What do you think?
Rate this book
Manning: A Father, His Sons and a Football Legacy
The inspiring personal story of a family, an athletic tradition, and fifty years of a great all-American game.
404 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 5, 2000
74 people are currently reading
295 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
August 8, 2014
As far as biographies go, this one ranks at the top of my list. Plus, I'm biased. I LOVE Peyton. His character stands out and only rings truer in this books. (Bonus: I learned more about football!)
December 3, 2011
I liked this a lot. I was afraid it would be a bit dry but it wasn't. It's good to see a book that succeeds despite the lack of scandal and despite no tales of debauchery. The Mannings are a fine family and this book shows that they are a family to be respected. Not perfect, of course. But human in the best sense of that term.
February 22, 2012
I wish I would have read this book a long time ago so it wouldn't have been so outdated. here Eli has won his second Super Bowl and in the book he is in his early years at Ole Miss. Other than the weirdness of it being outdated I really enjoyed thus book. I loved the fact that Archie and Peyton did the telling if thier family's story.
March 24, 2016
Since I've always enjoyed watching Peyton Manning, the book took me back to the days of his dad Archie Manning. I had forgotten how often I watched and enjoyed watching Archie Maning when I was a kid. Peyton has made himself a master of the game, so to read his journey from the time he was a young kid was very enlightening. This is a great read even if your not a football or sports fan. You definitely don't need to be an avid sports fan to enjoy this book.
September 2, 2013
A really enjoyable double autobiography that gives you both nostalgia and insight into these champions of the gridiron.
December 6, 2019
**** 4/5 Stars
Book Review: Manning
The Story of the Manning family from the early 50’s to the early 2000’s is told throughout this book from two perspectives, both Archie and Peyton Manning. This book tells the rigors of being a quarterback throughout time and how the position has changed since Archie Manning played in the 60’s and 70’s. The Author John Underwood does a superb job conveying the details provided to him by many members of the Manning family to compete a timeline from the 1940’s when Archie was a child to 2006 when Peyton won his first Super Bowl with the Colts. Anyone can enjoy this book as long as they want to learn more about football history and how the Manning’s’ influenced it, there is really no set gender or age group targeted. As John Underwood wrote this biography he spared no effort on detail, often devoting many pages to just a few days or weeks in a character's storyline, and for that effort he created a fascinating book. . For example, “He was efficient. Let me emphasize that, because for such a modest sounding word its important: He was efficient doing what quarterbacks do, especially in his leadership skills” (Manning p. 188). This quote shows how Archie speaks so highly of Peyton while he was still in middle school. As the book continues it shows how Peyton grows into an NFL caliber quarterback such as in this quote. “Archie Manning could no longer avoid the obvious. Peyton’s star was rising so fast, he had to scramble to stay current with all of the implications” (Manning p.221) While this book has many strong points and rich descriptive language, it does lack in some areas. Often there are areas where the story just drags on about a certain point. For example, “We had a regular parade of in-home visits from head coaches.” from page 234 to 275 all that is discussed is Peyton’s Recruitment process to college and it enhances the story in the beginning but after a good few pages it gets old. The subject becomes dull and this area of the book does not draw you in like the rest of the book does. This is but a miniscule section of the book and the author does an astonishing job providing readers aids, like the many pictures in the middle of the book. John Underwood also very profoundly shows the main idea of the book which is to tell the severities of being a quarterback in any level of football.
