3 comments about War As They Knew It: Woody Hayes, Bo Schembechler, and America in a Time of Unrest.

1. An excellent chronicle of an intense athletic rivalry set against the background of one of the most politically and socially tumultuous eras in modern American history. Rosenberg's in depth research and behind-the-scenes insights offer a glimpse of how two genuine titans in collegiate sports met the period's unique challenges of impacting young men...all the while establishing winning football programs in the traditional sense. Most deninitely "a story worth telling." Very well done!



2. One of the finest books on football, and a turbulent era in American history, to come along in years. Like a great novelist, Michael Rosenberg deftly weaves together multiple stories and complex characters, while making all of the original connections and conclusions of a fine historian.



3. Michael Rosenberg did a superb job illuminating the larger than life personalities of coaches Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler. How do I know Rosenberg did a superb job? I know nothing about football except that two teams, wearing two different uniforms come together on a large field. Yes, I am a woman almost totally ignorant of testosterone-soaked sports. Yet I have to admit I was completely enthralled by "War." My family is from Ohio and though my husband isn't, he attended OSU during Woody's early era. So, I had some familiarity with the Ohio coach and wanted to learn more about him. Though the author is grounded in Michigan, I never felt that he treated one rival at the expense of the other. Rosenberg was completely fair and even-handed in his appraisal of the two men.
   
   Those in the know about football (which is probably almost everyone else in the world), will enjoy the specifics of the plays. Though I could not because of my lack of experience, I will confess I raced to the end of the description to find out how the games turned out. What made the book compelling to me, though, was how the author reveals the depth of character of the two coaches. Through thoroughly researched primary sources, Rosenberg authentically sets each scene. The reader comes to know the two coaches as if one had known them firsthand. And, in doing so, one both loves and loathes them at the same time. At times I found I wanted to grab them by the neck, shake them and discipline them like children. But then I had to remind myself that the very quality I was reacting to was what made them the competitive fighting animals they were. And how they played off each other. Their antipathy compounded at the same time by their respect for and understanding of each other, was exquisite. Place all of this in the context of the tumultuous times of the 60's and 70's and you're in for a great ride. I especially loved learning about Don Canham, an ancillary character, whose luck, pluck and instinct, propelled him to success.
   
   I highly recommend this book to people interested in sports, in football, in life. How Hayes and Schembechler chose to live their lives in their time in history has relevance for us today. If we could take away with us, the best of them, we would not do poorly.

5 comments about Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices, and Priorities of a Winning Life.

1. This is truly an outstanding book about a great man. Even though I am a Redskins fan I REALLY enjoyed this book. A very inspiring book. The book covers the life of Coach Dungy from his childhood up through the Super Bowl victory by the Colts. In it are many stories of the challenges and joys he has faced during his life and how he has grown in Christ throughout. I recommend this book without reservation. A great read and a great message.



2. It's a very good book, I've read better, but that doesn't take away from this book or its message. I won't go into detail, others already have.



3. Sometimes the irony of a certain situation strikes me as highly profound. The person that recommended me this book happens to be an assistant manager that I work with. She told me how she learned so much from Dungy's life, and how it changed her life. And her recommendation of this book was what convinced me to read it. Yet when the store manager threw her a bone that she didn't expect, she didn't handle it like a professional. She handled it like a little first grader because she didn't get what she deserved, and because life isn't fair. And after reading what Tony Dungy went through, and how he pressed on, I want to press on, regardless of my circumstances. So my goal isn't to be better than my assistant manager, but to focus on my life. That's what Tony Dungy did. He focused on his life and on his team and his goals.
   
   "Quiet Strength" sums this up very well. All the while he looks back on his career in football, it never seems like he chalks it up as bragging rights. He just counts it as the life he lived. He takes lessons from the great Chuck Noll, to just go out there and "Do what we do" as a team. He talks little about his family, but from what I can see, his family comes before football.
   
