Review of "Everybody Loses"

Danny Funt’s Everybody Loses is a sharp, deeply reported examination of how America’s sports‑betting boom took hold — and who pays the price. Through policy history, industry insight, and wrenching personal stories, Funt shows just how risky the nation’s wager on legalized gambling truly is. 

Title/Author:

“Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling” by Danny Funt

Rating: 

5 of 5 stars (excellent)

Review: 

As any sports fan can tell you, it’s now impossible to watch a game — in person or on television — without being bombarded by ads for betting apps and sportsbooks. Why this explosion happened, who pushed it forward, and how it’s reshaping lives across the country are the central questions of Danny Funt’s excellent, deeply researched book Everybody Loses.

Right from the start, Funt makes clear that this moment didn’t arrive by accident. It came from what he calls “an extraordinarily risky gamble: that a nation of sports fans would be better off as a nation of sports gamblers.” The rest of the book is a meticulous, often unsettling exploration of that gamble’s consequences. Funt weaves together stories of addicted bettors, interviews with current and former sportsbook employees, and a close look at how FanDuel and DraftKings have effectively become a duopoly controlling the vast majority of the industry. Every thread reinforces the central idea: this is a wager with enormous human and societal stakes.

One of the most compelling sections examines how sportsbooks treat their two most valuable customer groups — the consistent losers and the rare big winners. The former are courted relentlessly, especially those who lose heavily and often. The latter, labeled “VIPs,” are showered with perks that border on fantasy fulfillment. If you’re a baseball fan whose team just reached the World Series and you’ve wagered at least $5,000 a week, you might find yourself whisked to the Fall Classic on the company’s dime. But if you start winning too much, the tone shifts quickly: frozen accounts, revoked bonuses, vanished VIP privileges. Funt makes clear that the system is designed so that bettors, no matter how savvy, rarely come out ahead.

Importantly, Funt doesn’t place all the blame on the sportsbooks themselves. He traces how professional leagues — once staunch opponents of gambling — reversed course when they realized how much money was being left on the table and how widespread betting already was. He also details the political and legal forces that accelerated the industry’s rise, most notably the Supreme Court’s 2018 Murphy v. NCAA decision, which opened the door for states to legalize sports betting at a rapid pace.

These examples represent only a fraction of the ground Funt covers. Everybody Loses is comprehensive without ever feeling dense, and accessible without sacrificing nuance. Whether you’re interested in the human toll of gambling addiction, the political machinery behind legalization, or the inner workings of the industry itself, this book delivers an informative, balanced, and highly readable account of how sports gambling became a defining feature of modern American fandom.

An excellent read — and an important one.

Link:  Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling - Kindle edition by Funt, Danny. Humor & Entertainment Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

 

Review of "The W"

Tamryn Spruill’s The W: A History of the WNBA offers a rich, narrative-driven account of how the league survived early challenges, evolved through franchise upheaval, and emerged as a powerful cultural force. Her reporting balances celebration, critique, and social context, making the book both informative and engaging. For anyone interested in the WNBA’s history and impact, this is essential reading.

Title/Author:

“The W: A History of the WNBA: How the WNBA Survived, Evolved and Changed Professional Sports: by Tamryn Spruill

Rating: 

5 of 5 stars (excellent)

Review: 

Women’s basketball has never been more popular, and the WNBA is currently enjoying some of the strongest attendance and viewership numbers in its history. In The W: A History of the WNBA, Tamryn Spruill guides readers through a comprehensive and engaging chronicle of the league’s evolution.

Spruill begins with the league’s launch in 1997, noting that the WNBA entered the landscape alongside the rival American Basketball League (ABL), and that the NBA’s financial support was crucial in the W’s early years. Each chapter follows a consistent and effective pattern: off‑season developments, franchise movement, draft selections, season highlights, playoff results, and award winners. Presented in a narrative rather than statistical format, this structure makes the history accessible and enjoyable.

A standout element of the book is Spruill’s reporting on franchises that folded, relocated, or emerged. She praises owners and league leadership when warranted and does not shy away from criticism when she believes poor decisions or injustices occurred. Her discussion of the Houston Comets—winners of the league’s first four championships—ceasing operations due to ownership issues is particularly compelling, as is her later coverage of the league’s handling of the Connecticut Sun sale and the planned return of the Comets in 2027.

