3 comments about I Remember Bud Wilkinson: Personal Memories and Anecdotes About an Oklahoma Sooners Legend As Told by the People and Players Who Knew Him (I Remember).

1. Bud Wilkinson's name isn't mentioned with college football coaching legends like Joe Paterno, Bobby Bowden, Paul 'Bear' Bryant, Woody Hayes, Amos Alonzo Stagg, Pop Warner or Tom Osborne, but it should be. Wilkinson became a head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners in 1947 at the young age of 31. Seventeen years later he retired from coaching in 1963 at age 47 after winning three national titles in 1950,1955, and 1956.
   
   Along with the titles, his coaching career included one win streak of 31 games and another spanning over four years at a record-holding 47 games. (So, how does won go on a 47-game winning streak and only win two national titles? The answer is in the book.) At one point Wilkinson's win/loss record stood at a incredible 94-5-2 over 101 games - a feat that will never be duplicated.
   
   'I Remember Bud Wilkinson' isn't a book about Bud Wilkinson's life as told by the author. Instead the story of Wilkinson's life is told by the people who knew him throughout his life. Included are comments from notable names such as Curt Gowdy, Keith Jackson, Barry Switzer, Jim Hart, and Ara Parseghian.
   
   The first part of the book contains stories from coaches and players during his career at Oklahoma. We are treated with several anecdotes about Wilkinson's coaching philosophy from how he handled his players to how he organized his practices. The stories give the reader a good idea of who Bud Wilkinson was as a person and how he developed the Sooners into the stuff of legend. At times, the stories are inspiring and may serve as guidance to young people - I realize this sounds a bit corny - on how to conduct themselves.
   
   The stories after Wilkinson retired from coaching and became a broadcaster tend to be more light-hearted. You're treated to a different side of Wilkinson and simultaneously what the early days in college football broadcasting were like.
   
   Some of the better ones include:
   
   * Keith Jackson recalling an experience when Bear Bryant was to assist in a broadcast. Bryant showed up 'pretty well greased', commented very little and eventually ended up nodding off while Wilkinson was forced to work him in and out of the broadcast.
   * Barry Switzer telling a story about how Wilkinson spent the night in a hotel room serving drinks to Woody Hayes, Bob Devaney, Bear Bryant, and Duffy Daugherty.
   * How a television cue mix-up lead to the Air Force Falcon flying off before the broadcast started. How another mistake left Wilkinson and fellow broadcaster Chris Schenkel shouting over the top of a marching band at the beginning of the first Peach Bowl broadcast.
   
   The last part of the book deals with Wilkinson's two-year with the St Louis Cardinals as a NFL head coach. Stories here relate why Wilkinson failed, how the Cardinals were run as an organization. The end of the book includes "In His Own Words" - which weren't nearly as interesting as the other stories throughout the book. The book then concludes with a history of Wilkinson's win/loss record throughout his career.
   
   'I Remember Bud Wilkinson' is a pretty fun read. It's also an easy read. The stories are interesting whether they're about football, broadcasting or Wilkinson's short-lived NFL career. You get a full view of his life and an understanding of the world in which he lived. The book isn't just for Oklahoma Sooners fans - it's for anyone who would like to know more about college football history and one of the greatest unsung coaches to shape the game.



2. I have always had great respect for Bud Wilkinson as a football coach and as a leader of men, I did not need to read a book where everyone who speaks of him lauds him needlessly and dumps sugar all over his legacy. I read "The Undefeated" by Jim Dent. It was all about Coach Wilkinson and his fabled OU football program. THAT, was a brutally honest account of the REAL Bud Wilkinson. I DO want to read about the real man that Coach Wilkinson was, not some perfect "god". I have total respect for Coach Wilkinson, no matter what human imperfections he may have had. I did enjoy "I Remember Bud Wilkinson", but it was WAY too candy-coated. If you're looking for an HONEST portrait of Coach Wilkinson, you won't find it in this book.



3. It is a fun book to read because it tells the reader how Bud Wilkinson was a football coach for young men that only players on so many other teams could only dream about. Bud Wilkinson was a coach who enjoyed the game and enjoyed practice aand he let his players do the same!

5 comments about Michigan Memories: Inside Bo Schembechler's Football Scrapbook.

1. The book is the all-time best for University of Michigan fans.If you want a book with non-stop info and the best pictues of Bo's once in a life-time carrer,this is the book for that ultimate fan.From Tom Harmon to Charles Woodson or from Ferry Field to Michigan Stadium, this book gives you the real experience of Michigan football and how great they have been in the small town of Ann Arbor.Yes indeed,BO DID A HELL OF A JOB!



