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The 100-Yard War: Inside the 100-Year-Old Michigan-Ohio State Football Rivalry
""A rough-and-tumble pop-culture look at the history of this storied game.""
--National Review Online ""The 100-Yard War"" showcases two great football teams who want nothing more than to beat each other, celebrating their storied history and going behind the scenes with the players and the fans to reveal the bitterness, the passion, and the pride surrounding the Game. ESPN called it the number one sports rivalry of the century. It transcends the years, the standings, and all other distractions. And thanks to the countless remarkable football games between Michigan and Ohio State--and hundreds of thousands of devoted alumni and followers--the rivalry is now an enormous cultural event.
--National Review Online ""The 100-Yard War"" showcases two great football teams who want nothing more than to beat each other, celebrating their storied history and going behind the scenes with the players and the fans to reveal the bitterness, the passion, and the pride surrounding the Game. ESPN called it the number one sports rivalry of the century. It transcends the years, the standings, and all other distractions. And thanks to the countless remarkable football games between Michigan and Ohio State--and hundreds of thousands of devoted alumni and followers--the rivalry is now an enormous cultural event.
290 pages, Paperback
First published August 27, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 30, 2014
The book focuses more on the state of the Game in 2003 instead of the history, which is told as a series of my flashbacks. The edition that I had, at least, also had a series of typos, errors, and contradictions. For example, sometimes Ohio State played Kansas State in the bowl game to end their 2003 season; sometimes, Kansas. In all, The 100-Yard War tells an interesting history poorly.
November 18, 2019
KNOW. YOUR. AUDIENCE.
Who reads a book about the Ohio State vs. Michigan rivalry? In order...1. Ohio State fans, 2. Michigan fans (those who can read, anyway), 3. Midwestern football fans, 4. other football fans, and 5. nerdy spouses of midwestern football fans. That's it. That's the whole list.
So...if you know your audience, you won't waste everyone's time by explaining what cornhole is or defining the phrase "catty corner" because that would be dumb. *looks at the camera like I'm in an episode of The Office*
Besides that major fundamental flaw...the book is just poorly written and poorly edited. The author refers to the University of West Virginia instead of West Virginia University. He repeatedly refers to Kansas State as Kansas as if they're not completely different universities. There are typos.
Honestly, I'm the target demographic for this book but I had to force myself to finish it. Big fail. Do not recommend.
Edited to Add: I feel the book was slightly biased towards Michigan, but I'm going to leave that out of my review because I am, myself, quite biased on this topic. Go Buckeyes!
Who reads a book about the Ohio State vs. Michigan rivalry? In order...1. Ohio State fans, 2. Michigan fans (those who can read, anyway), 3. Midwestern football fans, 4. other football fans, and 5. nerdy spouses of midwestern football fans. That's it. That's the whole list.
So...if you know your audience, you won't waste everyone's time by explaining what cornhole is or defining the phrase "catty corner" because that would be dumb. *looks at the camera like I'm in an episode of The Office*
Besides that major fundamental flaw...the book is just poorly written and poorly edited. The author refers to the University of West Virginia instead of West Virginia University. He repeatedly refers to Kansas State as Kansas as if they're not completely different universities. There are typos.
Honestly, I'm the target demographic for this book but I had to force myself to finish it. Big fail. Do not recommend.
Edited to Add: I feel the book was slightly biased towards Michigan, but I'm going to leave that out of my review because I am, myself, quite biased on this topic. Go Buckeyes!
January 10, 2024
Book-length history of the UM-OSU football rivalry. Split between historic game recaps; anecdotes from fans, coaches, and players; and a healthy dose of shit-talk. Seemed to have a slight Michigan bias, but then again I have anti-Michigan bias myself so it's hard to tell. Fun to read during Michigan's 2023-2024 title run, though.
I wish both programs nothing but the worst moving forward--go Bucky.
I wish both programs nothing but the worst moving forward--go Bucky.
July 14, 2025
A must read for any true college football fan.
Growing up in NE Ohio and a die hard Michigan fan it was fun times back then. The rivalry is true hate, but Bo and Woody showed how you can leave it on field! True men!
Growing up in NE Ohio and a die hard Michigan fan it was fun times back then. The rivalry is true hate, but Bo and Woody showed how you can leave it on field! True men!
October 21, 2021
A decent look at the football rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan. Some interesting tidbits and anecdotes with the lead up to the 100th meeting between the two in 2003. The organization was suspect at times and there was nothing really to blow the reader away, but a decent read nonetheless.
January 10, 2025
This book is so cool. Goes to show that each time Ohio State plays The Team Up North in football, history is being written. Love my Buckeyes😁
April 7, 2012
Goodreads Description- "The 100-Yard War" showcases two great football teams who want nothing more than to beat each other, celebrating their storied history and going behind the scenes with the players and the fans to reveal the bitterness, the passion, and the pride surrounding the Game.
ESPN called it the number one sports rivalry of the century. It transcends the years, the standings, and all other distractions. And thanks to the countless remarkable football games between Michigan and Ohio State--and hundreds of thousands of devoted alumni and followers--the rivalry is now an enormous cultural event.
I just re-read this book for a challenge about myself and nothing is more "myself" than the OSU/Michigan football rivalry. It tells the backstory of the rivalry and gives the history of the different eras for both teams. Although, I think, that the book is supposed to be neutral it seems more about the Ohio State side of things. I love the football history of my University, from the different coaches, big games, and of course the scandals! Someone else who reviewed the book said that the writing was loose jumping around from era to era but I disagree because I have previous OSU football history knowledge and I knew what the author was referring too when he jumped around. I have been a long time fan of Ohio State and have taken many "beatings" for being a fan but I will never be a fair weather fan. Reading about my biggest game day history was great and I will always love some Buckeye football! Go Bucks! 5 stars!
