price：$12.98
Doubleday
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Political Editorial Disguised as Biography) 『Very disappointing. I thoroughly enjoyed K's previous works, and was hoping to better understand Tillman-- this should be a fascinating story. The short biographical segments were interesting, but just hinted at who Tillman really was. Unfortunately, this book was just a pretext for a sustained, one-sided, poorly researched venomous political rant about the "stolen election", Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, the military-industrial complex, the stupidity of the military, and on and on. You could justify some of this posturing to provide context, but unfortunately Pat Tillman's fascinating life gets lost in the telling. If you are still driving around with a Gore/Lieberman bumper sticker on your car, you will give this book 5 stars, even if it has very little to do with Pat Tillman.』
(Krakauer must need the money?) 『Here's the best advice you'll ever get. Save the $18 and spend it on a good read like "The Great Influenza". Or if you like war stories, spend your hard earned shekels on a book by Col. David Hackworth. I (as many of the other reviewers here) have previously enjoyed Krak's books. No more. I think he must need the money or something, because this book was nothing but a rather boring, anti-Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld hatefest poorly disguised as "Investigative Journalism".
Jon, if you have any scruples you will offer us back our money on your little opus. And I get it......you don't like George Bush and his bunch. I GET IT. I FRICKIN' GET IT!!! And I'm quite sure you just worship these ragtag Che-worshiping Seattle coffee shop pseudointellectuals as you describe Tillman. I'm positive the two of you would have been great buddies if he would have lived a bit longer. But I'm not so sure he would have approved how you are exploiting his tragic circumstances and heroism for your personal gain.
Enough thought energy wasted now. I've got much better things to do like go cook breakfast. Once again, total waste of your money. Don't buy.』
(Respect) 『Jon Krakauer knows how to tell a story, and his latest book, Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman, presents the heroic and tragic life of an amazing person. Most readers are likely to know the outline of Pat's life story: the NFL player who left fame and wealth to enlist in the Army following 9/11, and who was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan. Thanks to Krakauer's account, readers can know more about the character of Tillman, his respect for others, and the ways in which he was comfortable as a nonconformist, always testing the limits of his abilities. As Krakauer presented Pat from childhood on, I became fascinated by the building of character over time, and became saddened by the ways in which Tillman did not receive the respect he deserved, especially from the military leaders who tried to manipulate the truth about his death.
Rating: Three-star (Recommended) 』
(Not at all what I expected) 『Pat Tillman was a more complex person than I expected and his journal entries, which Krakauer quotes extensively are fascinating. The author rehashes a lot of the history of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars but there is quite a bit of information that is new to me. It's interesting to see how many of the bad reivews (the 1's and 2's) are based on ideology, not the book's merits.』
(Nietzschean superman) 『The people that pan this book or call it "flat" are those that are offended by some of Krakauer's political comments. Do not get distracted by this as it is a riveting and well researched book that is hard to put down when you start it. Pat Tillman was an exceptional person that Krakauer elevates to a modern day Nietzschean superman status. He outlines all the characteristics practically from childhood that qualify him for this special status. What's troubling about the book is that Krakauer would have us believe that those that actually pulled the trigger and killed Tillman and the pilots of the US planes that killed 17 American soldiers in the Jessica Lynch rescue in Iraq have no remorse over their actions. I doubt that and certainly hope that it is not true.』 『The bestselling author ofInto the Wild,Into Thin Air, andUnder the Banner of Heavendelivers a stunning, eloquent account of a remarkable young man’s haunting journey. Like the men whose epic stories Jon Krakauer has told in his previous bestsellers, Pat Tillman was an irrepressible individualist and iconoclast. In May 2002, Tillman walked away from his $3.6 million NFL contract to enlist in the United States Army. He was deeply troubled by 9/11, and he felt a strong moral obligation to join the fight against al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Two years later, he died on a desolate hillside in southeastern Afghanistan.
Though obvious to most of the two dozen soldiers on the scene that a ranger in Tillman’s own platoon had fired the fatal shots, the Army aggressively maneuvered to keep this information from Tillman’s wife, other family members, and the American public for five weeks following his death. During this time, President Bush repeatedly invoked Tillman’s name to promote his administration’s foreign policy. Long after Tillman’s nationally televised memorial service, the Army grudgingly notified his closest relatives that he had “probably” been killed by friendly fire while it continued to dissemble about the details of his death and who was responsible.
InWhere Men Win Glory, Jon Krakauer draws on Tillman’s journals and letters, interviews with his wife and friends, conversations with the soldiers who served alongside him, and extensive research on the ground in Afghanistan to render an intricate mosaic of this driven, complex, and uncommonly compelling figure as well as the definitive accountof the events and actions that led to his death. Before he enlisted in the army, Tillman was familiar to sports aficionados as an undersized, overachieving Arizona Cardinals safety whose virtuosity in the defensive backfield was spellbinding. With his shoulder-length hair, outspoken views, and boundless intellectual curiosity, Tillman was considered a maverick. America was fascinated when he traded the bright lights and riches of the NFL for boot camp and a buzz cut. Sent first to Iraq—a war he would openly declare was “illegal as hell” —and eventually to Afghanistan, Tillman was driven by complicated, emotionally charged, sometimes contradictory notions of duty, honor, justice, patriotism, and masculine pride, and he was determined to serve his entire three-year commitment. But on April 22, 2004, his life would end in a barrage of bullets fired by his fellow soldiers.
Krakauer chronicles Tillman’s riveting, tragic odyssey in engrossing detail highlighting his remarkable character and personality while closely examining the murky, heartbreaking circumstances of his death. Infused with the power and authenticity readers have come to expect from Krakauer’s storytelling,Where Men Win Gloryexposes shattering truths about men and war.
