A Perfect Season

Rating:
Summary: Not what I expected...
Review: It seems like I had read somewhere that this was a very behind-the-scenes, coaching intensive book. While there are some copies of practice schedules and some discussion of coaching decisions, the book does more reminiscing than anything else. Practice schedules are incomplete and lack explanation. About the only thing I could infer from the schedules was that UT must do their most opponent intensive practices on Wednesdays, as Wednesday schedules are never included for conference opponents. There is an overview type discussion of game plans for most opponents, which was pretty cool.

The reminiscing is not only tolerable for non-UT fans; it is also understandable. This was a great team that played a great season. I think most people forget that the '98 Vols won on a last second field goal (Syracuse), in overtime (Florida), and by taking advantage of a late turnover (Arkansas).

The books strength is the humanization of the UT coaches and players. While it is very easy to know the personalities on your favorite team, rivals are often dehumanized. Players in a top-notch program, like UT's, can seem like machines in uniform. Coach Fulmer does a good job reminding us that college football players are young men.

'A Perfect Season' has a conversational style that lends itself to fast reading. 'Fat Face' Fulmer isn't smart enough to write a book that's hard to read, so even Alabama fans should be able to make it all the way through. Ole Miss fans might want to keep a dictionary handy.

Rating:
Summary: Not what I expected...
Review: It seems like I had read somewhere that this was a very behind-the-scenes, coaching intensive book. While there are some copies of practice schedules and some discussion of coaching decisions, the book does more reminiscing than anything else. Practice schedules are incomplete and lack explanation. About the only thing I could infer from the schedules was that UT must do their most opponent intensive practices on Wednesdays, as Wednesday schedules are never included for conference opponents. There is an overview type discussion of game plans for most opponents, which was pretty cool.

The reminiscing is not only tolerable for non-UT fans; it is also understandable. This was a great team that played a great season. I think most people forget that the '98 Vols won on a last second field goal (Syracuse), in overtime (Florida), and by taking advantage of a late turnover (Arkansas).

The books strength is the humanization of the UT coaches and players. While it is very easy to know the personalities on your favorite team, rivals are often dehumanized. Players in a top-notch program, like UT's, can seem like machines in uniform. Coach Fulmer does a good job reminding us that college football players are young men.

'A Perfect Season' has a conversational style that lends itself to fast reading. 'Fat Face' Fulmer isn't smart enough to write a book that's hard to read, so even Alabama fans should be able to make it all the way through. Ole Miss fans might want to keep a dictionary handy.

Rating:
Summary: Clinton enjoyed this
Review: Not only great teamwork on field, but the production of the all-Tennessee book merited major coverage by Publsihers Weekly.