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The Best Sports Writing of Pat Jordan
A highly-entertaining collection of sports journalism from a forty-year veteran.
For decades, Pat Jordan has been one of the best sports writers in America. This engrossing book compiles twenty-six features from throughout his career, among them his most famous magazine pieces and a small selection of previously unpublished gems.
Included is an exciting selection of Jordan's profiles of sports legends such as Wilt Chamberlain, Tom Seaver, Greg Louganis, Venus and Serena Williams--each one frank, insightful, and salty--as well as an extraordinary sampling of the pieces with which Jordan made his those about athletes who are obscure, unsuccessful, or have fallen from grace. Whether writing about the marginal, the famous, or the infamous, Jordan displays a hard-boiled, highly literate prose and a capacity to convey how the idiosyncratic mindsets of athletes lead to success or failure.
"The Best Sports Writing of Pat Jordan" covers a variety of mainstream sports and some less athletic (but equally competitive) pastimes like poker, pool, and child beauty pageants. A Q&A with Jordan gives intriguing behind-the-scenes scoops on select stories. Fun, revealing, and very readable, this book represents the best work from a standout in his field.
Highlights from "The Best Sports Writing of Pat Jordan":
"Trouble in Paradise": L.A. Dodger all-star (and presumed future-U.S. Senator) Steve Garvey takes a hit to his public image--from his unsatisfied wife.
"Roger Clemens Refuses to Grow Up": The greatest pitcher of his generation is really just a big baby.
"The Outcast": O. J. Simpson stars as O. J. Simpson and has a thing for Jennifer Love Hewitt.
"Of Memory, Death, and the Automobile": Phil Hill, Renaissance Formula 1 racecar driver, obsesses over his obsessions.
"Renee's Retreat": Transsexual tennis pro Renee Richards reflects on her life on both the women's and men's tours.
"Duquesne, PA": In a down-and-out factory town, high school football provides the only escape.
"Is this Man the Future of Poker?": Poker phenom David Williams beats the odds, but can't bluff his girlfriend.
"The Noble Turtle": A wannabe actor can't escape his boxing past. His name? Sylvester Stallone.
For decades, Pat Jordan has been one of the best sports writers in America. This engrossing book compiles twenty-six features from throughout his career, among them his most famous magazine pieces and a small selection of previously unpublished gems.
Included is an exciting selection of Jordan's profiles of sports legends such as Wilt Chamberlain, Tom Seaver, Greg Louganis, Venus and Serena Williams--each one frank, insightful, and salty--as well as an extraordinary sampling of the pieces with which Jordan made his those about athletes who are obscure, unsuccessful, or have fallen from grace. Whether writing about the marginal, the famous, or the infamous, Jordan displays a hard-boiled, highly literate prose and a capacity to convey how the idiosyncratic mindsets of athletes lead to success or failure.
"The Best Sports Writing of Pat Jordan" covers a variety of mainstream sports and some less athletic (but equally competitive) pastimes like poker, pool, and child beauty pageants. A Q&A with Jordan gives intriguing behind-the-scenes scoops on select stories. Fun, revealing, and very readable, this book represents the best work from a standout in his field.
Highlights from "The Best Sports Writing of Pat Jordan":
"Trouble in Paradise": L.A. Dodger all-star (and presumed future-U.S. Senator) Steve Garvey takes a hit to his public image--from his unsatisfied wife.
"Roger Clemens Refuses to Grow Up": The greatest pitcher of his generation is really just a big baby.
"The Outcast": O. J. Simpson stars as O. J. Simpson and has a thing for Jennifer Love Hewitt.
"Of Memory, Death, and the Automobile": Phil Hill, Renaissance Formula 1 racecar driver, obsesses over his obsessions.
"Renee's Retreat": Transsexual tennis pro Renee Richards reflects on her life on both the women's and men's tours.
"Duquesne, PA": In a down-and-out factory town, high school football provides the only escape.
"Is this Man the Future of Poker?": Poker phenom David Williams beats the odds, but can't bluff his girlfriend.
"The Noble Turtle": A wannabe actor can't escape his boxing past. His name? Sylvester Stallone.
450 pages, Hardcover
First published April 14, 2008
6 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 23, 2008
Even as a raging sports fan, I would be the first to admit that most sports reporting is only about 2 steps above the average high school book report...'my favorite thing about this sporting event was...'
It's very refreshing to come across a reporter that looks past the game and numbers that are available to everyone and looks for the very human aspect of athletes, who let's face it, live some weird weird lives.
If you have even a middling interest in sports, I would recommend this book if for no other purpose than bathroom reading. Ew.
Man can write.
It's very refreshing to come across a reporter that looks past the game and numbers that are available to everyone and looks for the very human aspect of athletes, who let's face it, live some weird weird lives.
If you have even a middling interest in sports, I would recommend this book if for no other purpose than bathroom reading. Ew.
Man can write.
April 30, 2008
The funny thing is that you'd think that writers who spend their days criticizing elitist demagogues would take care to avoid elitist demagogery (sic). Wrong!
February 12, 2010
It's nice to read somebody who writes profiles of athletes without deifying them. Jordan seems like a real bastard, which I mean in the nicest possible way.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews