Talking Irish: The Oral History of Notre Dame Football – Five Decades of Wins, Defeats, and the Mystique of American College Sports

by Steve Delsohn

An entertaining fusion of fact, legend, and lore, Notre Dame football has transcended the boundaries of the sport and the university to become a time-honored American tradition. For its legions of devoted fans and alumni, Talking Irish vividly captures it the exhilarating wins, the stunning defeats, the tumultuous coaching changes, and the celebrated mystique that surrounds this beloved football dynasty.
This candid and revealing oral history is told in the words of more than one hundred and fifty Notre Dame players, coaches, leading sports journalists and school faculty. Talking Irish begins in the 1940s, a decade after the death of the fabled Knute Rockne, as the brilliant coach Frank Leahy reestablishes Notre Dame as a national powerhouse. The rousing narrative concludes five decades later, with the formidable exploits of Notre Dame football at the end of the 20th Century. From the famous rivalries with Army, Michigan, USC, and Miami, to the inside stories from locker rooms and team meetings, Talking Irish illuminates the glory and pressure that go with Notre Dame football.

Genres: Sports, History, Nonfiction, Football

400 pages, Paperback

First published September 2, 1998

About the author

STEVE DELSOHN is the author or co-author of more than half a dozen books, including Da Bears! and Jim Brown's autobiography, Out of Bounds. He also wrote Talking Irish: The Oral History of Notre Dame Football as well as several other oral histories. He is currently a reporter for ESPN's Outside the Lines, for which he recently won a Peabody Award.

Reviews

[Lib DM · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best aspect of the book (other than the fact it's about the Irish!) is the fact its an oral history. Made up of a perfect balance of the author's words and the words of the players/coaches. It's as if the reader is quickly thrown into the locker room or field to get an exclusive angle. It was great to read what the players were going through and what they were thinking. I enjoyed the book and made me appreciate the Irish even more. GO IRISH!

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very entertaining and informing read. This book tells the history of Notre Dame football from the perspective of ND players, coaches, and administrators.

There were a lot of great stories in this book, and I recommend it for anyone who is a fan of football nonfiction books and/or the University of Notre Dame.

[David Schau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Six decades and 364 pages of oral history of Notre Dame Football. The book was published in 1998 and each chapter is a decade of Notre Dame football from 1940's through the 1990's. I went from the Frank Leahy era through the end of the Lou Holtz era. Like a good oral history, I felt like was talking with players, coaches, administrators and others while sitting in my den. 144 players 13 coaches and 7 administrators tell the story of Notre Dame football, warts and all. Mr. Delsohn interviewed All-Americans, Heisman Trophy winners and the basic guys in the trenches. All gave their honest and blunt assessment of Notre Dame football. Read about the idiosyncrasies of Leahy, the good--Ara Parseghian and Lou Holtz and the bad--Gerry Faust and Dan Devine. I think that the players' interviews were the most illuminating. They told stories of big wins such the 7-0 win over Oklahoma breaking their 47 game winning streak, beating the No. 1 ranked Texas in the Cotton Bowl 38-10, Joe Montana's come-from-behind win in an ice storm in the Cotton Bowl and, my favorite, beating Alabama in the 1974 Sugar Bowl. I remember watching that game with my family on New Years. Notre Dame was ahead 24-23, 2:12 left on the clock and Notre Dame had the ball third-and-eight on their own two. Tom Clements, the QB, had thrown only 12 passes the entire game and completed seven. He took the snap, faded into the end zone knowing a safety wins the game for 'Bama, and threw a 35 pass to the tight end Robin Weber. That completed pass--ballgame gave them field position. A few running plays and--ballgame. A good Catholic boy and a graduate from a Catholic college, I let out a whoop. Just a few of the things the players, coaches and administrators will talk with you about. Enough narrative to give the interviews perspective. Highly recommend for college football fans, Notre Dame or otherwise.

[Ted Hinkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pulled "Talking Irish" from my book shelf to kick off another Irish football season. Being a ND follower during most of the time covered in Belsohn's Oral History of Notre Dame Football, I relived the great moments and thoroughly enjoyed the memories. I was at the "Ice Bowl" in the Cotton Bowl, '79 and many of the highlighted games of the 60's- 90's. Go Irish!

[Lee Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was ok but superficial. It covers decades in 10 pages. This is a skimming history with no real gems or insights. It reads like a gift book. It certainly doesn't challenge any orthodoxies. The part on the 60s was beyond lame. Lots of “Martyrs of Kent State” lies.

[Ryan Splenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Notre Dame fan, this was an absolute treasure. So many behind-the-scenes stories and interviews that shed new light onto one of college football's most storied programs. A MUST read for any Irish fan.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for any Irish Fan

[Jim Moffett · Rating 5 out of 5]

10-98

[Ellen Sizemore · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Notre Dame fan, this was fun to read. I enjoyed learning more about the history of Notre Dame football and the personalities of the coaches I have heard so much about.