Product Description

Rick Dockery was the third-string quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. In the deciding game at the climax of the season, to the surprise and dismay of virtually everyone, Rick actually got into the game. With a 17-point lead and just minutes to go, Rick provided what was arguably the worst single performance in the history of the NFL. Overnight, he became a national laughing stock and, of course, was immediately dropped by the Browns and shunned by all other teams. But all Rick knows is football, and he insists that his agent, Arnie, finds a team that needs him. Against enormous odds, Arnie finally locates just such a team and informs Rick that, miraculously, he can in fact now be a starting quarterback. Great says Rick - for which team?The mighty Panthers of Parma, Italy. Yes, Italians do play American football, to one degree or another, and the Parma Panthers desperately want a player from the home of American footballat their helm. So Rick reluctantly agrees to play for the Panthers - at least until a better offer comes along - and heads off to Italy. He knows nothing about Parma (not even where it is), has never been to Europe, and doesn't speak or understand a word of Italian. To say that Italy - the land of opera, fine wines, extremely small cars, romance and football americano - holds a few surprises for Rick Dockery would be something of an understatement.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #86706 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-25
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 272 pages

Daily Express
Grisham comes into his own. The man knows how to crank up the tension, we are soon on the edge of our seats. Read this book, enjoy it.

Sunday Express
Playing for Pizza is a lyrical page-turner and a gasp-inducing reminder of the scope of this man's genius with the written word. Grisham is something of a Da Vinci with words. He can blow your brains out with the power of truth or paint pictures that magically reveal the reality beneath. This is a smooth, satisfying and delightful read.

From the Back Cover
Rick Dockery was a quarterback for one of America’s most famous football teams when he gave arguably the worst performance in his league’s history. Overnight Rick became a laughing stock and unemployable in his own country.

But his agent somehow finds Rick a job. He is guaranteed a starting position and a salary. The only problem is that the team that wants him is in Parma, Italy. The American football league in Italy is tiny and, unlike Rick, the Italian players only get paid in free meals.

Rick has never been to Italy, so it’s no surprise that the country has a few surprises for him. What follows is a delightful, heart-warming story of an innocent abroad.


‘A lyrical page-turner and a gasp-inducing reminder of the scope of this man’s genius with the written word. A delightful read.’ Sunday Express

Customer Reviews

I'd play for pizza!
As with the other reviews this isn't your typical John Grisham book. Yet, I thoroughly enjoyed it. So much I was disappointed when I had finished reading it! The idea of this book is based upon a washed up American footballer,giving his career a go in Italy. However, this doesn't mean you have to be interested in American Football to like it. Grisham, sets the scenes brilliantly, and makes you think you are actually in Parma, and want to be Italian. It really gives you a feel for what living in another culture is like,, the American Football is there because it's something that is an unusual and unexpected thing in this part of the world! Great stuff, a good change from the court room battles of previous novels.

Easy Read, Not your usual Grisham
Having read every Grisham book, every now and again you get something different. This is one such instance. Yes, JG has build his name and reputation on courtroom/legal issues and tales of the deep south but when you can tell a story like JG, I think its great that he deviates from his normal path from time to time. Skipping Christmas and Bleachers were other examples.
This book is quite simply an easy read. A nice story in a nice setting. JG manages to describe the sumptious food and the Italian passion for the game like no other. I really enjoyed it. Whilst his other stuff is page turning with readers wanting to know the next twist in the plot, this is still a page turner because its so well written and we want to know how sucessful the main character is going to be in his new life. In summary a good read, perfect for holidays.

Very very poor
Big-headed American guy who's a failure at home, goes to play NFL football in Italy. SORRY!!! I've given away the plot!!!!
Complete and total rubbish. Grisham should be ashamed of books like this. He's exploiting his readership where good people who are earning a tiny fraction of what he is are spending money on his books. I'm finished with him. No more. Or are his money-grabbing publishers to blame? Whatever. Learn your lesson. I ain't comin back.