   Dungy takes disappointment combined with elation in the ups and downs of his career, let alone his life. Things have not always come easy for this man, and have in fact, gotten harder in some aspects. Especially in one situation with his son that many knew about in the middle of the 2005 season. But that didn't stop Tony Dungy from pressing forward. And it didn't stop him from leaning on Christ Jesus in the thick of things.
   
   As I still see my assistant manager from day to day, I still extend my hellos and she extends hers. There is very little respect for her these days from my perspective, but that's ok. I do what I do. I'm pressing on. Tony Dungy pressed on. Tony Dungy is an NFL Champion, and all he has to show for it is quiet strength. Because that's all he needs! Thank you, Tony Dungy.



4. I highly recommend this book to ANY reader--the football fan, the God fan, the prayer fan, or othewise. It is an excellent, life-changing read.



5. This book is very powerful for anyone striving to excel with God as your guide. Tony Dungy is a great example of a faithful man in the face of tremendous success and soul shattering pain. Thanks for writing the book, all of us that read it are indebted to you.

1 comments about The Genius: How Bill Walsh Reinvented Football and Created an NFL Dynasty.

1. Bill Walsh was the brilliant, insecure coach who won immortality with the the San Francisco 49ers in the 1980's. Mr. Harris follows his career from the Bengals of Paul Brown to Stanford (and other stops in-between) to the 49ers. He perfected an air attack that became known as the West Coast Offense and drafted the players to carry it out (Joe Montana, Dwight Clark, Jerry Rice, etc). The book is heavy on football and light on his personal life which is a pity -- he was eccentric enough that his personal life merits a deeper look. Having died a year ago of leukemia, Walsh won three Super Bowls (1982, 1985, 1989) in his tenure as coach before retiring on his own terms. Mr. Harris interviewed the coach extensively before his death and got the details right.

1 comments about More Than Just The Catch.

1. On February 3, 2008, in Super Bowl XLII, David Tyree, special teams player and wide receiver for the NFL New York Giants made the greatest most ** MIRACULOUS ** catch in Super Bowl history. Leaping into the air with one of the greatest safety's in modern NFL history, Rodney Harrison of the New England Patriot's all over him, David pinned the ball to his helmet with the fingertips of his right hand... and crashed to the ground without dropping the pass! This was the pivotal play that led to a subsequent touchdown, which led the underdog Giant's to upset the heavily favored, and previously undefeated Patriot's and win the World Championship-Super Bowl!
   
   Immediately upon the completion of this historic victory... and at every chance since... David steadfastly chants the following unwavering mantra:
   
   "I GIVE THE CREDIT TO G-D! NOT ONLY DID HE ALLOW ME TO BE ON A SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM, BUT HE ALSO INTERVENED AND GAVE ME A MIRACLE BEFORE THE EYES OF THE WORLD."
   
   This is David's life story, which he shares with the reader unflinchingly, in the retelling of all his missteps that eventually led him to being "reborn"... and dedicating his life to Christ. The reader will learn of his drug use... his blackout drunk alcoholism... his drug arrest... his wanton dishonoring of the mother of his children (Leilah) with repetitive womanizing... and even passing a venereal disease on to his future wife. On the night of his child's birth, David came home drunk... purposely tried to trip Leilah... and then passed out on the floor.
   
   Finally one night, when David came to pick up his son; Leilah's cousin Angie, who had recently rededicated her life to the Lord, "looked into David's eyes, and he seemed to "not be there". She said that she saw the devil in David's eyes." She said he was acting like two different people with two different personalities. She called her Mother on the phone and said: "MA, I THINK YOU NEED TO COME OVER AND PRAY FOR DAVID. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH HIM." Her Mother came over and "she got fed up with the spirit that was using David and looked into David's eyes and demanded, "STOP IT AND SIT DOWN, IN THE NAME OF JESUS!" "David stood stiff as a board with a blank look on his face and then obeyed her words, sitting down and looking straight ahead. When she began to lead us in prayer. David slid off of the sofa and started moving across the floor like a snake. Nobody was ready for what they witnessed that day. David seemed to be in some kind of trance and something had taken over his body."
   
