What do you think?
Rate this book
When Eagles Soared
As the Vietnam War rages, a young coach tries to teach a struggling grade-school football team about winning, losing, and the importance of honor . . .
As the Osborne family gathers to celebrate young Lou’s college graduation in 1970, his future is uncertain. He could be sent to Vietnam like his friend Manny—who’s now back home—suffering every day from his experience overseas. After Lou is spared from the same fate, he wonders at his luck, but embraces a hopeful new future as he accepts a job as a teacher and football coach at an Ohio elementary school.
He has his work cut out for him, though. The Eidsonville Eagles have never had a winning season. Now, as he navigates his growing relationship with his girlfriend, his concern for Manny, and the turbulence of the times, he must power through obstacles and challenges to bring a ragtag group of seventh and eighth graders together and teach them to be the best they can be, win or lose . . .
Based on the author’s own memories and experiences of the era, When Eagles Soared takes us back to a time of both innocence and tension, when rock and roll rang through the air, young men of draft age lived under a cloud of anxiety, and a nation struggled to hold on to hope for a better future.
As the Osborne family gathers to celebrate young Lou’s college graduation in 1970, his future is uncertain. He could be sent to Vietnam like his friend Manny—who’s now back home—suffering every day from his experience overseas. After Lou is spared from the same fate, he wonders at his luck, but embraces a hopeful new future as he accepts a job as a teacher and football coach at an Ohio elementary school.
He has his work cut out for him, though. The Eidsonville Eagles have never had a winning season. Now, as he navigates his growing relationship with his girlfriend, his concern for Manny, and the turbulence of the times, he must power through obstacles and challenges to bring a ragtag group of seventh and eighth graders together and teach them to be the best they can be, win or lose . . .
Based on the author’s own memories and experiences of the era, When Eagles Soared takes us back to a time of both innocence and tension, when rock and roll rang through the air, young men of draft age lived under a cloud of anxiety, and a nation struggled to hold on to hope for a better future.
412 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 16, 2022
2 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 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.
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 - 3 of 3 reviews