Reviews (1)

Follow Emmitt all the way to the Record
This is a great book that displays Emmitt Smith's life and football career and his pursuit of Walter Payton's rushing record.The pictures in this book are very good since they are contributed by an official Cowboys photographer.The book also shows another side of Emmitt, his family life, that you probably wouldn't know even if you have been a fan of his for many years.By reading this book you really get the sense that Emmitt is a good man as well as being an extraordinary running back.I would recommend this book to all Cowboys fans and Emmitt fans. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Football - General    4. History    5. People of Color    6. Sports    7. Sports - Football    8. Sports - General    9. American football    10. Biography: sport    11. Sports & Outdoor Recreation   

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Football - General    5. General    6. Personal Memoirs    7. Sports - Football    8. Sports - General   

Subjects:  1. 1977-    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Brady, Tom,    5. Football - General    6. Football players    7. Sports    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Sports - Football    10. United States   

Reviews (8)

I liked it better than Junction Boys
Stoddard is a proven commodity after this one.I found it very revealing.I almost liked it as much as "A Tailgater's Guide To SEC Football" by Dr. Chris Warner.I highly recommend it.

"My Dads Greatest Mentor"
I have not yet read Mr. Stoddards book "Turnaround". However, I have just purchased this book for my dad because he played for Coach Bryant. As a son of a former player of Coach Bryant, I must say that any book about Coach Bryant will always be a special book to me and my family and especially to my Dad. My Dad has always and will always "look up" to Coach Bryant. Even though Coach Bryant was not successful in the beginning at the University of Alabama, I am quiet sure this book is great because it will illustrate his "NEVER QUIT" attitude, which is a philosophy that my Dad has lived with throughout his life.

"Stoddard Nailed It"
I have most likely read almost every book that has been written about the legendery college football coach. With the possible exception of "Bear", (which was an autobiography written by John Underwood) this is the best book ever written on Paul "Bear" Bryant. It was meticulously researched and led the reader on a journey throughout the year of 1958 (Bryant's first year at Alabama) which laid the foundation for a football dynasty during the 1960s and 1970s. While books like "The Junction Boys" might be more entertaining (but not always factual), "Turnaround" does not suffer the numerous embellishment problems that "Junction" did. Tom Stoddard deserves a great deal of recognition for this work. It is a must for the serious student of Bryant. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Bryant, Paul W    4. Football    5. Football - College    6. Football - General    7. Football coaches    8. History    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Sports - Football    12. United States    13. University of Alabama   

Reviews (1)

A closer look at a wonderful person
"Heart of a Husker" provides an insight of one of America's greatest college football coaches and all-around great guy.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Football - College    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Sports - Football    7. Sports - General    8. Biography & Autobiography / Sports    9. Cultural Region/Mid-South    10. Cultural Region/South    11. Geographic Orientation/Oklahoma   

Reviews (13)

INTERESTING
THIS IS ABOUT FORMER DETROIT LION GREAT BARRY SANDERS. HE WROTE THIS HIMSELF WITH A LITTLE HELP. HIS STORY IS SHORT, SWEET AND VERY WELL WRITTEN. IT ALSO INCLUDES A DVD SHOWING SOME OF HIS RUNS. I THINK ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS IS HIS REASONS FOR RETIRING WHEN HE WAS ON THE VERGE OF BECOMING THE TOP RUSHER OF ALL TIME. BARRY IS A CHRISTIAN AND IS HIS OWN MAN. THE BOOK IS FOR ALL LION AND FOOTBALL FANS. ENJOY.

Barry Sanders Highlight DVD...... FINALLY!!!But.......
I've been looking for a Barry Sanders highlights DVD for years.... good news - there finally is one, it comes with the book. Bad news? It's only about 20 minutes long, and doesn't show many of his spectacular runs. The book is outstanding, as it's written pretty much by Barry himself, and has great comments from other players in the NFL, giving him the praise he deserves. Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, they have entire 60 minute DVD's (and more) on their lives.... if any player in the history of football should have one, it's Barry Sanders. All in all, if you like football at all, and appreciate magic, this is a must have, from the most talented running back in the history of the game.

