The Lion In Autumn: A Season with Joe Paterno and Penn State Football

by Frank Fitzpatrick

Follows Penn State's Nittany Lions and their famous coach, Joe Paterno, through the 2004 season, describing their efforts to achieve grades as well as wins, documenting their fundraising attempts, and offering insight into the accusations of misconduct that have compromised Paterno's reputation. 40,000 first printing.

Genres: Football, Biography, Sports, Nonfiction

299 pages, Hardcover

First published September 8, 2005

Reviews

[Tom Sparrenberger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book well before the Jerry Sandusky situation was revealed within the Penn St. football program. Without knowing these revelations, the book was an interesting take on Joe Paterno's head coaching career at Penn St.

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me a looong time to read (I started it when Joe was still alive) and I'm not exactly sure why. It's probably not the best Joe Paterno book out there, and certainly is obsolete in some ways. It gives a really great in-depth look at Joe's every day life. Being a Penn State parent (Beth Ann, class of '11) it was nice to read about all of the iconic State College and PSU campus images that I know so well. The book seemed rather disjointed at times, with random anecdotes thrown in here and there-sometimes it seemed like the book was entirely made up of Joe Paterno anecdotes, which for me, was not a bad thing.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of Penn State Coach Joe Paterno and the ups and downs of the 2004 football season in which Penn State had a losing record. Story of Coach Paterno at the twilight of his incredible career and what he built and what he sought to rebuild. Especially interesting book to me given the success Penn State would have during the 2005 football season.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a pretty interesting book. but having attended penn state during this time period, most of the information wasn't anything new. However, Fitzpatrick's theory for the decline of the football program being linked to the decline of coal mining in Pennsylvania and surrounding areas is well-worth the read.

[Justin Bastide · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my all time favorite books. It tells you everything about Penn State and Joe Paterno. As a Penn State fan this was one of my all time favorite books.

[Denique1414 · Rating 3 out of 5]

JOE PA TERNO :)

[Bj Biringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book that further chronicles the great career of Joe Pa

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good look at Paterno and his career and impact

[Brian Burdick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book