   "She shouted to the spirit in David, "WHAT IS YOUR NAME?"
   
   "In a grossly deep voice that was not David's, out of his mouth came words everyone in the room heard: "I AM SATAN!"
   
   David winds up in the psychiatric ward at East Orange General Hospital, and the frightening heartbreak... future conversion... rebirth... family... complete dedication to the glory of the Lord... and yes... the "MIRACULOUS" catch in the Super Bowl... all lay ahead for David and the reader.
   
   The entire book is dedicated to David's Mother who unfortunately passed away before David's Super Bowl glory, but he knows she watched it from Heaven. Part of his dedication reads as follows: "I WILL CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE YOUR LIFE UNTIL I MEET YOU ONE DAY IN GLORY. YOU BLESSED ME WITH LIFE... AND NOW I DEDICATE THE STORY OF MY LIFE TO YOU!
   
   I LOVE YOU WITH ALL OF MY HEART. - DAVID
   
   About the last one-third of the book is devoted to spiritual subjects including: Other NFL players who have openly given G-d the glory in their lives... Cycle of Success with the Lord... The Ingredients of Greatness... Physical workouts tied to prayer... Dietary recommendations.... Dreams and Destiny... From My Heart To You... and A Prayer For Your Destiny.
   
   It should also be noted that included in this book are sixteen pages of the most beautifully reproduced glossy color photographs of David and his family, of which the quality... I have never seen an equal of... in a book of this type.

1 comments about A Team to Believe In: Our Journey to the Super Bowl Championship.

1. "A Team to Believe In" is written by Tom Coughlin and Brian Curtis and it chronicles the 2007 championship season for the New York Giants. The book begins with backstory on the incredibly difficult 2006 season and how Coughlin had to prove he was worth keeping in 2007. From there, the book describes the amazing journey the G-Men took in the 2007 season and the playoffs.
   
   Coughlin provides an inside look on what he needed to change, how his struggles in 2006 effected his family, and how he reconnected with his team. It's all very interesting and well-written. I found the opening chapter about 2006 quite interesting and it was fascinating to see how Coughlin dealt with the scrutiny and criticism. He describes how he became close with his players and also gives general insight to coaching in the NFL.
   
   All in all, this is a great read for Giants fans. It's a must-have for anyone who wants to commemorate Big Blue's Super Bowl run in 2007.

4 comments about The Express: The Ernie Davis Story.

1. The movie tie-in is actually a biography of Ernie Davis that was published in 1983 - The Elmira Express: the Story of Ernie Davis - which is given a new title to coincide with the film.
   
   The book succinctly covers the life of Davis, who was a phenomenal high school athlete in Elmira, New York, an incredible gridiron star at Syracuse University and the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy.
   
   The number one pick in the 1962 NFL by the Washington Redskins, the rights to Davis was soon traded to the Cleveland Browns. Davis never played a down in pro football, as he was diagnosed with leukemia in the summer of 1962 and passed away in 1963.
   
   Davis did suit up once for Cleveland, running onto the field with the team before an exhibition game. There has been a lingering controversy fueled by sportswriters from that era that Browns owner Art Modell actually wanted the ill Davis to participate in the contest, if only for one play.
   
   Though there is special focus on the athletic prowess, author Robert C. Gallagher does not neglect the positive and majestic personality of Davis or the societal times of the civil rights movement and racism, which was played out on football fields, neighborhoods and city streets throughout the nation. Sports does mirror society, even in its most ugliness.
   
   But Davis was an inspirational figure who was - as eulogized by President John F. Kennedy - "an outstanding man of great character." Not only a great read for adults, the book is for young people, since it truly defines a profile in courage and a hero who used athletics in his short lifetime for a greater good.



