Sudden Death, Overtime

Rating:
Summary: Make a movie!
Review: I just finished reading the best book I have read in a long time: Sudden Death, Overtime! It is poignant and straightforward. Does this town really exist? I have always believed that the justice system needs an "overhaul" - this book just makes me more adamant in my belief. Hurray for Coach Courneya... stand tall. This book is a wonderful tribute to home, family, and those who try to teach our youth - an awesome responsibility. I am humbled by what Courneya had to endure.
This is a must-read for everyone. Put it on your Christmas list.

Rating:
Summary: Teacher of the Year???!
Review: I must admit that, apart from the excerpts presented, I have not as of yet read Mr. Courneya's book, though I am nevertheless prompted to write this "preview" by the outrage I felt as I read some of the other reader reviews (many written by fellow teachers who are perhaps unduly fearful of an unfounded or unjust complaint levied against them) that are, in my opinion, misguided to say the least. Do not cry for Dennis Courneya.
When I was made aware of Mr. Courneya's conviction and subesequently read some of the court transcripts, I was not at all surprised. I spent the first 18 years of my life in Hancock, Minnesota, was a student of Mr. Courneya throughout high school, knew the families of many of the victims of his abuse, and witnessed first-hand many examples of the complaints levied against him by the plaintiffs in his case.
Mr. Courneya's story is indeed compelling; still,do not be deceived by the inaccurate, self-serving, and misleading gloss of his book. It is unfortunate that our society still tends to blame the victim in such cases. I do intend to read the book and will address its structure, argument, and style in a later review.

Rating:
Summary: Injustice in a small town!
Review: My wife and I both just finished Sudden Death, Overtime. Despite quite a few typographical errors, it is the most compelling and best book I have read in years. Why? My bias may show, but 1. I am a teacher; 2. I know Dennis Courneya; 3. I lived in the town of Hancock for 3 years and could picture almost all the people he wrote about; and 4. my wife's father was the superintendent of schools in Hancock at the time Dennis was hired. I found this book to be straight forward (although, at times the trial transcripts were a bit confusing--the girls, like, really, like should like get rid of, like, too many "likes" in their vocabulary) and not an over glorification of the author. After reading the book I really felt like I was smacked in the face because, unfortunately, this could happen to any of us. I was appalled at the lack of action and concern by the teacher's union (yes, I am a member!), as well as the judge, the jury, and everyone else that was involved in this travesty. I also lost a lot of respect that I had for superintendent Larson and the school counselor, Carol Johnson. I applaud Dennis and his fortitude in surviving the trial, the prison, and everything else he has been subjected to. I'm not sure I would have survived it. I would LOVE to see this as a TV movie!