Fanatic: Stories From 20 Years Inside Iowa State

by Chris Williams, Rob Gray (Editor)

Genres: Sports

340 pages, Paperback

Published November 24, 2025

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Reviews

[Derek VanRoekel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was bouncing between 4 and 5 stars but ultimately landed on 5 stars because of how much fun I had while reading. I don’t enjoy certain parts of Chris’ writing style, but overall it was so fun to re-live Cyclone memories and learn a lot more about ISU in the 2000s before I started following ISU athletics closely. All in all, I highly recommend for any ISU sports fans.

[Brendan Mass · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good. I’ve been enjoying CycloneFanatic content since around the start of college, and this read so well. I’m normally hesitant of books written by podcasters, but Chris does a great job throughout. Many a story I remember throughout my life as a Cyclone fan, and many that I was too young to remember. An absolute must read for anyone who bleeds Cardinal and Gold!

[Amy Brandau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this all in one night it was so entertaining. It covered Cyclone stories and history from the same years we lived in Ames, before kids, when our lives revolved around Cyclone Athletics year round. I would recommend to anyone who is as big of Cyclone fan as I am. Funny story about the author - I remember being invited to a Cyclone Athlete event (signing day maybe) and I was more fan struck by Chris Williams than any coach or player.

[Katie Moritz · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband gifted me this book for Christmas because I am, quite truly, a Cyclone Fanatic. It was a fun read! I am Iowa State born, raised and educated and I enjoyed the stories of the past 20 years, most I remember well. I also learned a lot as those stories were told!

I do wish there was more content on Women’s Basketball and at least a chapter added for Wrestling. We’ve had multiple NCAA Champions in the past 20 years including our most recent 2x’er, David Carr!

[Rexford Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this book down. As an Iowa State sports fan this is an absolute must read. Could not recommend this more, especially for Cyclone fans.

[Craig Adamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a surprise gift from a fellow Cyclone fan and ISU alum, Scott. He said I’d really enjoy it and he was right. Fun walk down Memory Lane from 2003 to 2023 of Cyclone Sports highs and a few lows.

Love books by hardcore sports fans like the author. Objective but not too much. Who needs that????

Really appreciated reading in-depth about Dan McCarney and Jamie Pollard who are possibly the 2 most consequential people in this period and possibly in school sports history. Both of them a large part of the credit for the emergence of ISUs current success.

As others have mentioned (and the author notes briefly) there is not much time spend on our highly successful women’s basketball program nor our wrestling programs major comeback. Hopefully a future book will highlight those in more detail.

Go Cyclones!

[Cael Hull · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an Iowa State fan's dream. It features in depth conversations with many legendary Cyclone players and coaches going over what makes their current or former time at Iowa State great. It also goes over what makes Iowa State what it is today through the many ups and downs of the past 20 years as well as a look into the possible future.
Chris Williams also tells his story from a Hawkeye fan in small town Iowa to a student at Iowa State and now a huge part of Cyclone nation.
I would highly recommend this book to any Iowa State fan.

[LuAnn Reinders · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for Iowa State Cyclone football and basketball fans. I got a better understanding of the coaches. (In particular why Coach Greg McDermott had such a tough situation at ISU, but doing great at Creighton.) I gathered insights of many of the players, I WILL and the development of CYtown. The chapters can be read in order or choose as your curiosity is piqued.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every Cyclone fan should read. Good trip down memory lane!

[Jacob Ohnmacht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for any cyclone fan.

[Jay]

must read for all Iowa State Fans

[Wade · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read that brought back some good Cyclone memories.