A great insight into college football!
922932
Everything I wanted to know  about college football and then some! An intricate insight with plenty of analytical data and historical background of the unification of college football. A must read for every college football fan!
642879
*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

I was kind of nervous about this one. I thought it could go either way quite easily with its description. I even kind of rolled my eyes after reading the prologue. But man was I pleasantly surprised by this book.

As a quick aside, it doesnt come up very much here but I am a huge football (particularly college) fan. When I hit August, I start hankering for football really badly. I read previews for the season, I watch documentaries about past teams, and Ill often watch old games just because I need to try to stave off the craving for it.

This book hit the spot. It actually got to the point where it was talking about coaches and IMG Academy and other football things that made me wonder if it was a little too inside baseball for the average reader (upon further consideration I actually think that the author did a great job explaining things like IMG Academy so it would be accessible). The actual knowledge of college football really helped me speed through it and hooked me.

All of this is kind of burying the lead though, since more than anything else this is a book about discrimination. What I think this book does incredibly well is set up a situation that seems completely realistic to me in modern day America. Tom is an African American who is an amazing quarterback and his best friend Jason is a Jewish wide receiver. Their positions are switched when they arrive at their new boarding school, which confuses them quite a bit. Along the way, they and their roommates uncover the discrimination (subtle and otherwise) at the school.

I think two of the things the book does really well is provide a variety of characters from different backgrounds. It would have been very easy to write a book where all the southerners were racist or all the Christians were super judgmental (more on that later), but the book did not do this. The other thing I think it did really well was nail the standards the media needs to meet when doing investigative journalism. A lot of times throughout the book, there are instances where the boys think they have enough evidence to prove their case and two reporters they work with show how what they have come up with is just circumstantial. I think this is really important since a lot of scandals (in sports or otherwise) are grey areas because there is no way to fully prove the situation one way or the other, and this consideration is something that I thought was well done.

The last thing that I really appreciated about this was how faith is woven into sports (particularly football). I watch Last Chance U on Netflix as another way to try to get myself to football season and something that really struck me was how much Christianity is used by coaches. It honestly kind of creeped me out because of how the school also bills itself as the way to turn around students with a difficult past, and it feels almost forced upon students. This was the same way in the book and was a point of contention for both main characters, but particularly Jason since he was Jewish. I think that this was something that is probably not thought about as much when it comes to discrimination in football (or at least I know I haven't thought about it as much as I should have).

I think this book is a great read and should definitely be checked out. My one concern is that a lot of references are very contemporary and Im not sure how well they will age, however, even with that, I think the story itself will endure.
1308886
John Bacon's latest is a compelling read, a recap of the 2012 Big Ten season, a study of four programs (Michigan, Penn St, Ohio St, and Northwestern), and a compendium of various threats to college football. Bacon is adept at conveying both the micro (perspectives of individual fans, players, and coaches) and the macro (NCAA oversight, bowl games, stadiums, and college contrasted with the NFL). He does not hide his devotion to Michigan, but he is hardest on his alma mater, and he finds much to admire at OSU, PSU, and NW. Informed by extensive interviews and time spent with the teams. In some ways, a rather grim story of corruption by money and power; in others, a hopeful account of individuals and teams hanging on to ideals.
3614259
It's clear that Greg Easterbrook loves football. He understands the game and has been reporting on it for years. But this book is more a behind-the-scenes look at both collegiate and professional football, and how the sport has turned into a booming business for both team owners and universities since the 1980s. That is when 24-hour cable TV became the norm and around-the-clock sports became fashionable.

Easterbrook tries to be fair. Football has given many minority students a chance at a college education. Many successful athletes have gone from poverty to wealth thanks to football. But he also shows the dark side of the sport, where teams and universities ignore NCAA rules and do what they can to build a winning team.

The writing is smooth and the chapters are short and concise. While one chapter focuses on the current Virginia Tech head football coach, other chapters focus on the health risks associated with football and how repeated head injuries do have long-term side effects that especially the professional teams have ignored for too long. Easterbrook covers the entire range with a lot of statistics, numbers and even a few names.