ESPN called it the number one sports rivalry of the century. It transcends the years, the standings, and all other distractions. And thanks to the countless remarkable football games between Michigan and Ohio State--and hundreds of thousands of devoted alumni and followers--the rivalry is now an enormous cultural event.
I just re-read this book for a challenge about myself and nothing is more "myself" than the OSU/Michigan football rivalry. It tells the backstory of the rivalry and gives the history of the different eras for both teams. Although, I think, that the book is supposed to be neutral it seems more about the Ohio State side of things. I love the football history of my University, from the different coaches, big games, and of course the scandals! Someone else who reviewed the book said that the writing was loose jumping around from era to era but I disagree because I have previous OSU football history knowledge and I knew what the author was referring too when he jumped around. I have been a long time fan of Ohio State and have taken many "beatings" for being a fan but I will never be a fair weather fan. Reading about my biggest game day history was great and I will always love some Buckeye football! Go Bucks! 5 stars!
October 1, 2009
An decent book that covers the story of what is arguably the greatest sports rivalry ever: Michigan versus Ohio State. If you are a fan of college football, or of either of those teams in particular, you should read this book.
Although the author is studiously neutral in tone and bias throughout the book, I did find there to be somewhat more Ohio State content than Michigan content. However, given that the rivalry is arguably more important to Ohio State than Michigan, perhaps there is merely more source material on the Ohio State side.
And while there is a lot of good content between the covers, I thought the text could have used some tighter editing. The flow of the book seemed confused, with perhaps too much jumping back-and-forth between eras.
I found the best part of the book to be Chapter 4: Two Men and a Rivalry. That chapter covers the Bo versus Woody years. Having grown up during those years, I find that to be the essence of the rivalry. If you read nothing else of this book, read that chapter.
P.S. GO BLUE!!!
Although the author is studiously neutral in tone and bias throughout the book, I did find there to be somewhat more Ohio State content than Michigan content. However, given that the rivalry is arguably more important to Ohio State than Michigan, perhaps there is merely more source material on the Ohio State side.
And while there is a lot of good content between the covers, I thought the text could have used some tighter editing. The flow of the book seemed confused, with perhaps too much jumping back-and-forth between eras.
I found the best part of the book to be Chapter 4: Two Men and a Rivalry. That chapter covers the Bo versus Woody years. Having grown up during those years, I find that to be the essence of the rivalry. If you read nothing else of this book, read that chapter.
P.S. GO BLUE!!!
October 11, 2008
The 100-Yard War, by Greg Emmanuel is one of the best books I have ever read. The 100-Yard War covers the greatest rivalry in all of sports: the Michigan-Ohio State football game. This story goes through the history of this rivalry, from the first meeting in 1897, to the most recent, in 2003.
The 100-Yard War celebrates the great tradition of both football programs, and describes the intensity of this 100+ year old rivalry. Greg Emmanuel makes you feel like you were there for every game. This book was amazing, and I recommend it to anyone who likes football, or sports in general. I can't say enough about this exciting, inspiring, and thrilling book is so great, I can't say enough about it, you will have to read it for yourselves.
The 100-Yard War celebrates the great tradition of both football programs, and describes the intensity of this 100+ year old rivalry. Greg Emmanuel makes you feel like you were there for every game. This book was amazing, and I recommend it to anyone who likes football, or sports in general. I can't say enough about this exciting, inspiring, and thrilling book is so great, I can't say enough about it, you will have to read it for yourselves.
May 8, 2008
The author gives a lot of history and flavor from one of American sports' greatest rivalry. His writing style is fun and easy to read.
Most important, he manages, in my opinion, to stay neutral and not show any favoritism. Getting me to say that is no mean feat since I am firmly planted on one of the sides (the scarlet and gray one).
Go Bucks!
Most important, he manages, in my opinion, to stay neutral and not show any favoritism. Getting me to say that is no mean feat since I am firmly planted on one of the sides (the scarlet and gray one).
Go Bucks!
October 9, 2012
I loved everything about this book...well, this is no surprise given I am a college football nerd and aficionado. This is a great book about the 100th anniversary of the great Ohio State v. Michigan football rivalry. Emmanuel presents the information in such a fun manner, and those who represent either side of the rivalry will learn something new. Great book, and GO BLUE!!!
November 24, 2014
My sister attended Ohio state, and watching their rivalry against Michigan was one of my fondest memories growing up. This book presents the rivalry from an unbiased perspective, and really encompasses what makes this one of the best rivalries in the all of sports. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a football fan.
January 8, 2015
I thought this book was a excellent book and very fun book to read. It goes in depth on the history of one of the best rivalries in sports-Michigan vs. Ohio State. It talks about anything from fan expierences to how the rivalry started to the passion and love of the rivalry. I would recommend this book to any sports fan who loves college football and wants a good book to read.
September 21, 2008
An awesome saga of one of the worlds greatest rivalries in college football!
GO BLUE!!!
GO BLUE!!!
January 8, 2009
Beyond belief..Go Bucks
August 28, 2009
Excellent; history of the UM-OSU series, culminating in the 100th game in 2003 (won by Michigan); completed the day before the 101st game
October 15, 2009
I'm mentioned in this book, twice.
October 19, 2012
MUCK FISHIGAN!!!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews