Teams Books

This is a fine overview of the Northwestern University Football program. Larry LaTourette provides a concise historical account of the formative years of college football in Evanston and concludes with a summary with the 2004 campaign. It takes a good deal of editorial precision and skill to compress almost one hundred and twenty-five years into an almost equal number pages (including footnotes and top quality archival photographs), but the author carries off the task successfully.

Skeptics may not accept the fact that Northwestern was once a ranking power in the Big Ten Conference and nationally (the team narrowly missed being named the National Champion by the sportswriters twice, including an inexplicable decision to award the honor to second place Minnesota -- a team that first place NU had beaten that same year!), but it is the truth. Northwestern enjoyed a full decade of success beginning in the Twenties and which continued into the Thirties as the Wildcats captured four Big Ten titles. A surprise Rose Bowl triumph occurred in 1949. The program maintained respectability through the Sixties, but languished thereafter and soon became a laughingstock that did not have a winning record for twenty-four consecutive years.

Not much time is allotted to discussing the constant difficulties faced by Northwestern as the dominant state sponsored universities grew larger and more powerful which put Northwestern at a huge competitive disadvantage, in terms of athletic budgets, marketing, recruiting, television and radio coverage and in on field competition. Moreover, Northwestern has always required that its student athletes conform to high academic standards. Not all college football programs can make that same claim. To repeat a quotation from Henry Ward Beecher cited in the text: "Victories that are easy are cheap. Those only are worth having which come as the result of hard fighting."

Conference officials may have been prepared to sacrifice Northwestern, a charter member of the Big Ten, and remove the team from the league, but the scrappy Wildcats began to win consistently at the same approximate time. How politically astute would it be to remove a recent conference champion for being uncompetitive? The book concludes by describing the miraculous storybook revival of the program under the talented (and controversial) Gary Barnett and his immediate successor, the late Randy Walker whose untimely death occurred shortly before the 2006 season. Hollywood could not have scripted movies to equal the heroics of the dramatic 1995, 1996 and 2000 seasons.

LaTourette does not miss a key play in this last chapter. I know this to be true since, as a season ticketholder since 1995, I attended all of the memorable home games, several of the road games and four of the postseason bowl games described in these pages. I have not missed a home game in thirteen years and can still recall when the new head coach Pat Fitzgerald was an outstanding linebacker!

Among the entertaining anecdotes from the Golden Era recounted here is an account of the irate NU fans who spotted Al Capone in the stands at Dyche Stadium. Their subsequent serenade of Bronx cheers caused the notorious gangster to make an impromptu exit. The campus newspaper followed up with an editorial demand that Capone not return!

This book would make a great gift for ANYONE who enjoys spending Saturdays following college football. The text is well written and it is fun to read.

If you follow Northwestern football, you will love getting the complete history of the program. I had no idea we had won 4 Big Ten championships in the '30's and twice almost won the national championship. This book is very well researched and extrememly thorough in its presentation.

If you're a die hard Sooner fan (and God knows - we all should be), this book will take you back to the beginning of it all. Very interesting. I highly recommend for every true Sooner fan.

We bought this book for my brother-in-law (who is a die hard OU fan) for Christmas and he absolutely loved it!!

I enjoyed the 88 pages of quality reading as much as I did the way in which Butterworth was able to intertwine a collection of pertinent stories. Each section of the book was backed up by a personal story told by the author that helped to demonstrate its purpose. Additionally, Butterworth continued to reflect on and develop the stories as he revealed the books academic points.
The tone of the book reflected Butterworth's recommendations for teamwork as he invited you to be part of the story when interjecting questions to the reader prompting a moment of reflection. This book is a very enjoyable read with some terrific points for building successful teams.

5+ highly recommended.

In this excellent book, author Bill Butterworth quotes Mark Zoradi, president of Disney's Buena Vista Distribution. His view of teamwork: "Don't think golf. Think football."

Imagine. You've just finished your weekly staff meeting on time--yet the 60-minute gathering had that same familiar feel: BORING. A small staff that meets at least 48 weeks out of 52 will invest a minimum of $10,000 in salary time alone on staff meetings. Suggestion: spend ten bucks on this book to ensure your staff meetings have substance and will connect meaningfully with felt needs.

If you've heard Bill Butterworth speak--you already know he has memorable content and a Pro Bowl delivery. He's also laugh-out-loud funny! His book doesn't disappoint either--and it's packed with team building essentials. It's perfect for that five-minute inspirational/motivational blurb at a staff meeting--or as an outline for a team-building retreat.

