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Title: Barry Sanders: Now You See Him: His Story in His Own Words by Barry Sanders, Mark E. McCormick, John Madden ISBN: 1-57860-139-8 Publisher: Guild Press of Indiana Pub. Date: December, 2003 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $29.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 (12 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Now You See Him...
Comment: Although a bit pricey, mostly because it's produced on slick paper and contains a bonus DVD, this is a well-written "autobiography" that gives one insight into Barry Sanders. From his parents, to growing up, high school, and his college and pro careers, Barry takes us through some of this thoughts and feelings through each stage of his life. What this book could have used more of is some insight on what it is really like to play in the NFL and some of the seamier sides he alludes to but never provides details of. And of course, he finally answers the question all football fans have been asking since his retirement-why?
The DVD is not very good, by the way. It's a pretty boring collage of famous runs and career achievements. They could have done much more with it.
Rating: 5
Summary: Barry, in his own words and unique style
Comment: As a life-long Detroit Lions fan and, as a consequence, fan of Barry Sanders during his career, this book is particularly valuable towards answering at last the question of why arguably one of the greatest running backs in the history of the N.F.L. so abruptly ended his career. In his own words and unique style, Barry answers this question. Surprisingly, it's not as one-dimensional as the Detroit football media would have us think.
In general terms, the book is an easy read and most readers will get through it in one sitting. In Now You See Him, Barry discusses his upbringing in Wichita, Kansas, his first encounters with football as a child, the importance of his family and friends throughout his career, his trials and tribulations, his spirituality, his often rocky relationship with father, as well as his evolution as a player through high school, college and finally to the N.F.L. Within this framework, Barry discusses his development as a player and the evolution of his unique running style as aproduct of his smaller physical stature and his personal approach to the game. Barry was as much a craftsman devoted to the game of football and his role as a running back as he was an artist. Barry also gives us some insight into his enigmatic personality, his intelligence, and why he has deliberately shunned the media limelight throughout his career and beyond despite his achievements as a player.
Of course, Barry discusses his career with the Detroit Lions beginning with his draft in 1989 to its conclusion at the close of the 1998 season. Barry discusses his relationship with ownership, management, coaches and players during his ten years with the organization. Barry is critical of Lions management for its lack of commitment to winning (any Lions fan will have to admit that he may be right when they look back at the promise of the '91 season, the Lions' 12-4 record that year and the team's inability to get to a higher level in the following years). However, Barry goes to great lengths to disclose that he had a number of motivations for ultimately leaving the game. While lack of winning was a part, his departure was also due to his feeling that he had accomplished as much as he could professionally along with his fear of injury after witnessing first-hand life-threatening, career-ending injuries to teammates Mike Utley and Reggie Brown. Contrary to the popular perception, Barry's personal frustration with the lack of winning as a Lions player was not the primary catalyst for his retirement.
After reading his book, my appreciation for the ten years Barry Sanders gave Lions fans and football fans in general has only increased. Barry is diplomatic without feeling compelled to be apologetic. In my mind, Barry doesn't need to apologize to anyone. Five stars.
By the way, the book contains a nice DVD with some vintage film from Barry's career interspersed with a few brief comments from Barry himself. Although the production value of the DVD is not flawless, it's nonetheless well worth watching, if only for the clips of Barry from his high school days. My only regret is that there isn't more footage from Barry's N.F.L. carrer. I could watch that particular run against the Bears where essentially the entire defense takes a crack at him and still can't bring him down 100 times.
Rating: 3
Summary: Barry Sanders story...short and sweet
Comment: The newly elected Hall of Fame running back, Barry Sanders, was always a man of many words and his recently released autobiography is fitting in its 139 page, picture-filled 8 x 10 work.
If a picture says a thousand words, than the included 19-minute DVD featuring Sanders and his accomplishments is worth a million and add visuals to the former Detroit Lion running backs accomplishments.
"Now You See Him..." is the entire life history of Sanders, the people that shaped his life and his accomplishments along the way, from North High School, Oklahoma State University and his only NFL team, the Detroit Lions.
Sanders writes of his football beginnings and the beginning of his doubtful beginnings in football due to his small stature. Sanders admitted being shorter, but always faster.
His high school football career was stunted (pun intended) as he played behind older brother, Byron, and was not utilized as a tailback until his senior year and after a coaching change.
Sanders writes of himself as being a team player, foregoing a chance to take the state rushing title after he had 262 yards in the final season game. His coach gave him the option of securing the title, but deferred to his teammates playing.
Surprisingly, Sanders was not highly recruited and took the opportunity to rush for the Cowboys at Oklahoma State University, again behind a superb back, Thurman Thomas.
As the third pick in the 1988 NFL draft, Sanders began his 10-year career with the Detroit Lions, playing under Wayne Fontes for 8-years and Bobby Ross for two turbulent years.
Moving through the to later chapters the reader discovers Sanders' thoughts about the pressure of surpassing Walter Payton's rushing record as the former Chicago Bear was dealing with his own life-threatening illness.
Sanders explains his side of retirement in chapter 15 "I Knew it was Over," explaining the Lions 5-11 season, consistent troublesome negotiations regarding his renewed contracts and the direction of the team.
Sanders includes his retirement letter, sent to the Wichita Eagle, but expands on his disgruntlement with Detroit general manger Chuck Schmidt.
What the book may be lacking, the DVD adds, but does not totally save the book.
The 19-minute DVD includes television footage of Sanders as his best, utilizing his "jump back" style of running in high school, college and the NFL.
If after 139 pages you are not impressed with Sanders, his life and career, the DVD is a waste. If you are a fan of Sanders, his team and his skill, the DVD is a great highlight film included with the book.
Sanders is soft-spoken in his words about his career, his teammates and his competitors. His book is easy to read, picturesque and his DVD inclusion technologically innovative, similar to his running style.
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Title: LT: Over the Edge: Tackling Quarterbacks, Drugs, and a World Beyond Football by Lawrence Taylor, Steve Serby ISBN: 0060185511 Publisher: HarperCollins Pub. Date: 25 November, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: Black and Honolulu Blue: In the Trenches of the NFL by Keith Dorney ISBN: 1572435658 Publisher: Triumph Books Pub. Date: September, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: Never Die Easy : The Autobiography of Walter Payton by DON YAEGER, WALTER PAYTON ISBN: 0375758216 Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks Pub. Date: 11 September, 2001 List Price(USD): $11.95 |
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Title: Paper Lion : Confessions of a Last-String Quarterback by George Plimpton ISBN: 1592280153 Publisher: The Lyons Press Pub. Date: 01 October, 2003 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: Do You Love Football?: Winning with Heart, Passion, and Not Much Sleep by Jon Gruden, Vic Carucci ISBN: 0060579447 Publisher: HarperCollins Pub. Date: 16 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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