Barry Sanders story...short and sweet
The newly elected Hall of Fame running back, Barry Sanders, was always a man of many words and his recently released autobiography is fitting in its 139 page, picture-filled 8 x 10 work.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1968-    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Football - General    5. Football players    6. People of Color    7. Personal Memoirs    8. Sanders, Barry,    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Sports - Football    12. United States    13. Biography & Autobiography / Sports   

Reviews (32)

Avid football fans who are also readers will be engrossed.
THE LAST COACH: A LIFE OF PAUL 'BEAR' BRYANT comes from a noted sportswriter who offers up a fine survey of the life of college football's finest coach, leader of numerous college teams who went on to victory. THE LAST COACH not only recreates Bryant's life, but offers up a history of his times and college football's winning moments - avid football fans who are also readers will be engrossed.
A Legend Remembered
I read this book from cover to cover very quickly. The book was both revealing to me about the more human side of Coach Bryant as well as a wonderful opportunity to walk down the memory lane of Alabama football in the 1970s. To me the book was more of a compilation of thoughts, notes, and interviews through the years, but in its own way provides a unique kind of insight to the John Wayne of college football coaches.
COMPREHENSIVE WORK
In researching my book about the 1970 USC-Alabama game, SEPTEMBER 1970, I interviewed Allen Barra. In that interview, in this fine book, THE LAST COACH, and in media interviews, he has demonstrated that he is not provincial. Rather, Barra knew as much about the USC angle as the Alabama angle. Obviously, THE LAST COACH goes well beyond the 1970 Trojan-Crimson Tide game and its segregation-ending implications, but Barra does not try to whitewash what it was or was not. The fact is, Bear Bryant and John McKay teamed up to do something great, and in losing that day, the "real winner was Alabama," as Jim Murray of the L.A. Times observed.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Bryant, Paul W    7. Coaching - Football    8. Football    9. Football - College    10. Football - General    11. Football coaches    12. History    13. Sports (General)    14. Sports - Football    15. Sports - General    16. United States    17. University of Alabama    18. American football    19. Biography: sport    20. Sports & Recreation / General   

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Football players    6. Pictorial works    7. Sports - Football    8. Sports - General    9. United States   

Reviews (24)

As good or better than an A.A. meeting
I Really enjoyed reading In Control, Years ago I read Thomas's other book Out of Control and while I enjoyed it also.This one is different -- his first one told how he got sober, but this new one tells HOW TO STAY SOBER!!!While he tells us how to stay sober he also entertains the heck out of the reader.It is a book I am going to find myself rereading every couple years or so, and there are not very many books that are like that for me.

Inspirational
This book really made me re-think about my sobriety.Thomas Henderson helped me understand better about the 12-steps.About being able to better my life while dealing with my addictions.I really recommend this book for anybody who is going through a recovery process or knows somebody who is,to help them understand what that person is going through in their head.

Every thinking adult should read this book.
I just spent the weekend reading this book and couldn't put it down.
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Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Football - General    3. Personal Memoirs    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Sports - Football    7. Biography & Autobiography / Sports    8. Biography & Autobiography/Personal Memoirs   

Reviews (1)

Lou at His Quotable Best
Lou Holtz is one of the greatest one-liners in Sports today. But his quotes, based on a no-nonsense philosophy of "responsibility and accountability", i.e., you are responsible for your actions, you are accountable to your school, coach and team mates, and family apply to everyday life as well.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Football    3. Football - College    4. Football coaches    5. General    6. Holtz, Lou    7. Quotations    8. Quotations, maxims, etc    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Sports - Football    12. United States   

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Football - General    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Sports - Football   

Reviews (21)

Hypocritical
He clearly does not practice what he preaches.This book is just a facade for arrogance and self-serving attitude.He's probably looking for more money since he wasn't able to get it out of Philadelphia.Once a fan of his in his early Niners years, I have learn to not respect someone who does not respect the game, his teammates or anyone else he works with but himself.He's miles below the great players of this game in terms of character and sportsmanship.
This book made me believe he was the victim,for awhile
Living as an Eagle fan in CA can be trying.When the Eagles signed TO all of my 49er friends said that it wouldn't last.TO's true colors would show sooner or later.I then read the book and encouraged them to do the same.TO does an excellent job of portraying himelf as the victim.He claims to need the money for his family and his future.My family could easily live off his paycheck now and well into the future.After reading this book, I was sold on TO and as an Eagle fan I thought he was the answer but then his true colors came out just as my 49er friends said they would.This book should be changed to fiction.

