Rating: 
Summary: An era gone by
Review: We all look to the past to lament the passing of the good old days, days when things were so much better. The author writes of how people of Lomabrdi's era did the same amidst academic scandals at West Point and other mishaps of morality. Yet Lombardi really is the pillar of a lost era, when pride and performance did still matter. I highly recommend this book to anyone who believes that this nation has lapsed into an era of cynicism. The lessons imparted by Lomabrdi are dearly needed in today's society. While he was not a saint, he was an individual that believed in himself, his God and his country. This is not just a biography of a legendary football caoch but of a man who came as close as one could to exempfliying the American dream.
Rating:
Summary: Simply the Best !
Review: Absolutely the best football book I have ever read. It takes you inside the life of Lombardi from Sheepshead Bay to Washington D.C. I learned things about the coach I never knew and came away with a better understanding of those great Green Bay Packer years.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent, unbiased, detailed biography
Review: I previously read Michael O'Brien's "Vince" and found it to be a very good read. However, David Maraniss has cast aside the myth of Lombardi even more effectively and created a detailed portrait of an honest, driven, passionate man.Lombardi is a fascinating character, and this biography does an excellent job delving into the contradictions in his beliefs, his love for his players and football, and his family struggles. Maraniss paints such a thorough picture of the character of this man that the final pages (which deal with the Coach's fight against cancer) are heartbreaking. Anyone who enjoys reading biographies about interesting people will enjoy this book.
Rating: 
Summary: DAVID MARANISS WRITES A WINNER
Review: "This profile of legendary football coach Vince Lombardi, which forges a near-perfect synthesis of fine writing and fascinating material, may be the best sports biography ever published." - Sports Illustrated "This is a superb book, one of the best on football that we have." - The Philadelphia Inquirer "Maraniss has a superb eye for detail....His book is punctuated with telling vignettes that range from the awkwardkly sentimental...to the truly bizarre....WHEN PRIDE STILL MATTERED stands in stark contrast to most other books by and about coaches. Maraniss shows not only that winning isn't everything, it's not even what it's cracked up to be." - The New York Times "[WHEN PRIDE STILL MATTERED is a] richly detailed new Lombardi biography..." - Hartford Courant "WHEN PRIDE STILL MATTERED sheds remarkable light not only on what Lombardi meant to the NFL but to the entire country in the nasty days of the '60s." - Chicago Sun Times "The ensuing result of Maraniss' work might be the best sports biography ever written." - The Seattle Times "Maraniss also does an extraordinary job of explaining that Lombardi's genius as a coach resulted from his genius as a teacher." - Wisconsin State Journal "This time around Mr. Maraniss skillfully sorts the Lombardi of media legend from the more complicated truth." - Wall Street Journal
Rating:
Summary: One of the best biographies ever written.
Review: My dad was one of the eight men who played under Lombardi for his entire tenure in Green Bay. In fact he is a frequent contributor to Mr Maraniss's work. Now that my some of bias has been revealed I want to say that this is the finest biography I ever read. Mr. Maraniss filled out so much about a character I thought I knew well. I had heard my dad say the things about Lombardi that are quoted in the book, so in some ways the inclusion of his thoughts in the book were its least interesting parts to me. The author's research into Lombardi's early life and his conclusions from that research, not just names and dates, is a thread carefully woven through every chapter to a point that near the end the effect is nearly haunting. Lombardi was not really the myth he is often portrayed as, but rather a man acutely aware of his surroundings in nearly every circumstance who was able to absorb enough positive material from each that when his opportunity finally came he seized it and delivered all he had absorbed in a way no one ever had and maybe never will again. The true inspiration that comes from this book is not what Lombardi became but rather the revelation of the power of something so simple as paying attention to what makes great things great and staying dedicated to those values. I am forty years old and there is picture in my office that is one of my most prized possessions. The photo is of my dad, my brothers, Lombardi and me getting off the plane before the NFL Championship in 1960. It was always important to me because of its unique representaton of that part of my family. Though I never thought it possible, Mr. Maraniss made it more precious to me because of what he taught me about the only guy in the picture who was not a member of my family.
Rating:
Summary: Fast paced, well researched, an in-depth look at the man
Review: This book touched me on different levels. Growing up in the 60's we all saw the success Lombardi had on the football field as a coach but I for one knew little about him as a man. This book shows us the complete package. From his large family in New York, the devout practice of his faith, his dealings with players,owners, the general public and his wife and children. I particularly enjoyed the retelling of key games in his playing days in college and as a coach. This book separates the myths from the truths of the Lombardi character( and how they came about). The author does an excellent job of recapping Lombadi's philosophy of life and the influences that shaped it. There are many funny and serious anecdotes that are described in a well written style. The book describes the awe people had when he would walk into a room, no matter what the size. I can agree with this. I met Lombardi working as a busboy in a Potomac,MD restaurant shortly after he became coach of the Redskins. All I could do was stare at him while he ate. He looked up at me and gave that famous grin, shook his head and laughed.
Rating:
Summary: GRATEFUL THANKS TO MARANISS FOR THE "REAL" LOMBARDI
Review: Fellow native of Wisconsin David Maraniss has gone beyond all others to bring us the best account yet of Lombardi-both for what he includes and what he omits. Sports Illustrated correctly calls it "perhaps the best sports biography ever." "Pride" shows us the essence of the coach's obsession to win and its cost-to his family, friends and his person. The author clearly has shown his devotion to the essential Vince-he lived in Green Bay, visited all the scenes, studied contemporary accounts and has clearly been under the skin of those still living who knew the Old Man. Maraniss also, thankfully, forgoes the myriad Lombardi and player myths that are too well documented elsewhere and spares us a game-by-game history. The writing is superb-there won't be a dry eye left after reading the "Ice" chapter. As one who is from a family in which the Coach is still referred to as "*Mr.* Lombardi" in conversation, "Pride" not only succeeds, but surpasses all previous attempts to characterize an American legend, myth and archetype. Thank you.
Rating:
Summary: If you're a coach, it is a must read.
Review: Any coach who is worth his (or her) salt should read this book. We all know about the Lombardi legend, but this book confirms it. Some of the beliefs that we simply accepted as part of the Lombardi legend are dispelled and some aspects of the private man are revealed. Anyone who is in, or wants to be in, a leadership role, or anyone who hasn't quite reached their life's goals will benefit from reading this book. If you're stuck as to what to give for a gift, this is it.
Rating:
Summary: HIT ME!!
Review: As a former professional football player under another coaching legend, Don Shula, I want to thank David Maraniss for writing such an incredible and compelling account of Vince Lombardi's life. I wanted to suit up all over again and run out onto the field!! Maraniss weaved such a captivating story as he chronicled Lombardi's journey. It was fascinating to read about the great mentors in Lombardi's life, his family, his players, his philosophies, his imperfections, his weaknesses, his practices, his legend. Lombardi, through the Maraniss narrative, showed me once again that greatness is worth "paying the price". To me this book is about striving for your "personal best" and the lessons one learns in traveling this challenging path.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: Maraniss's work accurately shows that our heroes have warts. His book is a constant study of myth vs. reality. Living in Wisconsin, the myth of Lombardi often outweighs the reality. Even after peeling back the layers, he's still the most dominant figure of his era in his sport. But, not even Lombardi was perfect.
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