2. Now the subject of a major motion film about the first African-American to win the Heisman trophy. Ernie Davies was a pioneer in his 23 years of life and one of the first to pave the way for African-Americans in professional sports. Its heartbreaking and heartwarming about a young man who had to fight against the disgusting and despicable ignorance of racism and discrimmination. This was quite a feat in pre-Civil Rights America. A great tale to read when you think about how we take for granted stars such as Shaquille O'Neal, Tiger Woods, and other modern day sports icons. Ernie Davies was taken too young but thankfully he is not forgotten. Hopefully Rev. Martin Luther King's anthem of We Shall Overcome has passed when reading this story in retrospect.



3. The Express is the story of Ernie Davis, the 1961 Heisman Trophy winning running back from Syracuse. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns, but never played a down in the NFL because he was diagnosed with Leukemia soon after. It is the basis for the upcoming movie of the same name and has been updated to coincide with it's release.
   
   It's not a very well written book, the writing is often repetitive, and the author reprints way too many newspaper articles verbatim. In my opinion, this greatly impedes the flow of the book. He prefers a more freeflowing style, jumping from anecdote to anecdote, rather than sticking to a linear timeline, which is often distracting to the reader. As a result, the book reads more like what it is, a great collection of interviews, rather than a cohesive biography. Sometimes the story is greater than the author's ability to tell it. Despite these flaws, this book is still a worthwhile read, and it's short enough
   that you shouldn't have any problem reading it in two days max.
   
   I knew very little about Ernie Davis before I read this book, mostly that he had been an outstanding college player at Syracuse, and that he had died before realizing his dream of playing in the NFL. It was very inspiring to read about the great humility and personal courage with which he lived his life, and faced not only his illness, but also the racism that all black players endured during that era.
   
   I would recommend this book to any football fan or player who is unfamiliar with the story of "The Elmira Express"
   
   Ernie Davis should always be remembered, not for how he died, but for how he lived.



4. The Elmira Express
   
   I love the Twin Tiers in the autumn. The days are still warm; the nights cool, giving birth to vibrant fall colors. The hills seem almost alive, and the threat of colder weather is a promise on the wind. Fall in the Twin Tiers ushers in a revered tradition. When it's autumn in America, it's time for football. Across the land, in big cities and small towns, in large stadiums and rural high schools--the sights, sounds, and colors of the game are all around us. The common thread is the game, and the athletes that practice and play it with heart and determination to the very best of their abilities.
   
   Few players have shown more heart or determination than Ernie Davis. Davis was born on Dec. 14, 1939, in New Salem, Pa. His parents separated shortly after his birth, and his father was soon killed in an accident. He grew up in poverty in Uniontown, a coal-mining town 50 miles south of Pittsburgh, where caring grandparents raised him.
   At 12, Davis moved to live with his mother and stepfather in Elmira. He went on to become Elmira's favorite son, both as an outstanding athlete and as a respected and well-loved citizen. Ernie's talent bloomed, and the honors came early and often. He led Elmira Free Academy to a 52-game winning streak in basketball and as a Syracuse sophomore helped the Orangemen gain their only national football championship.
   
   As a senior in 1961, he became the first African American athlete to win the Heisman trophy and was the number one pick in the 1962 NFL draft. And then, suddenly, he was gone. He was diagnosed with leukemia the summer before his rookie season. He never played in the NFL, but succumbed to the disease less than a year later. Though Ernie never played a game for the Cleveland Browns, they retired his number 45, worn only in practice.
   Davis was easily recognized as a great athlete, but his high school coach, Marty Harrigan, summed up what many felt for Ernie Davis when he said, "Everyone knew Ernie's athletic greatness, but few realized what a great human he was. His concern for his fellow man, and his affection for children, was sincere."
   
