Bud Wilkinson: An Intimate Portrait of an American Legend [Hardcover]

Jay Wilkinson (Author), Gretchen Hirsch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1994

Home Run: The Year the Records Fell chronicles the record setting home run chase and features every home run by Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa. This attractive hardcover is filled with interesting sidebars and loaded with color graphics and pictures. Some highlights include features on Ruth and Maris, McGuire's son Matt, Sosa's 20 home run month in June stats, notes and quotes and the All-Star hom-run contest.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Wilkinson, as football coach for the University of Oklahoma Sooners, ran up a fabulous record of wins from 1947 to 1963, including 47 straight from 1953 to 1963. His teams were national champions on three occasions and won six bowl games. In his later life, Wilkinson became involved in politics, business, and the President's Fitness Council. Son Jay, an All-American football player at Duke University, gives a warm, admiring view of his hard-driving but deeply religious father. This book offers a startling contrast to Bootlegger's Son (LJ 9/15/90), the autobiography of another famous Sooner football coach, Barry Switzer. Oklahoma libraries and fuller football collection will want Bud Wilkinson. It's optional elsewhere.
Morey Berger, St. Joseph's Hosp. Medical Lib., Tucson
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Gretchen Hirsch is the author of "Talking Your Way to the Top: Business English that Works," as well as several other books, and she has published extensively in "Womans Day, Redbook, Health Trends, The Osteopathic Pulse, The Professional Communicator," and "Gifted Child Today," She is a founding member of her own communications consulting business with clients ranging from corporations, educational institutions, and financial services to a variety of nonprofits.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 250 pages
• Publisher: Sagamore Publishing; First Edition edition (August 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571670017
• ISBN-13: 978-1571670014
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,118 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #91 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Football (American)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An American Legend, May 7, 2008

By 

Karen Joan "Siren" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Bud Wilkinson: An Intimate Portrait of an American Legend (Hardcover)

I grew up just blocks from The Ohio State University during the age of the great football rivalry between coaches Woody Hayes and Bo Shembeckler. Fall Saturday mornings were always spent on campus attending the warm up concert of the OSU Marching Band (TBDBITL - The Best Damn Band In The Land); tail-gating with family, friends, and phenomenal food; and, of course, cheering for the Buckeyes and watching them beat whatever team they were playing.

About that same time, Bud Wilkinson was obtaining legendary status as coach at Oklahoma, building one of the country's greatest ever football traditions which encompassed three national championships, 12 consecutive conference titles, 74 straight undefeated regular season games (1947 - 1959), 6 bowl victories, and career win-loss total of 145-29-4.

This book, Bud Wilkinson, An Intimate Portrait of an American Legend, by his son, Jay Wilkinson, and Gretchen Hirsch, details the length and breadth Bud's interesting and colorful life, through his coaching career, his career in the political arena, and his later years. A man of true grace and character, Bud was respected and admired by all those whose lives he touched. Delightfully written in a clear, entertaining style, this book is recommended for anyone who is interested in football, Oklahoma, great traditions, or simply a good role model.