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When Eagles Soared
W hen Eagles Soared is a work of fiction - the story is adapted from, inspired by, and based on the author's best recollection of actual events. When Lou Surber Osborne, a rookie teacher and coach, is hired to coach an elementary football team with a losing history, he quickly realizes the challenges that lie ahead of him to make them winners. While defying all the obstacles and challenges facing him, seventeen seventh and eighth-grade boys bought into a winning philosophy to become the best they could be, win or lose. I n telling this story, for those of you that are baby-boomers, I hope to transport you back to 1970-71 when life was simple and innocent in so many ways, yet challenging and tense in navigating the turbulent times brought on by the Vietnam War. It had an enormous effect on young men of military draft age, and their families and friends, in one way or the other until the war ended. Rock-and-roll groups and their songs during the Vietnam War era were a statement of defiance but also hope for a better future. As you come across them in the book, I hope the songs take you back in time, remembering the good times you experienced with that special someone. Follow Nick Lewis on his author's Facebook page, Nick Lewis - Author.
410 pages, Hardcover
Published February 18, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 30, 2024
Going into this book I had a general idea of what I was expecting based on things the author himself described. Upon finishing this book however I can say that I was completely blindsided by the inspiring, energizing, and rawly emotional story. Be prepared to laugh and cry in the same chapter!
I loved the way this was set up with short chapters and chapter names instead of numbers. I'm not even sure why this particularly stood out to me but I felt it just fit how the story was written. Normally when I read a book I skip over the dedication, acknowledgments, author notes, etc. But this is definitely a book where you will want to read every single page. I have such a newfound respect for people who lived through this war-ridden era as well as Nick himself for his dedication to the Eagles and willingness to share his story.
The writing in this story is phenomenal with vivid imagery and strong emotions. I particularly liked the strong incorporation of music into the storyline; it really helped place you in the moment along with the narrator and feel the same things he is feeling listening to each song. I felt elation for the soaring Eagles, pain for Manny and Beth, grief for Old Moocher, and joy for Jenni and Oz'z loving relationship.
This book is about so much more than just football. It is about cherishing the winning moments while remaining humble, setting goals and working hard every day to reach them, loving the friends and family you have around you, and above all persevering when it feels as if the odds are against you.
I loved the way this was set up with short chapters and chapter names instead of numbers. I'm not even sure why this particularly stood out to me but I felt it just fit how the story was written. Normally when I read a book I skip over the dedication, acknowledgments, author notes, etc. But this is definitely a book where you will want to read every single page. I have such a newfound respect for people who lived through this war-ridden era as well as Nick himself for his dedication to the Eagles and willingness to share his story.
The writing in this story is phenomenal with vivid imagery and strong emotions. I particularly liked the strong incorporation of music into the storyline; it really helped place you in the moment along with the narrator and feel the same things he is feeling listening to each song. I felt elation for the soaring Eagles, pain for Manny and Beth, grief for Old Moocher, and joy for Jenni and Oz'z loving relationship.
This book is about so much more than just football. It is about cherishing the winning moments while remaining humble, setting goals and working hard every day to reach them, loving the friends and family you have around you, and above all persevering when it feels as if the odds are against you.
August 18, 2026
**A Heartfelt Story About Leadership, Teamwork, and Finding the Courage to Believe**
*When Eagles Soared* by Nick Lewis sounds like a thoughtful and emotionally grounded story that goes far beyond the world of football. At its heart is the journey of Lou Surber Osborne, a rookie teacher and coach who takes on the difficult task of leading a struggling elementary football team. What initially appears to be a story about turning a losing team into winners gradually becomes something much more meaningful: a story about character, perseverance, mentorship, friendship, and the power of believing in yourself and in the people around you.
One of the most appealing aspects of the story is the idea that winning is not simply measured by the final score. The seventeen seventh and eighth grade boys are challenged to embrace a philosophy that encourages them to become the best versions of themselves, regardless of whether they win or lose. That message gives the story a timeless quality because it applies to much more than sports. It speaks to anyone who has ever faced disappointment, struggled with confidence, or needed someone to believe in them when they were still learning how to believe in themselves.
Lou's position as a young and relatively inexperienced coach also makes the journey particularly interesting. Rather than presenting leadership as something effortless, the story places him in a situation where he has to confront obstacles, earn the trust of his players, and discover what it really means to lead. The relationship between a coach and his players can have an enormous influence on young people, and the premise of this book captures that responsibility in a compelling way.
Another element that makes *When Eagles Soared* stand out is its historical setting. The story takes readers back to 1970 and 1971, a period that carried tremendous social and emotional tension because of the Vietnam War. The football story therefore exists alongside a much larger moment in American history. The contrast between the innocence of childhood, the excitement of football, and the uncertainty surrounding the country creates an interesting backdrop for the characters' experiences.
I particularly appreciate the way music is incorporated into the atmosphere of the period. Rock and roll was deeply connected with the culture and emotions of that era, and using songs and musical references as part of the story can make the setting feel much more personal. For readers who remember those years, these details have the potential to evoke memories of another time, while younger readers can gain a sense of the cultural atmosphere in which the characters lived.
The premise also carries a strong sense of nostalgia. There is something appealing about returning to a period when childhood friendships, school activities, football fields, and music could occupy such an important place in people's lives. At the same time, the story does not ignore the more complicated realities surrounding that period. The Vietnam War affected families, communities, and young men facing the possibility of military service, and that historical tension adds depth to what could otherwise have been a straightforward sports story.