From the Hardcover edition.』 『Book Description The bestselling author ofInto the Wild,Into Thin Air, andUnder the Banner of Heavendelivers a stunning, eloquent account of a remarkable young man’s haunting journey. Like the men whose epic stories Jon Krakauer has told in his previous bestsellers, Pat Tillman was an irrepressible individualist and iconoclast. In May 2002, Tillman walked away from his $3.6 million NFL contract to enlist in the United States Army. He was deeply troubled by 9/11, and he felt a strong moral obligation to join the fight against al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Two years later, he died on a desolate hillside in southeastern Afghanistan.
Though obvious to most of the two dozen soldiers on the scene that a ranger in Tillman’s own platoon had fired the fatal shots, the Army aggressively maneuvered to keep this information from Tillman’s wife, other family members, and the American public for five weeks following his death. During this time, President Bush repeatedly invoked Tillman’s name to promote his administration’s foreign policy. Long after Tillman’s nationally televised memorial service, the Army grudgingly notified his closest relatives that he had “probably” been killed by friendly fire while it continued to dissemble about the details of his death and who was responsible.
InWhere Men Win Glory, Jon Krakauer draws on Tillman’s journals and letters, interviews with his wife and friends, conversations with the soldiers who served alongside him, and extensive research on the ground in Afghanistan to render an intricate mosaic of this driven, complex, and uncommonly compelling figure as well as the definitive accountof the events and actions that led to his death. Before he enlisted in the army, Tillman was familiar to sports aficionados as an undersized, overachieving Arizona Cardinals safety whose virtuosity in the defensive backfield was spellbinding. With his shoulder-length hair, outspoken views, and boundless intellectual curiosity, Tillman was considered a maverick. America was fascinated when he traded the bright lights and riches of the NFL for boot camp and a buzz cut. Sent first to Iraq—a war he would openly declare was “illegal as hell” —and eventually to Afghanistan, Tillman was driven by complicated, emotionally charged, sometimes contradictory notions of duty, honor, justice, patriotism, and masculine pride, and he was determined to serve his entire three-year commitment. But on April 22, 2004, his life would end in a barrage of bullets fired by his fellow soldiers.
Krakauer chronicles Tillman’s riveting, tragic odyssey in engrossing detail highlighting his remarkable character and personality while closely examining the murky, heartbreaking circumstances of his death. Infused with the power and authenticity readers have come to expect from Krakauer’s storytelling,Where Men Win Gloryexposes shattering truths about men and war. Amazon Exclusive: Jon Krakauer in Afghanistan
price：$3.91
Co.
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Not the Disney version of Oher's story) 『Warning to potential buyers: this book is not the text version of the Sandra Bullock movie, which from the trailers appears to have simplified the story down to Disney level. This is a book about football first and foremost, with the story of Michael Oher interwoven.
The author begins by providing a history of the economy for specific types of NFL players using anecdotes and data about changing trends in football. This is all done so that we can understand how Michael Oher's arrival on the football scene became such a sensation, and also quite possibly for the love of the game as well. I found these parts of the book incredibly educational and enlightening.
The story then begins to focus on Oher himself. This tale is not as simple as the movie would perhaps have you believe. As much as my heart would love to think that the Touhy family saw him sitting on the side of the road, brought him home, and adopted him, this book makes it clear that it was not that simple. Without telling the entire story, it definitely left me wondering what would have happened to Michael Oher if he couldn't play football, and for me, called into question a bit the Touhy's motivations. Oher must be an absolutely brilliant young man if he improved academically in the way described in the book; but these talents are not encouraged by the Touhys except as a way to get into college so he can play ball. Then again, that may just be the whole point of the book--the power of football.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book's primer on the history of player market value in the NFL, as well as the background on coaching styles. To football diehards this information may be old news but it's worth a second look. Finally, regarding the Oher part of the book, I confess that I was not left with a great impression of the Touhy family. However, the author's analysis of the nuances involved in this story was appreciated far more than the sanitized version. 』
(A lot of football knowledge.) 『I am halfway through this. I bought it last night on Kindle for PC for my netbook. Easy to read, but a LOT of football background. You find out what every coach was doing before, during and after the timeline. That's ok, since my husband loves football and I have learned to, I enjoyed most of it. This is the kind of book you get for you, and then give to your boyfriend or husband, they might like it even more than you did. 』
(Great Story Lost in a Horrible Book) 『After seeing the previews for this movie, I wanted to read the book, since I am one of those people who likes to read the book before seeing the movie. It looked like a great story. And the story of Michael Oher is truly very interesting...too bad it's not the focal point of this book.
Yes, I'm a gal who has never actually PLAYED football, however, I do watch it regularly on the weekends at both the college and pro level, so I do understand the basics of the game. However, this book is not written to my level, nor to my husband's level who is more enthusiastic about the game. This book is written at the level of a veteran ESPN announcer who has the attention span and patience to muddle through the author's stream-of-consciousness writings.
When I first started reading the book, I was confused - where was the story depicted in the previews? After giving up with trying to read the book after 20 eReader pages of nothing but historical football babble, I skimmed ahead to find where Michael's story started. I found it about 70 pages later where it continued for a hundred or so pages. Then, in the middle of the story, the author went off on some tangent about Joe Montana and a pro coach for 20 pages that really didn't relate to the story at all.
I'm confused - was this book not edited? It truly reads like the author's notes from his interviews and research. Or perhaps it would work better as a screenplay for a documentary where we cut out from the main action for extended period of time to go off on a tangent that may or may not be directly related to the action of the story.