TO with DALLAS
Get over it Jerry Rice is the past TO is the future. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1973-    2. Athletic Sports And Games    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Football - Professional    8. Football players    9. Owens, Terrell    10. Owens, Terrell,    11. Sports - Football    12. Sports - General    13. United States    14. Sports & Recreation / General   

Reviews (2)

Terrific Book!!
The previous book review by that Calvert guy is totally bogus. What a jerk. I read Towle's book, and while it's not one of those long, comprehensive biographies that takes two years to write, it is very informative. It's also nicely balanced in that it presnets a thorough examination of both Tillman's Army life and his football career. Sure, there was some stuff in the book that has appeared in other sources, but Towle sourced and footnoted all those. I also noticed in his Acknowledgements section that he listed something like 40 people or so he spoke to firsthand for this book. That's pretty good considering that Tillman's family and friends have been so tight-lipped about Pat to this day. This is a story that needed to be written, whether or not family and friends are willing to open up, and I think Towle did a wonderful job.

An insult to a great person
This is a re-hashed litany of Tillman's football career, along with comments from others that were mostly in the public domain, with absolutely no insight into the man.It is particualrly trashy to try to make money from the reputation of a true fallen hero.
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Subjects:  1. 1976-2004    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Football - General    5. Football - Professional    6. Football players    7. Military    8. Reference    9. Soldiers    10. Sports    11. Sports & Recreation    12. Sports - Football    13. Tillman, Pat,    14. United States   

Reviews (8)

A well balanced look at Joe Paterno and the politics of college football.
For most sports fans, the name Joe Paterno is a familiar one.The images conjured up by the name may vary...some see a living god while others see a need for change.Regardless of your views, this book is informative and well balanced. As a loyal Penn State fan, I found this book to be well written and objective.The writing style is not too stuffy or "textbook" like, yet the author is able to remain insightful as well as entertaining.This book focuses on the work of Penn State football coach Joe Paterno during the 2004 season; the bulk of the story is a tale of the ups and downs that took place during that season.However, there is also a great deal of exposition when it comes to the privilige, politics, and power of Division I college football. In some sections of the story, Penn State University and the town of State College, PA become a unique world where attitudes can change like the seasons.What I found to be the most informative was the description of Paterno's interactions with the media.
Great subject matter makes a great book.
I have always said that if I had a son worthy of playing big-time college football, I'd send him to Penn State to play for Joe Paterno. My thoughts haven't changed a whip since reading this book. Michael O'Brien does a wonderful job in detailing the life and philosophy of one of the most colorful and downright good people to ever live. Don't Buy This One if you Own Other Paterno Books
If I had bought this book first, I probably would have been happy with thebook.But as an owner of four other books relating to Coach Paterno Ifound this one to be a repeat of the other writings.I really learnednothing new from this book at all.Maybe I expected too much or maybePaterno's story has already been told. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1926-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Coaching    6. Football    7. Football - College    8. Football coaches    9. Paterno, Joe,    10. Sports    11. Sports - Football    12. Sports - General    13. United States    14. Paterno, Joe   

Editorial Review

It seems somehow fitting that the first pass Peyton Manning, the $48million man, threw as a professional went for a touchdown. His father ArchieManning, in this team effort from two of football's more interestingquarterbacks, stresses that "My only hard rule [with his sons growing up] wasthat they finish what they start." Peyton, the All-American Phi Beta Kappagraduate of Tennessee, obviously listened to his All-American from Ole Missfather, whose strong right arm almost made the Saints competitive over 12seasons in New Orleans.Read more

Reviews (15)

'The Sins of the father...' But seriously folkes...
The record shows Archie Manning, the
Best Autobiography I've Ever Read
This is an excellent book, written by Archie and Peyton Manning. It starts of with a really painful experience for Archie, and it goes through Archie's entire life and career, and it talks about the begining of Peyton's career and most of his childhood. I would recomend this book to anyone, and to everybody who loves the Manning family, like I do.