Spruill also addresses the WNBA’s role in social justice movements, from Black Lives Matter to women’s rights, while examining moments when league leadership appeared out of step with its players. Although most of her arguments are grounded in factual reporting, there are a few instances where her conclusions feel less certain. One example is her framing of the Sacramento Monarchs’ demise as evidence of sexism in sports; given the long history of owners leveraging taxpayer-funded arenas across all professional leagues, that situation felt more like a familiar sports-business standoff than a gendered injustice.

These moments are rare, and Spruill’s overall approach to difficult subjects is thoughtful, well-supported, and illuminating. For anyone interested in the WNBA—its past, present, and future—this book is highly recommended.

I wish to thank Abrams Press for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.

Link: Amazon.com: The W: A History of the WNBA: How the WNBA Survived, Evolved, and Changed Professional Sports: 9781419758812: Spruill, Tamryn: Books

Review of "The First All-Star Game"

With baseball season now at around the quarter turn with each team playing about 40 or so games thus far, it's time to start thinking about the All-Star game voting.  So, it's appropriate to post a review of a book about that first All-Star game in Chicago back in 1933. 

Title/Author:

“The First All-Star Game: Babe Ruth, FDR and America at the Crossroads” by Randall Sullivan

Rating: 

4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review: 

Many baseball fans and historians know that the first baseball All-Star game was played in 1933 at Chicago’s Comiskey Park, that the American League won that first game on a home run by Babe Ruth and that it was the brainchild of Chicago newspaper mogul Arch Ward.  This book by Randall Sullivan gives a very in-depth look at how the game came about and some other historical background of the politics and economic depression of the United States at that time.

What strikes me most about this book and the excellent details that Sullivan includes is that he gives a well-rounded description of every player and manager on both teams.  Even non-starters, players who did not appear in the game and others such as the umpires also are given their due.  These are all in the chapters leading up to the game itself which is also covered in very good detail.

There is other baseball covered in the book, most notably excerpts about the All-Star games of the Negro Leagues as at this time, Major League Baseball still had its unwritten but very noticeable color line and no Black players were on any of the 16 teams. 

While the other topics discussed by Sullivan do provide some good background, they are explained in the same level of detail as the All-Star game itself. That may make a reader distracted or question why there is so much detail about items like Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Great Depression or the history of the World’s Fair in Chicago, which was also taking place in Chicago at the time of the game.  While there is relevance to the All-Star game for some of these, especially with the World’s Fair, there were times I was wondering if I was reading a history book or a baseball book.  Fortunately, there was enough of the latter that I knew it was a very good baseball book that is one for any reader who wants to learn more about the origins of the All-Star game.

I wish to thank Atlantic Monthly Press for providing a copy of the book via Netgalley.  The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.

Link:   The First All-Star Game: Babe Ruth, FDR and America at the Crossroads: Sullivan, Randall: 9780802167361: Amazon.com: Books

 

Review of "Metropolitans"

Having had a good deal of reading time while riding the train to and from a recent conference, I'll be posting a few reviews in the next few days. First up is this interesting book highlighting the connection between the New York Mets and the working class. 

Title/Author:

“Metropolitans: New York Baseball, Class Struggle and the People’s Team” by A.M. Gittlitz

Rating: 

4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review: When the New York Mets started play in 1962, they were not the first New York baseball team to have the team nickname of “Metropolitans” (not the official name, but many will call them that) nor were they the first team that captured the hearts of many of those in the middle class over the “richer” teams like the Yankees.  This book by A.M. Gittlitz captures that connection between those citizens and the baseball team.

The book’s strengths are Gittlitz’s research and the passion for which he writes about the subject, whether it is baseball and the Mets or about the working class and the struggles they have with the political landscape, among many other things. I felt the writing and description of the early Metropolitans and the battles that players had to either form a union or field competing baseball leagues to go up against the National League in the late 19^th century was the best aspect of the book.