So, to sum up, I'm very sad that I spent $10 on this book. I wouldn't recommend it at all, especially if you are looking for the story advertised in the movie. I would suggest that you go to Wikipeida and read Michael's story there...you'll find almost as much information with as much emotion as is presented in this book without the annoying skimming of worthless text that you paid way to much for. 』
(A touchdown) 『I became a Michael Lewis fan years ago when I read Liar's Poker. Fan may be too strong a word. I realized then that I enjoyed his style and so when browsing the book store, and with the movie trailers out, seeing that the book was by Lewis, i decided to give it a shot.
I was not disappointed. Lewis has a way of writing that brings something which you are not a part of into your life and make you one with it. Some of his short works i still find that I remember vividly, twenty years later and recite from on occasion.
Here we have an encouraging story of a young black boy who really has nothing in his life but his athletic ability. We have a good family that certainly does not need to exploit the boy. So they did what we all should want to do if our situations allowed, take the boy in and help. But the story is not just about that, it covers the evolution of football, these last thirty to forty years as marquee quarterbacks, or productive west-coast offense systems come into play.
In essence it is two books because of that, and it is what makes the story. I had to call my football buddy up half-way through and tell him I had a book he needed to read. Now I have to watch a game and wonder what the left tackle is doing.
This book was a very good read, and well worth the time and effort. It may not be as fun ultimately as Playing for Pizza by Grisham, but it is pretty good in its own way.』
(A must read) 『A must read book for anyone who enjoys football and the love of a story about anyone who helps out a kid in need.』 『Opening on November 20, 2009, as a major motion picture, starring Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw.Opening in theaters November 20, 2009,The Blind Sideis a feature movie based on Michael’s Lewis’sNew York Timesbestseller, produced by Alcon Entertainment and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.The Blind Sidetells the inspirational story of Michael Oher, a homeless black teen taken under the wing of the Touhys, a wealthy white Memphis family. Oher’s size and speed on the football field bring him accolades. But learning the game’s strategy and making it as a student take the help of his new family, coaches, and tutor.
Sandra Bullock stars as Leigh Anne Touhy, the sharp-witted and compassionate matriarch. Tim McGraw stars as her sports-enthusiast husband. Oscar winner Kathy Bates plays Miss Sue, Oher’s indefatigable tutor. Quinton Aaron has his first major role as Oher. John Lee Hancock, who directedThe RookieandThe Alamo, writes and directs the film.
Michael Oher was just drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. This edition includes a new afterword bringing Oher’s life up to date through college and the NFL. .』
price：$5.58
Co.
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (If You Think This Is Only About Football, Think Again) 『Not just a book about football, a book about the extraordinary life of an underprivileged individual whose life changed based upon the kindness and determination of others. I want to laugh, cry, and cheer all at the same time while reading this. I read all 339 pages in less than 24 hours, something I never do even when I love a book, I simply COULD NOT put this down. I don't care if you're a man or woman, football fan or not, you will find a reason to fall in love with this story.』
(Football book for a non-fan) 『This was one of the best-written, most moving books I have read in a long time. It is a truly compelling story. The football angle, while important, is almost tangential to the most significant aspects of the book -- the characters themselves. Although this would appeal to a sports enthusiast, it is also a must-read for bibliophiles like me.』
(For Those Who Want to Read About the Good in the World ...) 『Michael Lewis has hit two home runs ... or scored two touchdowns, pick your sports analogy. Blind Side is two books in one. First it is a analytical look at the evolution of NFL football. With Bill Walsh perfecting the west coast offense, basically a timing based system where the QB drops back and throws to a predefined location, stretching the field laterally. The makes the QB in his offense ineffective if his timing is disrupted. Along comes Lawrence Taylor who hit quarterbacks behind the line of scrimmage so often they had to create the sack! So with the timing based system and nuts like LT bursting around the Blind Side a premium was placed on the guy blocking that side. The bar is set so high for Blindside tackles are the second highest paid position in the NFL.
Interspersed through the book you get to meet Michael Oher and hear his story. It is the best feelgood sports story, and possibly most life affirming tale I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Michael was essentially homeless in the ghetto of Memphis when through determination and luck he enrolls in Briar Crest, a nearly all white affluent christian high school on the other side of town. Fate shine on him in the early going when a student and her mother see Michael walking down the street in shorts and a T shirt on a cold day. Mrs. Touhy(?) saw the need and took upon herself to offer a hand. What resulted was the rebuilding of a life destroyed by ambivalence.
This is a fantastic read, i recommend it to all who enjoy reading about the good in the world. 』
(I didn't really like this book even though I loved it.) 『I know. The Title makes no sense. That's because it's about 60 percent of a book: the story of Michael Oher, the Tuohys and the marketing of high school football players. That's the part I loved.
What I didn't like: Lewis's rather patronizing treatise on football ("the Evolution of the Game''), invented by Bill Walsh and Bill Parcells (yes, I'm sure they told him that because I knew Walsh and know Parcells and modesty was/is not one of either man's virtues.) Lewis makes it sound as if Michael Oher, who entered the NFL in 2009, arrived just in time to get a $13 million contract. Yes, he points out that in 1993, when free agency started, that left tackles were paid more than right tackles. But he suggests that Lawrence Taylor was the first pass rusher to endanger quarterbacks from the blind side. I don't think Deacon Jones or Doug Atkins or Gino Marchetti would think that. Nor would any of the quarterbacks they hit in the pre-Oher paleozoic era.
