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Incomplete Passes: Reflections On Life, Love, And Football
Linda Lange turned twelve in 1959, the year Vince Lombardi arrived in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and changed everything. To say that Linda embraced the future kings of football would be an understatement. Her new passion transformed the way she viewed her hometown, the world, and most important, herself. In Incomplete Passes, Linda reflects on her coming-of-age journey as she grows into womanhood, experiences an unusual mid-life crisis, and embraces a friendship that spans fifty years. In 1961, four girls united by their love for the Packers formed a lasting bond that would survive distance, marriage, divorce, careers, and motherhood. In her entertaining and often witty memoir, Linda chronicles the years the infatuated teens followed their heroes around Green Bay and shares an intriguing glimpse into how the Packers helped all of them face their journeys through life with courage and humor-even as Linda dives into a mid-life calamity that somehow results in the creation of a musical comedy. Sometimes nostalgic, often wry, Incomplete Passes will resonate with anyone who fantasizes about romance with a celebrity, questions a life decision, or revels in the joys of reconnecting with old friends.
164 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2011
82 people want to read
About the author
Linda Lange
1 book24 followersLinda Lange has never forgotten what it was like to grow up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, during the 1960s when Vince Lombardi coached the Packers to five NFL championships. Through their shared interest in football, Linda found Pam, Del, and Carla and began the fifty-year friendship depicted in her memoir, "Incomplete Passes: Reflections on Life, Love, and Football." Midwest Book Review said, "With a heady dose of nostalgia and plenty of life's humor, "Incomplete Passes" is a strong addition to any coming of age memoir collection."
Available in both print and e-book at most online bookstores and at a bookstore near you:
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Incomplete-Pass...
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/incom...
Visit "Incomplete Passes" on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Inc...
Amazon author page: 1http://www.amazon.com/Incomplete-Pass...
Available in both print and e-book at most online bookstores and at a bookstore near you:
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Incomplete-Pass...
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/incom...
Visit "Incomplete Passes" on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Inc...
Amazon author page: 1http://www.amazon.com/Incomplete-Pass...
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 17, 2011
Linda was my first girlfriend in high school and we have reconnected in recent years so I was curiously looking forward to reading her book. I was not disappointed! I knew Linda was an intelligent woman and as it turned out I married two smart women named "Linda". Maybe she had a greater influence on my life than I though! Her story brought back so many memories and my own way of dealing with life in the developing teen years. Her writing style is both open and in your face and she has a dry sense of humor that I always find funny. Her recollections of the past is uncanny and very accurate (I assumed) as mine is a lot more clouded. She very accurately captured the "Packer Frenzy" that is so ingrained in the people of Title Town. Most of us that grew up in Green Bay can't understand why people in other NFL towns don't support their teams and have the same attitude as we do. If you grew up in Green Bay in the 60's you should read this book and share the feelings we all had growing up with Packers all around you. I loved it! (and still do!)
December 26, 2012
Incomplete Passes is a memoir which chronicles the author's friendship with three other women, and their love of the Green Bay Packers. I learned more about the Pack than I would have believed possible and was surprised to discover how much the female gender could become obsessed by football. Or was it the football players?
The author of this delightful book is Linda Lange and I liked her voice and the tone of this book, upbeat, honest, never depressing even when recounting facts that weren't necessarily pleasant, such as cancer. The chapters seemed to jump around a bit, and I had a bit of trouble remembering the characters but this was not such a drawback that the book wasn't thoroughly enjoyable.
It was flawlessly edited, I did not find one error, which is unusual and welcome. The only thing I questioned in the formatting of the book was the use of a larger font in some cases within the text.
I wished for a bit more insight into the friendship, perhaps fewer facts about football and more about the women, but other than that I found it lively and entertaining.