He also does an excellent job of showing how the Mets of the 1960’s, capping it off with their 1969 championship, resonated with people who may not have cared one bit about baseball but showed how those who have been down for so long can still be successful.  He goes deep into that topic as well as the other Mets teams, especially the 2000 team that lost the World Series to the Yankees.  They too had connections with the middle class according to Gittlitz.

Where the book was a bit of a downer while reading it was the addition of much political commentary.  This isn’t to say that I am one who says politics and sports don’t mix – they indeed do.  It isn’t also because I want to insert my own political opinions while reading or writing this review because it doesn’t matter – what matters is how Gittlitz writes about his views and they come across as strong, consistent and passionate.  I was only surprised at how much of the book discussed political issues without talking at all about the baseball connection.  Nearly every sports book about a particular team, player or era will at least give a few sentences to the social and political climate at the time – this one goes well beyond that.  And to the author’s credit, he does a very good job of laying out his beliefs and why he feels that way.

Overall, while I was surprised at the level of detail and how well connected the author put the Mets with the working class, it was quite an interesting book to read and one that is recommended not only for Mets and baseball fans, but also for readers who wish to read about politics and class struggles as well.

I wish to thank Astra Publishing House for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.

Link: Metropolitans: New York Baseball, Class Struggle, and the People's Team: GIttlitz, A.M.: 9781662603006: Amazon.com: Books

Short review - "Baseball in Blue and Gray"

Going away from my usual type of book and format for this review.  This book was one that I found for a reading challenge for my local library.  There's a different theme every month in 2026 for this challenge.  In February, the theme was the 19th century - read a book set in the 19th century.  For sports, that can pose a challenge, but I remembered this book I saw a few years ago.  I skimmed it at that time - this time I decided to read the entire book and it was very good. This is my short review of "Baseball in Blue and Gray."  

Title: "Baseball in Blue and Gray: The National Pastime During the Civil War" by George B. Kirsch

Rating: 4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review: 

While professional baseball began in earnest inn1869 with the Cincinnati Red Stockings, there were plenty of organized teams and (roughly) leagues in the game before that team had its initial season. While there were soldiers playing the game during downtime on the Civil War battlegrounds, this book only touches that aspect of the game briefly. The better description of this book is baseball as a whole during the middle of the 19th century. Even so, this is a good quick read on the sport.

Link: Baseball in Blue and Gray: The National Pastime during the Civil War: Kirsch, George B.: 9780691057330: Amazon.com: Books

Review of "Return of the King"

I had time during the holiday weekend to read multiple books.  This was another one I finished during that time, and it was eye-opening.  Here is my review of "Return of the King." 

Title/Author:

“Return of the King: The Rebirth of Muhammad Ali and the Rise of Atlanta” by Thomas Aiello

Rating: 

4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review:

Many people are familiar with the legacy of Muhammad Ali. Even if one does not follow boxing and know about his career in the sport, they are familiar with his story of activism, including refusing to be drafted to serve in the Vietnam War.  This book by Thomas Aiello describes the circumstances when his conviction of avoiding the draft was overturned and he returned to boxing.

The title of the book is a perfect one as Aiello not only thoroughly discusses Ali’s legal issues, his alliance with the Nation of Islam and his training for returning to the ring, but also about the politics of Atlanta at the time, led by Georgia state senator Leroy Johnson, who was the first Black person elected to that office. Johnson had to balance the concerns of the white voters with the needs of Black voters to have equal access to items like quality housing, jobs and education. This review won’t go into the political details of Atlanta and Georgia at that time, but it should be noted that Aiello does an excellent job of presenting these issues in a balanced and informative manner.

There isn’t a lot of boxing text in the book, dealing more with Ali’s legal matters and activism.  It doesn’t ignore all of Ali’s action in the ring, be it sparring or his official return to the ring against Jerry Quarry.  The fight took place in Atlanta on October 26, 1970.  However, that wasn’t Ali’s first action in the ring after getting his conviction overturned and his boxing license approved.  That came in an exhibition at Morehead College in Atlanta. These events brought attention to the city in both sports and politics.  For the former, it was to show that Atlanta was a “major league city”, even though it already had the Braves (MLB), Falcons (NFL) and Hawks (NBA).  For politics, while it was mainly a show, there was the perception that Atlanta was more progressive on racial relations. Johnson played a very important role in getting the fight to be held in Atlanta and his political career was helped with this, even if only briefly.