I guess what I'm saying is that the football section of the book is much too patronizing. A friend agreed,pointing out that it shouldn't be read by people who know the game from the inside because it's far too simplistic about football. There also are annoying little mistakes _ Sid Gillman spelled his name that way, not "Gilman,'' as Lewis has it.
I didn't really like "Moneyball'' either. I don't like sports books that push pat theories about events that by their nature are unpredictable. Billy Beane's teams haven't fared too well lately, have they? But I believe in the stolen base that Billy so disdains.』
(Excellent!) 『A great story of Michael Oher. I love sports bios especially football ones. And actually it is rare to read a bio of a rookie NFL player because most bios are of NFL stars, but this bio is something special because it charts the life story of Michael Oher and how to he got to the NFL. The story of Oher is mostly about his life and not about his football story at Ole Miss. But, the book also talks about football strategy. Specifically it touches on Lawrence Taylor and how his exceptional performance led to a completely new evaluation of the left tackle position. That in itself is worth reading too.
It's a well written book and easy to read. Sometimes you wonder about what some of these football players had to go though in their lives in order to get to the NFL and this is one of those stories. Without giving out more away, I'll just say it's highly recommended.』 『"Lewis has such a gift for storytelling...he writes as lucidly for sports fans as for those who read him for other reasons."—Janet Maslin,New York TimesOne day Michael Oher will be among the most highly paid athletes in the National Football League. When we first meet him, he is one of thirteen children by a mother addicted to crack; he does not know his real name, his father, his birthday, or how to read or write. He takes up football, and school, after a rich, white, evangelical family plucks him from the streets. Then two great forces alter Oher: the family's love and the evolution of professional football itself into a game in which the quarterback must be protected at any cost. Our protagonist becomes the priceless package of size, speed, and agility necessary to guard the quarterback's greatest vulnerability: his blind side. This paperback edition contains a brand-new 2007 afterword. .』
price：$9.18
Tyndale Audio
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Uncommon is excellent) 『Tony's book gives a great explanation of how to be an uncommon person. Though written to men, can be transferred as to how to be an uncommon woman as well. Although there are references to football, the main content is about living life in general, and how letting God be the center of that life makes a difference. God can make you Uncommon in your actions toward others.』
(Excellent!!!) 『I highly recommend this book and/or CD to everyone I talk to. Tony Dungy is a positive role model that is sorely lacking in our society today. It is done in an easy, relaxed style that appeals to all age groups and yet is extremely impacting.』
(Must read for anyone with young adults) 『Tony Dungy continues to motivate me to aspire to be a better Christian man. This is a must read for anyone raising teens or young adults. Tony truly inspires a passion for greatness, whether on the inside or outside of sports. Single parents wondering how to raise your son(s) or daughter(s)? READ THIS BOOK!』
(Fantastic Read for Any Coach, Parent or Manager) 『Easy Read and Mr Dungy is direct, concise and very real. It is an simple yet terrific message for any coach, parent or manager.
』
(Excellent!) 『I know that this book is getting a lot of hype with the DVD's and now a study bible attached to it - but don't let the commercialism behind it fool you. It is a great a book with a lot of practical advise - none of which is bad. The bottom line in the book is character. It addresses the ups and down of life - the highs and lows - the in's and out's and ultimately how a man should handle all situations when they arise - with character. I have to say I was involved in the whole Promise Keepers movement when it was in its hey-day, back in the nineties - and in that time I never read a book on character and values that was written as good as this one is. It is refreshing to read a book by a popular Christian figure that isn't dressed up and fake with easy solutions and fix-it-to-make-it-all-better schemes. Knowing the personal tragedy that this man has faced in his own life just added to its authenticity. Tony Dungy speaks of having a positive attitude differently than others on this genre. He doesn't present "the positive attitude" as a way to solve and fix problems - but as a way to get through them and ultimately to build character. This book was better than his last one and refreshing to read. As soon as this baby hits the stores in paperback I'll be grabbing a bunch of 'em to pass on to friends and family.』 『Super Bowl–winning coach and #1New York Timesbest selling author Tony Dungy has had an unusual opportunity to reflect on what it takes to achieve significance. He is looked to by many as the epitome of the success and significance that is highly valued in our culture. He also works every day with young men who are trying to achieve significance through football and all that goes with a professional athletic career—such as money, power, and celebrity. Coach Dungy has had all that, but he passionately believes that there is a different path to significance, a path characterized by attitudes, ambitions, and allegiances that are all too rare but uncommonly rewarding.Uncommonreveals lessons on achieving significance that the coach has learned from his remarkable parents, his athletic and coaching career, his mentors, and his journey with God. A particular focus of the book: what it means to be a man of significance in a culture that is offering young men few positive role models.』
price：$9.18
Tyndale
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (great book for men) 『My book came in excellent condition and this is a book for all men to read to understand what it is to a real man in our world today. It is an exciting behind the scenes look into the NFL and the faith community.』
(Loved it!) 『I've been a huge fan of Tony Dungy's for YEARS. WAY before the book came out... I respect and admire him so much more after reading part of his story. Simply put, he is an amazing man of God! :)』
(Tony Dungy Quiet Strength) 『This was a truly inspiring book, no fluff just how faith can carry one through life's journeys.』
(Review of "Quiet Strength") 『The book by Tony Dungy "Quiet Strength" was in great condition as a used book. The owner stated it only had 2 pages turned down and that was correct.
It was just like a new book!!!
Thanks!
