5 comments about Marcus: The Autobiography of Marcus Allen (Marcus).

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.

1 comments about Legends of Cricket (New Speciality Titles).

1. If you are an avid cricket fan you should own "Legends of Cricket" even if you don't agree with the author's rankings. Each article is very informative and thoroughly researched.

No comments about Memories of The Bear: A biography of Denny Hulme.

No comments about Jeff Gordon Biography: Jeff Gordon: The Racer (Sport Snaps).

2 comments about My Life Full of Cars: Behind the Wheel With the World's Top Motoring Journalist.

1. This book is one of the best I've ever read over the world of cars. It will make you travel from Belgium to the States with a thousand of little stories really enjoyable. Try it !



2. A living legend in automotive journalism and racing, Paul Frère weaves his fascinating life story through the cars he has owned, tested and raced. This autobiography is jam-packed with historical and technical information that Frère lived through and experienced personally. Starting with the family car in the 1920s, Formula-One racing in the 50s, winning LeMans in 1960, with Olivier Gendebien, to writing about, helping develop, and driving cars for the 21st Century, Monsieur Frère, at the age of 84, still routinely test drives today's automobiles and racecars at over 150 mph!

   An intimate, unique viewpoint on the history of the automobile, as fun as a fast drive down the German Autobahn- with no speed limit!

5 comments about The Book of Landry.

1. I bought this book for three compelling reasons. First, I am a long-time Dallas Cowboys fan. Secondly, I always admired and looked up to Tom Landry as a leader and a devoted Christian gentleman. Lastly, I love to collect and use quotes. I loved reading this book for one simple reason - it exceeded all expectations for all my reasons for buying it.

   I cried the day Tom Landry died, and again the day after his death when I read articles and listened to television stories about the life and times of Tom Landry. This simple, little book brought back many of those same emotions. This book is not one author's lofty opinions about a man. It is a collection of quotes, stories, and vignettes from scores of people from all walks of life who are united in their deep love and respect for a man among men, a man of unquestioned character and integrity.

   You do not have to be a Dallas Cowboys fan, nor know a thing about Tom Landry, nor do you need to collect quotes to enjoy and be motivated by this book. If you are inspired by reading true accounts of moral, spiritual, and successful leaders, then this book will exceed all your expectations, too.




2. I had the privilege of meeting Tom Landry a few times and found him to be the most gracious person you could ever hope to know. These memories really took me back in time. The world is a poorer place without him



3. Famed football coach Tom Landry passed away in February 2000, leaving behind a life of accomplishment rarely equaled and never surpassed. Former Dallas Cowboys players, assistant coaches, and others close to Landry contributed to The Book Of Landry by offering fresh testimonials and remembrances of the man. Landry quotes are culled from materials published over the decades of Landry's professional and personal life. Here presented are tributes to his childhood, family, coaching philosophy, Christian faith, motivational tactics, and the Landry "Look". The Book Of Landry is "must" reading for all Landry fans.



4. It's nice to know what outsiders thought of Landry, but it's nicest to hear from insiders who knew the man. This book fills that need. It's classy, readable, beautifully organized and highly affordable and should be on every Cowboy (or Cowboy hater's) bookshelf.



5. Jennifer Briggs' "The Book of Landry" is an excellent tribute to the late Cowboy's coach, Tom Landry. I grew up in Wisconsin, where Landry and the Cowboys were "the enemy." This book gave me a whole new view of a man who is revered in Texas. He was a compassionate, principled, fun-loving and God-led man, a true hero. I keep re-reading chapter after chapter for inspiration! It's a great birthday or Father's Day gift!

1 comments about Go East Old Man.

1. I am a learning disabled adult and Mr. Reese's book gave me the inperation to do things that I thought I would never do. I am half his age and I thought I couldn't do what I dreamed of doing until I read the book.

No comments about Favre: The Total Package.

1 comments about Kenny Bernstein: Living Legend.

1. I grew up watching Mr. Bernstein for over 15 years before finally meeting him. Had I known what type of person he was, I probably would've waited another 15. He is just short of being downright rude to just about every fan I had the pleasure of watching him meet. The image I had pror to meeting him was "Next to my dad, he has to be the coolest guy on the planet". Boy was I dead wrong! Upon asking him to personalize a hero card at a race back in '95 for a sick kid back in our hometown, he replied with "I just sign my name". All we wanted was for him to personalize an autograph by saying "To: whoever, Kenny B." Man, did he shatter that image. Last time I checked, the fans helped make you who you are. If not for them, you wouldn't have an audience. Oh well, it sure was easy to find another favorite driver because thank goodness the majority of them aren't grumpy old men jaded by the business.

No comments about Just for the Love of It.