A good read
I bought this book with skepticism but overall I liked it.I thought it was pretty truthful to the Manning legacy.The SEC's most famous bloodline's story is here.I recommend it as I do "A Tailgater's Guide To SEC Football" which also showcases the Mannings. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Fathers and sons    6. Football - Professional    7. Football players    8. Personal Memoirs    9. Sports - Football    10. Sports - General    11. United States    12. Biography & Autobiography / Sports   

Subjects:  1. 1936-    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Blacks And Sports    5. Brown, Jim,    6. Football    7. Football - General    8. Football players    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Sports - Football    12. Sports - General    13. United States    14. Sports & Recreation / Football   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (4)

An inspiring story from a high class football player.
This is a book for anyone with dreams, or for someone who just wants to be a better person. Phenomenal
This self-proclaimed bookworm ranks this book as one of her all-time favorites.To those who aren't necessarily interested in football, to those who don't understand football, and for those who don't even know what football is, believe me when I say, you will undoubtedly connect with some, if not all of this autobiography.Indulge yourself in this down-to-earth, eye-opening, and often comedic drama that chronicles the ups and downs of life, as it relates to Griffith's chosen career of football.I see this book as more of the spiritual journey of a young man's life, explained through the metaphor of football.It could easily be a training development manual for any business consisting of more than one person - it's all about teamwork and the success, respect, honor and glory that can be achieved if all involved are confident and secure with their individual roles and truly understand the concept of "team."If you need to be "pumped up" and inspired about anything you're trying to accomplish in your life right now, I suggest you purchase this book - it just may be the medicine you need.

The best motivational book that I 've read thus far!
This a truly remarkable account of Griffith's story and the obstacles that he's faced to get where he is today(the best fullback in the NFL). There were so many points in his life that he could have given up--but he didn't.Don't think that it's your "typically" sports book--it's not!This book is for anyone that aspires to fulfill their dream.I highly recommend this book. Kudos to Griffith!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Football - General    5. Football - Professional    6. People of Color    7. Sports - Football    8. Sports - General    9. Biography & Autobiography / Sports    10. Biography & Autobiography/People of Color    11. Ethnic Orientation/African-American    12. Football    13. Self-Help/Personal Growth - Success    14. Sports & Recreation/Football - General   

Reviews (3)

Great book for Marino fans
Having been a huge fan of Dan Marino's and the Miami Dolphins since 1983 I can highly recommend this book.
Dan Marino:My life in Football
My husband could not have been more pleased.

MJC
Overall I thought the book was okay (the dvd was great), I would of like to learn more about Dan's thoughts on the nfl and some more personal stories of the locker room and training camp experiences he had.The book has a lot of great photos. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1961-    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Football - General    5. Football - Professional    6. Football players    7. Marino, Dan,    8. Miami Dolphins (Football team)    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Sports - Football    12. United States   

Reviews (13)

Not for the faint of heart.
Great guy! Mr. Johnson is gutsy. He's not afraid to take on the sacred cows of the NFL. His numbers would tell you that he is an above-average receiver, while Keyshawon will tell you that he's the best receiver of all time. Who's right? I'm not sure, but reading this book will have you laughing in recognition. What a ride! His infectious smile will melt your heart and his double-talk unedited stream of consciousness logic will confound you. I only hope that Mr. Johnson will finish his career in Canada or possibly NFL Europe, which appears where he's headed. By 2007. my guess. Thank you Key! Stay hot and don't let bad stats get you down. You're a winner in my book. Which, I'm thinking of titling "Keyshawon Johnson: Genius and Scholar."

Keyshawn just trips me out
First of all let me start off by saying that i'm not the biggest fan of Keyshawn, as a matter of fact he is probably my least favorite NFL player, I always found him to be arrogant, and this book just proved my point even more. The whole book he complains that he is not being paid enough, he hates on his coaches. When he gets the ball, I have yet soon him to put up the numbers he claims he can get. I always wondered why Shawn King was benched, even though he led tampa bay pretty far the season he started, I was not surprised to hear rumors that keyshawn had something to do with it. He proved in this book that its all about the money for him, not the love of the game. If I was a coach I would not want him on my team. The only thing I liked what Mr. Johnson had to say, especially with the new ruled that was pass allowing guys to enter the draft to play football without playing college football, is that there is nothing like playing college football.Again, this is just my opinion of Mr.JOhnson, I could be totally wrong, he could be the most humble player in the NFL.