Bob Uhle』
(Great book!!! Great man!!!) 『A great man and a great book. Great book for a young person who is just starting out in life. Tony takes us threw his childhood up to his Super Bowl win. His life was full of ups and downs but his faith in God never wavered. He is a true servant of God. A great man with a great mission. I have already given two copies of this book away as gifts.』 『Tony Dungy's words and example have intrigued millions of people, particularly following his victory in Super Bowl XLI, the first for an African American coach. How is it possible for a coach--especially a football coach--to win the respect of his players and lead them to the Super Bowl without the screaming histrionics, the profanities, the demand that the sport come before anything else? How is it possible for anyone to be successful without compromising faith and family? In this inspiring and reflective memoir, Coach Dungy tells the story of a life lived for God and family--and challenges us all to redefine our ideas of what it means to succeed. Includes a foreword by Denzel Washington and a 16-page color photo insert.』
price：$8.82
Sports Illustrated
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (As Good As The First Time, Better In Fact) 『A confession: I know and admire Peter King. Another confession: I'm a professional writer, and when I want to read for pleasure, I either crack open another Elmore Leonard or, Mondays, at lunch, treat myself to Peter's MMQB. No one knows football like Peter King, and it's a treat to have some of his best columns collected in a book. If you haven't read him, I envy you the pleasure of encountering his voice for the first time -- expert yet unaffected, knowing yet curious, and funny, always funny, often laughing at himself with as much gusto as he pokes fun at some of the athletes in these pages. Reading some of these columns a second time gave me as much pleasure as reading them on line. Better in fact, because they seem more resonant on the printed page. Some of his most poignant work is here too. "Family Matters," his column on the death of James Dungy, Tony Dungy's son, still gives me pause, makes me reflect. Peter, of course, is writing about a lot more than football. He's a chronicler of American culture. Sometimes his lens is the game, sometimes the life of a player. Here too are riffs on coffee and airplane rides and -- how can I put this delicately -- even his colonic caper. He is us and we are him and the voice is both original and familiar. That's his great writer's secret. He writes as if he knows everyone who reads him. Hats off too to Sports Illustrated for producing a good looking and clever text with entertaining asides and catchy icons. And I really enjoyed the photo insert in the middle, especially the last page which shows my Giants and Michael Strahan swarming poor Tom Brady to create the famous 18-1. I know what I'm getting my sons, Ben and Josh -- Giants fanatics like their father -- for Christmas.』
(Best football book I've bought in a long time) 『I'm a huge fan of MMQB so I really enjoyed this book, but honestly even if you're just a fan of the game you will love it. A smart, entertaining, opinionated mix of classic columns and new material. Like his online column, this book is a must-read for football fans. Peter King really knows football, and this is as close to the game as you can get without putting on the pads!』
(Peter King is Good People) 『or at least it would seem from his writing. I read him religiously on Monday's at lunchtime. This book is basically excerpts from his column with some added lists. If you like Peter King's column, you will like the book. I remembered some of the columns and some were new to me. New or not you still get the same thing - insight into the NFL on a much more personal level. All of us that follow the NFL wish to some extent we could be part of it, be part of the decisions, hang out with the players, question the coaches and GM's. Peter is able to do that and then tells the story. It's the closest most of us will get.』 『More than two million people a week rush to SI.com to read Peter King's column, Monday Morning Quarterback. There they find a potent mix of analysis, opinion, humor and inside-the-NFL locker- room information delivered as no one else can. In this book, King, the award-winning Sports Illustrated pro football writer, brings the same blend of wit and wisdom, ranging from his famous "10 Things I Think I Think" to his Top 100 player rankings; from the football clichés he hates to the coaching hires he loves; from Brett Favre's golf game to Peyton Manning's comedic skills. And all freshly flavored with King's inimitable observations on the best hotels, the worst airports, the greatest traditions-and coffee, coffee, coffee. There is no journalist better connected to the NFL's players, coaches, general managers and owners, and no writer renders the inside information as entertainingly as Peter King.』
price：$10.38
Times Books
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (okay, not great) 『I wanted to know the many characters in this book better...maybe that is why it was just an okay read for me. The author tried to cover too many people and thus not many of them were fully described enough for me.
Also, despite my own inner admonition not to do so, I kept comparing this book to "Friday Night Lights" and to another lesser-known book entitled "in These Girls, Hope is a Muscle". Both of those books were exciting, written with style and a lot of passion, and read like novels. Lots of natural dramatic tension with many imperfect characters and situations. I just never felt wrapped up or totally involved in "Our Boys".
Yes, I appreciated the work ethic in Smith Center, Drape's descriptions of small-town life, and the philosophy of Coach Barta, how fair and equitably he treated his team. Especially how he encouraged his boys to get better every day. But...I found all of the play-by-play stuff to be a bit too much for me.
There were two things in the book that shocked me, and not in a good way.....when the coach allowed his team to score 72 points...why didn't he pull first-string players out and let some of the others play? And the number of assistants Barta had! Just too much, too many!!!』
(About much more than football) 『I've bought and read hundreds of books from Amazon over many years and this is the first that I felt moved to write a review on. I think that anyone who has children, coaches sports teams, lives in the city or suburbs, or longs for a stronger sense of community and a simpler way of doing things in our fast-paced world may want to read this book. I was slightly skeptical before buying the book, worrying it would be too overdone and really hoping only to read about an amazing football season. But reading about Coach Barta's coaching methods, his message, his impact on the players and town, and his dedication was inspiring and eye opening. I've spent a lot of time reflecting on the book and how it does or could apply to me and for that I think it's worth its weight in gold.
』
(Suspense-Free Saga of a Winning Season) 『Maybe one day Mrs. Joe Drape will write her own book about what it was like to be uprooted from Manhattan to have to come to Smith Center and sit through a season of football. Joe acts as though she loved every minute of it (as did Jack, their cute little boy), but I sometimes wonder if she was playing "author wife" the way some politicians' wives have to stand there smiling and waving next to their husbands for the camera.
