When Pride Still Mattered : A Life Of Vince Lombardi

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Summary: when pride still mattered
Review: Best biography I ever read. If you lived in the 50's and were interested in the NFL then you'll probably enjoy this book more than if you were born later. Deserves six stars.

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Summary: A winner!
Review: The early years were less than I expected, however, soon I found myself captured by the story of this unique individual. By the time I finished, I didn't want it to end. A book that I will re-read many times over, to insure I fully understand and appreciate who and what Lombardi was.

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Summary: A FULL LIFE THAT ENDED DUE TO FEAR OF DOCTORS
Review: This is a complete biography filled with details of a talented and brilliant person that had ups and downs like everyone else. His singlness of purpose is what made him so successful and the author gives much detail on that "singleness." Many times throughout the book a large lump appeared in my throat due to the emotion happening. I am not a football fan (tho I was when younger) but got a lot out of this book. I consider it a "must read."

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Summary: Quite simply one of the best books that I have ever read
Review: This biography of Vince Lombardi is so captivating and so well written that I am reading it for the third time, and I never tire of it. The book flows almost like a novel, yet it is a true story. Particularly appealling to me is the build-up to the early years in Green Bay: From the chapter "The Foreigner" to those describing the tremendous success of the first few teams through 1962.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is nostalgic for the days "when pride still mattterd". I certainly wish that some of today's tattoed, body pierced, chain smoking twenty somethings would read it.

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Summary: A remarkable look past the surface of an enduring icon
Review: What coach doesn't wish to taste success as Lombardi had? Maybe you wouldn't style yourself after him, but you couldn't argue with his results. Besides, and after reading this book you may agree, there could only be one Lombardi. This biography depicts just how the myth and the man that was Vince Lomabrdi, was built over a lifetime. The images are vivid. Emotions of Lombardi's triumphs, defeats, and frustration wash over you with each turn of the page. He succeeded greatly but paid a great price. His drive, his obsession, his sacrifice, his inner conflicts, & his PRIDE ... he was so much more than what the public could ever have known. "When Pride Still Mattered" is a title that no doubt, the great Lombardi would have approved. This book was written with the Pride that Lombardi valued so highly. Maybe we learn about sides to Lombardi he would have wished to have hidden from the public. But in the end, this myth of a man comes across as more human than many people we admire; and these human qualities only seem to enhance the memory of Lombardi.

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Summary: When Pride Still Mattered : A Life of Vince Lombardi
Review: David Maraniss is an excellent writer. I read his bio on Bill Clinton and also enjoyed it. Having grown up after the Lombardi era, this was all new to me. His chapter on the Ice Bowl was great reading.

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Summary: A great American bio.
Review: This biography is one the best books I've read in a long time. I think it will be the definative biography on the imcomparable Lombardi, whose brilliance as a gridiron pedagogue, whose complexity and contradictions, are all well delineated in wonderfully written and researched book. This book would make a great present for any persons interested in football history or a life of a passionate, hard working American.

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Summary: An Outstanding Biography
Review: This is a book for more than just sports fans. Actually, it might be even more valuable for those who want to know how to lead people. Lombardi was a master at getting what he wanted from others, especially on the football field. Surprises abound, however. Lombardi was a lifelong Democrat, very progressive on racial issues and a learned man who studied four different foreign languages. Even his famous "Winning isn't everthing..." quote was in fact quoted incorrectly and its meaning was misconstrued. Maraniss's book does great justice to a towering and misunderstood cultural icon.

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Summary: Better than Talk Radio
Review: The audio version of this book was a wonderful diversion from the normal day to day commute.A wonderful story about a very interesting man, I would recomend it highly to anyone.

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Summary: [e-mail] loves the book.....
Review: Former Green Bay Packer coach Vince Lombardi was chosen the Coach of the Century by a panel of experts from ESPN. To win he had to beat out the likes of John Wooden, Knute Rockne and others. We're talking real tough competition here. Maraniss' book shows clearly why Vince deserved the honor. From the first time I ever saw him, in 1946, when he coached St. Cecilia's against my older brother's team from St. John's Prep in Brooklyn, to the time he drove me up to West Point to meet Red Blaik to recruit me for Army, to the time I met him in the Giants locker room to get sideline passes before a memorable New York-Cleveland game, I'll never forget my images of him. They are exactly as the author describes in the book. He seemed much bigger in person than he actually was - he wasn't a large man, but he looked like he was - possessed of a voice that you automatically listened to, and obeyed. He was the quintessential Coach. I never saw him after he left for Green Bay, but, like all of us, followed his wonderful career from afar. The book chronicles all the ecstasy and sadness of his life: his struggle to balance a home life with celebrity status, his trying to deal with the complexities of the '60's, the relationships with his players, love-hate as it was. I think , amongst all the poignant passages in the book, the one where his wife, Marie, sings to him through a smoky haze in a club in Green Bay after a memorable victory, her eyes locked onto his, amongst a group of their friends, "You're nobody til Lombardi loves you" is pure magic! This is the most richly detailed sports biography I've ever read.