From Library Journal
Lombardi's legacy reaches far beyond the football field. For a large part of the populace, the man who said "winning isn't the most important thing; it's the only thing" was a symbol of the virtues needed to succeed at anything. O'Brien portrays him as essentially a simple man"a fundmentalist in his football, his character, his religion, and his values." Surprisingly, this is the first major biography of the man to appear. Earlier works like Lombardi, edited by John Wiebusch (1971), and Lombardi: winning is the only thing, edited by Jerry Kramer (1970), relied heavily on excerpts of interviews with friends and colleagues of the legendary coach. For popular sports collections. William H. Hoffman, Ft. Myers-Lee Cty. P.L., Fla.Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description

Published to widespread critical acclaim, Vince has been called: "the definitive biography" of an American legend. With stunning revelations and anecdotes, Vince Lombardi's life is pieced together with painstaking care in research, detail, and historical accuracy. Based on more than two hundred interviews, including those who played with him and against him, from his early coaching days at St. Cecilia High School in New Jersey to West Point, the New York Giants, and his championship seasons with the Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins. Drawing upon unpublished Lombardi family papers, Vince clarifies the thirty years of mystery and contradiction that have swirled around the legend of Vince Lombardi.

Vince goes beyond the sidelines to reveal the true character of Lombardi. He was dedicated and narrow, intelligent and dogmatic, self-restrained yet emotional, abusive yet apologetic. His moods could swing from deep gloom to soaring exuberance in seconds. He was compassionate, kind, charitable. He could also be gripped by uncontrollable anger. Above all, Vince paints a portrait of a very human man who committed his life to winning.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Published to widespread critical acclaim, Vince has been called "the definitive biography" of an American legend. With stunning revelations and anecdotes, Vince Lombardi's life is pierced together with painstaking care in research, detail, and historical accuracy. Based on more than two hundred interviews, including those who played with him, from his early coaching days at St. Cecelia High School in New Jersey to West Point, the New York Giants, and his championship seasons with the Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins. Drawing upon unpublished Lombardi family papers, Vince clarifies the thirty years of mystery and contradiction that have swirled around the legend of Vince Lombardi.

Vince goes beyond the sidelines to reveal the true character of Lombardi. He was dedicated and narrow, intelligent and dogmatic, self-restrained yet emotional, abusive but apologetic. His moods could swing from deep gloom to soaring exuberance in seconds. He was compassionate, kind, charitable. He could also be gripped by uncontroolable anger. Above all, Vince paints a portrait of a very human man who committed his life to winning.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal