The Winning Edge

Rating:
Summary: A rare gem
Review: This book by Don Shula was written back in 1973, and is easily missed by today's generation who now more than ever need to read truly great coaching books. It is not in any stores and is only really available online. I have never seen this in any library(a shame), and have never seen any modern day printings of it(even more of a shame). This is one coaching manuscript that really NEEDS to be read by wannabe-coaches or football fans in general. Thank GOD I found it here!!!!! I would give it SIX stars if it was possible. It is very well written and put together by a man who understood the game of football and, more importantly, people, so very well. Shula talks about his life and some of his strategies on football and leadership that will leave any reader very satisfied......If you are looking to devour some outstanding grid-iron reading in 2005, then this is a can't miss book!!!!

Rating:
Summary: A Must for the Dolphin Fan!
Review: Believe it or not, I actually wrote a book report on The Winning Edge when I was in the 4th grade some twenty years ago. At the time I worshipped the Dolphins and Shula who, during my youth, was still the head coach in Miami. I have very fond memories of this book. Written soon after the Dolphins' famous 17-0 season, Shula describes his childhood (how the spelling of his surname changed because a teacher kept mispronouncing it), his football playing years during which he was part of one of the biggest trades of the day (first hearing about it while reading the newspaper), his coaching days in Baltimore where he was criticized by owner Rosenbloom for not being able to win "the big one," his rapidly growing family, and his early, yet already legendary, career with the Miami Dolphins. One humorous story I remember is when he and his eldest son David (who would be one of the ongoing string of unsuccessful head coaches in Cincinnati) had to hitchhike home after a big playoff win because their car wouldn't start. The book includes a middle section of glossy black and white photos. From the Longest Game, to the undefeated season, to the Super Bowl victory, this book definitely represents the best time it was to be a Dolphin fan.

Rating:
Summary: A Must for the Dolphin Fan!
Review: Believe it or not, I actually wrote a book report on The Winning Edge when I was in the 4th grade some twenty years ago. At the time I worshipped the Dolphins and Shula who, during my youth, was still the head coach in Miami. I have very fond memories of this book. Written soon after the Dolphins' famous 17-0 season, Shula describes his childhood (how the spelling of his surname changed because a teacher kept mispronouncing it), his football playing years during which he was part of one of the biggest trades of the day (first hearing about it while reading the newspaper), his coaching days in Baltimore where he was criticized by owner Rosenbloom for not being able to win "the big one," his rapidly growing family, and his early, yet already legendary, career with the Miami Dolphins. One humorous story I remember is when he and his eldest son David (who would be one of the ongoing string of unsuccessful head coaches in Cincinnati) had to hitchhike home after a big playoff win because their car wouldn't start. The book includes a middle section of glossy black and white photos. From the Longest Game, to the undefeated season, to the Super Bowl victory, this book definitely represents the best time it was to be a Dolphin fan.

Rating:
Summary: A GOOD READ
Review: DON SHULA GIVES US A GOOD LOOK AT HIS LIFE, PLAYING CAREER, COACHING CAREER, AND THE FANTASTIC 1972 DOLPHIN SEASON. HE IS VERY HONEST, INTELLIGENT, DETAILED AND VERY DEDICATED. I ENJOYED READING ABOUT HIS PLAYING DAYS ESPECIALLY SINCE HE WAS A CLEVELAND BROWN FOR A FEW YEARS. HE DEFINATELY IS ONE OF THE GREATEST COACHES OF ALL TIME AND A LEGEND. A MUST READ FOR ALL FOOTBALL FANS. WELL WORTH IT.

Rating:
Summary: Must read for any football fan
Review: In 1972, the Miami Dolphins became the first (and so far only) undefeated professional team in history. The man who led the Dolphins to this pinnacle? Don Shula, who was coach of the year numerous times in his seven year stint as Baltimore Colts' coach. This book is a personal look, as only an autobiography can be, of a coach who only desire was to be the best. Along the way there were hurdles--his mother's adamance against Shula playing football; heartaches--retirement as a player at age 27, the loss to the Jets in Super Bowl III and to the Cowboys in Super Bowl VI, the souring of his relationship with then-Colt owner Carroll Rosenbloom; and the highlights--making Paul Brown's Cleveland Brown squad as a rookie after Cleveland's World Championship season and the 1972 season. This book is a must read to learn about the coach who was the first to lead a team to the Super Bowl three straight seasons, the first to take two franchises to the Super Bowl, the only coach to appear in the Super Bowl in three different decades, has the most Super Bowl appearances of any coach, is the all-time winningest coach in professional football history, and the only coach who can say he coached a team during an undefeated season.