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affyfe's review against another edition
4.0
As a Michigan football fan, I loved this book. I felt like it gave a very interesting retelling of a rough couple years at Michigan when someone with a different mentality came in and tried to change how the athletic department was run. It was interesting to me how the students got so involved and some of the Michigan blogs were the driving force behind having him resign. While all this was going on behind the scenes it wasn't super evident to the fans and alumni that things had slowly been changing over the past couple years and seemed very dramatic when it all came to a head. I enjoyed this and I would think anyone who is a big fan of college athletics (especially ones with long held traditions) would like it too.
beths0103's review against another edition
3.0
I found Bacon's author talk at U of M's Rackham auditorium when this book first came out much more engaging then the book itself, which is riddled with many confusing tangential sentences, making difficult to follow on audio. Any fan of Michigan football would definitely enjoy this book, but I didn't really learn anything new from reading the book than I did hearing Bacon give the abridged version in his author talk.
jordandeanbaker's review against another edition
5.0
An incredibly detailed account of some of the darkest days in Michigan Football history and a powerful reminder of the importance of organizational culture.
laynescherer's review against another edition
4.0
Sometimes, being a high-brow English major, I forget the value in reading a book for the pure, high octane love of the subject. With the crisp autumn air starting to creep in and the inaugural year of Jim Harbaugh off to a start, there is no better time to read a book that delves into the recent turmoil and triumph of University of Michigan's athletic office.
For Michigan fans, this will be a detailed reminder of where we've been and leaves with the promise of where we might go forward.
For sports fans, this will provide a colorful and cautionary tale of what happens when tradition and the heart of a program is traded in for profit. Where the priorities of a few come at the expense of many.
For the casual reader, you will get an insight into deep connections forged between athletics and academics at a storied university, an institution whose establishment precedes the formation of the state it belongs to. I suppose if you enjoy stories about cults, you might begin to understand the fervor, the dedication, and the belief you belong to something much greater than yourself.
Those who stay will be champions. Those who work will stay. Forever and always Go BLUE.
For Michigan fans, this will be a detailed reminder of where we've been and leaves with the promise of where we might go forward.
For sports fans, this will provide a colorful and cautionary tale of what happens when tradition and the heart of a program is traded in for profit. Where the priorities of a few come at the expense of many.
For the casual reader, you will get an insight into deep connections forged between athletics and academics at a storied university, an institution whose establishment precedes the formation of the state it belongs to. I suppose if you enjoy stories about cults, you might begin to understand the fervor, the dedication, and the belief you belong to something much greater than yourself.
Those who stay will be champions. Those who work will stay. Forever and always Go BLUE.
melissa_reads's review against another edition
4.0
I am highly saddened I cannot give this book 5 stars due to the lack of an editor. Many errors in this book that could have been quickly taken care of.
Any alum of U of M has to read this book!
I served Brandon at the Barton Hills Country Club in Ann Arbor in the spring/summer of 2014. I was a student and knew the major things that had happened with the football and basketball tickets, but not Brandon's involvement. He was very kind to me, asking about my time at U of M and my hometown. Interesting to reflect on that day now.
Any alum of U of M has to read this book!
I served Brandon at the Barton Hills Country Club in Ann Arbor in the spring/summer of 2014. I was a student and knew the major things that had happened with the football and basketball tickets, but not Brandon's involvement. He was very kind to me, asking about my time at U of M and my hometown. Interesting to reflect on that day now.
kevinsmokler's review against another edition
4.0
The story behind the story for any Michigan Football fan and a great look at the unrelenting pressure and stakes of college athletics. John U. Bacon is no genius prose stylist and sometimes lurches for drama where there isn't any. But his reporting is incredibly thorough and rich, his grasp of narrative firm but not choking. Most importantly (and selfishly) I read this story of Bacon's about Michigan football's redemption and didn't have to dig into his previous book about how low the football program of my childhood had sunk.