Book Review: Manning
The Story of the Manning family from the early 50’s to the early 2000’s is told throughout this book from two perspectives, both Archie and Peyton Manning. This book tells the rigors of being a quarterback throughout time and how the position has changed since Archie Manning played in the 60’s and 70’s. The Author John Underwood does a superb job conveying the details provided to him by many members of the Manning family to compete a timeline from the 1940’s when Archie was a child to 2006 when Peyton won his first Super Bowl with the Colts. Anyone can enjoy this book as long as they want to learn more about football history and how the Manning’s’ influenced it, there is really no set gender or age group targeted. As John Underwood wrote this biography he spared no effort on detail, often devoting many pages to just a few days or weeks in a character's storyline, and for that effort he created a fascinating book. . For example, “He was efficient. Let me emphasize that, because for such a modest sounding word its important: He was efficient doing what quarterbacks do, especially in his leadership skills” (Manning p. 188). This quote shows how Archie speaks so highly of Peyton while he was still in middle school. As the book continues it shows how Peyton grows into an NFL caliber quarterback such as in this quote. “Archie Manning could no longer avoid the obvious. Peyton’s star was rising so fast, he had to scramble to stay current with all of the implications” (Manning p.221) While this book has many strong points and rich descriptive language, it does lack in some areas. Often there are areas where the story just drags on about a certain point. For example, “We had a regular parade of in-home visits from head coaches.” from page 234 to 275 all that is discussed is Peyton’s Recruitment process to college and it enhances the story in the beginning but after a good few pages it gets old. The subject becomes dull and this area of the book does not draw you in like the rest of the book does. This is but a miniscule section of the book and the author does an astonishing job providing readers aids, like the many pictures in the middle of the book. John Underwood also very profoundly shows the main idea of the book which is to tell the severities of being a quarterback in any level of football.
March 27, 2019
You've watched the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary "The Book of Manning" and followed the lives and careers of Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning and their family; now, read the autobiography told through the eyes of all five family members that thoroughly covers every dimension of the Manning family up until 2000. Written two years into Peyton's NFL career and just before Eli's first start at Ole Miss, Archie Manning tells his humble story of playing football both as a hobby and later as a livelihood. Along with his wife, Olivia, they share their parenting experience and the values they instilled inside their New Orleans home. Their three sons, highlighted by Peyton's tale, share their perspective of life in "The First Family of Football" and their respective college and professional careers up until 2000. I wished I had come across this book sooner, ideally during Peyton's prime, as I would have appreciated him and the entire Manning family even more than I had at the time. It's only a matter of time until a follow up biography is due for the illustrious Manning family...
January 1, 2020
I loved how Archie tells the story of his family. You will understand the personalities of Eli, Peyton and Connor. I enjoyed reading about their family life and being parents of athletes.
January 29, 2021
Inspiring! A chronicle of Archie Manning’s life from youth to present including the growth of his three sons in their respective accomplishments
March 14, 2021
In depth book
Enjoyed the inside stories of the Manning’s. And also to get an inside look at how they perceive situations and communicate or react in a constructive manner.
Enjoyed the inside stories of the Manning’s. And also to get an inside look at how they perceive situations and communicate or react in a constructive manner.
October 5, 2023
I've just started reading it.
Trying to finish by Christmas break.
Trying to finish by Christmas break.
May 21, 2020
Loved this book!
January 13, 2014
Manning was an excellent book. It was about the Archie’s exciting, tough, and heartbreaking life. The book also talked about Peyton Manning’s life. Both father and son had to overcome so much to make it in football. Archie had an okay childhood. It was not happy, but it provided the skills that he needed to be the great football player and father he came to be. I liked this book because it proved that with a little dedication I could achieve anything. The book also proved anything can happen, and you should prepare for it to end at any time.
Manning told the story of Archie Manning and his childhood. Archie did not have a pleasant childhood. His father never told him that he loved Archie. Archie played football in a peewee league. He did not like it because he did not feel in control of the game. The style they played was having the coaches pick your position and then they would call the plays. Archie hated this because he likes to study the other team and choose the play that will ruin the defense best. Things started to be serious for Archie in his junior and senior year in high school. People would come to see Archie play because he was fast and entertaining. His talked about how his coach lead him in the right direction to the path of greatness.
I liked this book, but there were some depressing parts in the book. Archie was on summer vacation after his first year in college. He was invited to be in a wedding with his family. After the ceremony, his father went home instead of going to the reception. After Archie arrived at the house, he found his father lying in bed next to the gun he used. Archie’s biggest regret was not spending a lot of time with his dad. I thought that this book was very informative and had a lot of information about life. It talked about good things and bad. I thought that this book was well worth the read and I would recommend it to other people wanting to know how to solve some of your problems.