   I think this is what moved me the most when I read The Express, The Ernie Davis Story by Robert C. Gallagher. There are lots of talented professional athletes today, and most of them are more than willing to inform you just how gifted they are, but the media exposure never changed him. "Ernie was the same kid at the end as he was at the start," said Jim Flynn, his high school basketball coach.
   Ernie believed he was fortunate to be so gifted and never took his ability for granted. He worked hard both on the field and in the classroom. "Ernie was always the first one on the practice field and the last to leave." Many athletes, assured of a college scholarship, would have coasted in class, but "Ernie worked hard when it wasn't popular to get good grades. The teachers loved him. He never would excuse himself from work and say he had too many outside activities." Ernie intended to play professional football, but he knew that career expectancy in the NFL was only a few seasons, so he wanted to be prepared for another career when he retired from football. He believed that education would lead to social and economic success.
   
   Syracuse University experienced its greatest football success during Ernie's career. The Orangemen became the national champions and winners of the Cotton Bowl. Four days before the game, Ernie pulled a hamstring while practicing place kicks. It was doubtful right up until game time whether he could play. Before leaving the game in the fourth quarter, he scored two touchdowns, including a then Bowl-record pass play, scored twice on two-point conversions, and intercepted a pass that led to Syracuse's final touchdown.
   
   He was voted the game's Most Valuable Player. Davis was to have received his MVP award at the awards banquet that night. But when bowl officials said that only white players were invited to the dinner and that Davis would have to leave after picking up his trophy, the Syracuse team refused to attend.
   
   It was Ernie's performance against the University of Pittsburgh that same year which inspired the nickname "The Elmira Express." Elmira Star-Gazette sports writer Al Mallette coined the phrase. Penn State coach Joe Paterno had this to say about Ernie Davis: "He's the kind of runner you hate to coach against; you can't instruct a boy to tackle a man if he can't catch him."
   
   It was December 1961 when Ernie won the Heisman trophy. Winning the Heisman is a significant accomplishment regardless of the year or player, but it was a significant racial breakthrough at a time with segregation was just beginning to become a social issue. Today, black players often win the award, and it might be hard for his contemporaries to appreciate his achievement.
   
   When he was in New York to receive the Heisman, Davis was treated with media coverage usually reserved for national heroes. President John Kennedy was in the city at the time and asked to see Ernie, a visit that thrilled him. "Imagine," Davis said, "a president wanting to shake hands with me."
   
   Ernie was the number one pick for the 1962 National Football League draft following his senior year. The Washington Redskins had the initial selection, but soon traded him to the Cleveland Browns, who signed him to a three-year no-cut, no-trade $65,000 contract with a $15,000 signing bonus, a new record for a rookie.
   
   The next summer while training for the upcoming All-Star game, Ernie awoke with swelling in his neck. A trainer sent him to the hospital, and doctors soon discovered the leukemia. At the time, Ernie and the public were told only that he had a "blood disorder". He wasn't told it was leukemia until October, after he had been in and out of the hospital. "Either you fight or you give up," Davis said in remembering how he felt when told the news.
   
   The disease went into remission, and Davis kept planning on pro football. He practiced with the Browns. Coach Paul Brown, heeding the advice of medical people who warned him of the risks, did not play Davis. The next spring, Davis noticed more swelling and entered the hospital again. Two days later, on May 18, he died in his sleep. In Elmira, more than 10,000 citizens passed the Neighborhood House on May 21 where Ernie lay in state. Flags in the city were flown at half-mast. He was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, also the burial place of Mark Twain.
   
   Universal Pictures has finished production on the film adaptation of Davis's life. The movie is slated for release Oct. 10. The book is available now. Stop by your local bookstore or library and check it out. You can catch Kevin tailgating at From My Shelf Books in Wellsboro.

5 comments about Another Season: A Coach's Story of Raising an Exceptional Son.

1. As the father of a child with Down Syndrome I know firsthand what Gene Stallings has been through. It's both tough and rewarding. This book helps the reader get a glimpse of what being a parent to one of these wonderful people is about. If the reader has no experience being around people with Down Syndrome I hope that this story will help them fall in love with these remarkable folks. John Mark Stallings died a few weeks ago but he was a wonderful person and the love that his father expresses in this work is something to behold.



2. Knowing Johnny and Coach, this is a 'must read' for everyone to learn to appreciate life! A tremendous blessing!



3. I really enjoyed this book. A very moving story involving a father's love and football. You can't get any better than that! Great summer reading!



4. I live in alabama and even kind of like alabama football so when we had to read it for summer reading i thought i would like it...i absolutly hated it!!! You could so tell it wasn't written by a pro writer i mean it jumped around from different dates and although i loved how inspirational it was with johnny gene stallings seemed kind of self centered and every time the family was happy moved. i hated how there was no time line and years would pass and then he would go every minute of the next day. i thought it was good how they were so religous and i liked reading it but it is not a book i would really reccomend to anybody just because there are more inspirational books and just better books!! Luv Ya!!



5. There are a lot of great books out there you can read and be entertained in the process. A few of those books will even linger in your memory for awhile after you've finished them. It's more rare to read a book that really touches your heart and mind and provokes a change in your life.
   
   ANOTHER SEASON is one of those very extraordinary books that takes hold of the reader's attention in a powerful way that transcends language. It's certainly a great read--at times, even very enjoyable, as Coach Stallings describes various triumphs on the football field. But, at times, it's also painful, and painfully honest...maybe even gut-wrenching. One admires Coach Stallings for his candor and vulnerability; one envies the deep love between he and his son, John Mark.
   
   Through it all, we get a moving portrait of a caring, honorable, courageous family and get a glimpse into a father-son relationship that sets an example of what any father or son could hope for in terms of love, devotion, faithfulness, and friendship. John Mark Stallings is a heroic young man born with Down Syndrome. He has defied all odds, surviving and living with it, and touching millions of lives in the process. This young man has taught so many people how to live a life filled with meaning, purpose, and love, just like his famous daddy.
   
   This story is personal to me in many ways: I have a close relative who has lived with a particular developmental challenge ever since her birth, and we love her dearly--she adds great richness to our family, despite her difficulties. It's also personal to me because I am a life-long Alabama Crimson Tide football fan, and I lived in Alabama during that glorious 1992-1993 National Championship season. I can tell you that everybody in our state, no matter what football team they followed, was and is a big fan of Mr. John Mark Stallings.
   
   RECOMMENDATION: I cannot say enough good about this book. It will appeal to a broad range of readership; certainly, football fans will enjoy it, but also families and friends who have faced similar challenges as the Stallings family has will find much encouragement and inspiration here. John Mark, you're our hero. We love you, buddy. God bless the Stallings family, and thanks, Coach, for this deeply moving book.

5 comments about Wins, Losses, and Lessons: An Autobiography.

1. Excellent book for anyone to read. I also pruchased the teen version for my son. It is an excellent book as well.



2. This year our baseball team (comprised of 13-16 yr olds) decided end of year trophies would be a little juvenile for the boys. The coach let me know about this book and thought it would be a good idea to give each of the boys one for the end of the season gift. We did and it was very well received! An amazing book for anyone that aspires to do something more with their life!
   
   Well written and very easy to read! I highly reccomend!



3. This book provides an excellent insight into the life of Lou Holtz and his motivational attitude on life. His dry humor will make you laugh, his thoughts inspiring, and make you think W.I.N. for those tough decisions in life.



4. Lou listed some great stories.
   
   In fact that is one reason why this is a great book, because Lou is an AWESOME story teller.
   Listen to the audio book as you read, Lou narrates this book very well.
   
   Lou has lived an amazing life.
   He just got it done, no matter what he does.
   Anyone can pick up some great tips about being more successful from this book.
   
   Paul



5. This is an excellent read! You won't want to put it down and it will make you do some self examination.

5 comments about Breaking Free: My Life with Dissociative Identity Disorder.

1. This diagnosis is a complete fraud. Not just Mr. Walker's case, but almost all of them. In over 20 years as a therapist I have never seen one legitimate case of MPD/DID. It is a diagnosis created by unethical mental health professionals and claimed by patients with overactive imaginations. Read the book "Creating Hysteria" by Joan Acocella if you want the truth on MPD/DID.



2. This book was very informative. DID is a mental health issue that is not often spoken of in such a positive light. Hershel tells his story in a very intelligent and gripping manner. Please try it for your self.



3. Amazing that the title is My Life with Dissociative Identity Disorder. He barely mentioned the DID unless it got him out of hot water. The final chapter of the book was a short explanation of what DID is. You could get this info from the Sidran web site and save the cost of the book. Most of his time was spent either stroking his ego or offering an excuse for all the controversial things he has been involved with.
   
   He claims that the splits in his identity occured because of nightmares and some bullies at school. Yet he was able to find solace in a loving and close christian family. Every DID case I have ever heard of, has suffered through horrendous abuse, usually from primary caregivers. Herschel Walker makes light of these survivors.
   
   Save your money.



4. This book was easy to read and informative. There was no bragging -- just a genuine quest to understand and to share with others his struggles. It was brave to reveal so much of himself in the effort to help others. To me, this book is his greatest victory.



5. Overall, I liked this book. One has to admire Herschel for going public with his diagnosis, one poorly understood by the general public and often associated with severe pathology. That took courage, which the author seems to have in abundance. His writing shows an intelligence not commonly associated with sports, and he gives articulate expression to the various manifestations of his version of DID. A real plus of Walker's account is that he describes an "up" side to this condition, stating clearly for the layperson that it has certain adaptive and self-protecting qualities.
   
   That said, I was left with some questions. While the book seemed forthright and honest, he describes about a dozen different "alters" (formerly called multiple personalities) that he claims have arisen from his being tormented as a fat and stuttering schoolboy--while undoubtedly painful, his schoolyard abuse is hardly the type that normally spawns this fragmented condition. And as a clinical psychologist, I have treated DID patients. A more common presentation than his involves distinct changes in personality including voice, body posture, emotional expression, etc. . . . like you are really seeing different people. He says that his shifts were more subtle, nothing that could be seen externally, more like discrete changes in mental state known only to him at the time. That raises (for me, at least) the issue of whether or not this devoted and highly focused athlete is not simply given to a rather strict compartmentalization of his feelings, a medium that he would admit he is not comfortable with. Even his most personal relationships have suffered from his tendency to be so self-contained. Or perhaps DID is best explained as a "spectrum" disorder, ranging in degree of severity, as we now know autism to be. Who knows?
   
   While he talks about his repeated "thrill-seeking" with Russian roulette, Walker notable leaves out of his story the fact that he several times put a gun to his ex-wife's head. And he glosses over a bit the fact that he had an affair despite his born-again Christian beliefs. When a "tell all" book tells not quite all, you are left wondering what more has been left out.

2 comments about The Galloping Ghost: Red Grange, an American Football Legend.

1. Reading about Red Grange in Galloping Ghost is more than just a book about a man who was a great football player. Mr. Poole has worked so hard to make us feel part of sports in the 20's and he gives us the road map to pro football's origins and how it struggled and finally took off thanks to Red and his promoter Mr. Pyle. You've heard some of the names; Red Grange, George Halas, Bob Zuppke, Bronko Nagurske etc, now you see how they all became legends. The book also gives you insight into the glory days of college football and puts you in seats of the nation's greatest stadiums, many still being used today.



2. Gary Poole has written a compelling book which takes you back to the time when professional football was considered a game for hooligans and derided by serious sports fans. Along with Red, Gary profiles his manager CC Pyle, one of the early agents who made Red and himself richer in three months than Babe Ruth made in a whole year. Highly recommended for thinking sports fans.