There are many facts and items that might be surprising while reading the book.  The biggest one I found was the revelations by Aiello that in his election to the governorship of Georgia, Jimmy Carter was appealing to white voters with the appearance of racism.  He does give credit to the future President that he did support more progressive measures but reading that was surprising.  This is just one example of those types of passages. This is a good book that is recommended for readers of racial relations, politics and yes, even boxing.  

I wish to thank University of Nebraska Press for providing a copy of the book.  The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.

Link: Return of the King: The Rebirth of Muhammad Ali and the Rise of Atlanta: Aiello, Thomas: 9781496244185: Amazon.com: Books

Review of "Habs Nation"

I have always had at least a passing interest in the Montreal Canadiens, even though I cannot call myself a fan of the team.  So naturally I wanted to request a copy of this book when I saw ARCs were available.  I am very glad my request was approved as this was an excellent book. 

Title/Author:

“Habs Nation: A People’s History of the Montreal Canadiens” by Brendan Kelly

Rating: 

5 of 5 stars (excellent)

Review:

The Montreal Canadiens have one of the most storied histories in professional sports, having won 24 Stanley Cups and are also a source of pride for not only the city, but for the entire province of Quebec.  However, they have not won a championship since 1993 and the number of French-speaking players from Quebec, once a source of pride for the team and province, has been dwindling during that time. This book by Brendan Kelly not only explores this phenomenon but also connects it to the movement by some Quebecers to secede as an independent, French-only nation.

Kelly does a great job writing about both the political and the hockey parts of the book.  He interviews very knowledgeable people on both topics, especially the hockey part where he talks to former Canadien greats who were both anglophones and francophones (English and French speaking).  That gave this a very balanced approach to the book, even though it is quite clear that Kelly is making a direct correlation between the status of the separatist movement and the success of the hockey team.

Something else that Kelly writes about very well is the rivalry between the Canadiens and the Quebec Nordiques before the latter left for Colorado in 1995.  That was also the year when the second independence referendum for Quebec failed to pass, dealing a blow to those who favored independence.  This contrasted with the 1980 referendum that, while not resulting in paggase or independence, there were several concessions from the nationalist government.  And, either by coincidence or not, 1980 marked the year of the end of the Canadiens dynasty in which they had won the last four Stanley Cups, losing to the Minnesota North Stars in the quarterfinals that spring.

While there is certainly no absolute connection between the two, Kelly makes this comparison very interesting, provides the reader with a great account of the rich tradition of francophone players for the Canadiens and also gives the reader an interesting look at the movement to make Quebec a separate nation.

I wish to thank Baraka Books for providing a copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.

Link: https://www.amazon.com/Habs-Nation-Montreal-Canadiens-Nonfiction/dp/1771864001/ref=sr_1_1?crid=5WWDM19R3YXE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ajPuHFM1xhfiWjs_W_9yJA.Qr1c7jF1_ktuT4PT4Co6Ati6Vl1heYsS5GXiBTJ-juU&dib_tag=se&keywords=habs+nation&qid=1758569827&s=books&sprefix=habs+nation%2Cstripbooks%2C139&sr=1-1

Review of "Out of the Darkness"

This book was one that while I received it before its publication before its 2024 publication date, I just never got around to reading it as I also placed newly received books on top of it in the TBR pile. Thanks to a reading challenge in an online group this month, I finally got around to it and really enjoyed it.  Even this Vikings fan had to read about a Packers legend - the author made it a great book. 

Title/Author: “Out of the Darkness: The Mystery of Aaron Rogers” by Ian O’Connor

Rating: 5 of 5 stars (excellent)

Review:  Aaron Rogers will certainly be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as he was an outstanding quarterback for the Green Bay Packers.  He often makes headlines for comments and actions outside of the football field as well. This makes him a polarizing and complex individual and this excellent biography by Ian O’Connor makes a valiant effort to understand Rogers better.  

O’Connor has written other excellent sports biographies on complex people, most notably Bill Belichick.  He does the same thing here with Rogers, and it goes far beyond the better-known controversies around Rogers such as his stance on the COVID-19 vaccines. O’Connor covers just about every question or topic one might have about Rogers, on and off the field. 

