Product Description

Despite - or perhaps because of - its immense popularity, the NFL remains one of the most secretive sports societies in America. John Feinstein goes behind the scenes of this closed sport as he takes his readers through an NFL season - all the ups and downs, the procession from 100 degree heat in training camp to frigid cold in January and the week-to-week pressures faced by the coaches and players - in an illuminating and entertaining look at the most lucrative sport in America. NEXT MAN UP highlights the Baltimore Ravens, one of the most watched and dramatic NFL teams in recent years. Like many teams, the Ravens have faced extreme obstacles - in their case, players in prison, under indictment, and injured - but they've still managed to play at an extremely high level, winning their first Super Bowl in 2001 against the New York Giants. From the first strategy sessions of a new season to the last down of the final game, John Feinstein reveals the intensity, spirituality, and the near life- or-death drama of professional football as it's never been revealed before.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #144690 in Books
• Published on: 2006-11-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 544 pages

Review
'John Feinstein has become sportswriting's John Grisham' - David Kindred, Sporting News

About the Author
John Feinstein is the bestselling author of non- fiction sports books such as A Good Walk Spoiled and two novels. He writes for Inside Sports, Golf, Tennis Magazine and Basketball America and is a commentator on NPR and CBS.

Customer Reviews

Absolutely fascinating, just not always fun
Next Man Up is a fascinating insight into the NFL. It takes a year in the life of the Baltimore Ravens franchise and exposes it from top to bottom. Everything about the team, the players, the management, and events like the NFL draft are brought to light. The personalities behind the facemasks are detailed, and the struggles that each of them faces to continue to thrive in the cutthroat world of the NFL are laid bare.

For anyone who wants to peek behind the gridiron curtain, this book will be fascinating. Any fan of American football will rightly be interested in this tale.

However, it is by no means the best book on its subject matter and it's almost certainly because of the repetitive and somewhat bland writing style. The book comes across as very bitter when discussing the admittedly objectionable Washington Redskins leadership. The worst flaw in the book is surely the continued and un-interesting references to TV networks and their impact - the media obsession is not one I share with Feinstein. The second key flaw is that Feinstein just doesn't seem to love the game. The account pales compared to the passion of You're Okay, It's Just A Bruise which is the stand-out book in the genre.

In many ways this book is like the written media that Feinstein is so self-referencingly a part of, it's fascinating and full of facts and insights you will not find elsewhere but it's not gripping and just doesn't feel passionate in any way.

A Great Insight into the NFL
John Feinstein is one of the best sports writers around. This book is so typical of him. He manages to gain access where often it is denied. Spending a season with the Baltimore Ravens he manages to give us tremendous insight into the workings of the NFL and in particular an NFL team. We see everything, warts and all (though I am sure they would deny the warts part!). Everytime that Feinstein writes a book I buy it. His other works on Golf and Basketball are amazing also.

fantastic book, great insight!
what a brilliant book, john feinstein is allowed full access to the baltimore ravens throughout the season and is a very interesting read, even tho im a cowboys fan myself

it covers subjects like the draft, re signing players , ravens history and of course the season!

definatly the best nfl book ive read so far, my only quibble is that despite being over 400 pages long i wanted more!!

i really hope he covers this subject again with another team