During the scene when they sang "Those Were The Days", I could really almost hear it, and understand how nostalgic one could become for a place, a time that is special in our history. Highly recommended!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a digital copy of this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
The author of this delightful book is Linda Lange and I liked her voice and the tone of this book, upbeat, honest, never depressing even when recounting facts that weren't necessarily pleasant, such as cancer. The chapters seemed to jump around a bit, and I had a bit of trouble remembering the characters but this was not such a drawback that the book wasn't thoroughly enjoyable.
It was flawlessly edited, I did not find one error, which is unusual and welcome. The only thing I questioned in the formatting of the book was the use of a larger font in some cases within the text.
I wished for a bit more insight into the friendship, perhaps fewer facts about football and more about the women, but other than that I found it lively and entertaining.
During the scene when they sang "Those Were The Days", I could really almost hear it, and understand how nostalgic one could become for a place, a time that is special in our history. Highly recommended!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a digital copy of this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
January 25, 2020
This is a wonderfully written memoir of growing up in the 50’s and 60’s in a small tight knit, football oriented community, Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Linda Lange doesn't miss a beat as she shares colorful and often amusing glimpses of her not so Jewish family and the best friends she acquired early while growing up in. Packer land. Her father was a big fan of the Green Bay Packers, like most folks in the area and he shared that love and fervency with Linda.
Her stories are both revealing and quite sentimental as she shares the details and scores of some of the best games played by some of her favorites like Paul Hornung, Ray Nitschke and Bart Starr, along with Head Coach Vince Lombardi. She was quite a fortunate teenager and seems to have hobnobbed with just about everyone back in the day.
Her antics and stories of romance, both hers and her best friends mimic the innocence of the times. She had a crush on “Mr. A” and reading about it made me smile. Linda is not just a loyal football fan but so are her childhood friends. As a matter of fact there is extreme loyalty in their friendship as they have consistently maintained contact with one another mostly through marriages and throughout life. They still enjoy getting together and going to watch the Packers play which is tough since they aren't all still living in Green Bay. Linda has included some wonderful old photographs that help set the tone for the book. Linda’s style of writing is terrific and never boring. I think this book would appeal to many, I'm glad I had a chance to read it.
Linda Lange doesn't miss a beat as she shares colorful and often amusing glimpses of her not so Jewish family and the best friends she acquired early while growing up in. Packer land. Her father was a big fan of the Green Bay Packers, like most folks in the area and he shared that love and fervency with Linda.
Her stories are both revealing and quite sentimental as she shares the details and scores of some of the best games played by some of her favorites like Paul Hornung, Ray Nitschke and Bart Starr, along with Head Coach Vince Lombardi. She was quite a fortunate teenager and seems to have hobnobbed with just about everyone back in the day.
Her antics and stories of romance, both hers and her best friends mimic the innocence of the times. She had a crush on “Mr. A” and reading about it made me smile. Linda is not just a loyal football fan but so are her childhood friends. As a matter of fact there is extreme loyalty in their friendship as they have consistently maintained contact with one another mostly through marriages and throughout life. They still enjoy getting together and going to watch the Packers play which is tough since they aren't all still living in Green Bay. Linda has included some wonderful old photographs that help set the tone for the book. Linda’s style of writing is terrific and never boring. I think this book would appeal to many, I'm glad I had a chance to read it.
September 5, 2012
I love the Green Bay Packers. Period. I love them when they lose and I love them when they win. We have a great team. It is a life changing experience to be at a game; the stadium, the fans, the feeling... everything. Lange writes a story that capture the essence of what being a Packer fan means. She speaks of the glory years and all the adventures she and the girls had. This memoir is both entertaining and informative. Incomplete Passes is a story rich in history, both of the game and her friendships. Lange writes with humor, honesty and passion. I absolutely loved this memoir. I highly recommend it and rate it 4 stars!!!
February 17, 2017
This book was great. I know I definitely would have appreciated it more if I was about 20-30 years older, but that doesn't take away from what it is. Any Packer fan should enjoy it. I'm going to buy it for my Mom for Christmas; I think she'll love it.
August 31, 2012
I received this from First Reads - thank you!
I really enjoyed the book - I grew up in Wisconsin and have always been a Packer fan, so the book was perfect for a fan!
