When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi

David Maraniss - 1999 Simon & Shuster

I wonder why this book is called "A Life of Vince Lombardi" instead of "The Life of Vince Lombardi.   I doubt there are many other sports books let alone a book about Lombardi that are as good or as thorough as this one.  David Maraniss rightfully deserves praise as a brilliant author as this book is a comprehensive and well researched portrayal of one of the greatest sports figures of all times.

After reading this book, there is a part of me that always roots for the Pack specifically because they were his team.

Book Highlight: Vince Lombardi's initial reaction the first time he passed through Green Bay, "Who the hell would want to live in Green Bay?"

Dismantling the Mantle Myth and Legend

The Last Boy: Mickey Mantle and the End of America's Childhood

Jane Leavy - 2010, HarperCollins Publishers

Jane Leavy makes no qualms about being a Mickey Mantle fan, but her book attempts an unbiased approach to dismantling the myths and legend he left behind. The book is a little difficult to get into at first, as she spends a full chapter dissecting the possibilities and probabilities of the tape measure home run. It's also hard to battle any reader's initial reaction of having heard it all already in regard to a book about Mantle.  It does get more interesting as she selects a key parts of his career to delve into, including the effects all his habits had on his family and children's upbringing.

More interesting sections include the truth behind common facts about the Mick and the various incidents that reveal his true opinion of Joe DiMaggio.  Leavy adds another dimension by talking about the trading card industry and the retroactive affect it had on Mantle's career and post-baseball life.  She also creates an intriguing parallel as she explores the familiar and well loved Mick of fans and teammates and the Mick who mistreated women and alcohol.

All in all provides for a solid book and interesting read.