Ricci G. (goldie61) reviewed The Glory Game: How the 1958 NFL Championship Changed Football Forever on + 39 more book reviews
A decent, first hand account of one of the greatest football games ever. Frank Gifford is no author but spins a good tale of what is what like to experience the 1958 championship game on the field.
This book was orginally intended to be written by David Halberstam, who passed away before the project got off the ground. Halberstam was truly a great writer and undoubtedly would have written a classic account of this game. Gifford picked up the mantle and carried the project forward in his own style.
Gifford does do a good job of bringing the forgotten into light; players that have been overshadowed by the "name" players from this game, upwards of 10-12 participants eventually were elected to the pro football hall of fame. At times, Gifford's bias is more than evident. He loved his offensive pals, especially Kyle Rote, Charlie Connerly, and Rosey Brown. He appreciated his teammates on the defensive side of the ball, but doesn't care too much for Sam Huff and the cornerbacks on the team. More than anything, his distain for head coach Jim Lee Howell is obvious. Gifford saw Howell as a joke and an empty suit, bringing little or nothing to the team.
If you are a fan of the Giants or Colts from this era or want to relive New York night life in the late 50's, this is the book for you. Mark Bowen's The Best Game Ever, is a better written account of the game however.
This book was orginally intended to be written by David Halberstam, who passed away before the project got off the ground. Halberstam was truly a great writer and undoubtedly would have written a classic account of this game. Gifford picked up the mantle and carried the project forward in his own style.
Gifford does do a good job of bringing the forgotten into light; players that have been overshadowed by the "name" players from this game, upwards of 10-12 participants eventually were elected to the pro football hall of fame. At times, Gifford's bias is more than evident. He loved his offensive pals, especially Kyle Rote, Charlie Connerly, and Rosey Brown. He appreciated his teammates on the defensive side of the ball, but doesn't care too much for Sam Huff and the cornerbacks on the team. More than anything, his distain for head coach Jim Lee Howell is obvious. Gifford saw Howell as a joke and an empty suit, bringing little or nothing to the team.
If you are a fan of the Giants or Colts from this era or want to relive New York night life in the late 50's, this is the book for you. Mark Bowen's The Best Game Ever, is a better written account of the game however.