I really enjoyed the book - I grew up in Wisconsin and have always been a Packer fan, so the book was perfect for a fan!
June 26, 2012
I originally discovered this book on Facebook, that massive social media network that I'm sure many people are very familiar with. One day I noticed a tiny ad on my screen, and I was instantly drawn to click on that ad. It was for this book. I do not regret that click at all, because I discovered a delightfully entertaining book, and an equally entertaining woman in the process.
The hardest thing to do with this book is classify it. It doesn't fall into any one genre solidly. It is part memoir, part sports story, part hisitory of Green Bay, and a large part the tale of friendship and where it will take you. This could prevent the book from reaching a broad audience though, as I fear nobody knows how to market this lovely book. Sadly, I do not have a good answer myself, beyond - word of mouth.
Reading this book is worth it. Is it a great literary classis? No, but is is a story that is worth learning about. If you are a Green Bay Packer fan, and a woman... this is almost a must read. A big market, because us cheeseheads are everywhere (yes, I hail from Wisconsin), but is it necessarily a big enough market for this book to get the attention the author wants? Only time can tell.
I promised Linda an honest review when I sat down one day for coffee, and I will not turn against my own policies and beliefs. Honesty is, and always will be the best thing ever.
What was good about this book?
Lange has a very good way with words, she can paint a vibrant picture for you. You will think that you are walking the streets of Green Bay, WI with the gals as they grow together. You will feel a sense of a bond with the characters as you grow to know them.
What were the drawbacks?
There was not good flow from one section to the next with the story. This got to be a source of frustration for me, as it felt like a conversation that kept tripping over the same topic. This is a pitfall for many who have a close, nostalgic attachment to the topic though. I cannot fault Lange for slipping into this trap.
The lead in "songs" that are the remnants of a musical that never came to be, while cute, get a bit annoying at each juncture. I see where Lange was going with them, but they don't always cohesively fit into the structure of the section to come.
All in all, I can only wish my fellow Packer Sister, the best of luck with her book, and give my stamp of approval to give it a read. I did enjoy it after all, when everything is said and done.
The hardest thing to do with this book is classify it. It doesn't fall into any one genre solidly. It is part memoir, part sports story, part hisitory of Green Bay, and a large part the tale of friendship and where it will take you. This could prevent the book from reaching a broad audience though, as I fear nobody knows how to market this lovely book. Sadly, I do not have a good answer myself, beyond - word of mouth.
Reading this book is worth it. Is it a great literary classis? No, but is is a story that is worth learning about. If you are a Green Bay Packer fan, and a woman... this is almost a must read. A big market, because us cheeseheads are everywhere (yes, I hail from Wisconsin), but is it necessarily a big enough market for this book to get the attention the author wants? Only time can tell.
I promised Linda an honest review when I sat down one day for coffee, and I will not turn against my own policies and beliefs. Honesty is, and always will be the best thing ever.
What was good about this book?
Lange has a very good way with words, she can paint a vibrant picture for you. You will think that you are walking the streets of Green Bay, WI with the gals as they grow together. You will feel a sense of a bond with the characters as you grow to know them.
What were the drawbacks?
There was not good flow from one section to the next with the story. This got to be a source of frustration for me, as it felt like a conversation that kept tripping over the same topic. This is a pitfall for many who have a close, nostalgic attachment to the topic though. I cannot fault Lange for slipping into this trap.
The lead in "songs" that are the remnants of a musical that never came to be, while cute, get a bit annoying at each juncture. I see where Lange was going with them, but they don't always cohesively fit into the structure of the section to come.
All in all, I can only wish my fellow Packer Sister, the best of luck with her book, and give my stamp of approval to give it a read. I did enjoy it after all, when everything is said and done.
December 27, 2011
An adorable story of a girl growing up with the Packers. It's cute and sweet, and is also a testament to those life-long loves - whether it be a sports team, or the friends you have for life - and how they can continue to have a wonderful and powerful impact.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews