Ricci G. (goldie61) reviewed Giants Among Men: How Robustelli, Huff, Gifford, and the Giants Made New York a Football Town and Changed the NFL on + 39 more book reviews
Good book. I did, however, expect a bit more. After heavy coverage and detail in the first two championship years, the author really cuts back on the detail for the 1961-1964 years. It's almost as if the editor intentionally cut half the copy from these years. If you are a Y.A. Tittle fan, you'll feel a bit short changed.
The in-depth profiles are well done, probably the best aspect of the book.
Nothing lasts forever, but this team had enough to keep it's run going another couple of years before age would have started to show up in performance. But the trades made the team, especially in the later years of their great run make no since what so ever. All-Pro players for stiffs and players no one has ever heard of. Not even high draft choices... the possibility of landing a great player. The explanations for these trades are half baked too (from Giant management). I would have liked to known more of the thinking behind the Huff, Grier, Nolan, Modzelewski, etc. deals. The Giant's draft record in these glory years was horrible too, providing no help to the core players.
The book is a good read about a high time for this historical franchise. Their record comes off a bit like other near great dynasties (Atlanta Braves of the 1990's, Raider's of 1967-1976, the Pistons from the early 2000's, etc.). Both won one championship but could have wone more. A healthy Tittle in 1963 or better field conditions in 1962 might have added two more to the win column and elevated these teams up to their rightful place in history. But like the Kosar-led Cleveland Browns and Viking teams from 69-76, they won't get their full recognition, overshadowed by teams that managed to win the last game of the year.
The in-depth profiles are well done, probably the best aspect of the book.
Nothing lasts forever, but this team had enough to keep it's run going another couple of years before age would have started to show up in performance. But the trades made the team, especially in the later years of their great run make no since what so ever. All-Pro players for stiffs and players no one has ever heard of. Not even high draft choices... the possibility of landing a great player. The explanations for these trades are half baked too (from Giant management). I would have liked to known more of the thinking behind the Huff, Grier, Nolan, Modzelewski, etc. deals. The Giant's draft record in these glory years was horrible too, providing no help to the core players.
The book is a good read about a high time for this historical franchise. Their record comes off a bit like other near great dynasties (Atlanta Braves of the 1990's, Raider's of 1967-1976, the Pistons from the early 2000's, etc.). Both won one championship but could have wone more. A healthy Tittle in 1963 or better field conditions in 1962 might have added two more to the win column and elevated these teams up to their rightful place in history. But like the Kosar-led Cleveland Browns and Viking teams from 69-76, they won't get their full recognition, overshadowed by teams that managed to win the last game of the year.
