Turnaround: Bear Bryant's 1st Year at Alabama

Rating:
Summary: Save your money and read "The Junction boys"
Review: As far as turnarounds are concerned, Alabama Crimson Tide fans have seen their fair share. Last season, they witnessed the Tide as they dropped miserably to 1-1 after a September loss to underdog Louisiana Tech. By New Year's Day, the Tide, now 10-2, had won the SEC championship, was ranked in the top five nationally and was preparing to face Michigan in the Orange Bowl. This season, the Tide fell to 1-3 before defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Tide fans are hoping for a successful turnaround in 2000 similar to last season's about-face. Many Alabama fans, however, are in the dark about the great turnaround of 1958. That was the season Paul "Bear" Bryant took over at the helm of Alabama football, rejuvenating and breathing new life into not a single season, but an entire program. Tom Stoddard, a 1960 graduate of the University of Alabama, gives a detailed and straightforward account of Bryant's first season as head football coach at the Capstone in his book, Turnaround. In the three seasons prior to the magical 1958 season, the Crimson Tide had managed only four victories. Intense efforts by Alabama boosters and administration to put an end to the demise of a once proud and highly successful football program led to the resignation of then head coach J.B. "Ears" Whitworth. Enter the self-proclaimed "momma's boy" from Arkansas, "Bear" Bryant. With vivid and highly descriptive recollections from Bryant's former players, coaches and acquaintances, Turnaround depicts in behind-the-scenes fashion how Bryant took a group of young men who had become all too familiar with defeat and turned them into winners, and three seasons later, national champions. Any Crimson Tide football fan would fall in love immediately with this book. I certainly did.

Rating:
Summary: "Stoddard Nailed It"
Review: I have most likely read almost every book that has been written about the legendery college football coach. With the possible exception of "Bear", (which was an autobiography written by John Underwood) this is the best book ever written on Paul "Bear" Bryant. It was meticulously researched and led the reader on a journey throughout the year of 1958 (Bryant's first year at Alabama) which laid the foundation for a football dynasty during the 1960s and 1970s. While books like "The Junction Boys" might be more entertaining (but not always factual), "Turnaround" does not suffer the numerous embellishment problems that "Junction" did. Tom Stoddard deserves a great deal of recognition for this work. It is a must for the serious student of Bryant.

Rating:
Summary: "My Dads Greatest Mentor"
Review: I have not yet read Mr. Stoddards book "Turnaround". However, I have just purchased this book for my dad because he played for Coach Bryant. As a son of a former player of Coach Bryant, I must say that any book about Coach Bryant will always be a special book to me and my family and especially to my Dad. My Dad has always and will always "look up" to Coach Bryant. Even though Coach Bryant was not successful in the beginning at the University of Alabama, I am quiet sure this book is great because it will illustrate his "NEVER QUIT" attitude, which is a philosophy that my Dad has lived with throughout his life.

Rating:
Summary: "My Dads Greatest Mentor"
Review: I have not yet read Mr. Stoddards book "Turnaround". However, I have just purchased this book for my dad because he played for Coach Bryant. As a son of a former player of Coach Bryant, I must say that any book about Coach Bryant will always be a special book to me and my family and especially to my Dad. My Dad has always and will always "look up" to Coach Bryant. Even though Coach Bryant was not successful in the beginning at the University of Alabama, I am quiet sure this book is great because it will illustrate his "NEVER QUIT" attitude, which is a philosophy that my Dad has lived with throughout his life.

Rating:
Summary: I liked it better than Junction Boys
Review: Stoddard is a proven commodity after this one. I found it very revealing. I almost liked it as much as "A Tailgater's Guide To SEC Football" by Dr. Chris Warner. I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: I liked it better than Junction Boys
Review: Stoddard is a proven commodity after this one. I found it very revealing. I almost liked it as much as "A Tailgater's Guide To SEC Football" by Dr. Chris Warner. I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: GOOD BUT NOT GREAT
Review: The book provides some remarkable insight into Coach Bryant's methods and thoughts. I heard stories that I have never heard and I consider myself a big fan. The problem was the boring play by play of the games and the constant roster updates. If you are a Bama fan buy it. If not it would be of little interest.