Football (American) Books - Page 5

Dan Rooney: My 75 Years With the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL

Dan Rooney

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Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

In 2007, the Pittsburgh Steelers will turn seventy-five years old. So will Dan Rooney. In Dan Rooney, the owner talks about growing up on Pittsburgh’s North Side, competing with Johnny Unitas for top high school quarterback honors in western Pennsylvania, learning the ropes of big-time sports from his father and mentor, Art Rooney (“the Chief”), helping to shape the modern NFL into America’s all-consuming passion, and forging the Steelers into a Super Bowl-winning dynasty. He also speaks frankly about winning and losing, and discusses his relationships with family, coaches, players, owners, NFL commissioners, the media, and the fans-“Steeler Nation.” It’s all here: the difficult contract negotiations, controversial decisions, memorable teams, and many behind-the-scenes stories of the growth of America’s favorite game. A dedicated family man and proud native of Pittsburgh, this chairman of one of the most successful franchises ever reveals the dynamics that have made him such a respected owner in the NFL.

The Express: The Ernie Davis Story

Robert C. Gallagher

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Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

“He could do it all, beat every opponent . . . except one.”
–plaque honoring Ernie Davis, in the lobby of Elmira Free Academy

Ernie Davis was an All-American on the gridiron, and a man of integrity off the field. A multi-sport high school star in Elmira, New York, Davis went on to Syracuse University, where as a sophomore he led his team to an undefeated season and a national championship in 1959, and earned his nickname, the Elmira Express. Two seasons later, Davis had broken the legendary Jim Brown’s rushing records, and became the first black athlete to be awarded the Heisman Trophy.

The number one pick in the 1962 NFL draft, Davis signed a contract with the Cleveland Browns and appeared to be headed for professional stardom. But Davis never ended up playing in the NFL: He was diagnosed with leukemia during the summer before his rookie season and succumbed to the disease less than a year later. In battling his illness, Davis showed great dignity and courage, inspired the nation, and moved President John F. Kennedy to eulogize him as “ an outstanding man of great character.”

An enduring story of a true scholar-athlete, The Express is a touching, impeccably researched, deeply personal portrait of Ernie Davis, and a vivid look at sport in America at the dawn of the Civil Rights era.

Wins, Losses, and Lessons: An Autobiography

Lou Holtz

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Total reviews: 23 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

When I die and people realize that I will not be resurrected in three days, they will forget me. That is the way it should be. For reasons known only to God, I was asked to write an autobiography. Most people who knew me growing up didn't think I would ever read a book, let alone write one.

—Lou Holtz

Few people in the history of college sports have been more influential or had a bigger impact than Lou Holtz. Winner of the three national Coach of the Year honors, the only coach ever to lead six different schools to season-ending bowl games, and the ninth-winningest coach in college football history, Holtz is still teaching and coaching, although he is no longer on the gridiron.

In his most telling work to date, the man still known as "Coach" by all who cross his path reveals what motivated a rail-thin 135-pound kid with marginal academic credentials and a pronounced speech impediment to play and coach college football, and to become one of the most sought-after motivational speakers in history. With unflinching honesty and his trademark dry wit, Holtz goes deep, giving us the intimate details of the people who shaped his life and the decisions he would make that shaped the lives of so many others.

His is a storied career, and Holtz provides a frank and inside look at the challenges he overcame to turn around the programs at William and Mary, North Carolina State, Arkansas, and Minnesota. From growing up in East Liverpool, Ohio, to his early days as a graduate assistant at the University of Iowa, to his national championship runs at Notre Dame and his final seasons on the sidelines in South Carolina, Lou Holtz gives his best, a poignant, funny, and instructive look into a life well lived.

Remember the AFL: The Ultimate Fan's Guide to the American Football League

David Steidel

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

a great book 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Dave Steidel chronicals the birth and growth of the American Football League in a lively and entertaining way. He tells the stories both as a passionate fan and also as a sports historian, emphasizing the wide open and exciting league that was to leave such an enormous and yet underappreciated impact on modern football. The AFL continues to be underrated by those either who lack historical perspective or perhaps who were beguiled by the early NFL pre-merger snobbery of the 1960's. Hopefully this fine book will put some of that attitude to rest, so that those like my father (Charlie Hennigan, Oilers '60-'66) who played in the AFL may get some of the recognition they deserve. Steve Hennigan, MD

Editorial Review:

Remember the AFL features an unprecedented season-by-season, team-by-team history of the league that lasted from 1960 to 1969. Through in-depth research, dozens of player interviews, and hundreds of photos, including many classic football cards, this book brings that unique era in professional football to life. It’s all here, from the behind-the-scenes stories of the early days, when the league struggled for survival, through Super Bowl III, when “Broadway” Joe Namath guaranteed — and delivered — a victory against the NFL’s Baltimore Colts. Fans will also relive the history of the AFL by engaging the challenge of over 500 trivia questions. This is pure 1960s nostalgia for football fans old and young.

