When Pride Still Mattered : A Life Of Vince Lombardi

Rating:
Summary: When Pride Still Mattered: 2 thumbs up
Review: David Marannis has the great gift of enveloping the reader into his subject. In "When Pride Still Mattered" he places the reader right in the heart of the great life of Vince Lombardi. Maraniss presents us with Lombardi as a human being, rather than the myth. He demonstrates that Lombardi, like all of us had human failings. Yet, at the same time, he demonstrates how Lombardi recognized his own human frailties and limitations and did not let them affect his success. Perhaps Maraniss' most powerful chapter is the final one, aptly entitled "Run to Daylight" in which Maraniss replays the tragic last days of Coach Lombardi. I left this chapter in tears, mourning as if the great coach had just passed yesterday and was a close personal friend of mine. This work is truly a must read for all Americans longing for an example of greatness in from an epoch when "pride still mattered."

Rating:
Summary: Tears Revisited
Review: I cried the day Coach Lombardi died. After finishing this book I cried again and was overwhelmed by a funk that lasted for days. How much glory and pain could one man stand. What a great story, but such a sad life.

Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly enjoyable - fascinating look at the man and life
Review: I too started the book as a football fan, and ended the book as a fan of the man and his principles. From childhood, through minimal success on the field, then to enormous success as a leader in America in the 1960s. You get a sense of the true values and character of not just Vince Lombardi, but America during a time of national change. I was only 10 years old when he died, but the stories of the Lombardi Packers are still cherished in the midwest today. But that misses the point. How a man can lead every team he touched to the top is studied and presented and you can almost see into his mind. It was sad to see the family suffer through years of anguish, mixed with with pride, love, and loyalty. The author's style and storytelling were excellent.

Rating:
Summary: "We need more............(from "Words of Wisdom" by Lombardi
Review: I just want to thank David Maraniss for writing a book that I bought several for gifts and got a thank you call or note from them. Its a must read for this age for I never thought that another book could be written about Vince Lombardi. Its a book that I know will be borrowed and .......I need my copy for my library so hurry up with the paper back so I can have a few more on hand.

Rating:
Summary: A thorough look at great coach and great man
Review: As someone who barely remembers Vince Lombardi - I was 8 when he died - this book provided me with a complete look at the legend and the man known as Vince Lombardi. By learning how human Lombardi really was, he becomes even greater in my opinion. There was never a coach like him before he took over the Green Bay Packers, and there hasn't been one in the NFL since his death in 1970. This book will give the reader a complete look as to who Lombardi was, as a coach, a father, a husband, a friend, and, most importantly, as a person.

Rating:
Summary: A Book That Matters
Review: This is a book that I bought based upon my interest in football, Vince Lombardi, and the recomendation of a friend. It is an extreamly good book. Those who do not know anything about Lombardi will put this book down feeling like they now know everything about him. Those who do know about him will put it down feeling like they have discovered him all over again. The title is perfect for this book. It truly shows that in Lombardi's time, men played the game of football for pride.

Rating:
Summary: When Pride Still Mattered
Review: I bought the book based on Paul Gigot's review in the WallStreet Journal, where he said it was worthy of a Pulitzer Prize. It'snot. It didn't really make the man come alive the way a goodbiography does. It's a fast read and it's a book I don't plan to keep on my bookshelf.

Rating:
Summary: Top Notch
Review: This is an excellent book. Not only does the author paint a vibrant picture of the man, warts and all, he also does a great job of putting the man in the context of his era and game. I learned a great deal about the early days of the NFL from this book. This is a must read for any football fan.

Rating:
Summary: A Book with Value
Review: The title says it all: "When Pride Still Mattered." Looking to read a book about strength, character, of what really matters, values and leadership. I suggest that if one is not even a armchair football participant you will find this book worthwhile. I cannot say enough positive things about it. Simply. This book is great. As an aside I am curious about other books customers bought. My suggestion: Go beyond organized sports for great reading entertainment. I found in nonfiction LIFE WITH NOAH: Stories and Adventures of Richard Smith... a book that impressed me as much as Maraniss' writing. It has similar parallels. A strong presence of authority -- Noah John Rondeau, the Adirondack Mountain's last hermit. Men of knowledge -- Smith and Rondeau, outdoors men supreme. A strong sense of right and wrong -- distaste toward how some people become spoiled living in a world of convenience and wealth. Winning (success) isn't everything -- tipped against civilization's greed and opulence both men left the world behind learning far more about themselves and the joy one can experience in the wilds than making a buck. Devotion and discipline -- choose to live on the edge of society? These men choose to explore their ability (and skill) to survive. Strong, single-minded figures. Discipline is everything. Through experiences came the inner satisfaction of learning about one's self. I enjoyed this book also because it presented a portrait of real people who faced nature on its austere terms and won. The photographs are also great.

Rating:
Summary: THE BEST OF THE BOOKS ON THE GREEN BAY PACKERS
Review: Though I'm strictly a baseball fan, I did follow Lombardi's Packers in the 1960's. This is not only the best of the Packer books, including the classic "Instant Replay", it is one of the very best books I have ever read on any subject. I liked it so much I ordered four extra copies for friends who are Packer fans. David Maraniss does a thorough job of research on Lombardi and portrays him as a human being, warts and all, instead of the icon that some make him out to be. Parts that stood out for me was how hard he personally took the suspension of Paul Hornung, which reminded him of Red Blaik's experience with cheating players at West Point. The continued demand of excellence took it toll on Lombardi, and he really left the Packer coaching job an exhausted man. The often told Jim Ringo story of his trade to Philadelphia didn't happen the way many books have told it. Lombardi often stressed the importance of God, family, and the Green Bay Packers in that order, but reality showed the order to be God, the Green Bay Packers, and family last. His immediate family suffered and his own children felt he was more affectionate with children of his players than he was with them. One also gets the feeling that he wasn't really disappointed with the showing of the Phil Bengston Packers, feeling that the slipage of the Packers was due to his not being there. Anecdotes of others notables such as Otto Graham, Packer announcers Ray Scott and Tony Canadeo, George Wilson, in addition to the Packer players make this a simply outstanding book to add to your library. Want to know how the Super Bowl got its name? It's an interesting story and it's here in the book. You can order the book here from Amazon for half the price you would pay in a book store. This book is one for your permanent library.