was a turnaround prospect. He laid out a plan to what a turnaround prospect would look like at Brown and laid the case for he being the role model of Ivy League looks like. 5 days before his wedding to Kelly, Craig received the offer from Brown. It also probably helped that Barack was considered a Presidential contender at that point in a blue state. What a great wedding gift for Craig, to have the head coaching job @ Brown! No wonder his pictures during his wedding was pure bliss to get married to the love of his life combined with getting his dream job must have been overwhelmingly positive.
Kelly and Craig shared the love of sports and were natural coaches which was great bond for both of them. Avery took the wedding badly while Leslie cozied to the fact the fact that his father married to Kelly. I like how Craig and Fraser not only liked basketball but more importantly saw it as a metaphor for life and learned important life lessons in playing the game.
Obama wanted the support of the Robinson family before he decided to run. Ultimately, he saw an opportunity to run for President that might never be his again and took it. Besides happy parents, make happy children. Obama was elected b/c of a movement that made his 1st election monumentous.
Even if he might have gotten the job in part b/c he was Obama's brother-in-law, he showed that he belonged in coaching when Brown ended with a winning season and he was named Ivy League Coach of the Year. But standards for academics had fallen since Craig was recruited for Princeton as can be seen by the fact that players @ Brown did not know what a metaphor was.
Craig campaigned for Obama and the transformational nature for his campaign which was huge for him as he got to tell his story of success. Although Obama proved to be a good campaigner, he need his family and friends around to keep his life as normal as possible thus giving him strength.
Craig knows that since only a tiny percentage could make it to the NBA, it was more important that every player learn character that would be applicable to all areas in their lives. OSU was a bottom feeder and the 4 coaches with whom they wanted rejected them so Craig stepped in and took the job.
In OSU, Craig had to foster a feeling of family that the ball players there lacked b/c of their bad backgrounds. He fostered a feeling of community with his players. Marian encourage curiosity in her children. He tried to foster curiosity in his players. He told the players to create a journal to chronicle improvements in their performance. He was able to make the team win 18 games the most OSU won in 11 yrs by having a team buy in to his program of team first mentality. He instituted weekly evaluations so people knew where they stood.
It is good that Barack Obama was elected president for his inspirational nature of people to overcome oppression in order to move to the top. It was also timely reading this book in which Craig marries Kelly and Obama being the love child of a black father and white mother after reading Mudbound and the horrors of interracial dating following WWII which included the lynching of the offending black person. It shows how far America has come from those dark years.
He ends with telling that we all have a unique opportunity to positively impact the world which is @ the heart of character.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2022
I really enjoyed reading the words and perspective of Craig Robinson. While I was admittedly drawn first by the fact he’s Michelle Obama’s brother, Craig is more than a little interesting himself. Also raised on the south side of Chicago and a graduate of Princeton, his story is about the importance of family, love, and dedication to rising above your circumstances.
Robinson was always a great student and also a very good athlete who ended up playing basketball at Princeton and becoming the Ivy League player of the year as a senior. Robinson was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers, but didn’t make the team and ended up playing in Europe for a couple of seasons,
His passion for hoops was so extraordinary, he eventually gave up his stable and lucrative career in financial management to become at first a high school coach and later the college head coach at both Brown and Oregon State.
Robinson relates the remarkable lessons learned from his parents, the same parents who raised the First Lady, and the book made me wish I was a parent-to-be. So many life lessons that he shared and related to basketball.
The stories of his sister and President Obama are also fascinating to me. Perhaps my favorite is how Michelle asked him to give then-boyfriend Barack a character test by inviting him to play in one of Craig’s rough and tumble pickup games. Craig approved and the rest is history!
I recommend this book for anybody who is interested in the Robinsons and Obamas and especially for those who want a sense of what made them so successful despite meager financial means as children.
Robinson was always a great student and also a very good athlete who ended up playing basketball at Princeton and becoming the Ivy League player of the year as a senior. Robinson was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers, but didn’t make the team and ended up playing in Europe for a couple of seasons,
His passion for hoops was so extraordinary, he eventually gave up his stable and lucrative career in financial management to become at first a high school coach and later the college head coach at both Brown and Oregon State.
Robinson relates the remarkable lessons learned from his parents, the same parents who raised the First Lady, and the book made me wish I was a parent-to-be. So many life lessons that he shared and related to basketball.
The stories of his sister and President Obama are also fascinating to me. Perhaps my favorite is how Michelle asked him to give then-boyfriend Barack a character test by inviting him to play in one of Craig’s rough and tumble pickup games. Craig approved and the rest is history!
I recommend this book for anybody who is interested in the Robinsons and Obamas and especially for those who want a sense of what made them so successful despite meager financial means as children.
June 1, 2011
Craig Robinson went from living in the projects of Chicago, to graduating from Princeton University, to vice president at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, to coaching Ivy League and Division 1 basketball teams. Along the way, he used the lessons and values instilled in him by his parents, Fraser and Marian Robinson, to work hard, be relentless and persevere.
In A Game of Character, Robinson shares many stories from his youth, including numerous examples of how his parents taught he and his sister, Michelle Robinson Obama, important character traits. He also shows many ways in which the game of basketball can build and expose a person's character. Does a player know when to pass the ball or does he always take the shot himself? Can a player take a risk when an opportunity presents itself, or does he always do the "right," safe move? Although I'm not a fan of basketball, it was an interesting way to examine a person's character.