understated, bold, brilliant
Keyshawn Johnson's memoir, Just Give me the Damn Ball, is a chronicle of one man's journey to understand himself.The "Ball" as every reader of Johnson's prose understands, is not an actual leather ball, but a metaphor for the unnameable phatom that evades all of us, and the thing that can give us, if we could just get our hands on it, a true spiritual balance that could once and for all stop the longing we all feel and that some people attribute to our being made in the image of a creator to satisfy this creater's longing. Using a musical and lyrical style, he paints a portrait of the difficulties and obstacles faced by many of our young men in this country today.And he pulls no punches; make no mistake, Keyshawn writes like he plays: often dropping the "ball", but rarely failing to dwell in those small moments of triumph.While the narrative is first person, the voice Johnson achieves can give an impression of almost total detachment.He describes his battles as uphill conquests, relaying little detail other than those of his own ability to catch the "ball", though we all know no one can hold on to the ball forever. Johnson understands this, though he never comes to the point where he feels comfortable saying it.The idea that one thing, the ball in this case, can satisfy a being, one made of skin and nerves and thick red blood, is nothing new, but Johnson is able to breath life into it by creating a world where we, while, at our core, understanding that the grasp of one object could never satisfy our depths, the pursuit of this object could give a life purpose and, ultimately, could satisfy the pointed ends of the "ball" which would only leave the middle, and though the middle could never be satisfied, the pursuit of it all, the endless journey we put ourselves in, is one that will one day be rewarded.But when will we know for sure? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Blacks And Sports    5. Boating - General    6. Football    7. Football - Professional    8. Football players    9. Johnson, Keyshawn    10. People of Color    11. Sports & Recreation    12. Sports - Football    13. United States    14. American football    15. Biography: sport    16. Sports & Recreation / Football   

Reviews (25)

Why the Patriots are no longer the Patsies
Michael Holley's quick-read book deals mainly with the modern era of the New England Patriots that have become the so-called "model franchise" of the NFL. Despite a first book-flawed style, Holley captures the impact Coach Bill Belichick had on this team whose past was mostly the object of ridicule and characterized by ineptitude. A must-read for Pats fans. As for fans of other NFL teams that have't had the taste of a Super Bowl win recently, or never, this book offers a glimmer of hope that with the right ingredients and a bit of luck they too can have a championship.

Great Book for PATRIOTS FANS
This book will not have mass appeal. If you LOVE the patriots and care to understand the inner-workings of their organization, you will like this book.
A True Must Read For True Football Fans
Radio personality and former Boston and Chicago newspaper sports writer Michael Holley delivers an insightful and unveiling look into the national football league machine known as the New England Patriots.Patriot Reign is a behind the scenes page turner that plays more to the effects of a DVD bonus featurette, than a simple X's and O's explaination of the Patriot's systematic approach to dominance.Providing the untold stories that further explain Patriots memories that New England fans originally lived through and can now relive, the book is a blunt account that an outsider could never receive.And to the national football sports fan, perhaps this book provides a closer look at football's newest nationally recognized sports mind, Bill Belichick.Holley provides an easy to follow account of national events such as two Super Bowl victories, a highly publicized quarterback controversy, the emergence of a dynasty led by a young superstar, and even the colossal clash between Belichick and coaching giant, Bill Parcels, accompanied by the seamlessly interwoven moments of humanity, such as Belichick's relationship with his parents and the camaraderie of the Patriots.With locker room and closed door access, Holley allows the reader to realize that the Patriots are to football what Band of Brothers is to war.This is a must read, which quickly melts away in your hands with each turn of the page.Perhaps what is most amazing is that Holley truly takes hold of his opportunity, for, known in the football world, the Patriots organization is of a tight-lipped, private mindset.And for Holley to reveal such complexities as the release of fan favorite Lawyer Malloy or vice-president of player personnel Scott Pioli's relationship to the head coach, Belichick, and his father-in-law, Bill Parcels.Do yourself a favor and get this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Coaching    3. Football    4. Football - General    5. Football - Professional    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Sports - Football    9. Sports & Recreation / Football