Customer Reviews

Call of the Game

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am not a big reader of books. Often I will buy a book, set it down and not pick it up for weeks, or even months or years. However, this book I sat and read almost cover-to-cover. As a sportscaster myself, I found it entertaining, informative, and provides excellent direction and insight for younger men and women who are hoping to break into this field. If you are planning or hoping to one day go into the broadcasting industry, whether its in sports, news, or whatever, I would say this is required reading!

This is a well organized, enjoyable look into this dynamic profession. Bender's work is professorial; young broadcasters would do well to pay attention to his sagacity. Although Bender provides ample warning of his bias toward exacting preparation, he might lose a little of the essence of sports broadcasting. In treating broadcasting as tantamount to a science, he leaves you without the reason why he does it (and why I do it and why we all do it) -- sports broadcasting is FUN. It is revitalizing. Bender at times treats it as something that requires such precision that it saps his energy. I will say, however, that stripping some of the luster away from this coveted and misunderstood profession is necessary. As mentioned in the Booklist review, he provides plenty of "look-what-you're-getting-into" advice. He's done a good job at that, along with providing clear and understandable advice for someone willing to follow in his shoes. Besides, nobody needs to be told how much fun it is. What we DO need to be told, Bender provides.

I flipped through it a bit myself before giving it to my son, whom it was a gift for, just to see if was going to be an easy read and knew instantly it was appropriate for high school levels and up. He is almost through with it now and said he has learned so much and gained such insight into a career he has long anticipated becoming involved in and studying in college next year. I cant speak about what actual tips etc it contains, because I havent read it myself, but he makes time each day to read it and then keeps going so obviously it has captivated him and that is a good enough sign for me to say go buy this book!!

This book is required reading for any current or want-to-be sports broadcaster. Bender offers an in-depth look into the demands of sports broadcasting. He clearly outlines the qualities required of sportscasters and stresses certain aspects necessary for survival in this very demanding business.

Among other things, the book details Bender's preparation for a broadcast, handling in-broadcast problems, dealing with color commentators, developing an on-air personality, and much more.