3 comments about Rockne of Notre Dame: The Making of a Football Legend.

1. My ole man went to Notre Dame... so I've been steeped in the rich legacy of Fightin' Irish Football. This book is by far one of the better books on Notre Dame football in its heyday under Knute Rockne who forged that legacy. The team that brought us the forward pass left a rich history worth examing. This book captures the essence of Rockne, his leadership style, his character and his ambition to excel.



2. While acknowleging the legends surrounding one of the greatest coaches in any sport anywhere, but not attempting to pass them off as fact, Ray Robinson does not stoke the inspirational fires of the mythological demigod Knute Rockne. Still and all, we see Rockne as he developed from a boy growing up in Chicago to the young man at Notre Dame eventually becoming the coach who, in turn, became larger than life.

   Mostly, the reader is invited to visit a time when Knute Rockne was arguably the brightest star among the numerous sports heroes of the '20's. While Irish, Catholics and especially Irish-Catholics were almost universally reviled and the power of the Klan was at its height, the immigrant from Voss, Norway lead Notre Dame to the forefront of college football's national stage.

   There are occasional glimpses of Rockne off the football field and I, personally, would have liked to have gotten to know more about Rockne the man. However, this is, first and foremost, a story about Knute's lifelong relationship with football.

   This book is designed for college football fans, especially fans of Notre Dame. Notre Dame detractors may also get something out of the book, if for no other reason than it makes it a little easier to understand why Notre Dame football is what it is today.




3. The most enjoyable sports book I've read since, well, "Stirring Football Stories", this book gives the reader not only such favorite moments in the history of the game as the winning forward pass (Dorais to Rockne, against Army), the Gipper, the Four Horsemen, and back-to-back undefeated seasons, but insights into the life and times of Notre Dame's legendary coach. Rockne championed & embodied the immigrant struggle for a place in the sun - the "fighting Irish" being a moniker bestowed on a polyglot group of newcomers to the American dream. On the gridiron it was possible to prove yourself - and show your talents - on an equal footing with older, more established schools and traditions. This conscious inclusion of the larger story gives this book an important place on the shelf, alongside Rockne's own unfinished autobiography, "We Remember Rockne", "Knute Rockne, All American", and other memoirs and studies.

No comments about Fragments of the Feminine Sublime in Friedrich Schlegel and James Joyce (Suny Series on the Sublime).

1 comments about Hazel: A Life of Lady Lavery, 1880-1935.

1. Ms. McCoole does a wonderful job in accurately portraying the life of Hazel Lavery. She has gone to great lengths to uncover the truth about her relationships with historical figures, one being the Irish icon Michael Collins. What many people may not realize is that Hazel was a painter herself before she met her famous husband, John Lavery. Hazel's story from the suburbs of Chicago to the face on the Irish pound note is a truly enjoyable read.

No comments about Night Flyer: The Success Story of RAF 100 Group, Mosquitos over the German Night Fighters (Fighter Pilots).

1 comments about Granuaile: Sea Queen of Ireland.

1. This book is written by an Irish author and is very factual. Though interesting it is a very historical reading.

No comments about Private Battles: How the War Almost Defeated Us Our Intimate Diaries.

1 comments about Henry and Mary Ponsonby: Life at the Court of Queen Victoria.

1. Henry & Mary Ponsonby: Life At The Court Of Queen Victoria by William M. Kuhn (Associate Professor of History, Carthage College) is the informed and informative, meticulous and scholarly biographical portrait of Henry and Mary Ponsonby, two high-ranking courtiers who served Queen Victoria during the latter part of the nineteenth century. Henry & Mary Ponsonby is an enthusiastically recommended, intimate portrayal of court life which offers unique insights into the recent history of Great Britain's royal family in general, and the court of Queen Victoria in particular.

No comments about Richard II: The Art of Kingship.

No comments about Justyna's Narrative.

No comments about Brendan Behan's New York.