This isn't the typical sports book that glorifies the sport or a particular athlete. Easterbrook covers the gamut, both good and bad of the sport. Some people may not like what he uncovers, but he does a convincing job of showing the reader how much football has become a money-making business.
2542413
This book gives the reader a close up, and personal look at what really matters in this, the greatest rivalry in college football.  It's not just about the game.
3829087
I've been very critical of our football team these past few years.  I have to be honest, I've even said some terrible things about our team and some of our coach's.  After reading this book, it really gave me insight as to why Coach Beamer is the way he is and does the things he does.  It also opened my eyes to the fact that I should never open my mouth and criticize others as I will look foolish considering my football knowledge is laughable compared to Coach Beamer.  I have a new found respect for this man.  Not only did I learn about Coach Beamer through the book but I've learned so many lessons from his stories that I plan to implement some of these things to better myself.  I'm proud to be Hokie, even more so today having a great leader and person at the helm of our football team.  Living in San Diego, I hope to one day get back to Blacksburg and shake his hand or even play a round (if he's ever in San Diego maybe I could take him to play Torrey Pines for a round).  Now let's get him a National Championship!  Go Hokies!
4301573
Billion Dollar Ball: A Journey Through the Big-Money Culture of College Football by Gilbert Gaul was an extremely interesting book.

In Iowa, without any professional sport teams, college football is the  next best thing.  And our coach, Kirk Ferentz, is (too) well paid, making more than any other university employee.

My mother and I have had many discussions about the ridiculousness of this salary structure at the college level.  And Gaul's book gives great data and details about what is becoming normal at big colleges: the bottom line is winning and making money.

Gaul has interviewed over two hundred people in the writing of Billion Dollar Ball, and includes a wealth of data. As I was reading I would often stop and read small snippets aloud to my husband, who is planning on reading this himself.

A few of the things I took away from this book

there is a difference in philosophy on athletics between the big money making programs and the smaller college athletic programs.  The big schools have a very small percentage of students who participate in athletics, while smaller schools not in it for the money or fame, believe that students who want to participate in athletics should have that opportunity and view it as a piece of their education.
College football is THE moneymaker for colleges and in the past few decades has found a variety of ways to make even more money by charging extaordinary "donation fees" to long time season ticket holders. These donations are tax deductions, but since they are mandatory are not a true donation.
Not all athletes that receive scholarships to play ball are ready or capable of college academics.  Colleges provide a wealth of services to their athletes just to help them succeed in school.  This is both admirable and ridiculous (in my mind at least).
There is a huge disparity between what is spent on athletes versus students. At Texas each student athlete has $261,728 spent on them compared with $20,903 spent on students not playing a sport.
Billion Dollar Ball provides a good look at the college football industry, full of data that Gaul has collected.  I enjoy sports, but I am not a true college football fan.  My husband, a former college wrestler, has a different perspective on college football, enjoying it more than I do, but also participating in a lesser sport that didn't generate the income that football did.  I am hoping he reads this book soon so we can hash some of it out together.

Billion Dollar Ball is a book I'd like to press into the hands of all those die-hard Iowa Hawkeye football fans. However, despite the many spot-on observations and wealth of data that Gaul provides, I am nearly certain that these fans would fall in the same category as the big money schools, believing that the bottom line is truly fame and money.
4227247
Swing Your Sword isn't really about the X's and O's of football, although Leach does talk about it a little.  It's more about Mike Leach's upbringing, his sacrifices to make it in college football and his philosophy.  He also goes into detail about the process of his firing at Texas Tech and his weekly gameplanning preparations. A few of the great things I gained out of this as a football coach were attribute priorities when looking for a quarterback, how he approached his first team meeting as a head coach (and how he'd wished he'd done it in hindsight), how he developed the play known as "6" or 4-verts, and his unique philosophy toward game week and fall camp.

