About Book Marks
Recent Reviews
Ian O'Connor
Rave Chicago Tribune \"Ian O’Connor’s biography ranks among the best in regards to the NFL. Not surprisingly, Belichick didn’t grant any access to O’Connor. That didn’t stop the author, as he conducted more than 350 interviews for the book. The end result is a comprehensive profile that manages to dig deep under Belichick’s famous hoodie ... O’Connor shows how his legendary partnership with star quarterback Tom Brady also is complex. Beyond that, the many inside stories from former players and associates seek to humanize a man who gives up so little of himself to the public. This is an important biography, as O’Connor provides a greater understanding of arguably the greatest NFL coach of all time.\
John Eisenberg
Positive Chicago Tribune \"John Eisenberg tells the fascinating account of how five owners, including the Bears’ George Halas, cut through their disputes and differences to work together to form the foundations of the league ... Eisenberg does a good job of showing how these five unique and colorful characters hardly were perfect — Marshall didn’t integrate his team until 1961 — yet despite their flaws, they ultimately built the most popular sports league in the United States.\
Hank Gola
Positive The Chicago Tribune This book has a Friday Night Lights element to it ... Gola’s book is a vivid read, showing how high school football brought together communities during a troubled time.
Jane Leavy
Positive Chicago Tribune Jane Leavy, though, manages to mine new material in her wonderful book on the baseball legend ... Leavy writes extensively ... Ultimately, Leavy provides a different perspective of a man who consistently broke the mold in sports and society.
Jeff Benedict & Armen Keteyian
Positive The Chicago Tribune The inside stories of his golf feats are fascinating, but it is the personal side of Woods’ story that provides the crux of this book ... Of course, there are frank details of Woods’ infidelities while married to his wife, Elin, all of which eventually were played out in the harshest of public eyes. Ultimately, the authors seek to explain how Tiger Woods became who he is, both on and off the golf course.
Alexander Wolff
Rave Chicago Tribune In his introduction, Alexander Wolff references George Plimpton’s famous line: 'The smaller the ball, the more formidable the literature.' Plimpton felt the best sports writing was on baseball and golf, and not so much on basketball. Plimpton, though, might have felt differently if he’d read this book. Wolff, the longtime basketball writer for Sports Illustrated, has put together a Hall of Fame-worthy collection of stories about the game.
Jeff Passan
Rave The Chicago Tribune The Arm should be required reading for youth baseball coaches and parents with a child who appears to have a gift to throw a baseball. It also should be on the list for fans who want to understand why some of most expensive athletes in sports, pitchers, are such a fragile commodity.