What makes the concept especially promising is the combination of personal memory and fiction. Since the story is adapted from and inspired by the author's recollection of actual events, it has the potential to carry an authenticity that purely fictional sports stories sometimes lack. There is a sense that the football field is not merely a setting for competition but a place where young people learn important lessons about responsibility, discipline, friendship, failure, and perseverance.
Overall, *When Eagles Soared* presents itself as a story for readers who enjoy sports fiction but are looking for something with a deeper emotional and historical dimension. It is not simply about a team trying to change its losing record. It is about a coach discovering what leadership truly requires and a group of young players learning that success begins with commitment, trust, and the willingness to give their best effort.
Nick Lewis brings together football, coming-of-age experiences, nostalgia, music, and an important period in American history to create a story with a distinctly reflective spirit. The central message that becoming the best you can be matters more than simply winning is one that can resonate with readers of different generations.
For readers who enjoy inspirational sports stories, historical settings, stories of mentorship, and narratives centered on perseverance and personal growth, *When Eagles Soared* offers an intriguing premise and a meaningful set of themes. Its greatest appeal appears to be its reminder that sometimes the most important victories are not the ones recorded on a scoreboard, but the ones that shape who we become.
*When Eagles Soared* by Nick Lewis sounds like a thoughtful and emotionally grounded story that goes far beyond the world of football. At its heart is the journey of Lou Surber Osborne, a rookie teacher and coach who takes on the difficult task of leading a struggling elementary football team. What initially appears to be a story about turning a losing team into winners gradually becomes something much more meaningful: a story about character, perseverance, mentorship, friendship, and the power of believing in yourself and in the people around you.
One of the most appealing aspects of the story is the idea that winning is not simply measured by the final score. The seventeen seventh and eighth grade boys are challenged to embrace a philosophy that encourages them to become the best versions of themselves, regardless of whether they win or lose. That message gives the story a timeless quality because it applies to much more than sports. It speaks to anyone who has ever faced disappointment, struggled with confidence, or needed someone to believe in them when they were still learning how to believe in themselves.
Lou's position as a young and relatively inexperienced coach also makes the journey particularly interesting. Rather than presenting leadership as something effortless, the story places him in a situation where he has to confront obstacles, earn the trust of his players, and discover what it really means to lead. The relationship between a coach and his players can have an enormous influence on young people, and the premise of this book captures that responsibility in a compelling way.
Another element that makes *When Eagles Soared* stand out is its historical setting. The story takes readers back to 1970 and 1971, a period that carried tremendous social and emotional tension because of the Vietnam War. The football story therefore exists alongside a much larger moment in American history. The contrast between the innocence of childhood, the excitement of football, and the uncertainty surrounding the country creates an interesting backdrop for the characters' experiences.
I particularly appreciate the way music is incorporated into the atmosphere of the period. Rock and roll was deeply connected with the culture and emotions of that era, and using songs and musical references as part of the story can make the setting feel much more personal. For readers who remember those years, these details have the potential to evoke memories of another time, while younger readers can gain a sense of the cultural atmosphere in which the characters lived.
The premise also carries a strong sense of nostalgia. There is something appealing about returning to a period when childhood friendships, school activities, football fields, and music could occupy such an important place in people's lives. At the same time, the story does not ignore the more complicated realities surrounding that period. The Vietnam War affected families, communities, and young men facing the possibility of military service, and that historical tension adds depth to what could otherwise have been a straightforward sports story.
What makes the concept especially promising is the combination of personal memory and fiction. Since the story is adapted from and inspired by the author's recollection of actual events, it has the potential to carry an authenticity that purely fictional sports stories sometimes lack. There is a sense that the football field is not merely a setting for competition but a place where young people learn important lessons about responsibility, discipline, friendship, failure, and perseverance.
Overall, *When Eagles Soared* presents itself as a story for readers who enjoy sports fiction but are looking for something with a deeper emotional and historical dimension. It is not simply about a team trying to change its losing record. It is about a coach discovering what leadership truly requires and a group of young players learning that success begins with commitment, trust, and the willingness to give their best effort.
Nick Lewis brings together football, coming-of-age experiences, nostalgia, music, and an important period in American history to create a story with a distinctly reflective spirit. The central message that becoming the best you can be matters more than simply winning is one that can resonate with readers of different generations.
For readers who enjoy inspirational sports stories, historical settings, stories of mentorship, and narratives centered on perseverance and personal growth, *When Eagles Soared* offers an intriguing premise and a meaningful set of themes. Its greatest appeal appears to be its reminder that sometimes the most important victories are not the ones recorded on a scoreboard, but the ones that shape who we become.
July 25, 2024
I wanted to really like this book. It had all the elements that I would like (Vietnam Vet, sports, oldies etc ). However, this writer's style made it extremely difficult to get beyond the first 15% of the book. The overuse of words describing ANYTHING started knowing on me till it took away from the story line. I reminded me of a young high school student entering a story into essay contest using all the unimaginable descriptions possible. Analogies got annoying. Sorry, I had to stop....
October 10, 2022
A wonderful story of success achieved from hard work and a will to win. A great list of oldies referenced throughout. It also reflects the sadness the Vietnam conflict dealt and the death of a favorite pet.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews