ESPN SportsCentury

by Michael MacCambridge, Chris Berman (Foreword), David Halberstam (Introduction)

A unique collaborative effort from the worldwide leader in sports, this beautifully illustrated volume featuring original essays by some of North America's most renowned writers shows what sports means to North America and why it continues to matter. Beginning with an introduction by Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Halberstam, the book includes ten chapters, each with an essay on the athlete(s) who best defined a particular decade, as well as sidebar essays on each of the other athletes named by ESPN's sports experts as the 100 Greatest Athletes of the Century. Each chapter concludes with a Playbook that provides memorable stories and much more.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published September 22, 1999

Reviews

[Jill H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This coffee table size book is only for the sports fan which I guess is pretty obvious by the title! It is a review, by decade, of the greatest stars of college/professional sport. Each decade is written by a different sports writer, who picks, in their opinion, the best athlete with a narrative of their lives and accomplishment, followed by short essays of other greats of the decade including players, coaches, games, etc.. Each chapter contains terrific photos, many of which I have never seen.

Some sports fans may disagree with the choices but it still makes interesting reading. For you sports fans out there, here are the book's choice of the best of the best:
1900s: Jack Johnson
1910s: Jim Thorpe
1920s: Babe Ruth
1930s: Joe Lewis and Babe Didrikson
1940s: Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams
1950s: Johnny Unitas
1960s: Bill Russell
1970s: Muhammad Ali
1980s: Pete Rose
1990s: Michael Jordan

A fun look at sports for those who enjoy looking back at the giants of the last century.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

ESPN SportsCentury is definitely a book that I recommend to those who are interested in sports and the history of famous sport players. SportsCentury has a variety of sports to interest the reader. The sports are boxing, tennis, basketball, basketball, soccer, American football, hockey and more.The book includes the top hall of famers like Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordon and Babe Ruth. The book also includes past scores with team names and small columns with important players like Billie Jean King and Pete Sampras. Go and pick up this book if you need it for research or to read for the knowledge of the sports and its history.

[angrykitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was pretty well done....even if i didn't agree with all their sportscentury picks. since it was espn you knew how they were gonna slant things....annoying, but in the end.....unavoidable....