Review of "In the Name of the Father"

There are many interesting football titles that will be released this fall, so I will be reading more about that sport in the next few weeks.  First up for the new football reads is this one on the Manning family. It certainly sheds a different light on the family but still tells about the accomplishments of  the family QBs in a very informative style.  Here is my review of "In the Name of the Father."

Title/Author:

“In the Name of the Father: Family, Football and the Manning Dynasty” by Mark Ribowsky

Tags:

Football (American), biography, family, Saints, Colts, Broncos, Giants,  

Publish date:

August 7, 2018

Length:

400 pages

Rating: 

4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review:

Football fans, both college and professional, know about the Manning family.  Father Archie and sons Peyton and Eli all became All-Pro quarterbacks in the NFL and the two sons have each won two Super Bowls. Even their older brother, Cooper, was a football star (although he was a wide receiver) in high school before being diagnosed with spinal stenosis during his freshman year in college.  Their family lineage and royalty in football is told in this very good book by noted biographer Mark Ribowsky.

The story is not all golden as more than just a write-up about the football players and lives on and off the field, the book tells of a culture that was slow to change and how the family members were reflections of that culture from the Deep South. Archie, while becoming a legend at Ole Miss, also was one who reflected the difficulty of the Southern culture to become integrated.  There is never any blatant racism portrayed by any of the Mannings or their spouses but it is clear in Ribowsky’s writing that some of the changes taking place were being accepted slower by them than they were in the rest of the country. 

There are some other dark moments covered in the book, such as the lawsuit filed by a female trainer at the University of Tennessee against Peyton Manning. While the story wasn’t big news at the time, it took new life as Peyton continually denied anything inappropriate took place and he held a long-time grudge against the woman about the case. This is an example of how the author was able to shed new light about the family and its dynamics as well as new information about this particular incident.

Of course, there is plenty of football talk as well.  The careers of all three Manning quarterbacks are illustrated with great detail.  Archie’s woes on bad teams in New Orleans, Houston and Minnesota will make a reader feel his pain.  The joys exhibited by Peyton and Eli are felt as well, especially in Eli’s case when he led the Giants to an upset of the undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.  The college careers of all three Mannings are covered just as well, especially Archie as he was considered a king of college football and set many individual records at Ole Miss. These have since been broken by others, but the Manning name is still revered on that campus.

Complete in its research and content, engaging in its writing and informative for readers, this book is one that is recommended for all football fans, whether or not they are fans of any of the Mannings or their teams.

I wish to thank W.W. Norton and Liveright for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Book Format Read:

E-book (PDF)

Buying Links:

https://www.amazon.com/Name-Father-Football-Manning-Dynasty-ebook/dp/B076MD6GF9/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/in-the-name-of-the-father-mark-ribowsky/1127196051?ean=9781631493102#/

Review of "Brady vs. Manning"

It's getting to be that time of year football fans are awaiting.  Training camps have opened, the games will be starting in a few weeks - and the new books are coming out soon as well.  One of the more eagerly anticipated books coming in September is about the two biggest stars of the game today.  I was fortunate enough to obtain an advance review copy and I couldn't wait to start it.  It is one that should be in a football fan's library once it is on sale.  Here is my review of "Brady vs. Manning"

Title/Author:

“Brady vs. Manning: The Untold Story of the Rivalry That Transformed the NFL” by Gary Myers

Tags:

Football (American), Patriots, Colts, Broncos

Publish date:

September 22, 2015

Length:

272 pages

Rating: 

5 of 5 stars (outstanding)

Review:

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are the two biggest names in professional football today.  They have matched up in some memorable games over the years, are fierce rivals on the field and have the utmost respect for each other.  Their careers took different paths.  Manning, after a stellar college career at Tennessee, was the first draft pick of the Indianapolis Colts and immediately was a professional starting quarterback.  Tom Brady, on the other hand, had limited time as a starting quarterback at Michigan, was a sixth round draft pick of the New England Patriots, and began his professional career as a backup to All-Pro quarterback Drew Bledsoe.

What happened before and afterward to both of these men is the subject of this excellent book written by well-respected football reporter Gary Myers.  Utilizing not only his access to Brady and Manning, but also his connections around the game, Myers covers the story of both men as only someone who knows football as well as he does.

Not only are the individual achievements and recaps of their NFL careers covered, both men are shown to have a playful side as their interactions with their family members and teammates reveal the true people both of them are.  It helps the reader to see their personalities beyond the accomplishments Brady and Manning have achieved.

Another aspect of the book that shows Myers’ knowledge and talent for writing is how well the book covers other issues that affected the two quarterbacks.  Whether it is talking to former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr on why Brady was not the starter during his entire time at Michigan, Colts owner Jim Irsay on the somber departure of Manning to the Denver Broncos, or the saga on how Manning could have been the quarterback of the New York Jets had he left Tennessee a year earlier, Myers writes in a manner that is both intelligent for hard-core football fans, yet simple enough so that non-fans or casual fans can easily understand what was happening.

The Brady-Manning era of football is compared to other eras in other sports where two legends would be rivals, such as Larry Bird – Magic Johnson, Joe Frazier – Muhammad Ali and Ted Williams – Joe DiMaggio.  Myers is careful not to tip his hand as to his opinion of who he believes is better and instead lets others talk up the one they prefer.  Seeing this balanced coverage and praise for both quarterbacks made the book an excellent source of information on both men and is one that I would highly recommend for any football fan, no matter his or her level of interest in the game.

I wish to thank publisher for providing an advance review copy of the book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Pace of the book:

It was a quick read, as it wasn’t too much about the intricacies of the game and read like a collection of stories that illustrated both men in a positive manner.

Do I recommend? 

This book would be enjoyed by readers who enjoy football as the two most recognizable players in the game are both portrayed in a manner that is easy to read and entertaining.

Book Format Read:

E-book (Kindle)

Buying links (pre-order at time of review):

http://www.amazon.com/Brady-Manning-Untold-Rivalry-Transformed-ebook/dp/B00TWEH4UE/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1438221038&sr=1-1&keywords=brady+manning  

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/brady-vs-manning-gary-myers/1121371965?ean=9780804139373