It is very well written and I would strongly suggest it!
3789795
I liked the book because it was a very interesting and informative view of College and Professional Football.  The book moved along very fast and was a fun read.  The book was a download to my kindle and that process was seamless.
2938241
**I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review***
Although this book was about college football, it didn't come across that way.  The characters were well rounded and mature - no silly kid emotions or actions.
I'll be honest and say that I don't know anything about American Football - but with the description of the training, the games and the plays out on the field I came away with a better understanding of how it all works.
Overall this was an easy and enjoyable read - I look forward to reading more from this author.
2680211
As a college basketball fan I was excited to read this new book and it did not disappoint. It is not only informative, it is also extremely engaging - I couldn't put it down!. If you enjoy college basketball you will enjoy this book. I will be ordering several as holiday gifts for the sports fans on my list.
813398
This is not just for the sports fan, gives a very descriptive trip of our beautiful State  and sees the game from all aspects just as the Title says. I enjoyed the honesty of the characters in the book and I do mean characters in every sense of the word.  Will be great to read the second time for sure. Two thumbs up!!!!
2410839
I was a grade schooler in Colorado when this game was played but I still remembered it when I saw the book.  I grabbed a copy, and much to my wife's dismay, I couldn't put it down.  Finished it off in a couple of days and have loaned it to several friends, each of whom has thoroughly enjoyed it!  While I remember the game and the subsequent tragedy involving Freddie Steinmark, this book provided interesting background and history on the coaches, the teams, and the game as well as great insight into the changing socials conditions of the late 60s and the seeds of integration into Southwest Conference football.  For those of you who are true college football fans, this is a MUST READ.  But for those of you who aren't football fans, the surrounding social events will be of interest to you as well.  I've heard the author has another book coming out shortly on the Wisconsin football team and the members of that team who ended up serving their country in World War II.  I will be watching for its release and recommend that after finishing "Horns, Hogs and Nixon Coming," you look for his new one.  Mr Frei is a talented author!
4777263
If you have a passion for college football, this book is for you. It's well written with a ton of insight. You'll be surprised, and enjoy, the brief Michigan football history at the beginning. Then, hold on to your hat as you steadily move through Rich Rod's 3 years there.

You'll be sure of three things when you've finished this book:
1. The Detroit Free Press is incapable of bias-free journalism. Their unprofessional sports coverage is pathetic.
2. Rich Rodriguez and others in his position work very hard and get hassled greatly for the privilege.
3. Behind the mask of big-time college sports are departments and administrations where many are in it for themselves. They are clearly the over-paid, self-concerned participants in the world of college athletics.

Kudo's to John Bacon for first class writing. Thanks for bringing fans a balanced view that other sources wouldn't.
1654527
Being a Ohio State alum and huge Buckeye football fan, it's no wonder that I loved this book.  It's a great memento to remember the football team's march to win the first college football championship!  Totally Undisputed Champs!!!

Even so, the parts of the book I enjoyed most was the backstory of the players and coaches.  I really appreciated the time Bill took (as well as those he interviewed) to put the "why" and the "how" into this book.  After the loss last year to Virginia Tech, being champions seemed to be impossible, but they accomplished their goal.

This book is an excellent leadership book in that Urban Meyer cast a vision that everyone bought into, from the coaches to the players and staff.  There were constant reminders of their goal, pushing themselves for excellence for no one accomplishes a huge goal without great effort, bring "team" oriented vs the worldly "self" orientation, and mentoring of the younger players.  There are a lot of lessons to be learned for anyone or any team wanting to accomplish something great.

Thanks, Bill and all who helped make this book great!
2992004
Galloway's genius is in the simplicity of his offering - thoughtful, provoking, and a nice back-story.  It so appeals to the basic principles and values of pure competition - let the players decide the championship on the field - enough with the computers, sports-writers, and pollsters.  I only hope the NCAA and the member schools will listen to Galloway's idea and ultimately satisfy fans, coaches, and players! This book is an easy read and a great idea that any college football fan will love!
3971963
Veteran reporters who know legitimate issues from hot-button rhetoric do a great job here. Insight I had not previously seen about Mike Leach's Texas Tech departure and the subsequent season at Washington State are especially intriguing. The only thing I thought needed more attention was Penn State. Maybe the nature of the whole terrible affair painted it as too far outside the football mainstream for the authors. I trust they had a good reason for not going. I still would have liked some view of Bill O'Brien's first season -- if nothing else for the first glimpses of an arduous rebuilding project.