For football related items, O’Connor covers Rogers’ entire career, from his high school accomplishments at Pleasant Valley High School in California to hie devastating Achilles injury four plays into his time with the New York Jets at the star of the 2023 season. For just one excellent example of O’Connor’s work, reading about how Rogers left the University of California early and was expected to be a top 5 draft pick to sliding down all the way to near the bottom of the first round where he was selected by the Packers.  Like in the rest of the book, O’Connor does much research and conducts as many interviews as he could to tell the complete story.

The same approach is done for the more controversial aspects of Rogers’ life, especially off the field.  These include his lengthy self-estrangement from his family, a comment linking late night television host Jimmy Kimmel to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and his views on religion after being raised by religious parents. This was quite a contrast to the person that Rogers was portrayed as by teammates and coaches (even those with whom he often clashed such as former Packers coach Mike McCarthy). This adds layers to the complexity that is Aaron Rogers and why telling his complete story in a very balanced manner makes O’Connor one of the best writers of sports biographies in the business today.

I wish to thank Mariner Books for providing a review copy of the book via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.

Link:  https://www.amazon.com/Out-Darkness-Mystery-Aaron-Rodgers/dp/006329785X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

Review of “The Greatest Summer in Baseball History”

Continuing with my baseball theme to start the new season, this was an audiobook I started on the bus trip back from the Mets home opener and finished a couple days later. Title is a little over the top, but the book is solid. 

Title/Author: “The Greatest Summer in Baseball History” by John Rosenberg, narrated by Barry Abrams

Rating: 4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review: 1973 was an eventful year in both baseball and America. For the latter, several important events that would affect the nation took place. The withdrawal of American troops in Vietnam, the Watergate hearings, and the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision were among the most notable of these. In baseball, the New York Yankees were purchased by a Cleveland shipping company owner named George Steinbrenner, a legendary player played his last season while another chased a hallowed record and a team that frequently fought amongst itself was trying to repeat as champions. That is the setting for this book by John Rosengren. 

Having listened to the audio version, the narration by Barry Abrams is definitely one of the strengths of this book. His telling of some of the major stories in both America and baseball was excellent. Whichever topic was discussed, Abrams did so in a no-nonsense manner that came across much like the news anchors at that time (though non of them were ever mentioned in the book).

The title seems a little hyperbolic as while there were some excellent storylines in that 1973 baseball season, they didn’t feel to be so much better than other years. To his credit, Rosenberg doesn’t compare them to big stories in other years. He sticks with a few topics and covers them thoroughly. These would be the ending of Willie Mays’ career with the New York Mets, Hank Aaron’s pursuit of the all time home run record of 714 by Babe Ruth, the introduction of the designated hitter in the American with a focus on Orlando Cepeda of the Boston Red Sox, and the new Yankee owner who immediately let it be known it was his way or else.

On this last topic, this was the best mix of sports and social or political events of a year or era that I have read in a book of this type. Steinbrenner’s eventual conviction of illegal campaign contributions, especially to President Nixon’s 1972 re-election bid, tied in nicely with the writing on that summer’s Watergate hearings. While not quite as easily done, there are good connections between baseball and these events throughout the book.

As with any book on a baseball season, this climaxes with the World Series. The Mets and the Oakland Athletics played an exciting seven game series won by Oakland to give them back to back championships. The many storylines made by the Athletics, their star Reggie Jackson, and their universally disliked owner Charlie Finley are covered well, as was the unbelievable comeback by the Mets who were left for dead in August only to win the National League East title, then upset the Cincinnati Reds in the NLCS. Of course, the Willie Mays saga is included and overall, the coverage of the baseball is very good, even if it is a bit repetitive on some facts and descriptions. 

Any reader who enjoys books on certain years or seasons in baseball with plenty of social or political commentary will want to check this book out. Highly recommend the audio version. 