Manning told the story of Archie Manning and his childhood. Archie did not have a pleasant childhood. His father never told him that he loved Archie. Archie played football in a peewee league. He did not like it because he did not feel in control of the game. The style they played was having the coaches pick your position and then they would call the plays. Archie hated this because he likes to study the other team and choose the play that will ruin the defense best. Things started to be serious for Archie in his junior and senior year in high school. People would come to see Archie play because he was fast and entertaining. His talked about how his coach lead him in the right direction to the path of greatness.
I liked this book, but there were some depressing parts in the book. Archie was on summer vacation after his first year in college. He was invited to be in a wedding with his family. After the ceremony, his father went home instead of going to the reception. After Archie arrived at the house, he found his father lying in bed next to the gun he used. Archie’s biggest regret was not spending a lot of time with his dad. I thought that this book was very informative and had a lot of information about life. It talked about good things and bad. I thought that this book was well worth the read and I would recommend it to other people wanting to know how to solve some of your problems.
December 21, 2016
For the Manning’s, the family isn’t only important, it is everything. Archie learned from his own childhood to make his family number one. Warmth, interest, love, and most of all communication, keeps the Manning family close. Buddy Manning, Archie’s father, never told him that he loved him. Archie never misses a chance to tell his children how he feels. Firm believers in the idiom “Things that remain unsaid will remain unheard,” the family and its individual stars have remained humble and thankful for life’s blessings. This is what their friends and acquaintances would readily attest to.
Starting from humble beginnings in Drew, Mississippi, the name Manning has grown steadily in stature and its many members have created a dynasty accomplished by few. The problem with the biography of living legends is that life, inevitably, goes on. In the Manning’s case, it so far spans over two generations. Who knows, their last chapters have not yet been written.
On January 12, 1969, I discovered football and fell instantly in love with the sport. On that day, Joe Namath made good on his promise and the New York Jets beat the highly favored Baltimore Colts and the legendary quarterback Johnny Unitas by a score of 16-7. Super Bowl III, is proof that nothing is certain. This book shows that great things can happen if you commit yourself totally and believe in the possibilities of success. I recommend this book to both football fan and those that think it is just a game. Football isn’t just a game, it is the American way of life.
Starting from humble beginnings in Drew, Mississippi, the name Manning has grown steadily in stature and its many members have created a dynasty accomplished by few. The problem with the biography of living legends is that life, inevitably, goes on. In the Manning’s case, it so far spans over two generations. Who knows, their last chapters have not yet been written.
On January 12, 1969, I discovered football and fell instantly in love with the sport. On that day, Joe Namath made good on his promise and the New York Jets beat the highly favored Baltimore Colts and the legendary quarterback Johnny Unitas by a score of 16-7. Super Bowl III, is proof that nothing is certain. This book shows that great things can happen if you commit yourself totally and believe in the possibilities of success. I recommend this book to both football fan and those that think it is just a game. Football isn’t just a game, it is the American way of life.
Currently reading
December 18, 2015It is almost impossible for me not to tell you how much this book moves me. In the book, Peyton, the protagonist, is living in New Orleans Lousiana when his father dies. As the man of the house, Peyton takes on a huge burden and excels in it. As I keep reading about Peyton's family, the book made me feel bad for them because they had no father growing up. "Archie Manning's father turned a shotgun on himself on a summer day in 1969" (Underwood 1).Peyton was the oldest of the three brothers: Peyton, Archie and Eli. I can relate to this because my dad has been sick a lot and he can't really do things he used to do. But know my brother does most of the heavy lifting in the house
I would like to have two brothers like Peyton. Then I would have another brother to hang out with than just one.
I would like to have two brothers like Peyton. Then I would have another brother to hang out with than just one.
Read
February 12, 2015I really like the book. There was a lot that I didn't know about the Manning's. For example, I was unaware of Archie's father committing suicide. That must of really been hard on Archie, especially because he was the one who found his dad first. I also thought it was pretty cool how Archie played both sides of the football in college because most quarterbacks are too delicate to play defense. I thought it was funny that Archie never pushed his kids to be football players, but they all three wanted to play football at the highest level possible. It is to bad that the Ole Miss community started hating on the Manning family just because Peyton decided to go to Tennessee. After Eli went to Ole Miss though they started loving the Manning's again.