2. Excellent book. Michigan has a wonderful football tradition. Just think of how many Heismans Peyton Manning would have won if he'd had the good sense to turn down UT and go to school in Ann Arbor.



3. PEYTON MANNING SHOULD HAVE WON THE HEISMAN. BUT SOMETIMES PEOPLE GET BOUGHT.THEY GOT LUCKY. NEBRASKA WOULD HAVE WAXED THAT A**. SOMETIMES LOSERS WIN.1998 who's your daddy?Tee Martin, Al Wilson, Jamal Lewis, Raynoch Thompson, Travis Henry, Travis Stephens, Cosey Coleman, Shaun Ellis,Shawn Bryson, Peerless Price, Should I continue to embarrass you? Hell Yeah! Phil Fulmer, John Ward...



4. i WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE WHO HAS AN INTREST IN MICHIGAN fOOTBALL. iT EXCITES AND MOTIVATES ANYONE WHO HAS AN INTREST IN THE HISTORY OF mICHIGAN fOOTBALL.NOT ONLY WILL YOU LEARN ABOUT THE GREAT TRADITION OF MICHIGAN FOOTBALL.YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT THE MEN WHO MADE THAT TRADITION.sUCH AS FIELDING h YOST. tHE FORMER COACH WHO BUILT THE GREATEST STADIUM IN MODERN SPORTS HISTORY. YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT HIS VISION AND HOW FAR AHEAD OF HIS TIME HE REALLY WAS.yOU WILL LEARN ABOUT THE COAHES AND PLAYERS WHOHAVE HAD THEIR NAMES ETCHED IN THE TRADITION AS WELL.i WAS ESPECIALLY FASCINATED IN THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF THE BOOK.tO LOOK AT THE PICTURES AND READ THE QUOTES OF bO sCHEMBECHLER UNDER EACH ONE IS SIMPLY ENTHRALLING.iN CONCLUSION THIS BOOK TAKES YOU ON A JOURNEY THAT WILL THRILL THE BIGGEST AR LITTLEST FAN OF THE GREATEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL OF ALL TIME.FROM ITS BEGINING TO THWE MODERN DAY.



5. Very well written with a wealth of beautiful high quality photographs. Bo says its the best book ever done on Michigan football.

1 comments about I Remember Tom Landry.

1. Tom Landry was a model of consistency both
   on and off the field, despite his detractors
   like the jerk Bayless! Twenty winning seasons
   in a row. Even though never liking the Cowboys,
   they were consistant and Landry, Tex Schramm
   and Ernie Stautner were the reason! God bless
   Tom for giving some class back to the game!
   Even if he was a Cowboy!

4 comments about Where Have All Our Cowboys Gone?.

1. We bought this for my brother for Christmas, but I have to admit several of the biographies were read before it was wrapped. My brother is a die hard cowboy fan. He loved reading the short biographies of where some of the OLD DAYS and NEW players are now. The only thing I wish is that there had been a short biography for TOM LANDRY because to me he is the HEART of the Cowboys.



2. This book was an awesome read. Many interesting short stories about lots of MY childhood heroes. The book took me back in time and also let me catch up on what has happened to so many of the players I grew up with. The successes and failures, the happy stories and the sad. Stories from Hollywood Henderson, Mike Clark, Harvey Martin, Ralph Neely, Roger Staubach, and many more. It is a MUST read for any fan of the Dallas Cowboys!!



3. This has to be the best biological collection of any sports team ever! My father, my brother, my friend, my mother and I - we all thoroughly enjoyed this book. My family often corresponds by way of sharing book reviews and this one quickly made it through the family. My father loved reliving all of his favorite players, my brother read it and loves debating with my father, my friend is just so happy that he can now understand the comparisons given during the telecasts of games today, but my mother and I had the most fun trying to quiz each other. Honestly, a great read for the sports enthusiasts and those crazy few in my family who want to discuss sports in anthropological terms.



4. This book takes you back through the good, bad and ugly days of Dallas Cowboy football. But its not really so much about football, its about the "after football" life of some of our favorite players of the past. Its hard to remember the names of most of the current players, but many of us long-time fans love to remember the good old days.
   The author has provided a very informative and intriguing look at dozens of Dallas Cowboy players, some of them in the Ring of Honor, some of them more obscure. But each player has an interesting story to tell and the book is a very easy and enjoyable read. Not your typical sports book! I recommend it for both men and women readers.

