Rating: 
Summary: Behind The Legend There Was A Man
Review: No one quote defines the life of Vince Lombardi more than "God, family and the Green Bay Packers!" We all know of the man who lead the Packers to several championships, his great players, and the dedication and effort he drew out of his teams and fans alike. Maraniss looks behind this persona into what shaped the man, and what in turn shaped the people around him. The joy in this book lies in the account of his years prior to Green Bay, and the result.From Brooklyn to Fordham to St Cecilia's High School to West Point to the New York Giants, "When Pride Still Mattered" masterfully weaves together the man. Religion, the influence of one of the legendary Four Horseman (his college coach, Sleepy Jim Crowley), another legendary coach (Army's Red Blaik) - all were the building blocks to what became Vince Lombardi. Also in this account are several interesting facts - a direct line can be traced from famous coaches - Knute Rockne up through Bill Parcells; Lombardi started the Redskins on their road to respectability and beyond; the advent of the NFL players union; etc. If you want to know the man behind the legend, you're in for a great read.
Rating: 
Summary: Well researched and well thought out
Review: As I read this book, the thing that kept running through my mind was how much research the author had to do. That is the difference between this book and other biographies, especially when you think that the two best sources of information - Vince and wife Marie - have long since passed away. I commend him for his efforts as not just a writer, but as a researcher. I will say this though, there are volumes and volumes of information about the Packers and Lombardi, making the writer's job not easier, but less time-consuming because of the availability of all the information out there. As for the writing, I loved the way he blended Lombardi's day-to-day life with the football seasons. Just when you thought he was going to give you some boring play-by-play, he took you in another direction, describing Lombardi's relationship with a player, an assistant coach, a business leader, even his secretary, and he did so in a thorough and fascinating manner. He then took you back on the field for the play-by-play, and as a reader you felt like you never left. You don't have to be a sports lover to love this book, because to me it's not really a sport book. Instead, it is a journey into the psyche of a man who was driven to succeed in everything he did. Chapters on his personal appearances, business ventures and other interests were nearly as interesting as the tales of his obsession with football. Lombardi was truly driven to be the best at everything he did. The title of this book says volumes because to Lombardi pride did matter. Everything he did - except perhaps his relationship with his immediate family - he did with the intent of showing others that quality mattered to him. I loved the book and despite his many shortcomings, I love Lombardi.
Rating:
Summary: fantastic!
Review: First, a few low points... While not written in the jargon of the field, Maraniss clearly approaches the subject of Vince Lombardi from a post-modern point of view. He opens with a contrived and somewhat galling introduction, in which he explains that he has borrowed the title from another author and uses it (of course!) "ironically." At various points throughout the book, Maraniss attempts to "de-construct" Lombardi, which is to some extent the mark of any good biography, but the author takes it too far at times, especially in his frequent references to the "fallacy of the innocent past." Moreover, this is not a political book, but because Lombardi was mildly politically active, politics enters the picture. And a subtle bias pervades Maraniss's discussion of politics. When lifelong Democrat (but always pretty conservative) Lombardi begins drifting toward Nixon and Republicans in the turbulent sixties, Maraniss attributes Lombardi's conservatism not to a heartfelt belief in those principles but to an inability to cope with rapidly changing times. The 60s is a favorite topic for Maraniss, as his latest book indicates, but his digressions into the protests, while tangentially important to Lombardi's story (particularly his philosophy of freedom), are overdone.
Nevertheless, despite those faults, I still give this book a five. Immediately after that disappointing introduction, Maraniss redeems himself with probably the most stunning first line I have read in any book of nonfiction (and perhaps in fiction, too): "Everything begins with the body of the father." It is a starting point for a discussion of Lombardi's immigrant father, but it brings together elements that appear throughout the book: family (especially Lombardi's relationship with his son); Catholicism; the physical violence of football. From his youthful desire to be a priest and his high school and college football career, Maraniss follows Lombardi to Fordham and beyond to his first coaching job at a small Catholic high school in New Jersey and to an assistant's job at West Point, under Red Blaik. It was then to the Giants, where he was an assistant with Tom Landry, and finally across the country to Green Bay, where the legend was born.
The book is not just a biography of Vince Lombardi; it is a look at American life and culture and at the history of professional football. It is amazingly written, and the descriptions of football games are wonderful--particularly the Ice Bowl, which another reviewer has mentioned. Flaws and all, this is a fantastic read.
Rating:
Summary: Truly outstanding...........
Review: Simply one of the best biographies I have ever read. By the end of his book I felt as if I had grown up and experienced Vince's entire life right along with him. This book was not a glossy or superficial portrait of the man. It goes deeply into who, what and how the charecter of Vince Lombardi was shaped, giving me a better understanding of the complex, yet great personality and man that he became. Being from Wisconsin, even if too young to truly understand and remember the glory years first hand, I know that a fish out of water if there ever was one (An East Coast, Italian, New Yorker) brought joy and excellence to a small rural midwestern city and state, and made us all feel like champions. The Ice Bowl chapter is simply a "masterpiece" of sports journalism, and the tragic ending is poignant without being too melodramatic. There are those that may question Lombardi's aggressive style, or difficult personal family relationships, but one can never question his ethic - - he gave his all, nothing more, nothing less and he expected the same in return. Yes, he is a flawed man, but also a great one. That's enough for me.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting
Review: As a long-time Packer fan, about anything substantative would have been an interesting and fun read. But this one surprised me because it eclipsed long-established accounts of the Packers successes and failures and took an especially thorough look at the man who made Green Bay famous. Who would have known, for example, that the Coach's brother was gay. Or that he could relate one-to-one to his team and his players in a way he never could to his family. The book shares more of these insights than it does such strategic things as how Jerry Kramer and Ken Bowman combined to throw "the" block. In fact, the on the field tactics and discussions almost become a distraction in a broader book that emphasizes what made the man tick. Like Wisconsin's other 1960s era sports hero, Al McGuire, everybody thinks they know everything about Coach Lombardi. This book lends an exciting perspective on a man dead now for almost 35 years. It's fascinating and long overdue.
Rating:
Summary: Brings the Legend who was Lombardi to life.
Review: In his excellent biography of Green Bay Packers head coach Vince Lombardi, author David Maraniss has painted with his crisp and lively narrative an objective, balanced and candid portrait of a legend. Here is seen the complex, driven man that was Lombardi, "warts" and all -- the undersized and underrated lineman who, despite his admittedly limited football skills, used his unconquerable will to became one of Fordham's "Seven Blocks of Granite"; the ambitious and brilliant assistant coach, first for Army, and then for the New York Giants, always aware of his prodigious coaching talents, looking for twenty years to fulfill his destiny as a head coach; as Green Bay's head coach, the tyrannical taskmaster of the pro gridiron, gaining first fear, then grudging respect, and finally love from those who played for him; and the remote husband and father, unable to make the investment of time and emotion in his wife, son and daughter whom he loved. At Maraniss' hands, Vince Lombardi is sometimes easy to dislike, but always remains an admirable figure. This is a book which allows the reader to really get to know its subject. It is one of the finest biographies I've read in many years. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: The best sports book I've ever read!
Review: I've always admired Vince Lombardi ever since his name was instilled in my conscious. When you think of the greatest coaches of all time, of any era, of any sport, Lombardi comes to mind. No coach ever gave so much of his blood, heart and dedication to win than Vince Lombardi; and all those traits are exhibited in this great biography of a man who transformed football, who brought football to the forefront. Maraniss has written a heartwarming, accurate account of a man who still lives in the public's conscious after his death almost 30 years ago. If you want a book about pure sports and strategy, then this isn't exactly your book. It's also about family and the desire to win. It's about determination. I've read King of the World by David Reminick which was also an excellent book, but this book tops it. When you finish this book you'll appreciate who Lombardi is and the sacrafice he gave to win. Most men wouldn't dare sacrafice so much of their time to do what Lombardi did, but after you finish this book you appreciate his love and why he did it. If there is one sports book you are ever going to get, this is it.
Rating:
Summary: Power Sweep
Review: _That William Verneli Wood was challengig for a place on the Packers at all was a meaure of his mental strength and perseverance. It also underscored the determination of Lombardi and his personnel man, Jack Vainisi, to ignore the prejudices then prevalent in most NFL front offices in their search for the most talented players...Wood was a black quarterback in an era when black athletes were seldom allowed the opportunity to play that position_ (p237). Willie Wood went on to play 12 seasons for the NFL Green Bay Packers and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989 In this biography WHEN PRIDE STILL MATTERED, David Maraniss identifies _race relations_ as an issue that revealed Coach Vincent Lombardi's character. I understood very little about the American version of football. Part of my confusion was that the foot is seldom used, and the object of the competition resembles a ball like no other. Even so, after reading WPSM, Mr Maraniss has provided me an appreciation for the athletes and the unmatched accomplishments of Coach Lombardi. Mr Maraniss chronicles football's mythical beginnings at US colleges in the first half of the twentieth century culminating in its zenith in the decade of the 1960s. The Packers were the team of that turbulent decade and Coach Lombardi became an icon. I was not surprised by this aspect of the biography. I don't feel I am alone in anticipating a captivating telling of the history and personalities of the NFL. Where Mr Maraniss exceeds my expectations is in his ability to weave disparate details together as they powerfully manifest at a critical time. The Packer Sweep is the most prominent example. So too is the complex and often contradictory character of Coach Lombardi. Mr Maraniss tells us that Vincent Lombardi had a rare quality of leadership that enhances the confidence of those around him. He was able to lift their spirits and they in turn responded with an effort that exceeded even what they themselves thought possible. This is a spiritual gift. Part of this gift found expression when Coach Lombardi was intolerant of racial prejudice. _The Jim Crow discrimination that black Packers faced when the team played exhibition games in the South enraged Lombardi, and at the end of the 1960 preseason he decided that he would never again allow his team to be split by segregation; from then on, he said, any hotel that would not accomodate all Packers would get no Packers_ He applied the same standard to the establishments in hometown Green Bay, Wisconson. Even before Willie Wood came to Green Bay, Lombardi brought Em Tunnell with him from the NY Giants, and paid for his lodgings, _Lombardi respected and needed Tunnell's experience that much_. (p240). Tunnell and Wood returned the respect. Wood said that Lombardi was _perhaps the fairest person I ever met_ Coach Lombardi carried this same attitude to the issues of homosexuality and pre-marital pregnancy. These are typically, emotionally laden issues for Christians. Whatever reservations Lombardi may have held personally, he let his team know that a gay player deserved respect, _if I hear one of you people make reference to his manhood you'll be out of here before your ass hits the ground_ (p471). The coach's daughter and her fiance agreed to get married but they did not want her parents to know that she was pregnant. Their parish priest helped the young couple with the details of securing a marriage license and with their permission, contacted Vince and Marie Lombardi who were enjoying the success of a Super Bowl victory in Florida (GB 33 Oakland 14). Lombardi had become a national symbol of old-fashioned discipline and moral rectitude. Upon hearing the news, _at first, Lombardi was 'extremely angry, of course, but then calmed down and began drafting a game plan._ (p430). As soon as Vince and Marie returned to Green Bay, they paid a visit to the newlyweds. Susan remembers, _He stuck out his hand to Paul and said welcome to the family and asked him about his education and his plans_. Mr Maraniss tells us of a complex Coach in this biography of Vincent Lombardi. There is never any doubt about his shortcomings. Through his unique determination Lombardi overcame these shortcomings and applied his will to hold a faith in the positive nature of us all. _Winning is the ony thing_ is the most famous quotation from Coach Lombardi, but winning was not the only thing at which Vincent Lombardi excelled. PEACE
Rating:
Summary: The Lombardi Way
Review: This is the ultimate sports biography. As a reader, you are transported to another time and place when football was played in the mud and cold. Mr. Maraniss gives a balanced picture of this legendary coach. The book is populated with colorful characters. This is an outstanding biography.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Sports Biography
Review: This is an excellent book. When Pride Still Mattered gives lots of details about games, and interesting early national football leaugue tidbits. If you have are a fan of professional football this is pretty much required reading. I am 21 and felt it was a gift that we are got such a good biography on the games first genious coach. Well written and intelligent.
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