Anyhow, I came into the book expecting to read about a high school team where everyone in the town lives and dies by who's winning the ballgame each Friday night, but what I didn't expect was the sheer perfection of Midwestern life. Everyone is thoughtful and kind. The boys don't go on dates or see girls because, well, it would detract from their game. The town itself is small, but several millionaires hail from the town and come in periodically to spread around money. Meanwhile, Coach Barta is the town Socrates, inculcating good sportsmanship in his boys while giving them life lessons to grow on. The parts I liked best in the book were the ingenuity of the team boosters who are always wracking their brains thinking of new ways to celebrate and inspire their team. Compared to the pain in the neck boosters of the TV show Friday Night Lights, these boosters are always tasteful and appropriate. Yet they bring a sense of fun to the town.
I guess there isn't much drama in a book in which you know right from the start that the team is going to win every game. Boring? That's not the word for it. What's the name of that Warhol film where you just watch the Empire State Building all night long? Here and there, some hunts of drama: the boy quarterback who's too small for ordinary football but because he's the son of one of the staff, he's protected. Then there's the boy who's too big for his own good, Sumo size, who has to be trained to rein in his bulk for the good of the team. The most dramatic bit comes when the Redmen head out to a rival school and in the hours before the game one roving player finds a damning Xerox of the other coach slurring the Redmen and saying they are hated. I expect in those other towns, they probably ARE hated. But like the Stephen King novel, they are protected from negative ions by a glass dome and they are happy that way.
I did learn some life lessons from it, but Drape could have worked harder at making this book more, I don't know, interesting.』
(The Essence of High School Football) 『Joe Drape paints an excellent picture of a small Midwestern town and the deep ties within it. Forget that its about one high school football season, the book ties generations together for the ride. More important, the book is a wonderful examination of life within the community as they progress through the season. So much more than just football. This is how it should be. The meaning within the pages crosses over state lines and could be any small town from Texas to Maine.
Its about Life, Family, Community, Raising kids, Hard Work, Dedication, and Friday Night football!
A great read for any coach or fan of the game.』
(Touching story, plenty of life lessons) 『This story was every bit as touching as I hoped it would be. The lessons these boys learn on the football field serve them incredibly well later in life. The whole thing is a modern parable about the importance of effort, teamwork, and maintaining a positive attitude. And it is written beautifully. Highly recommended.』 『
An inspiring portrait of the extraordinary high-school football team whose quest for perfection sustains its hometown in the heartland
The football team in Smith Center, Kansas, has won sixty-seven games in a row, the nation’s longest high-school winning streak. They have done so by embracing a philosophy of life taught by their legendary coach, Roger Barta: “Respect each other, then learn to love each other and together we are champions.”
But as they embarked on a quest for a fifth consecutive title in the fall of 2008, they faced a potentially destabilizing transition: the greatest senior class in school history had graduated, and Barta was contemplating retirement after three decades on the sidelines.
In Smith Center—population: 1,931—this changing of the guard was seismic. Hours removed from the nearest city, the town revolves around “our boys” in a way that goes to the heart of what America’s heartland is today.
Joe Drape, a Kansas City native and an award-winning sportswriter forThe New York Times, moved his family to Smith Center to discover what makes the team and the town an inspiration even to those who live hundreds of miles away. His stories of the coaches, players, and parents reveal a community fighting to hold on to a way of life that is rich in value, even as its economic fortunes decline.
Drape’s moving portrait of Coach Barta and the impressive young men of Smith Center is sure to take its place among the more memorable American sports stories of recent years.
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals) 『This is a book about the fundamentals it takes to succeed at any endeavor you wish to pursue. Tressel hits the nail on the head and I'm glad to see he steps up to the plate and shares his Christian faith. There are quotes and stories throughout the book you'll want to highlight and re-read. You don't need to be a football fan to appreciate the lessons found in the book. However, if you are a college football fan I highly recommend this. I'm a USC Trojan fan but after reading this book I'll be hoping Ohio State wins on Saturdays too (except when they play USC).』
(Gratitude, Humility and Hard Work) 『Gratitude, humility and hard work are the cornerstones of Jim Tressel's THE WINNERS MANUEL. Given to each of his OSU players at the start of new season, the manuel lays out Tressel's philosophy of life and coaching. Familiar, but not corny; straight forward, but not boring, Tressel always brings the discussion around to the importance of gratitude, humility and hard work, three virtues that he has built his career around and wants his OSU players to copy. The major weakness of the book is when he attempts to theologize and yet not offend in regard to Jesus. Still, its very hard to be overly critical of such a likeable public figure.』
(Great Read) 『Great read for fans, but even better read for coaches and leaders. No wonder they have been so successful』
(The Winners Manual) 『Excellent Book! My ten year old daughter started reading the book on her own. Good for helping kids set goals and decision management to reach their dreams.』
(The Winners Manual) 『This book is outstanding not only for a coach like myself but anyone can benefit from reading this. It is excellent for all walks of life.』 『The Winners Manual: For the Game of Lifeshares Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel's "Big Ten" fundamentals for success: Attitude, Discipline, Faith, Handling Adversity&Success, Excellence, Love, Toughness, Responsibility, Team, and Hope. Peppered with personal stories from Coach Tressel’s storied coaching career, this book shares the fundamental lessons that he has been imparting to his players and coaching staffs for the past 20 years. A perfect blend of football stories, spiritual insights, motivational reading, and practical application, The Winners Manual provides an insidelook at the core philosophy that has positively impacted the lives of thousands of student athletes and served as the foundation for two of the most successful college football programs of all time. Includes a foreword fromNYTbest-selling author John Maxwell. Other features:
Each chapter closes with a practical application section, where readers will be“coached” on how they can apply the lessons imparted throughout the book to their own lives, via the establishment of measurable goals.
Provides a rare inside glimpse into the mind of one of the most respected coaches in college football history and into the huddle of one of the most successful football programs of all time.
Filled with inspirational stories, quotes and anecdotes.
price：$4.78
Nation Books
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Excellent Read and Offers Surprise Truths About The World's Game) 『Offers some very interesting insights into the world of soccer. While some compare it to Michael Lewis's "Moneyball", it differs in that "Moneyball" deals more with baseball at the micro level, while "Soccernomics" deals with soccer at a macro level. There is a lot of statistical analysis of national teams, but no analysis of individual players. In essence this is one of the difficulties of soccer, as it does not naturally lend itself to extreme statistical analysis like baseball does.
My main argument with the book is that it treats the NFL as the US's main export sport. While the NFL is undoubtedly the most popular league in the United States, this is a recent phenomenon. Baseball has traditionally been "America's Past Time" and thus is the sport that the United States spread around the world, although not to the same level that the English spread soccer.
One analysis that I wanted to read about was the success of Latin American teams. In particular an analysis of Mexico and Brazil. Both countries are soccer crazy and have very large populations, but Brasil has won five World Cups and Mexico none. It would be interesting to see an analysis of why this has happend, but the book mainly deals with European teams.』
(Smart, Intelligent, Soccer Writing) 『The most intelligent book on football ever written. A fascinating plunge that tackles the games misconceptions, dispossessing the perceived wisdom of the elites, and the fanciful hopes of the hopeless. Everything from the stretch including fascinating analysis of the link between suicide rates and a nation's soccer success, and the growing muscle of soccer in lands frozen out for decades. Read a cracking insight into the mind of Guus Hiddink, the Merlin of the modern game. Simon Kuper is an outstanding soccer writer, unmatched. Linking up with Stefan Szymanski, they've pulled on a winning strip with this book. A must have for all futbol fans.
Alan Black author of Kick the Balls: An Offensive Suburban Odyssey』 『
Why do England lose? Why does Scotland suck? Why doesn’t America dominate the sport internationally...and why do the Germans play with such an efficient but robotic style?
These are questions every soccer aficionado has asked.Soccernomicsanswers them.
Using insights and analogies from economics, statistics, psychology, and business to cast a new and entertaining light on how the game works,Soccernomicsreveals the often surprisingly counterintuitive truths about soccer. An essential guide for the 2010 World Cup,Soccernomicsis a new way of looking at the world’s most popular game.
price：$11.50
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN SAYS: "HOW LOMBARDI RESHAPED A TEAM OF QUITTING LOSERS INTO WINNERS THAT WOULDN'T QUIT IN GREEN BAY.") 『In June of 1959 at the first Green Bay Packer pre-season quarterback camp new coach Vince Lombardi addressed six quarterbacks of which only three would make the team. One of the players at that meeting was future Hall Of Famer Bart Starr. Starr was not only "not" on the way to a Hall Of Fame career at that point... but his first two years with the Packers had resulted in won/loss records of 3&9 and 1&10. In fact their most recent season 1958 had been the worst season in the forty-year history of the Green Bay Packers. Coach Lombardi who had never been a head coach in the professional or college ranks... though he was an assistant coach on New York Giant NFL championship's... knew what he wanted to accomplish in Green Bay... and how he would accomplish it. Lombardi did not mince words... and the entire future legacy of a franchise was set when Lombardi delivered the following *OPENING* salvo:
"GENTLEMEN... WE'RE GOING TO RELENTLESSLY CHASE PERFECTION, KNOWING FULL WELL WE WILL NOT CATCH IT, BECAUSE PERFECTION IS NOT ATTAINABLE. BUT WE ARE GOING TO RELENTLESSLY CHASE IT BECAUSE, IN THE PROCESS, WE WILL CATCH EXCELLENCE."
"HE PAUSED AND STARED, HIS EYES MOVING FROM PLAYER TO PLAYER. THE ROOM WAS SILENT."
I'M NOT REMOTELY INTERESTED IN BEING JUST GOOD," HE SAID WITH AN INTENSITY THAT STARTLED THEM ALL."
When there was a break in the meeting an hour later... Starr ran to a phone and called his wife at home in Alabama and said: "HONEY, WE'RE GOING TO START TO WIN," HE SAID BREATHLESSLY. THE GUY TALKED ABOUT PERFECTION!"
From that place in time forward the author details the fury and passion that defined the Italian-Brooklyn-born Lombardi who became a savior... in of all places... frigid Green Bay. He worked the ballplayers harder than they'd ever been worked. Former college All-Americans were throwing up on the practice field. Coach Lombardi threatened the team that if they didn't do things his way he'd get rid of them... and get rid of some of them he did. The players hated him... but in the end they loved him... for what he forced them to become.
What the Green Bay Packers were before Lombardi's arrival was not only a losing team... but a team known throughout the league as quitters. When Lombardi reviewed the prior season's game tapes... especially the November 2, 1958 game against the Baltimore Colts in which they lost 56-0... it wasn't just the score... it was the fact the players quit trying. This added even more fuel to his fire and passion... if that's humanely possible... and every practice became a personal quest to transform Lombardi's desire for a team that would always leave every ounce of sweat... blood... and tears... on every field... whether in practice or in a game... all towards the goal of excellence... victory... and being able to look each other in the eye... knowing they never quit.
Interestingly portrayed along with the Packer's coach and players are the opposing NFL stars of that generation... and the entire town of Green Bay whose lives are built around the fortunes of their hometown team. The reader will be made well aware of how Lombardi built the foundation of a team that in 1959 had its first winning season since 1947... that would play for the NFL championship in 1960 and win the NFL championship in 1961,1962,1965... and win the first two Super Bowl's in history in 1966 and 1967. And as all fans know today... the Super Bowl Trophy is called the *LOMBARDI-TROPHY*. All this reinvigoration of a once proud Packer franchise had to start somewhere... and where it all started was in... "THAT FIRST SEASON". 』
(Pro Football Became Magical When Lombardi's Packers Won The Super Bowl) 『Whether you are a fan of professional sports or not, the enchanting Hollywood movie-like story of Vince Lombardi and the Green Bay Packers' trek from the doldrums of their sport to its highest glory is nothing short of miraculous and awe-inspiring. Author John Eisenberg does a brilliant job of capturing all the sights and sounds of what it was like during that historic first season of Lombardi's eventual reign of dominance in the National Football League. You see Lombardi for exactly who he was -- warts and all -- to unveil exactly how he transformed this bottom-dweller of a team into world champions. If you think you know everything there is about the Green Bay Packers and Lombardi during THAT FIRST SEASON, then you may just want to get a copy of this book for a few surprises you may not know about. There are also several vintage photographs of Bart Starr, Jim Taylor, and the rest of that infamous Packers team that went from zeroes to heroes!』
(From Oblivion to the Spotlight) 『I was in high school when the Packers finished the 1958 season with one win, ten losses, and one tie. Red Smith wrote, "The Packers underwhelmed ten opponents, overwhelmed one, and whelmed one." The franchise was in disarray with a new coach needing to be hired. The first football game I ever saw was the game in which the Packers "whelmed" their opponent. The team they "whelmed" was the Detroit Lions, and it was Bobby Layne's last game with Detroit before being traded to Pittsburgh.
Author John Eisenberg does a marvelous job in recapturing that 1959 season in which the Packers finished with a stunning seven and five record. A number of future Hall of Famers were on that 1958 team wallowing on the bench, their careers being wasted. Lombardi came in and instilled the discipline needed to bring out the best in the roster. Star players such as Howard Ferguson and Billy Howton were shipped off to other teams when Lombardi didn't see them adapting to his program. Author Eisenberg illustrates the conflicting attitudes the players had towards Lombardi. They saw improvement on the field, but often resented the tongue lashings and boot camp practices they were required to go through. The season involved an initial winning streak that uplifted spirits, but a lengthy losing streak caused doubt to raise its ugly head. A final winning streak and the emergence of quarterback Bart Starr, along with Boyd Dowler, Jim Taylor, Paul Hornung, and others brought the season to a positive conclusion.
Sometimes an author can overdue game details in a book whether it be baseball or football. I did not find that to be a problem in this book. I haven't followed professional football since the end of the 1960s, but I found this book brought back many memories of the emergence of the Green Bay Packers under Vince Lombardi after several years of mediocrity (at best) during those forgettable years pre-Lombardi. I feel this book to be especially interesting to those old enough to remember this time period. If you are too young to remember buy the book and educate yourself. It will be time well spent.』
(Great Sports Book. Great Football Book.) 『This is an intimate story that has been well researched by the author.
The reader really gets a feeling of being with the team, during Lombardi's first year as coach of the Green Bay Packers.
Since Lombardi had only done head coaching work at a High School, but was also the Assistant Offensive Coach for the NY Giants championship team, the author lays out an uphill battle that the coach is up to surmounting.
The author takes us through the disciplined approach to practices, and prepping for game day.
The no-non-sense approach leaves an indelible mark on the reader.
If you enjoy football, and want to better understand the roots of how the league got a foot hold with such a strong and iconic, inspirational leader, you will enjoy this book. I highly recommend it.
』
(Great gift for the Green Bay Packer Fan!) 『This book was surprising! I thought I had read most of the books about Lombardi, and most regurgitated the same stories and anecdotes about Vince Lombardi over and over...This book held surprising new information and I learned things that I had never seen in another book! From about the 3rd chapter on, the book was just fascinating!』 『Product Description In the late 1950s the once vaunted Green Bay Packers were a laughing stock. They hadn't fielded a winning team in more than a decade and were very nearly in jeopardy of losing their franchise to another city. The ultimate low came in 1958, when, with 7 future Hall of Famers on the team, they went a lousy 1-10-1 under a too-soft coach, Scooter McLean. They were desperately in need of a savior, and he arrived via wood-paneled station wagon in the dead of winter from New York City.That First Seasonchronicles Vince Lombardi's remarkable first year as head coach with the franchise he would reinvent and etch forever in football history. In a single year, as the grizzled coach who took no bull, he would transform a team of underachievers into winners and reignite a city known for its passion for its sport. Based on exhaustive new research and interviews,That First Seasonis the seldom-studied prequel to a football career marked by greatness. Eisenberg pushes away the mist that surrounds the Lombardi legend to bring readers the real story of how the seeds of a football dynasty were sown. He also brings alive an incredible ensemble tale of a team, a town and their leader.
Photographs fromThat First Season (Click to Enlarge)
The Packer offense took off when Lombardi inserted Boyd Dowler
Paul Hornung, a key player in Lombardi's offense
Don McIlhenny runs the ball against the Colts
A fan congratulates Lombardi as he leaves the field
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