Link: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Greatest-Summer-in-Baseball-History-Audiobook/B0C2W37Z93?eac_link=SMHsVJ6gcDX2&ref=web_search_eac_asin_1&eac_selected_type=asin&eac_selected=B0C2W37Z93&qid=X1m21vL1JG&eac_id=141-2071635-4315628_X1m21vL1JG&sr=1-1 

Review of "Losing Big"

No matter what sport you enjoy, if you watch the games, you have seen ads for sportsbooks and betting.  This book is a great look at the state of this industry and the health crisis (in the author's words) that has arisen from the ease of betting.  

Title/Author:

“Losing Big: America’s Reckless Bet on Sports Gambling” by Jonathan D. Cohen

Rating: 

5 of 5 stars (excellent)

Review:

When the Supreme Court legalized sports gambling in 2018, it opened a floodgate of ways and sportsbooks for gamblers to bet on sports.  As of this review, 38 states have legalized sports betting – this book by Jonathan D. Cohen is a great insight into what this onslaught of betting has done for sports, for the sportsbook industry and also to those who became addicted to gambling.

For the latter, the most heartbreaking story is that of “Kyle”, whom Cohen frequently refers to when describing the way that offers made to gamblers will hook them into more betting.  Cohen goes as far to describe this as a public health crisis (he notes this is especially the case for young men) and provides Kyle’s story and that of others who suffered losses as cautionary tales.  The stories of upping bets to try to get back to even money or even regain self-esteem. 

Cohen also writes about attempts to regulate gambling industry at both the state and federal levels, much of which has either been defeated or has been weak attempts to address this.  The notices on ads for “responsible gambling” is one of these attempts to help gamblers with addiction is one that Cohen describes in great detail and also explains why it is not working as desired.

Cohen’s account of how Colorado’s bill that allowed sports gambling eventually made it into law is also very interesting – tying the revenue that would be realized into a more sustainable water supply to the state was an excellent piece of writing and research.  This was the best example shown into the theory that states saw sports betting as a means of obtaining much revenue without increasing taxes.

The last subject that this review will touch in which Cohen provided the reader with an excellent description is the sportsbook industry and its mechanisms. Focusing primarily on the two biggest sportsbooks, DraftKings and FanDuel, Cohen will take the reader inside their industry and the means in which that while they claim to be helpful to the gambler in avoiding addiction, the opposite occurs when there are the promises of big payouts on parlays, offers of free bets for a win or even a loss for a first-time bettor (much to the chagrin of states, since free bets are not subject to collections by the states) and other ways that the industry keeps their steady customers.

This book is mostly factual and eye-opening, but there is even a little bit of humor at the expense of the New York Jets (I am figuring the author is a long-suffering Jest fan).  It is a quick read and one that should be widely circulated to let all know about the current state of sports betting and the risks as well as the benefits.

I wish to thank Columbia Global Reports for providing a copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.

Link: Losing Big: America's Reckless Bet on Sports Gambling: Cohen, Jonathan D.: 9798987053706: Amazon.com: Books

Review of "Narcoball"

Not being a big soccer fan, I was still interested in this book as I remembered how Columbia lost to the US in the 1994 World Cup and the subsequent murder of one of its players.  This book is an excellent read on this era of Columbia football.  Here is my review of "Narcoball." 

 

Title/Author:

“Narcoball: Love Death and Football in Escobar’s Columbia” by David Arrowsmith

Rating: 

5 of 5 stars (excellent)

Review:

In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, football (soccer for American sports fans, but this review will call it football) in Columbia was ruled, just like the country, by the powerful drug cartels.  One man personified this era for both the sport and the political landscape – Pablo Escobar.  His story of ruthlessness, riches and eventual death is told in this excellent book by David Arrowsmith.

The book centers on Escobar’s main two loves – power and football.  For the former, the reader will read about Escobar’s rise through the organized crime network that supplied many nations, especially the United States, with cocaine.  It didn’t matter who may have stood in his way, Escobar would find a way to either take them over or have them eliminated.  This sadly led to much violence and crime in the country and especially in Escobar’s hometown of Medellin.

As for the football, Escobar and other drug lords and cartels were the financial backing for most of the Columbian teams.  This grew out of Escobar’s love for the game early on and grew until he controlled several clubs and had an extended influence on the Columbian national team.  They improved each year and played in the two World Cups during the time frame of the book, 1990 and 1994.  In 1990, Columbia did advance out of group play but lost their first game in the knockout round to eventual champion West Germany. Thanks to even more financing (and the crime and threats that go with it), the 1994 was even stronger and expected to go far in the tourney.