Butterworth believes there are four great barriers to teamwork: 1) the barrier of personal insecurity; 2) the barrier of unhealthy competition; 3) the barrier of noncommunication; and 4) the barrier of being afraid to change. That's a month's worth of staff meeting topics packaged in an 89-page book--and wrapped in a hilarious, but poignant story, "Everything I Know About Teamwork I Learned at Carnegie Hall."

It's quick-reading, but long-lasting. I read it last week "on-the-fly" and my fellow passengers wondered why I was laughing so much!

In the book, he mentions that Andy Reid, coach of the Philadelphia Eagles football team, takes an offensive lineman's approach to teamwork. In an interview in the Los Angeles Times, Reid pointed out, "Each guy doesn't have to be an all-star; they just have to be able to master their little [3' x 3'] box on the field. Then you can master that big box which is the actual football field. You take that approach to it, you'll be OK."

So, here are two of Butterworth's questions (from the book) that every team member must answer: 1) What's your three-by-three box on the team? And 2) Can you describe it in one sentence? Buy this book!

THE STORY OF THE FOUNDING AND DISBANDING OF THE SHL TEAM THE MACON WHOOPEE. THE BOOK WHILE ONLY 130 PAGES LONG IS PROBABLY THE MOST ENTERTAINING BOOK ON ICE HOCKEY THAT I HAVE EVER HAD THE PLEASURE OF READING. THIS BOOK IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AND WILL BE THROUGHLY ENJOYED BY HOCKEY FANS. IF YOU ENJOYED THE MOVIE "SLAPSHOT" YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS "ONCE UPON A WHOOPEE".

I was fortunate enough to read the draft copy of this book - it is outstanding. The Macon Whoopee is one of the most original nicknames in all of sports. The original incarnation of the Macon hockey team in 1974 is a classic story. It combines humour, human drama, and pathos all into one package. Read this book if you read no other sports related or human interest related books in the next year. The Gris and Mr. Buckley have written a classic.

This book fills in the many blanks that researchers need for the Green Bay Packers! A MUST read for any Packers fan!!

Divided into 99 chapters, one for each number, Packers By The Numbers: Jersey Numbers And The Players Who Wore Them by John Maxymuk specifically profiles famous players of the Wisconsin Green Bay Packer football team as arranged by the assigned numbers on their football jerseys. Concise yet packed from cover to cover with information and statistics, Packers By The Numbers is an engaging, easy-to-pick-up reference which is most especially recommended for dedicated Packers fans!

His books are good. I've read all of them including his new one. I bought this library because I believe what he has to say. Death by Meeting alone is a reason enough (hello? who has meetings?). Anyway -- good collection to add to my library. I'm proud of this one.

Lencioni's library of management fables is a must read for everyone who finds themselves responsible for any aspect of people and company management. Applicable for CEO's and first level management, told in an easy-to-understand experiential manner, these books teach the basics and beyond.

I'm really enjoying this book as I plan development for a new collaborative software system. We had already done a great deal of work on the high-level requirements for the system when I got the book. As I read, I keep thinking, "Hey, what a great concept! Well put! Oh, yeah, that's a great idea." The authors put an astonishing amount of work into collecting and codifying these ideas. They have made a real contribution to the groupware community.

Whenever I get a new book to review, I always approach it with a mixture of anticipation, curiosity, and dread, especially given the increasing number of books about patterns and, in this case, the size -- 581 pages! When I finally found a small window and sat down with "Patterns for Computer-Mediated Interaction," I was intending to hurriedly skim as much of the text as possible to get an idea of what it was like. Several hours later, I was hooked. What a surprise this book is! Yes, it's topical. The patterns are about developing software to allow people to have the best interaction experience possible. That is where the world is headed, no doubt! The patterns in this book, however, are not just about the technical aspects of these systems, the authors also address the "socio-technical" issues that are important for the people-side of this domain. What was especially interesting to me, as a long-time "patterns fan," was the intriguing and enlightening discussion of pattern languages and the close examination of the pattern language of Christopher Alexander. I've read many essays on this topic but this presentation was very special. I learned a lot. You can't ask for more than that. I can recommend this book whole-heartedly, not only for developers in this domain but also for anyone who wants to study a model pattern language and learn more about patterns and how they work together to solve problems. Two thumbs up!

Man what a book!!!! Fortunately for me, I was a student at PSU when this game was played. Some of the players were in my classes and some of them I knew on a first name basis.

This book took me back to a time when life was simpler and simple satisfactions, like football, at the time meant little, but over time they mean a lot more.

The author takes you into the game. Not just what you saw on TV and how the announcers made it look, but really takes you into the pre-game, how the Fiesta Bowl people did what they did to get this game played on Jan 2.