The Good, the Bad & the Ugly Pittsburgh Steelers: Heart-pounding, Jaw-dropping, and Gut-wrenching Moments from Pittsburgh Steelers History (Good, the Bad, & the Ugly)

Matt Fulks, Foreword by Rocky Bleier

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Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I bought this for a Christmas present for my son who is serving in Iraq. I know he will love it because he is a huge Pittsburg fan.

Editorial Review:

This book is about the players, games, and moments that have made the Pittsburgh Steelers organization what it is today. The Steel Curtain. Noll and Cowher. Big Ben. Terry Bradshaw. The Immaculate Reception. Five Super Bowl championships. The stories behind all these players, coaches, and memorable moments come alive on the pages of The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Pittsburgh Steelers. More than just a tribute to success, this book offers the warts-and-all tales from the insider's viewpoint that real fans want. As they relive these memories, Steelers fans--young and old, bandwagon jumpers and Pittsburgh natives--will be reminded why they're proud to be a part of Steeler Nation.

University of Nebraska Football Vault

Mike Babcock

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Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Excellent Nebraska Football History 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

My husband loves this book. But it's much more than a book - it also has pockets in it that contain replicas of postcards, ticket stubs, and other loose items from past years of Nebraska Football games. Full of trivia too. I would definitely recommend this for any Nebraska Footbal fanatic.

Dixieland Delight: A Football Season on the Road in the Southeastern Conference

Clay Travis

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Total reviews: 27 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

There is no college ball more passionate and competitive than football in the Southeastern Conference, where seven of the twelve schools boast stadiums bigger than any in the NFL and 6.5 million fans hit the road every year to hoot and holler their teams to victory.

In September 2006, popular sports columnist and lifelong University of Tennessee fan Clay Travis set out on his "Dixieland Delight Tour." Without a single map, hotel reservation, or game ticket, he began an 8,000-mile journey through the beating heart of the Southland. As Travis toured the SEC, he immersed himself in the bizarre game-day rituals of the common fan, brazenly dancing with the chancellor's wife at a Vanderbilt frat party, hanging with University of Florida demigod quarterback Tim Tebow, and abandoning himself totally to the ribald intensity and religious fervor of SEC football. Dixieland Delight is Travis's hilarious, loving, irreverent, and endlessly entertaining chronicle of a season of ironic excess in a world that goes a little crazy on football Saturdays.

100 Things Cowboys Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die (100 Things 100 Things) (100 Things)

Ed Housewright, Foreword by Tony Dorsett

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Good overview but I prefer "Cowboys Essential" by Frank Luksa 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Review: "100 Things Cowboys Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die"

Housewright, Ed. 100 Things Cowboys Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die. Chicago, IL: Triumph Books. 2008 210p, illus., bibliography 14.95 (list) ISBN 978-1-60078-080-6

The book cover claims this is the "Ultimate Resource Guide for True Cowboys Fans". I don't know if I'd go quite that far because the "ultimate resource guide" has a few mistakes in it.

E.g., on page 4, Housewright refers to Eddie LeBaron (the Cowboys first quarterback) as "Little Eddie", in reference to his small stature (5' 7"). In fact, LeBaron's nickname was "the Little General", a reference both to his small stature and to his service as an officer in the Korean War. On p9, Housewright says Tom Landry was a fighter pilot in World War II; every "true Cowboys fan" (the audience for this book) knows Landry was a bomber co-pilot.

On p40, he says expansion team Seattle had the worst record in 1976 (their first year in the NFL); in fact, Tampa Bay had the worst record (0-14) and the resulting first draft pick in the '77 college draft. Seattle actually tied for the second worst record (2-12) and thus had the second overall draft pick, which they eventually traded to the Cowboys, and with which the Cowboys selected the '76 Heisman Trophy winner, Pitt TB Tony Dorsett.

On p109, in reference to the Cowboys 35-34 win over the Redskins in the '79 regular season finale, Housewright says the Redskins scored three 4Q TDs to take the lead, 34-21 after the Cowboys came from behind, 21-17. If the Redskins had 17 points entering the 4Q, Housewright doesn't explain how adding 21 more points results in their final tally of 34. In fact, the Redskins scored only 17 points in the 4Q. These may be minor points, but they are reflective of sloppy research, or sloppy editing, or both.

More significant is his claim on p164 that Tom Landry disagreed with QB Don Meredith's decision to retire after the '68 season. Housewright actually quotes Landry as saying of Meredith, "I believed he had some great years left in him". But everything I've ever read about Meredith's retirement said the opposite, that Landry made no effort to talk Meredith out of his retirement, and that in fact, Landry thought it was the right decision (e.g., see Golenbock's "Cowboys Have Always Been My Heroes", page 370, quoting Pete Gent, or Gary Cartwright's "Turn Out the Lights" in the Aug '97 issue of Texas Monthly, quoting Meredith himself). Of course, Coach Landry has passed on and Meredith isn't talking to the press, so we may never know exactly what happened when he quit.

Minor (or major) mistakes aside, one thing about the book I really didn't care for was its organization: there isn't any. Housewright doesn't take a chronological approach to his 100 topics, nor does he group them by category, as far as I can tell. In one chapter, he talks about Super Bowl XXVII; the next is about Bob Lilly. Another chapter is about twin safeties Cliff Harris and Charlie Waters; the next is about Super Bowl XXVIII. He follows a chapter on Walt Garrison with another about Darren Woodson.

I found it hard to follow the flow of the book because Housewright keeps jumping from era to era, first forward in time, then back. I suppose an author may organize his own book anyway he pleases, but I wish the editors at Triumph had counseled him to follow a standard chronological approach, so readers could follow how one player or team built upon the history and record of those who came before.

One good thing about the book is that it includes a bibliography. Because the book highlights the "essential information" (from the back cover blurb) that Cowboy fans need to know, it naturally invites comparison to Frank Luksa's 2006 book, "Cowboys Essential". I prefer Luksa's work, because I know he brings a long history of covering the Cowboys to the effort -- I have no idea how much experience Housewright has in covering the team. But Housewright's decision to include a bibliography is a plus compared to Luksa's book. Neither includes footnotes, but Luksa's omission of a bibliography left me wondering about his sources; not so with "100 Things".

Housewright is a reporter for the Dallas Morning News, but he's a city reporter; sports isn't his regular beat. Although he's written two sports-related books (bodybuilding and track & field), his lack of knowledge about the NFL in general, and the Dallas Cowboys in particular, may explain some of the mistakes mentioned above.

This book is one of a series of "100 Things" that various fans (Buckeyes, Crimson Tide, Longhorns, Rockies, etc.) should know and do. I haven't read the others and am not familiar with their histories, but hopefully the other authors in the series know their subjects better than Housewright knows the Cowboys.

© Copyright Fred Goodwin, September 20, 2008
americas_team@hotmail.com

Editorial Review:

The Ultimate Resource Guide for True Cowboys Fans

Every good Dallas Cowboys fan can tell you about the highlights from the franchise's half century of existence--including five Super Bowl victories and 10 players inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame--but how many know all the stories behind the names, games, and traditions of one of the NFL's most popular teams?

100 Things Cowboys Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die was created for everyone who cheers for pro football in Dallas. Both entertaining and enlightening, this must-have guide ranks and explains the essential information and can't-miss experiences every Cowboys fan needs. This book has it all: the star players--from Roger Staubach to Troy Aikman to Tony Romo; the larger-than-life coaches (Landry, Johnson, Switzer, and more); the biggest games, from the Ice Bowl to the eight Super Bowl appearances; even the landmarks, including the Cotton Bowl and the team's amazing new stadium.

2008 NFL Record & Fact Book (Official National Football League Record and Fact Book)

NFL

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Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Pro Football Prospectus 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This book provides a different look at football with stats and is very interesting reading and informative.

08 NFL Record and Fact Book- Bible for Football Fans 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This book has the answer to any football question you would ever ask. It contains NFL records, Pro Football Hall of Fame information, Team information, Draft information and more. I bought the book last year and kept it right by my chair where I watch football for the whole season because I would thumb through it every Sunday. I have been waiting for this book to come out. Be sure to get it before the season starts.

Editorial Review:

"The 2008 NFL Record & Fact Book" is a must for every football fan. This 768 page reference book is jam-packed with all the facts and figures a football team would ever want, including all-time records, team rosters and schedules, past standings, Super Bowl results and more. "The Record & Fact Book" also includes a digest of NFL rules, team directories and active and career coaching records. It is the official record and fact book for the sports media covering the NFL.

What It Takes to Be #1 : Vince Lombardi on Leadership

Vince Lombardi

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Total reviews: 20 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Great book 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Vince Lombardi Jr. brings to the forefront his father's winning formula for success in leadership and everyday life. While many examples are spoken of in terms of football, the key elements that are always there is teamwork, teambuilding and producing results. This book will benefit anyone who wants to raise the bar in their personal or professional life. I particularly liked the reoccurring idea of running the drill over and over again until it becomes second nature. I also liked how Lombardi never discriminated against anyone but everyone was judged on their ability to produce results. Lombardi also brings to the forefront that the leader's job is never secure he or she must always keep producing results.

Last but not least, he talks in length about rejuvinating activities that can help one stay focused.

It's amazing that no matter how far advanced we get socially and technologically, the core of it all are the basic fundamental principles that our parents and grandparents taught us; Dedication, Hard Work, Loyalty and Honor.

In today's society where everything fundamental is under brutal attack, it's nice to read a book to where good, wholesome principles are once again proven to be the best way to success.

Editorial Review:

Legendary leadership lessons from the greatest football coach of all time

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Leadership continues to be one of the most trained-for skills in business today. And no figure so fully embodies the leadership qualities managers hope to cultivate in their professional and personal lives than Vince Lombardi, the greatest NFL coach of all time.

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In What It Takes to Be #1, author Vince Lombardi Jr.--America's most sought-after motivational speaker-- examines the leadership qualities that his father considered essential to success. He explores the leadership philosophy of Vince Lombardi, extracts powerful lessons about what it takes to bean effective leader, and shows how to apply those qualities to one's own life and career.

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For all business leaders, or those who aspire to leadership, What It Takes to Be #1 is a blueprint for achieving Lombardi-like success in virtually any endeavor.

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