By now, Arrowsmith has painted a complete picture of not only Escobar’s crimes, power and downfall.  This led to his death in 1993, before the 1994 World Cup.  However, many cartels and leaders still were influencing the sport, but they would soon decline and by the late 1990’s their influence was practically nil.  However, there was one more tragic event that came about due to this combination of crime, power and football.  The 1994 Columbia team didn’t advance out of group play, with the most stunning loss coming at the hands of the host USA team 2-1.  The first USA goal was an own goal by the excellent Columbian defender Andres Escobar (no relation to Pablo).  After the tournament was over and the Columbian team returned home, Andres Escobar was murdered after going to a nightclub with friends. The reason was never confirmed and there are a few theories behind the death as Arrowsmith points out, but it did show the power of “narcoball” – the term used for this era of Columbian football.  

I wish to thank the publisher for providing a review copy of the book via NetGalley.  The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.

Link: amazon.com/Narcoball-Death-Football-Escobars-Colombia-ebook/dp/B0CMHM228J/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Review of "The Game That Saved the NHL"

I read most of this book on a train ride to a baseball game.  Now, I usually like to read about the sport I am going to see on those trips, but this book had me intrigued, so I had to do so then.  It didn't disappoint as I really enjoyed it.  Here is my review of "The Game That Saved the NHL"

Title/Author:

“The Game That Saved the NHL: The Broad Street Bullies, the Soviet Red Machine and Super Series ‘76” by Ed Gruver

Rating: 

5 of 5 stars (excellent)

Review:  In the 1970’s, professional hockey in North America (two leagues at that time, the NHL and the WHA) was undergoing an identity crisis.  Long believed to have the most superior players and teams, Canada had barely won the Summit Series in 1972 against the best in Russia after being overconfident early in the series.  Nearly four years later, after some growling by NHL officials that the Russians had never faced the best teams instead of a group of all-stars, it was decided to have the two best squads in Russia, the Red Army team and the Wings, face eight of the best NHL teams at that time. This book by Ed Gruver focuses on the last of these matchups that pitted the Red Army team against the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Flyers earned the nickname the “Broad Street Bullies” due to the location of their arena and their very physical style of play.  They were very popular with the fans and apparently with the author as he refers to them as the Bullies instead of the Flyers much more frequently throughout the book.  Nonetheless, the book as a whole is more of a look at that Flyers team with the actual game being the climax of the story – even though it does finish when the Flyers lost the Stanley Cup finals later in 1976 to the Montreal Canadiens.

The stories of the players and of head coach Fred Shero are the best aspect of the book and they are interspersed throughout.  Whether it was a superstar such as Bobby Clarke, a fighter like Dave Schultz or a player not so well known such as Ed Van Impe, Gruver will give the reader a mini-biography on each one profiled and connect it back to the story.  The best example of this was during the most famous part of the Flyers, er, Bullies game against the Red Army.

Van Impe laid a check into the best offensive player on the Red Army team, Valeri Kharlamov, that left the Russian star down on the ice for 10 minutes.  When coach Konstantin Loktev protested for a penalty to be called and none was whistled, he pulled his team off the ice.  This incident is probably the most remembered moment, but the game did showcase the hockey skills of the Flyers, er, Bullies as well as their physicality.  That they won by the score of 4-1 is less important than the fact that they were given notice by officials that they had to win the game for political reasons as well as proving that NHL hockey was just as good as Russian hockey.

That Gruver was able to cover all this ground is a tribute to the work he put into this project. He will come across as pro-Bullies and NHL here, but that fits the mood at the time since this was at the height of the Cold War.  Fans of that era of hockey, whether they favored the NHL style or the Russian style, should pick up this book.

I wish to thank Lyons Press for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Link: The Game That Saved the NHL: The Broad Street Bullies, the Soviet Red Machine, and Super Series '76: Gruver, Ed, Watson, Joe: 9781493074976: Amazon.com: Books

Review of "Degrees of Difficulty"

 Admittedly, I rarely pay attention to gymnastics aside from the years of the Olympics, but this book caught my attention.  I had it sitting on my TBR pile for too long as once I finally picked it up, I enjoyed it.  Here is my review of "Degrees of Difficulty"

Title/Author:

“Degrees of Difficulty: How Women’s Gymnastics Rose to Prominence and Fell From Grace” by Georgia Cervin 

Rating: 

4 of 5 stars (Very Good)

Review:

Unless one is a student of the history of the sport of gymnastics, there is probably little chance that person has watched the sport outside of the Olympics.  That would be a shame for the sport has quite an interesting history and touches many of the social issue challenges that are being addressed today.  This book by Georgia Cervin covers many of these topics as well as some political history as well.

From the Cold War in the 1970s up to the sexual assault cases of Larry Nassar and others, Cervin doesn’t leave any issue relevant to gymnastics untouched.  She does a good job of tying in the sport’s issues to the larger picture of the day.  This is the case whether it was gymnastics being used as a means of diplomacy during the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union or whether attempts at making the sport more diverse are successful.  On the latter, Cervin highlights the accomplishments of gymnasts of color such as Dominique Dawes and Simone Biles.

This is a scholarly work and reads as such, with each chapter organized by an introduction, body and conclusion. There are not a lot of personal biographies, but in addition to the aforementioned athletes, Cervin portrays other well known gymnasts such as Olga Korbut and Nadia Comaneci.  The latter two are especially prominent in Cervin’s discussion about how the sport changed in its scope from artistic ability and the femininity of the gymnasts.  This parallels the expanding role women were playing in all areas of society.

There are also chapters that are strictly about the sport and not with any comparison to social or political issues.  The scandals involving scoring and the “disappearance” of the perfect score of 10 are topics in which Cervin discusses with just as much knowledge and depth as she does the social and political topics.

This book is well worth the time and effort to read.  If one is not well versed in gymnastics, it might take a little more time for the reader to fully understand the topics, but that reader will learn a lot about the interesting history of this sport.

I wish to thank University of Illinois for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

 

Link: amazon.com/Degrees-Difficulty-Gymnastics-Prominence-Society-ebook/dp/B095CQ4KVT/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Review of "The Arena"

For the second review of books I completed while riding Amtrak this past week, we turn to a very good look at facilities where people enjoy their sports live.  Here is my review of "The Arena".

 

Title/Author: “The Arena: Inside the Tailgating, Ticket-Scalping, Mascot-Racing, Dubiously Funded, and Possibly Haunted Monuments of American Sport” by Rafi Kohan

Rating: 4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review: While most books on sports concentrate on the games, the athletes, or the owners, there are not many that concentrate on the structures where these games take place.  This book by Rafi Kohan explores just about every aspect of a stadium or an arena that one can think of – and then some.

The last three words were added because some of the chapters in the book address other issues, such as the recent celebration of the military in American sports. Kohan highlights the San Diego Padres here, only appropriate because of the city’s many military bases. Other chapters that are about other aspects that are part of or take place in an arena is one on halftime entertainers and what for me was the most compelling chapter in the book, the role that the Superdome in New Orleans played during Hurricane Katrina.

The bulk of the book, however, is on the various aspects of what it takes to run a stadium and most of this material is quite good.  I really enjoyed the chapter on concessions – disclaimer: I worked in concessions as a vendor for many years at games in Minnesota.  There is also good material on how a facility is transformed from one type of event to another. The example used is on the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ after a Devils hockey game to get it ready for a concert.  The chapters on some other items such as turf and its maintenance are good, but I didn’t find reading about this as riveting as the concessions.

There are also chapters on the structure of a stadium (such as the bowl of Lambeau Field in Green Bay), ticket scalpers, the public funding and building of a new stadium (AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX) and the abandoned stadium and how it decays (the Silverdome in Pontiac, MI – another chapter I really enjoyed).  There are photos to accompany each chapter that are very good – just like the text, I really enjoyed the one of the Silverdome. 

While some books cover some of these topics more in-depth, this book is a very good one to get a complete picture (maybe more than “complete) of all aspects of a facility where people go to enjoy their sports.

Link:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M6XDXK7/ref=x_gr_bb_kindle?caller=Goodreads&tag=x_gr_bb_kindle-20