He takes you on the field with each of the players 20 years later as they relive the greatest college game that they ever played. Even the insights from the Miami players makes this book totally complete.

I couldn't put it down and am glad I bought it. I gave it to my Brother and he read it in about 4 days.

Great book, great story

Mike Misannelli did a fantastic job on this well researched, well written time capsule. It helped me recall my fondest memories of a magical season.
I strongly recommend reading the book, then watching the D.V.D. of the game.

It is finally here! This book includes everything you could want to know about the Pirates. It rates the Top 100 players in Pirates history, Top 10 teams, and 10 worst teams. It includes info on all of the Pirates managers, general managers, and owners. It provides a year-by-year season recap. It has info on each of the ballparks the Bucs have called home. If you want one book for reference on Pirates history, this is the one.

By far the best book on the Pittsburgh Pirates that I've seen, complete with season-by-season recaps and stats galore. The highlight: Lifelong baseball fans Finoli and Ranier offer their picks for the 100 best players in the history of the storied franchise. It's sure to start an argument or two among fans of the black-and-gold, but that's what a good book should do. Well-researched and written, this is a must reference guide for any self-respecting Pirates fan. (And you know who you are.)

This is the perfect book for any avid NFL fan and a must buy if you pull for the Steelers.

Big Ben: 27-4 as a starter (2004-2005 seasons)---only losses (3 of which were injury-related): Patriots, 2004 AFC Championship game (if Plax holds on to sure TD pass, we are only down 7 with about 7+ minutes to go in that game; Ben did some good things and was battling thumb and toe injuries) and also in 2005 (if Randle El doesn't get `cute' and lateral that pass to Ward, we probably win; again, Ben did some good things), as well as the Bengals in 2005 (Ben has beaten Carson Palmer's Bengals 3 times: twice in 2004 and big-time in the AFC Wild-Card game in 2005; Ben had 3 TD passes in this lone defeat and was battling a thumb injury) and Indy in 2005 (as we know, he got revenge in the AFC Divisional Playoff game; Ben threw a TD pass to Ward in this Monday night defeat and was coming off an injury-induced layoff).

Ben's FIRST NFL game: 2004 Pre-season at Ford Field vs. the Lions...last game of 2005 season: 2/5/06 at FORD FIELD, SUPER BOWL XL VICTORY!!!


So Ben didn't play a superb game in Super Bowl XL and there was some controversy...

--Super Bowl IX, 1/12/75: Steelers win 16-6 over the Vikings---Future Hall-of-Famer Terry Bradshaw is only 9 for 14 for 96 yards...BEN WAS 9 FOR 21 FOR 123 YARDS...Bradshaw threw a lone TD...BEN RAN FOR A LONE TD... Future Hall-of-Famer Fran Tarkenton's numbers were putrid: 11 for 26 for 102 yards, 3 interceptions, NO TD's! We were only winning 2-0 going into the third quarter (on a safety); a boring game. The Steelers wore their white shirts and Terry had a beard (the other 3 Super Bowls: black-and-gold shirts, Terry clean shaven)...WE WORE OUR WHITE SHIRTS IN XL AND BEN HAD A BEARD...the game turned on a VERY controversial "fumble-that-wasn't" by the Steelers Larry Brown: the Steelers left the field dejected, the Vikings were in prime territory...then the officials ruled Brown was down before the ball came loose (no way!!!!!)...and the rest is history;

--Super Bowl X, 1/18/76: Steelers win 21-17 over the Cowboys---Future Hall-of-Famer Roger Staubach almost pulled out another miracle comeback...Swann's great falling-to-the-ground acrobatic catch led to no points (!);

--Super Bowl XIII, 1/21/79: Steelers win 35-31 over the Cowboys---the Cowboys' Jackie Smith drops a SURE TD pass that would have tied the game AND our go-ahead TD was aided by a very controversial tripping penalty that cost Dallas 33 yards: Lynn Swann fell over Benny Barnes's ankles and, as Bradshaw has admitted, it shouldn't have been a flag...we were ahead 35-17 at one point...Staubach almost brought them back (35-31);

--GAME BEFORE SUPERBOWL XIV: AFC Championship game vs. the Oilers, 1/6/80: Steelers win 27-13---late in the third quarter, officials ruled that Oilers receiver Mike Renfro did not have possession of what appeared to be a game-tying TD (WRONG!!!! He was in bounds; bad, bad call)...and the rest is history...

---Super Bowl XIV, 1/20/80: Steelers win 31-19 over the Rams---Bradshaw threw 3 INTERCEPTIONS and we were losing for most of the game...until Lambert saved our butts by intercepting QB Vince Ferragamo's pass...and the rest is history
(Steelers in the 1970's: regular season---99-44-1; playoffs: 14-4)

NON-STEELER SUPER BOWL "LUCK"---
Super Bowl XXV, 1/27/91: Giants defeat Bills BECAUSE SCOTT NORWOOD BARELY MISSES A RELATIVELY EASY FIELD GOAL, one of the biggest blown plays ever!;
All 3 of the Patriots victories were by exactly 3 points...and the Eagles really blew it with poor clock management (sound familiar?)!;
Super Bowl XXXIV, 1/30/00: Rams defeat Titans, 23-16--- The Rams' Mike Jones tackled Kevin Dyson at the 1-yard line as time expired. Dyson would have tied the game; Super Bowl V, 1/17/71: Colts beat Cowboys, 16-13, via a field goal... Dallas' Chuck Howley, who picked off two passes, became the first defensive player and the first player from a losing team to be named MVP.



The Steelers have been in the Super Bowl in the 1970's. 1980's, 1990's, and in the new millennium (2000's)---
IX (1975), X (1976), XIII (1979), XIV (played in 1980), XXX (played in 1996), XL (2006)

Big Ben---ONLY QB to ever go to Championship game his first two years; youngest to win the Super Bowl (Steelers: first 6th seed to go/ win; only team to beat #1, #2, and #3 seeds on the road and win; three-way tie for most Super Bowl victories: 5, along with Dallas and San Francisco; tied for second with most Super Bowl appearances: 6, along with Denver [who have `only' won 2])...comparison to other Hall-of-Fame and/or outstanding QBs---
Jim Kelly: 0 for 4; never won a Super Bowl;
Fran Tarkenton: 0 for 4; never won a Super Bowl;
Dan Marino: 0 for 1; never won a Super Bowl;
Kenny Anderson: 0 for 1; never won a Super Bowl
Len Dawson: won one Super Bowl (and lost one, as well);
Johnny Unitas: won one Super Bowl (and lost one, as well);
Joe Theismann: won one Super Bowl (and lost one, as well);
Brett Favre: won one Super Bowl (and lost one, as well);
Kurt Warner: won one Super Bowl (and lost one, as well);
Ken Stabler: won one Super Bowl
Joe Namath: won one Super Bowl;
Phil Simms: won one Super Bowl;
Steve Young: won one Super Bowl;
Also: John Elway: after FIFTEEN YEARS IN THE LEAGUE, won two...after losing 3 very badly!

BEST run in sports history (as confirmed by a Congressional resolution!): won 8 in a row---
Bears (who had an 8-game winning streak), Vikings on the road (who had a 6 game winning streak...and Cowher NEVER won in a dome stadium before!), Browns on the road, and Detroit on 1/1/06 (where, unbeknownst to us at the time, we were headed for 2/5/06!); Bengals on the road (#3 seed, previously beat us), Colts on the road (#1 seed, league's best record, heavily favored, dome stadium, previously beat us; the Fumble, the Tackle, and the Miss), Broncos on the road (#2 seed, favored, 10-0 at home)...and the #1 NFC seeded Seahawks "on the road" in another dome, Detroit's Ford Field (where Big Ben started his NFL career vs. the Lions in the 2004 pre-season!!!)

YOU HAVE TO GET THE TWO-DVD SET "STEELERS: THE COMPLETE HISTORY" (2005; NFL Films), 1933-2004 (too bad they didn't wait a year haha!)---the main feature is 2 hours and 20 minutes long and covers 1933 up to and including Beg Ben's 2004 season; incredible. All the `lean years' (1930's-1960's; 1980's) are covered, NOT just the "glory seasons"---Kordell, Brister, Malone, Stoudt, Hanratty, etc. etc. etc. The bonus feautures are awesome, ESPECIALLY the 45-minute Jerome Bettis special-VERY IRONIC!! You will see Tommy Maddox with the Bus when they were both Rams in 1995...excellent miked-on-the-field comments, often funny, by Bus, Ward, and Cowher...Jan. 2005 AFC lowlights, Hines Ward crying, Jerome's reaction, and the tantalizing hint that Super Bowl XL wil be played in Jerome's hometown of Detroit...which makes what they did in 2005/2006 VERY story book! Also: the Bill Cowher, Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Rocky Bleier, Myron Cope, Dick Hoak, and Bill Saul segments/ specials are very entertaining, as is the Super Bowl XIII feature..get this...as well as the SUPER BOWL XL DVD---2005 season highlights included, as well as the 2006 playoffs!