1 comments about Brett Favre: Huck Finn Grows Up.

1. This is a well written book. Personally I liked it. Not only because I'm a fan of Brett Favre, but that this book shows the life and personality of him. The book goes behind the scenes of this football superstar into his personal life. The author (Steve Cameron) provides a great view of Brett's personality and ability. The book includes personal insight and quotes. Another plus is a few pictures, and even one of Brett's wedding night! From high school hard ball to a pro career with the Packers Steve Cameron shows you the life of Brett Favre, All in all this is one great biography!

3 comments about Brett Favre: A Packers Fan's Tribute.

1. Reviewed by David Olvera for Reader Views (3/07)
   
   "Brett Favre: A Packer Fan's Tribute" does not mince words and the book stays true to its title. Kertscher evaluates Favre's legendary career from crummy rookie in the pro ranks to NFL god. Rather than a long and microscopic analysis of the patron saint of Lambeau, the author cuts to the chase and offers great snapshots of Favre's career. Favre's beginnings, his hallmark comebacks, the Super Bowl, the MVPs, all laid out in clean episodes.
   
   Kertscher also stays true as a fan. You can easily tell the author is endeared to the Packers and he relates that fandom to the reader. You cannot help but relate to Favre, the Packers, and their fans after reading this book. Sure Favre is an All-American, apple pie, Stars and Stripes kind of guy, but the author's examination of his career and even his addiction to painkillers takes you that much closer to being apart of the Green Bay scene.
   
   I would have liked to have seen closer examinations of his personal life, especially his relationship with his father. Although I am not a Packer fan, the passing of Favre's father and Brett's on-field performance afterward was a profound NFL moment regardless of affiliation. I won't knock the author too much for it though...too close an examination would not fit well with the book's overall theme and feel.
   
   The author's writing style is quick and to the point. I get the feeling that Kertscher isn't going for a Pulitzer and that makes the book very versatile. You can hand this book to any child and they could easily become a "Cheese Head." A great coffee table or waiting room piece...or simply what the title says...a book for fans. "Brett Favre: A Packer Fan's Tribute" is not the essential autobiography of Favre, but its strength is in its candid approach to the career of an NFL great.



2. As a Packer Fan we had to have this book but it is a great story for any football fan. Brett Farve will go into the history books as one of the BEST Quaterbacks. Very Enjpyable.



3. I just wanted to let other Packer fans know that this is a book
   to read if you are a Brett Favre fan, well done Tom!!!
   The pictures in this book are great and by the Packer photographer
   Jim Biever, great shots. They bring back memories.
   Tom writes this book as a true Packer fan and shares stories, pictures
   and records that maybe we have not read, if you can believe that...
   Order this book today and give a Packer fan a nice gift for Christmas
   they will really enjoy the book.
   I have added this book to my collection of Brett Favre items.
   We will all miss Brett Favre! But of course one never knows...
   Brett could return in 2007!

No comments about Fitness Stars of Pro Football: Featuring Profiles of Deion Sanders, Shannon Sharpe, Darrell Green, and Wayne Chrebet (Legends of Health & Fitness Series).

3 comments about Headslap: The Life and Times of Deacon Jones.

1. I hadn't expected to enjoy the account of Jones' early days leading up to his pro football career. But that was the best part of the book. Once I got halfway through his career I started skipping large chunks of text.

   The football tales were interesting, but not engrossing. What makes the book worthwhile to me is the account of Jones' struggle with racism through most of his life, including his early years in the NFL.

   That said, I was disappointed to see that the book is written in semi-fiction style in that whole conversations that were never taped or even could have been taped are reproduced as if they were transcribed by a stenographer. It seems obvious that the authors made it up. That doesn't necessarily mean that the conversations presented don't accurately reflect what was said at the time. But the authors don't even acknowledge that they have put words in people's mouths.

   In the same vein, I got the impression that some of the stories of Jones' life, as presented in the book, are apocryphal, or at least based mainly on Jones' memory.

   For example, one story has Jones meeting Jackie Robinson as a teenager. He had just seen a Dodgers game and witnessed a white player step on Robinson's hand. He said something to Robinson along the lines of




2. I have idolized Deacon Jones all of my life, and this book really made The Deacon out to be everything I thought he was. The reason I liked the book so much was the fact that it not only covered his unrealistically impressive football career, but also covered his entire life from childhood all the way through his retirement from the NFL. It really gave you a real feel of the hard, grueling times he went through back in the days of racism and presidium. I recommend this book for anyone, even those who are not interested in football, fore is a book far from only being about football, but a book of struggle, anger, distress, and overcoming all obstacles in order to succeed greatly in life.



