With the Grey Cup recently awarded, U.S college bowl games all over the media, and the NFL playoffs just beginning the grueling march to Super Bowl XLIV in February, my mind turns to football.
As a recent convert to the game (go Chargers!), my knowledge of football is pretty thin. Reading about past games and seasons, as well as the insights and anecdotes from former players and coaches will surely help me impress my gridiron buddies? I think I’ll start with The Glory Game.
Our library has a strong collection of classics and newer football titles:
Classics:
Paper Lion, by George Plimpton 2003
Out of Bounds, by Jim Brown 1989
When Pride Still Mattered: a life of Vincent Lombardi, by David Maraniss 1999
Friday Night Lights: a town, a team and a dream, by H.G. Bissinger 2000
It’s Only a Game, by Terry Bradshaw 2001
North Dallas Forty (a feature film based on the novel by former NFL player Peter Gent).
Recent releases:
The Blind Side: evolution of a game, by Michael Lewis 2006
Rozelle: czar of the NFL, by Jeff Davis 2008
The Long Snapper: a second chance, a Super Bowl, a lesson for life, by Jeffrey Marx 2009
The Glory Game: how the 1958 NFL championship changed football forever, by Frank Gifford 2008
and football, by Adam Jones 2007
Ten Men You Meet in the Huddle: lessons from a football life, by Bill Curry 2008
The Water Boy: from the sidelines to the owner’s box, inside the CFL, XFL and NFL, by Bob Ackles 2007
War Without Death: a year of extreme competition in pro football’s NFC East, by Mark Maske 2007