In addition to his youth, Robinson also shares how he made it to, and through, Princeton University. And why he made choices later in his life that were grounded in those early lessons learned from his parents and his coaches. A Game of Character is an inspirational tale that gave me many ideas as a parent on how to instill the importance of hard work and determination into my children. I think the book has a lot to offer parents, basketball fans and players, and of course, those who want to get a glimpse into the First Lady's childhood as well. After all, Michelle Obama grew up in the same household as Robinson, and many of his early stories feature his sister as well.
In A Game of Character, Robinson shares many stories from his youth, including numerous examples of how his parents taught he and his sister, Michelle Robinson Obama, important character traits. He also shows many ways in which the game of basketball can build and expose a person's character. Does a player know when to pass the ball or does he always take the shot himself? Can a player take a risk when an opportunity presents itself, or does he always do the "right," safe move? Although I'm not a fan of basketball, it was an interesting way to examine a person's character.
In addition to his youth, Robinson also shares how he made it to, and through, Princeton University. And why he made choices later in his life that were grounded in those early lessons learned from his parents and his coaches. A Game of Character is an inspirational tale that gave me many ideas as a parent on how to instill the importance of hard work and determination into my children. I think the book has a lot to offer parents, basketball fans and players, and of course, those who want to get a glimpse into the First Lady's childhood as well. After all, Michelle Obama grew up in the same household as Robinson, and many of his early stories feature his sister as well.
August 6, 2012
Inspirational read with a good message on character-building through the game of basketball, learned through the author’s modest upbringing by the very devoted parenting of Marian & Fraser Robinson. They stressed importance of values, hard work, education and the importance of reaching far beyond what seemed possible. Also gives insight into Michelle & Barack Obama as they ventured into the presidential campaign, and how Michelle’s upbringing alongside Craig, influenced her life decisions and actions as well.
"We grasped the idea that the habit of hard work wasn’t only what our parents exemplified but was something that had its own rewards for us."
“Certain players, not all, will usually reveal their capacity for leadership by how they balance the need to be unselfish during the game with the need to take control when the opening is there.”
"We are all biologically primed to be fearful of differences, but we also have an almost infinite capacity to expand our definition of “a person like me.”
"The motivation to change doesn’t come from feeling worse about yourself than you already do, rather, it comes from having hope of improvements and firing up self-esteem and enthusiasm."
"A leader is someone who constantly seeks to raise their own game and who makes everyone around them a better player. They believe in themselves and their teammates and are able to infuse everyone with a sense of confidence that is required for winning at anything."
“Kids thrive when their parents are happy.”
"We grasped the idea that the habit of hard work wasn’t only what our parents exemplified but was something that had its own rewards for us."
“Certain players, not all, will usually reveal their capacity for leadership by how they balance the need to be unselfish during the game with the need to take control when the opening is there.”
"We are all biologically primed to be fearful of differences, but we also have an almost infinite capacity to expand our definition of “a person like me.”
"The motivation to change doesn’t come from feeling worse about yourself than you already do, rather, it comes from having hope of improvements and firing up self-esteem and enthusiasm."
"A leader is someone who constantly seeks to raise their own game and who makes everyone around them a better player. They believe in themselves and their teammates and are able to infuse everyone with a sense of confidence that is required for winning at anything."
“Kids thrive when their parents are happy.”
January 7, 2013
I have come to be rather skeptical about books written by celebrities. I find they are poorly cobbled together by ghost writers, or badly written by actors who think they should also be able to write, or just plain boring. Seriously, hate to tell you this Ms Celebrity, but your childhood was not the much different from mine.
So, when I was asked to review A Game of Character by Craig Robinson, I was skeptical. You see, Craig Robinson is Michelle Obama’s brother.
LOVED IT!
A Game of Character is a beautiful inspirational book, passing along tidbits of wisdom from a very normal, albeit famous family.
To read the full review visit http://silverandgrace.com/book-review...
So, when I was asked to review A Game of Character by Craig Robinson, I was skeptical. You see, Craig Robinson is Michelle Obama’s brother.
LOVED IT!
A Game of Character is a beautiful inspirational book, passing along tidbits of wisdom from a very normal, albeit famous family.
To read the full review visit http://silverandgrace.com/book-review...
June 22, 2010
I RARELY buy a new hardback book, but I was so amused by an NPR interview with Michelle Obama's brother, that I decided to buy the book. Unfortunately, the interview included all the poignant clips I liked the best. Robinson is not a great writer, but I did learn more about the Robinson family. There was a little too much basketball for me.
March 12, 2015
It was a great book. Had purchased years ago when a local book store went out of business. Liked the flow and how he talked about his upbringing and focus on morals and character. Those two tied well throughout the book and he made great references to them. Near the end it felt as if the booked turned more political rather than engaging. Overall a great book.
July 31, 2010
Mostly Craig Robinson's biography, and a study in overuse of the exclamation point! I didn't find any of the stories of character-building particularly compelling, but it was interesting to learn of his humble beginings and life story.
September 21, 2011
I'm tempted to give it four starts based solely on its message, but the truth is, this is a site for readers, and this is simply not written well enough for four stars. It's a good book with a good message, but it drags. Read the intro and the first two or three chapters. The rest is filler!
July 13, 2010
Wonderful read! In many instance I could really relate to Robinson. I would suggest this piece to anyone interested in character-building and personal growth.
February 13, 2011
This was a quick, inspirational read that gives some insight into Michelle Obama's older brother and his life story. A great book for teens due to its simplicity of message.
July 1, 2011
A quick read and a truly inspirational story!
Read
July 12, 2011OSU's basketball coach tells his story
October 19, 2011
OBAMAAAAAA!
April 26, 2013
I read this book awhile ago but I loved it!
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