3. I met Deacon Jones about two months after I read this book. I felt like I had actually known him for a long time and even played with him. The author did a great job in describing the man, especially his youth in Florida, during the fifties. If you like sports and understand the discipline and dedication that a good athlete puts into his profession you will experience it in this documentary that reads like a novel. In some ways, this book is a history of the NFL as seen through the practical eyes of a humble and sincere young man who came from a small town in the "old south" and was never groomed for college or the NFL. This is the first biography that I read completely without getting tired of all the subject's glories. The book is not self-serving. It should be mandatory reading for all high school athletes especially football players and their coaches. Submitted by: Stanley Strychaz West Hills, Californi

No comments about Don't Get Me Wrong: Mike Ditka's Insights, Outbursts, Kudos, and Comebacks.

5 comments about Marcus: The Autobiography of Marcus Allen.

1. I really enjoyed this well written summary of Marcus Allen's life and his extraordinary career in football. If you are at all interested in football, this book would be a great choice. He starts from the beginning telling us about his family and his hometown. He then describes his life as a high school football player. He goes on to talk about the transitions he had to make on the field from defensive back to quarterback and then to running back later on in his career. Marcus really goes in to depth when he describes his years at U.S.C and the heisman trophy. He emphasizes his dedication towards his health and the team. Marcus says in the book that playing backup to Charles White helped him more because he got to see greatness right before his eyes in Charles. Charles describes the felling of being drafted to the Oakland Raiders. Marcus shows his dislike towards the teams manager Al Davis and describes conflicts between the two. Marcus goes into great detail of the games and the situations that occur off the field on both the Oakland Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs. It is very interesting to see the relationship between Marcus Allen and Mr. and Mrs.OJ Simpson. He talks about the OJ trial and how he handled it.



2. I REALLY ENJOYED READING THIS. MARCUS DOES A GOOD JOB DESCRIBING HIS CAREER WITH THE RAIDERS AND CHIEFS. HIS CRITICISM OF AL DAVIS AND RAIDER ORGANIZATION IS EXTREMELY INTRIGUING. ALSO INTERESTING IS HIS DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE OJ MURDER TRIAL AND HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH OJ AND HIS WIFE. THIS IS WELL WORTH YOUR TIME.
   A MUST READ.



3. After reading this book, I was amazed at the things that went on between Al Davis and Marcus. How Marcus stayed in Los Angeles that long amazes me. This book covers Marcus' life before football, during high school, at USC and the heisman, and being drafted by the Raiders and then ending up at Kansas City. Marcus talks about the O.J. fiasco and how it changed his life. This book is excellent for any football fan and shines light on the dark side of being a Raider.



4. This is not your typical Professional Jock Worship book, primarily because (1) very little of the narrative is taken up with descriptions of individual games or plays, (2) Carlton Stowers is an excellent writer who portrays Marcus well, and (3) Marcus himself is an intelligent and thoughtful person who has had a fascinating life to date.

   The real heroes of this book are Marcus' parents, Harold (Red) and Gwen Allen, who put the necessary time and effort into providing their children with the integrity that has made Marcus successful.

   This is a book of contrasts and conflicts, the first of which are with Al Davis, owner of the Oakland Raiders. Marcus despises Al and is candid in describing his reasons. Anyone who is not familiar with Al Davis might think Marcus is exaggerating, but those who are familiar with him will find the criticism reasonable, if not understated. Corroboration for his descriptions of Al's eccentricities may be found in "Slick: The Silver and Black Life of Al Davis" by Mark Ribowsky [ISBN: 0-02-602500-0], a highly entertaining biography that is now out of print but may be available through a used-book service.

   The other interesting contrast is that between Marcus and his friend O.J. Simpson. As Marcus described Nicole Simpson's death and the subsequent murder trial, I kept asking how these two men, similar in so many ways, could have ended up so differently. As I said at the outset, the real heroes of the book are Marcus' parents.




5. He shows an amazing insight into what really goes on in the dirty world of american football. To the specifically vindictive nature of Al Davis towards Marcus, to the heartfelt news which so totally devasted him upon learning of the revelation of O.J.!! Written we a great deal of intelligence almost as if he was a best selling novelist. Definitely makes you support the Chiefs whenever they play the Raiders, even though i support the Seahawks. Maybe now Marcus has retired he will put pen to paper more often, I certaintly will purchase any of his material.