Immaculate: How the Steelers Saved Pittsburgh

by Tom O’Lenic, Ray Hartjen

Live by the sword, die by the sword. Pittsburgh was built on steel—and almost destroyed by it. Pittsburgh’s vertically integrated steel industry was foundational in the growth of America, and it returned economic prosperity to the region for over a century. But when a myriad of domestic and global factors unsettled the local industry’s competitiveness, the city suffered through economic turmoil.  The city of Pittsburgh found unlikely heroes in their traditionally also-ran professional football team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Reflecting the city’s tough, hard-nosed, working class citizens, the Steelers rose to prominence and galvanized the community to persevere against the challenges of its deindustrialization transformation. Built of steel, then crippled by steel, Pittsburgh was eventually saved by the Steelers. How the Steelers Saved Pittsburgh weaves together the historical stories of Pittsburgh and its beloved professional football team like the linear strands of DNA—antiparallel, twisting throughout, and irrevocably connected together. Beginning with the history of the region, Immaculate weaves together the area’s early history with the Steelers’ origins, tracing the rise of the Steelers against the contextual backdrop of the steel industry’s collapse and the city’s unfolding crisis. The Steelers provided the foundational inflection point for Pittsburgh’s “New Economy” to emerge and prosper.  Immaculate brings to life the colorful stories and people that shaped a city and a team over the rich tapestry of profoundly different eras.

Genres: Sports

370 pages, Paperback

Published December 20, 2022

Reviews

[Mark A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is no doubt that the face of the city of Pittsburgh, is its football team. It has been often said that the Pittsburgh Steelers are the embodiment of the city and its blue collar image that was brought about by the rise of the steel industry in America. The passion for the team and the city they play in are evident in Tom O'Lenic's and Ray Hartjen's love letter book, Immaculate: How the Steelers Saved Pittsburgh.
The book talks of the history of the franchise while adding in some chapters of the city's rise and the importance that steel industry played in it. While the narrative is a bit one-sided, the authors make no bones that this was a "passion project" for Pittsburgh and the Steelers. Most of the story is well known to those who originated close to the area, but as with any book, even the most passionate fans will learn a thing or two about one of America's most storied sports teams.
There are a couple factual errors in the book. For example, the book says the Steelers drafted Bryan Little and David Hinkle, when their names were actually David Little and Bryan Hinkle, but it is still a read that both new and old Steeler fans will appreciate. Add to that, the text's simplicity makes it more a enjoyable and fast read. Three stars!

[Cortney Donelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of reading an early copy of Immaculate. The interplay between story and information was brilliant. Whether you're a sports fan, a Pittsburgh native or resident, or enjoy history, this book is a winner.

[Mohini · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not a sports fan but I loved the book all the same. The topic is so creative and intrigued me to read it. Sports definitely brings an added, fun layer of history to any area. Would recommend to any history buff, anyone visiting Pittsburg or an NFL fan!

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed history of Pittsburgh. interesting but a slow read.

[Matthew Kordziel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book intertwines the stories of Pittsburgh and the Steeler’s as it goes through the 1970s Steelers dynasty. I’m usually not one for nonfiction but I thoroughly enjoyed this read.