The Penn State Football Button Book

Rating:
Summary: Collectible nirvana plus an entertaining read
Review:
This goes way beyond being simply a football button book. Yes, it is button collector's nirvana for certain. But it's also an informed commentary on the history, highlights, and championship teams produced by Penn State and Joe Paterno over a 32-year period. From the feisty Lions mascot on the front cover to the photographs sprinkled throughout, this book is loaded with intriguing trivia and presented in a fun, charming, and entertaining style. Both authors grew up in the shadow of Mt. Nittany. Penn State and Beaver Stadium have always been a large part of their lives. Both are PSU alumni and witnessed the Paterno years up close and personal.

The booster buttons represented in this book were produced by bank sponsors, free to everyone, and are a tradition at Penn State. PSU football buttons represent the longest continuous promotion of a college sports program in the nation. Every button for every game is featured. Not coincidentally, the button promotion began in the early years of Paterno's position as head coach for PSU. I'm from Nebraska - Cornhusker country - and know very little about football, but even I know that Paterno is an icon among college coaches.

Featured with each button are game summaries, statistics, and memorable moments. Even to a non-fan, these tidbits of trivia were enlightening. In particular, I found the origins of Paterno's master plan for succeessful athletes to be of interest. Paterno believed it possible and desirable for world class athletes to maintain academic integrity while playing football. His holistic approach has been proven sound for almost four decades. His three point philosophy is simple: teamwork, high academic standards, and personal responsibility are required to be a Nittany Lion. Season by season, cycle by cycle, he applies his formula and philosohy for the long haul. Paterno and the Lions may be bent from time to time but never broken for long. Further commentary examines the Lions' Top 100 Games, and the team's up and down cycles, which in retrospect demonstrate a certain predictability.

The authors and publisher arranged their book in large font and easy-to-read layout. The collectible buttons were delightful. No review would be complete without listing a few of my favorites, all of which were a sly play on words:
Driving Mich Crazy -- PSU vs. Michigan 1997
Crimson Cried -- PSU vs. Alabama 1989
Irish Go Blah -- PSU vs. Notre Dame 1982
Kick Wisconsin's Dairy Air -- PSU vs. Wisconsin 2003
Get Reel, Virginia -- PSU vs. Virginia 2001

For die hard Penn State fans this book is a must have, but it would be entertaining reading for both fans and foes. Devotees of college football will enjoy the inside information and fascinating trivia. Button collectors will have a field day. And even those like me, who know nothing whatsoever about football, will be entertained by what the authors offer in this book. It would make a wonderful gift for any sports fan you know. Adding to its considerable appeal is the knowledge that a portion of the price of each book sold will benefit the Penn State Blue Band, cheerleaders, and dance team.