Read
November 8, 2013Manning was an amazing book choice for me being a football player myself just made me realize that every one who says it is a million and one chance you will go to the NFL is wrong, because if you put in time you make that ratio of doubt way smaller. Another thing that I loved about this book was that it didn't just talk about Peyton, it talks about his family and how they truly affect his life and the decisions he made through out it. I also liked that it gave that hope that you just have to overcome that adversity in your life and see where it takes you.
July 16, 2014
An easy read and good history on Archie Manning, but the book is dated. Published in 2000, only 2 years into Peyton's NFL career, it falls short of anything current.
September 17, 2014
I've been a Peyton Manning fan for awhile now (even though I'd prefer he was still a Colt) so I found this book interesting in parts. A lot of football names I didn't recognize at all and more detail than I cared to read about many games but still a nice, if outdated, inside look at the Manning family.
March 30, 2014
I love all things Manning for the most part. The book was good but dry in parts. I know this book was written in 2000 so I hope Peyton has maybe toned down the cockiness I perceived in this book. In many parts, it was a little to "not so humble" to me. But, alas, I still love, my Peyton and Archie, Archie, Archie.
February 17, 2016
The Mannings are the #1 Football family
Fascinating reading with contributions from Archie, Olivia, Cooper, as well as Peyton. This book was written before Eli became a star. I'd love to read an update! Being from Louisiana, the Manning boys has always been special to the rest of us from Louisiana! We also claim Archie and Olivia. Too!
Fascinating reading with contributions from Archie, Olivia, Cooper, as well as Peyton. This book was written before Eli became a star. I'd love to read an update! Being from Louisiana, the Manning boys has always been special to the rest of us from Louisiana! We also claim Archie and Olivia. Too!
April 12, 2016
For anybody who is a fan of college and professional football, or anybody who has seen "The Book of Manning," produced by ESPN, there is no new information here. In fact, it's quite dated. The personal side of the growing up of Archie, Cooper, Peyton and Eli Manning is barely interesting and there is no literary merit to the book.
April 1, 2012
Pretty good autobiography of the Manning family. Tells everything about the careers and lives of Archie, Cooper, Peyton, and Eli. Very good, a bit long and stretched out, but overall good. It's good for football fans and biography fans.
April 27, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. It was full of insight into a wonderful family who is not driven by football, but in fact is driven by faith. As a previous reviewer wrote, it was a slow read, but well worth the time.
November 17, 2015
Thank you Joy for this recommendation but I had to pass (get it...throw..pass)..
just not my favorite, as you already know....lol lol. you're too funny Miss Joy...just keep an eye out...one just never knows, does one...teeeheeeeheee
just not my favorite, as you already know....lol lol. you're too funny Miss Joy...just keep an eye out...one just never knows, does one...teeeheeeeheee
July 3, 2016
Provides some insight into a very exceptional athletic family. Good view of the values of Archie and how those values impacted his career and the success of his sons. Not particularly in depth. There are also more recent books about members of the Manning family.
July 7, 2016
The best football story.
That was the best football story I read. To me Peyton Manning is the best football player I ever watched play. And of course he is the cutest. I love him on those commercials for Nationwide. Love Him.
That was the best football story I read. To me Peyton Manning is the best football player I ever watched play. And of course he is the cutest. I love him on those commercials for Nationwide. Love Him.
August 27, 2016
The Mannings
Superb reading. This is one smart family. So impressed with Archie and his standard of life, if not for him Cooper, Peyton and Eli would never be the type people they are!
Superb reading. This is one smart family. So impressed with Archie and his standard of life, if not for him Cooper, Peyton and Eli would never be the type people they are!
Read
June 3, 2009my favorite quarter back alive.
January 30, 2014
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I am a Manning fan and found the anecdotal style of the book nice.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews